Category: Gatherings

2023 Hot Springs Reminder!

Traveling Supreme Members, a reminder about our upcoming Hot Springs Rally which is April 19-25th at the KOA Holiday, 838 McClendon Rd. Hot Springs (501) 624-5912. To be able to be parked together, you need to call by March 1 and ask for Lynn and tell her you are with the Traveling Supremes to get the special rate of $40 per site or $70 for the cabins. They will give a full refund (less $5) if you need to cancel within 24 hours, so make plans to join us in the state with the youngest governor in the nation. (Sorry I just had to put that at the end of the message. Linda)

Famous Bathhouse

Hot Springs Getaway 2023 (Amended)

Join me and Lisa Merriman and Duane and Patty Stowe the week of 19-26 of April, 2023 in Hot Springs, Arkansas at the Koa campground. We have secured 15 sites together with both 30 and 50 Amp hook ups for a flat fee of $40.00 per night. We also have use of the cabins for a fee of $75.00 per night. We have full use of the club house and kitchen as well. On Fri, Sat and Sun the club house doubles as a restaurant from 7am to 10 am for menu items. Cancellation policy is a full refund minus $2.00 up to 48 hours prior. Lisa and Patty are working on an agenda which will be presented at a later date. The cut off date for reservations is the 1st of March. The address for the Koa campground is 838 McClendon Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901. The contact person is Lynn at 501-624-5912. Don’t forget to mention you are with the traveling supremes to get the special rate!

Steve Merriman,  Wagonmaster

Rejuvenate in the thermal waters of turn-of-the-century Bathhouse Row.

Nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs National Park KOA offers a great place to stay when visiting this truly unique city. The campground is just minutes from Hot Springs National Park and the historic downtown area where you can rejuvenate in the thermal waters of Bathhouse Row. Explore the history of the national park, browse the galleries, and shop till you drop. Thrill to the exciting fun of Magic Springs & Crystal Falls or experience hoof-pounding exhilaration at Oaklawn racetrack. Rock crawlers are welcome at Superlift ORV Park, just a stone’s throw from KOA. Hiking, crystal hunting, fishing, and boating are also nearby. Your campground hosts offer shuttles to downtown (fee) and free rides to Magic Springs and Oaklawn (seasonal). This KOA offers the best breakfast in the area (February – November). Pool: April 15 – September 30. Max pull thru: 80 feet.

Hot Springs Getaway 2023

Join me and Lisa Merriman and Duane and Patty Stowe the week of 19-26 of April, 2023 in Hot Springs, Arkansas at the Koa campground. We have secured 15 sites together with both 30 and 50 Amp hook ups for a flat fee of $40.00 per night. We also have use of the cabins for a fee of $75.00 per night. We have full use of the club house and kitchen as well. On Fri, Sat and Sun the club house doubles as a restaurant from 7am to 10 am for menu items. Cancellation policy is a full refund minus $2.00 up to 48 hours prior. Lisa and Patty are working on an agenda which will be presented at a later date. The cut off date for reservations is the 1st of March. The address for the Koa campground is 838 McClendon Road, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 71901. The contact person is Lynn at 501-624-5912. Don’t forget to mention you are with the traveling supremes to get the special rate!

Steve Merriman,  Wagonmaster

Rejuvenate in the thermal waters of turn-of-the-century Bathhouse Row.

Nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs National Park KOA offers a great place to stay when visiting this truly unique city. The campground is just minutes from Hot Springs National Park and the historic downtown area where you can rejuvenate in the thermal waters of Bathhouse Row. Explore the history of the national park, browse the galleries, and shop till you drop. Thrill to the exciting fun of Magic Springs & Crystal Falls or experience hoof-pounding exhilaration at Oaklawn racetrack. Rock crawlers are welcome at Superlift ORV Park, just a stone’s throw from KOA. Hiking, crystal hunting, fishing, and boating are also nearby. Your campground hosts offer shuttles to downtown (fee) and free rides to Magic Springs and Oaklawn (seasonal). This KOA offers the best breakfast in the area (February – November). Pool: April 15 – September 30. Max pull thru: 80 feet.

