Wheel Life: Burgundy bunch looks to stand out at Rose Parade
While watching the Rose Parade Monday morning, scan the bleachers near the beginning of the route for a large block of burgundy-clad revelers.
Those 160-some folks are a group of RVers (including a few from the Pacific Northwest) who have traveled from across the country to sit front-row-center at the 118th annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses.
“We obtained our tickets two years ago,” said Tina Poole, manager of Texas-based Adventure Caravans, organizers of this Rose Parade Rally.
In addition to grandstand seats, participants get to watch dozens of floats being assembled the day before the parade and go “backstage” the day following the parade for up-close inspections.
“Many people say the post-parade viewing is almost as much fun as the parade,” said tour leader Alice Maitland of Forest Grove, Ore.
Maitland and her husband, Pat, are among a dozen Adventure Caravan staff, all RVers, currently in Southern California coordinating the logistics for the six-day rally.
Side excursions include attending the Crystal Cathedral’s pageant production “The Glory of Christmas,” Equestfest at the Equestrian Center, and a “Points of Interest Tour” through Hollywood and Los Angeles.
All of those activities were what Karen and Don Sweeney of Spokane had planned for more than a year to see.
Just two weeks ago, however, a little bout with pneumonia put Don Sweeney in the hospital for a few days.
“We were really looking forward to the trip,” said Karen Sweeney. “Maybe next year.”
Making the trip are Beverley and John De Jong of Bellevue, Wash.
The De Jongs left the Northwest on Tuesday for a fast 1,170-mile trip down I-5 to rendezvous with the group at an RV park in Pomona, Cal.
They are traveling in their Dodge conversion van, one of the smaller rigs in the group.
“We were making a trip to Southern California anyway,” said Beverley De Jong, “and we wanted to see the Rose Parade.”
De Jong, a retired international travel tour director, said she and her husband decided to go with the rally because she currently has some limited mobility and the guided tour provides bus transportation to all the events.
She added that she finds the tour to be “slightly pricey, considering the fact that you are using your own vehicle, own gasoline, own bed and providing a good number of your own meals.”
“However,” she continued, “they do have reserve seating for the parade.”
How much?
Cost for the Adventure Caravans’ six-day escorted Rose Parade Rally is $1,595 for two people and $1,095 for solo travelers.
This fee includes services of wagon masters, New Year’s Eve celebrations, those burgundy jackets and seat cushions, RV parking, bus transportation to all events, reserved Rose Parade seats, side trips, souvenirs and many of the meals.
Not covered, of course, is the cost of fuel and other expenses incurred traveling roundtrip to Southern California.
Information
“ Adventure Caravans Inc., 125 Promise Lane, Livingston, TX 77351-0855; call toll-free (800) 872-7897; www.adventurecaravans.com.
“ The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade kicks off Monday at 8 a.m. Pre-parade activities begin at 7 on multiple broadcast and cable networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, HGTV and Univision (in Spanish).
For in-depth information on the parade, its history and the Rose Bowl go to www.tournamentofroses.com.
Good Sam meeting
The January meeting of Get Along Sams chapter of the Good Sam Club takes place next Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at the Arbor Grove Clubhouse, 18926 E. Mission Ave. in Spokane Valley.
If you are interested in attending the potluck lunch meeting RSVP by Wednesday by calling Dave and EJ DeWitt at (509) 435-6089 or (509) 435-6090.