Threatened with thunderstorms, sleet and hail...armed with cameras, radios, light jackets and positive attitude a group of 22 cars met at Cooperstown for lunch on Saturday morning to begin a Safari in Phoenix.  I hope you decided to join in the Progressive Poker Run as we played Texas Hold 'em receiving a new look at the cards each time we stopped.  We left Cooperstown around 12:30 and turned many heads as we drove up 7th Avenue to the church for a photo opportunity.  Instructions were given for the photo shoot and cars left the parking lot turning left and right to head in different directions and take as many pictures as humanly possible in the 40 minutes we were allowed before arriving at the Biltmore Park.  Cars lined up and there was time for another photo shoot as the skies were clearing, sun shining through and our effervescent attitudes prevailed.  More instructions for Karaoke and the song lyrics were passed out...we took turns singing the lyrics to Hey Jude by the Beatles and drove on toward Tempe Town Lake...

Super Bowl 2010 and look at how our party has grown.  From the first time we met at Big City BBQ for the 2007 game and had just a few people in attendance to this last event only 4 years later with over 40 people who were able to make it.

Martin and Rose hosted this years event at their home in Central Phoenix allowing a great number to attend.  We had a wonderful buffet where there was just about anything you could think of to eat.  Martin and Rose outdid themselves with chicken, steaks and 1/2 pound burgers...Wow...

Oh yeah, the reason we were there was the football game...While some watch for the commercials, and others for the football game, one thing is certain...if you were there you had a GREAT time...I can't wait to see what happens next year....

Some people may wonder why anyone would live in such a "hot" state...but the sky-sol club knows only too well.  We planned a run to Laughlin via Oatman to pick up Marion who had been MIA at her mom's for several months.  After the recent rains, we were a little concerned that our trip might meet with ice and snow, but our positive attitude and high expectations outweighed anything that Mother Nature could throw at us. 

We met in Sun City West for our drivers meeting and were delighted to have a large contingent of cars.  We left the city behind and headed out to Wickenburg and on to Wikieup.  3 cars were running behind, but all found us in Wikieup before making the turns into Kingman and onto Route 66 for a great twisty run.  Unfortunately, Oatman was having its annual mattress races and we had trouble finding any parking at all.  Three cars got parked and spent a couple of hours meandering around Oatman.  Some went on to Topock to get Marion and have lunch at the local Bar and Grill while the rest headed straight for the hotel in Laughlin.  It was a beautiful day, perfect for a top down ride through northern Arizona.

 In Laughlin we reconnected and joined John and Lynn at the suite for some before dinner hors d'oevres and libation.  Still others rested to get ready for the evening, and some tried their hand at the machines and tables in the casino.  Our dinner was at Antonucci's on the AZ side of the river. Great food and lots of fun spending time with each other.

Sunday we headed over to breakfast on the water at a Marina Cafe and talked turned to renting a houseboat in the future just to go and have fun...Sounds good to me...

We traveled through 3 different states as we made our way home stopping in Quartsite to check out the Rock and Mineral show that is held there every year.  What a wonderful trip...Maybe you can join us next time.  Until then...Happy Trails...

UPDATE TO CA COASTAL RUN RESERVATION INFORMATION AT ASILOMAR

The booking is open for July at Asilomar in Pacific Grove. If you want to stay with the group  and your name does not appear on the list below, you should contact Asilomar directly as soon as possible.  These rooms go fast!  The reservation phone number is (888) 635-5310. The rate for a standard room for two adults with breakfast is $154.00 plus tax - that $168.17 after taxes/fees. We have requested lodging in "Spindrift" (1st choice) or "Breakers" (2nd choice) but neither is guaranteed.  You can request to be affiliated with the existing reservations by referencing confirmation #80U5FV or Itinerary #800015AD under the name of Lynn Busenbark.  If you have any difficulty, email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your phone number and she will talk you through the process. 

The following 12 reservations have been confirmed.  These folks will receive an email soon with payment detail: J. Busenbark, P. Denette, B. Blumenthal, B. Godridge, S. Garcia, H. De Leon, J. Gauthier, M. Lague, R. Galloway, T. Peverley

Check the RSVP for the run to obtain all of the details regarding the trip plans to date and information about reservations in Lompoc.

February is about to crank up and so are the events scheduled for the month. 

02/06 (Sun) - SUPER BOWL PARTY: We start off with the Super Bowl Party. Yup, it's that time of the year again...as usual, it doesn't really matter if you follow football or not, this is one party you don't want to miss! Martin & Rose will be hosting the event at their home, address 4119 N 6th Ave, Phoenix. This is pot luck style, so please let them know what you plan to bring when you RSVP.

02/13 (Sat) - PAVILIONS CAR SHOW : We are set to arrive for the Winter Sky-Sol appearance at the Paviions Car Show no later than 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13.  The show takes place in the parking lot on the north side of Indian Bend Road just west of the 101 in Scottsdale.  We never know quite where we will be assigned to set up so just wander around until you see our cars.  Our favorite place is just south of the McDonald's but we never know.  