Chama Gathering 2022

We had a cool gathering in Chama with twelve rigs in attendance including guests Darren and Tammy Phillips, past members of the club, who joined us.  Susan and Ted Kercher also joined us from California while staying in a cabin close to the park, making thirteen total.  Many came for the entire month, others including us came for 3 weeks while Don Spencer and the Newman’s for several months.  It is always like coming home when arriving at Sky Mountain RV Park in Chama and getting to spend time with our extended family, TS Members.  Those attending other than Susan and Ted and Darren and Tammy were: President Jim and Tina Hoover, VP/Wagon Master James and Gail Smith, Secretary and Treasurer Myrna and Billy Braly, Steve and Lisa Merriman, Don Spencer, Sue and Joe Kelly, Jerry and Hessie Smith, Dave and Deanne Phillips, Ron and Diane Garner, new members Max and Karen Newman and us, Polk and Linda Brian.  The day we left Duane and Patty Stowe came into camp getting ready to travel north for another TS trip.

Naturally we get to enjoy visiting prior to and after the designated week of the gathering.  One example prior to the week, we had an ice cream gathering at Sue and Joe’s rig with Jerry and Hessie helping host.  Most everyone attends church each Sunday and it is a must to shop regularly at the local grocery which has everything. We did notice that some of the eatery places had closed due to Covid, to lack of help, or a surge of break-ins.  We did get to enjoy Sarah’s singing in the grove of the park or in the newly erected club house. She is a long time helper at the park and a special person to all.  One Saturday we were able to gather downtown to attend the Chama Days’ Parade and eagerly gathered thrown candies.  One evening, many of the group attended an auction and dinner just south of town which helped the humane society. Some of us drove into Pagosa Springs at different times for shopping at Walmart and eating at special restaurants we’ve enjoyed over the years. Some played cards and the men did get to go cut sticks after the designated week was over.  The Merriman’s hosted two fish-fry’s and some had campfires to enjoy.  Also, we had a memorial for a longtime camper here and friend to all of us, Raymond Bullock, who passed away several weeks ago.  He and Mary Ann have been coming for a long time and she too helps in the park and is loved by all.  So you see we have kept pretty busy in additional to our RV visiting on a daily bases. Oh, nearly forgot, a few went to the doctor and we were all depressed that our, afore mentioned, Mary Ann, had a stroke and is in the hospital in Albuquerque. So, please lift up a prayer for her.  

Our gathering began with a snack night on Monday which is always enjoyable and with varied dishes.  We were able to use the newly constructed building which hasn’t been completely finished but is closed in which keeps us out of the weather (pollen and mosquitos).    We also had a steak night on Thursday with each couple bringing their own steak, hamburger, or chicken for the grill and a side dish.  Delicious as always!  

We did have an Executive Members’ meeting during the week where the list of newly nominated officers was presented and they also attended the meeting as guests.  The ballots have been sent to each of you and the nominees will be voted on at our business meeting in Galveston in October.  Hope you can make it!  Also, at the meeting, Myrna reported we have $5,960.53 unencumbered as a balance in our treasury.  Two upcoming rallies which will reduce the budget some are: The Galveston Business Meeting Rally sponsored by the club will be Oct. 12 leave on 16 at Jamaica Beach RV Resort and then we will have our New Year’s Rally on December 28 to leave on January 2, 2023, in Many, Louisiana, at Toledo Bend RV Resort and Cabins.  Check the web page for more detail.  Again, hope you can make both. 

 Linda Brian

As a reminder, if you have not gone to the web site, travelingsupremes.com, and requested or signed up to receive notices when our Web Master, Susan Kercher, posts updates, please do so now.  Sometimes sponsors of different rallies will send you a notice about a rally but sometimes information is sent to Susan for her to send out and if you are not signed up you will not receive the notice.  

Linda Bria

Chama 2022 followup

Hello Supremes,

I spoke with Bill at Sky Mountain today. He reports that the water is back on, and things are getting back to normal. Currently, Tina and I are still on track to be there on August 1st for 30 days and some of your names were mentioned so I hope that we can all meet up in the mountains and enjoy some cooler weather. It has been well over 100 where we live, so we are ready. Also there are still 3 rigs going on to Custer South Dakota. 

These are challenging times for RV travel and we will continue to monitor fuel cost and availability, but right now, we are a “go”.

I do think that quite possibly going forward, our RV travel and club events may be closer to home, maybe in the Texas and or Louisiana area. On that note, I would like to give special thanks to James and Gail, as well as Polk and Linda for their work in planning our next couple of events. 

Safe travels and God willing I will see you in the mountains.

Vaya con Dios.

James C. Hoover Jr.

  • Chama wildlife!
  • Looking east from downtown Chama

Chama 2022 Update

James and Gail Smith wants the Traveling Supremes know what is going on in New Mexico. Chama is having fires all around it and most recently has had a disruption in the water supply that threatens to last quite awhile. Everything is shut down and train isn’t running. Hopefully it will be ready for us August 15-20! But it is still our beautiful, peaceful, cool Chama!

