We Are At The Hop

So here we are in beautiful downtown Indio at the fairgrounds.  The weather could not be more perfect.  Warm in the daytime, cool at night.  That makes it much easier to stay cool when the power goes out.  They spent another six hours yesterday getting it fixed and finally just brought in another generator.  So far so good.

The auditorium has been painted for our entertainment with the theme of At The Hop, but so far it's been hard to dance to the songs in everyone's head as they wander around the Chapter Fair.

This is a cool one.  Does it not look like we are actually IN the soda shop?  

I did not set up breakfast yesterday ... toasted bagels require power ... so we all sat with our coffee and ragged on the power crew.  They all gave me a bad time because I unplugged my rig from the line.  Mr. Chance told me to ALWAYS unplug, for when they turn the power back on, you might get a surge that cleans your clock, or the motherboard on your microwave.  I can't take a chance of losing either.

Around noon we loaded up the golf cart and headed off to the Chapter Fair.  I helped set it up and then raced back to the rig to meet Jim Fulkerson who changes my rig's oil every year.  I got a full service for $423.  I have no idea if that's a good price or not, but it gets done while I wait and I don't have to drive even two feet.  

Here's some of our crew.  I think we actually had 14 people helping out.  I got back just in time to load up everything and head back to the rigs.  It's time for our famous smoked salmon and pork tenderloin dinner.

Here's the only problem with that.  During the day, several people came by to remind us they were members and would arrive in time for dinner.  They didn't sign up, they didn't pay, and yet they wanted dinner.  With another 10 people showing up, I headed out to find some trip-tip to add to the menu.  

I'm sad to say, Indio is not the trip-tip capital of the West Coast.  I actually had to go to three different stores before finding one.  Arriving back just in time, only two guys volunteered to do all the cooking.  Thank you Rich and Ken.  Yes there was a slight problem when the 18 hour water soaked cedar planks caught fire, but they put it out quickly.  The salmon was the best they've ever cooked.

In no time the moon came up just as the sun was heading down.  We have had gorgeous pink skies every night.

That was followed up by the lovely colors of The Guitar Guy.  We have him play for us every year.  What a kick in the pants to sing all those songs we danced to in high school.

Cleanup was a bear and I think I used up half my water tank.  I have to get my butt in gear this morning, as breakfast is being served at 9:00.  I'm back to chopping and hacking, not to mention getting ready for Taco Tuesday on Thursday.  That's right ... another big dinner, this one for free.  You don't even have to bring your own tortilla!!