By Rae Phillips, F124999
March 2017
The Cuatro Estados chapter held its 30th anniversary rally September 9 through 14, 2016, at Enchanted Trails RV Park & Trading Post in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The park maintains the look and feel of a trading post from the 1950s and ’60s. Forty-six people attended the anniversary party on September 11.
The six-day celebration included a shared anniversary with famous Route 66 — the “Mother Road” — which turned 90 in 2016. For that reason, we selected as our base Enchanted Trails RV Park, which was a major stopping point during Route 66’s heyday. Naturally, this also meant driving and exploring Route 66 throughout central New Mexico. Picking up on the spirit of the era of diners, drive-ins, and neon lights, we celebrated with music and dancing from the ’50s and ’60s, along with costumes and games, sodas and sundaes, and even “Dagwood” sandwiches.
Activities included a drive west on Route 66 through Pueblo Indian lands, which are marked by green valleys, red rock cliffs, and monolithic outcroppings. Historic missions still serve many Pueblo communities, and Pueblo people sell handcrafted items to tourists, as they have for decades. In Albuquerque, we visited Old Town during its annual Salsa Fiesta and checked out a few breweries as well. We also rode the Sandia Peak Tramway to the top of Sandia Peak to view the sunset (and threatening stormy skies!).
Other activities included a drive and hike to La Bajada Hill. Between 1926 and 1932, cars traveling Route 66 faced this notoriously difficult climb up the volcanic escarpment. We also enjoyed lunch at Albuquerque’s ’50s-style 66 Diner, which had everyone remembering their teenage days of malts and shakes. Some members then visited the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History to view a special exhibit, “Route 66: Radiance, Rust, And Revival On The Mother Road.”
The Cuatro Estados chapter — the name is Spanish for “four states” — started with members from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Today, California and Texas residents also are among the nearly four dozen member families. The chapter celebrates its theme, “The Spirit of Adventure,” at all its rallies. We like to explore the world around us — from history to flora and fauna — and enjoy fun and fellowship with other motorhome wanderers. Consider joining us at one of our 2017 rallies, which are listed in FMC magazine’s “Association Calendar” and online at FMCA.com (Chapters/Areas tab). Or visit our website, www.cuatroestados.com, or our Facebook page (search “Cuatro Estados FMCA Chapter”). We are proud to say we are still gaining new members every year, even as others become alumni.