Family & Friends: Apollo Amigos Celebrate 20 Years “¦ In A Cow Pasture

 
By Jan Watson, F45009
November 2013
 
The Apollo Amigos chapter received its FMCA charter in 1993. The chapter was started when several members of the company-sponsored Apollo International RV Club had their memberships revoked because they no longer owned Apollo motorhomes. (The Apollo International RV Club wanted to remain exclusively for owners of Apollo motorhomes.) Those who owned “some other brand” of motorhome, affectionately known as SOBs, did not want to lose the friendships they had made with other former Apollo owners. So, chapter founder Ruth Hewitt organized our first charter meeting in Acton, California. With the required number of coaches present, we were off and running. Officers were elected, bylaws written, and rallies planned. Our motto became “Friendship First.” The brand of motorhome didn’t matter as much to us as our interest in maintaining friendships. To this day, we welcome all brands and we still have a few Apollo coaches in the chapter.
 
Twenty years later, we celebrated our anniversary in a cow pasture in Sonora, California, May 21 through 28, 2013. Members Bruce and Jan Watson have hosted a rally every year at their Flicker Hollow Ranch and lovingly call it the “Cow Capers.” Members park in the pasture, hook up to limited power, and are handed a shovel, since this is a real cow pasture. Large tents are erected, tables and chairs put into place, lights hung, and the fun begins. Another large tent becomes the cook tent. A 100-year-old house nearby has hot and cold running water and a refrigerator and freezer, which enables members to prepare fabulous meals. The rally usually lasts a week, and breakfast and dinner are served by members who share the cooking duties using roasters, barbecue grills, and gas stoves. We even have a sink in the pasture, which drains into a gopher hole. A huge red oak tree provides shade for our evening social hour.
 
During past rallies, we have gone gold panning; toured local wineries; visited Rail Town 1897 State Historic Park, Columbia State Historic Park, and Yosemite National Park; attended fantastic theater productions; produced our own “Flicker Hollow Follies”; and had live entertainment in the pasture. Sonora is located in the heart of the gold country, so it offers much to see and do. The pasture affords plenty of room for games, Frisbee golf, boomerang contests, and once even a wet T-shirt contest. No, it’s not what you think. The winner of this contest was the person who threw the wet T-shirt the farthest. In recent years, the meals have been moved to a large “barn” on the property with indoor plumbing, heaters, and all the comforts of home.
 
During our anniversary rally, Western Motor Home Association senior vice president Dick Gibbs presented our 20-year certificate to current chapter president Paulette Boyd, vice president Jan Watson, and founder Ruth Hewitt. Guests received a DVD that included photos from the past 20 years of rallies at Flicker Hollow. Lots of fond memories!
 
In addition to the 20 Flicker Hollow Cow Capers, we have had rallies in Anacortes, Washington; Lake Havasu, Arizona; Branson, Missouri; Mount Rushmore and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Baja California, Mexico; Grants Pass, Oregon; Alaska; and various locations throughout California. Chapter members have attended and volunteered at the Western Area Rally in Indio for 19 of our 20 years, heading the decorations for 15 years, organizing the locator cards, setting up tables and chairs, performing security duty, and supervising seminars, to mention just a few of our jobs. We average four to six rallies a year and try to hold some in the north, south, and central parts of California, as that’s where the majority of our members live.
 
We welcome new members with any brand of motorhome, and most of our membership is by referral. Of course, members with Apollo motorhomes are always welcome. We recently welcomed Dennis and Cheryl DeNoi, proud owners of a beautiful Apollo Sceptre. The couple found us at Indio last year and joined the ranks immediately. Currently, these full-timers are tracking the whereabouts of every Apollo Sceptre manufactured. You can check out their Web site at www.apollosceptremotorhomes.com.
 
The majority of our members are retired, so we frequently hold mid-week rallies, and our gatherings usually last four to five days. We call ourselves a working club, as everyone has an opportunity to pitch in and help when we have a rally. If you don’t volunteer to participate in meal preparation, you get the distinct pleasure of cleaning up afterward. Many hands make light work and a good time for all.
 
Find out more about the chapter at www.apolloamigosrvclub.com. Here you can discover how to join, learn about future rallies, print out rally reservation forms, and read our quarterly newsletter. We’re looking forward to another 20 years!