Gail Smith found a video from a Facebook Page called ”What’s up in Chama” and wanted to share it with us (I hope the video will open, will work, if it doesn’t, text or email me and I can forward to you):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4462135410501619/posts/5213010448747441/

Ted and I are planning to join the Traveling Supremes in Chama and will be at the Elkhorn Lodge from August 15-21. We hope to see everyone there for CHAMA TIME…Susan Kercher

Upcoming Rally List

04/19/23-04/26/23 Hot Springs, Arkansas

2023 Hot Springs, Arkansas, KOA Holiday, 838 McClendon Road, Hot Springs, AR 71901. Call Lynn at 501-624-5912 by the March 1, 2023 deadline and tell them you are with the Traveling Supremes for your special rate.

04/26/23-04/29/23 Branson, Missouri

2023 Branson KOA Holiday, 397 Animal Safari Road, Branson, Missouri 65616. Call 800-56274177 and tell them you are with the Traveling Supremes for your flat rate.

8/14/23-8/19/23 Chama, New Mexico

2023 Chama Gathering, Sky Mountain Resort, 2743 S US Highway 84, Chama, NM 87520. To make a reservation go to skymountainresort.com to send in a reservation request. Make sure to tell them you are with the traveling supremes, book early to assure yourself of a spot!

2021 Chama

2021 Chama Gathering

Do you want to be cool in August next year, then make your plans to join us in 2022 in Chama for our annual gathering at Sky Mountain RV Park.  This year we had 15 rigs, some coming for the entire month while others came for a few weeks but all for the week of 15th through the 21st to join in great fellowship with our RV family.  Those attending were:

Newly appointed President Jim Hoover (former Wagon Master) and wife Tina; Secretary Myrna Braly; newly appointed Treasurer Billy Braly, newly appointed Co-Wagon Masters James and Gail Smith, Jerry and Hessie Smith, Dave and Deanne Phillips with son Darren and wife Tammy Phillips; Louis and Leona Keyser; Mary and Pete Minnix; Steve Merriman; Larry and Nita Denmon; Joe and Sue Kelly; Ron and Diane Garner; Jim and Sarah McElroy; new member Don Spencer; and Polk and Linda Brian. 

Prior to our arrival and the start of the week of our gathering, those who were here attended the annual parade in town.  Sunday was the opening day of the week for the gathering. Monday we had our rain delayed entire-park gathering to hear music performed by Sarah, who is park employed.  She did a great job and some of our own members, James Smith and Ron Garner told some impromptu jokes giving Sarah a quick rest. 

Since this is a gathering and not a planned rally, everyone does their own thing. Some enjoyed the beautiful drive to Pagosa Springs to shop and enjoy eating at different restaurants. Since most of us have been coming for many years, we’ve done the typical touring sites so not many travel anymore to the monastery, or to Ghost Ranch which was the home and studio of painter Georgia O’Keeffe, or take the famous Gumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad to Antonito.

Our days are usually filled with visitation outside different rigs, playing cards in the shade or in the park erected tent which we had for the whole week. Some have been known to share ice cream cones or either cake and coffee in the afternoons.  Also, Chama has one of the best small grocery stores around which does a booming business, one of the best spots in town.

Tuesday and Wednesday we had two Executive Committee meetings, one to fill vacant positions to the officers which just recently came open and another to give input for the agenda for the upcoming Durant rally in Oklahoma, September 15-20th.

Wednesday evening we had a pot-luck meal at the tent and welcomed our newest member, Don Spencer, to our club.  After our meal, Jim Hoover explained about the change in our officers.  Susan Kercher who was our president had resigned due to the sale of their rig and move to California, so Jim who had been our Wagon Master was moved up to fill her position.  Susan will be an emeritus member and has agreed to do the webpage.  Bud Odom, who has served our club for many years as our treasurer requested to be replaced and the executive committee approved and asked Billy Braly to serve which he graciously accepted and James and Gail Smith willingly accepted the newly opened wagon master’s job as co-partners.  After Jim explained the transition of officers, James gave an update on up-coming rallies which were already in place and those he and Gail had just added to the calendar including the New Year’s Rally, so make check the web page or watch your email for dates and rallies and make plans to attend as many as you can. 

Friday we had our annual evening meal of bring-your-own steak for grilling with side dishes in the tent.  This is always a hit.  So come join us next year for a great time.  Call now for reservations because it fills up fast. 

(Pictures in next post)

Linda Brian