2018 Reno, Nevada Rally Recap
Oct 14-19, 2018

Dates: Oct 14-19, 2018
Location: Gold Ranch RV Resort
350 Gold Ranch Rd (I80 West, Exit 2)
Verdi, NV 89439
Hosts: Don and Bev Bedard
Bill and Nancy MacLean

Twelve coaches from California, Nevada and Washington met at the Gold Ranch RV Resort in Verdi, Nevada, near Reno. Two members arrived in their respective coaches for their first rally.

Our first night was our traditional heavy appetizer potluck dinner. It turned out to be unusually cold that night, but Sherri at Gold Ranch came through for us by allowing us to use the reception area, with its cozy fireplace, for our dinner. Wendy Schwerin surprised and delighted us again by giving each coach solar-powered fairy lights in a mason jar, which she had made.

This rally was cohosted by the Bedards and the MacLeans. Bev Bedard had to miss most of the rally due to illness, so the other hosts ably led us through the activities. Thanks to Nancy, Don and Bill! A lot of planning went into this rally and a Bedard/MacLean rally never disappoints!

The next day we went to the Kimmie Candy factory in Reno and had a very interesting tour of this company that manufactures candy under its own brand, but also for other brands. I don't know about all the other members who bought candy there, but Kimmie Candy was enjoyed by a lot of our friends and neighbors when we got home.

In the afternoon, most of us toured the Harrah's Auto Museum in Reno. If you are interested in automotive history, it's a must-do.

That evening we repeated our dinner in the reception area, with some additional potluck contributions, and discussed our coach problems with a former Born Free repair specialist, John Larson. Again, Wendy gave us single, sealed wine glasses with wine. Wendy is a marvel.

The following day we all went to the Nevada Historical Society where we were met by a tour guide par excellence who enthusiastically and skillfully led us through Reno history.

Some of us went back to Reno in the afternoon to the University of Nevada Planetarium.

Then back to Reno in the evening for a Basque dinner at Louie's Restaurant. A good and tasty time was had by all, and Don Bedard made sure we had lots of laughs too.

On Day Four we went to the historic gold mining town of Virginia City. Most of us started the day with a trolley tour of the town, and then we broke up in groups and spent the day there. This was the second visit to Virginia City for many of us who attended a rally by the Bedards and MacLeans a few years ago. This time we toured some of the museums we didn't have time for the first time, and I was charmed by the potbellied pig who was getting petted by many tourists.

Day Five brought us back to Reno for a delightful surprise: the Wilbur May Museum. This is an excellent museum of artifacts collected by the well-traveled Wilbur May. Not only was the museum a real treat, but the adjacent park was not to be missed.

We then went to a park near our RVs where we had a picnic lunch.

Dinnertime found us at the Boomtown Casino's buffet.

This rally was a treat planned by Reno locals, a great benefit of our Leaping Lions membership.

Impromptu Group Picture (Four participants missing)

Written by Phyllis Howard.