We will be heading to Scottsdale BBQ Company at 8471 E. McDowell for dinner about 6:30-6:45 for our 7:00 p.m. reservation.  They will do separate checks BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A LIQUOR LICENSE SO WE CAN BRING OUR OWN. We do need to alert them by Wednesday about the number of people expected to join us, so please note on the RSVP if you are planning on going to dinner. 

02/15 (Mon) - MARDI GRAS DINNER : Laissez les bons temps roule (Let the good times roll) - It's time for our annual Mardi Gras dinner. In order to avoid the ridiculous crush of amateur party goers on Tuesday, we will be celebrating on Monday, Feb 15 - so in reality, we are celebrating Lundi Gras!  Dinner is at Lafittes Restaurant in the Embassy Suites at 2577 W. Greenway Road in Phoenix.  Let's get there at 6:30.  We will be seated at tables for 10 and it is one check per table so it's best if you bring cash.  Check out the menu for all of the N'Awlin' favorites like seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee and red beans and rice.  (BTW-in New Orleans it is considered a felony for a restaurant not to serve red beans and rice on Monday.)  The menu also has sufficient non-Cajun food for the taste-bud inhibited.  We have to give them a good number by February 8, so don't dally with your RSVP.

02/18 (Thur) - KAPPA KOFFEE :  Kappa Koffee will be held at Hob Nobs Coffee House, 149 W. McDowell (where the Willo House use to be).  Reviews on Yelp and Urban Spoon say the place is dripping with atmosphere as well as wall art, good food and coffee.  Maybe we will just stay there for dinner?  January's KK was just about rained out so it's time to show up in mass for February's gathering.  Meet after work about 6:30 to talk cars and just visit.  We will have a brief lecture on "Limp Mode" from our mechanics in the group and a personal story re: Mike and Linda.

02/21 (Sun) - EAST ENDERS COFFEE : East Enders is heading WAY OUT EAST this month to go to the Rhino Cafe, 22721 S. Ellsworth Road, #107.  The menu looks terrific with a good selection of coffees, teas, pastries, and sandwiches. Keeping with East Enders preferences, it is a family owned shop that will welcome our growing turnout for Sunday morning "Its just coffee" from 9:00 to about 10:30. 

02/27 (Sat) - PHOENIX PHOTO SAFARI : Talk about a trek...we begin at 11:30 AM for lunch at Cooperstown in downtown Phoenix. The plan is to slowly meander our way from lunch to dinner in Scottsdale, enjoying the sights along the way.  We will provide maps to everyone at lunch, and there will be at least four different legs of this drive including a variety of fun planned for each leg, so think of this as a sort of "swinging scavenger rally poker photo trivia run." The safari ends with dinner at Pinnacle Peak Patio in North Scottsdale.  Ties are required for BOTH men and women for this old-time Scottsdale steak house, although other than that, we think you can go pretty much naked.  For those who may not own a tie, we will probably include a stop by a Goodwill store along the way so that you can pick something up (or maybe we should add an ugliest tie contest and guys can bring all they want!).

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE CALIFORNIA COAST REGIONAL IN JULY

The RSVP is up on the website and if you want to stay with the group, you need to log on and read the  details. The window for the club's advanced reservations in the Monterrey area is January 28th. Check it out today. 

Our 2010 Annual board Meeting saw the first ever run off election held by the Sky-Sol Club.  Many thanks to all of you for your careful thought as you voted between Jerry and Rose.  In the end, Phil, Debbie, Joe and Rose were elected to the board to serve for the next two years.  Jon, Lynn and Martin round out the Board members for this new year.  Congratulations to all.  We appreciate all of the members who were nominated by the board, and hope that you will consider accepting nominations again in the future.

Our Year in Review touted 22 rides and 39 dinners and Koffees.  If you haven't been able to make a trip, just keep checking the website as new activites are posted as often as possible.  Remember to take a look ahead at the calendar, because sometimes an activity is posted on the calendar, and is not yet ready for an RSVP, but it is a great way to mark the date and plan ahead.

Our finances appear to be in good shape right now, and we will be able to pay for the web hosting for a few more years to come. We have ordered new business cards and will let you know when they are available.  Remember that it is YOU that gets the word out there that we exist.  Please put your name and number on the card so people will have a person to contact directly.  

Members were tasked with ideas for what they want to do during the next year.  There were several one day rides along with several overnights suggested.  Some interesting names of restaurants were recommended and I look forward to trying them out.  Throughout the meeting, prizes were selected and given to members, but our gift for attending the meeting this year was a lovely wine glass etched with the fifth annual meeting date and our logo.

Later the same evening, the board met to appoint officers and begin the process of looking out for its members.  Debbie Denette will be the President for the coming year with Joe Schumann as Vice President.  Rose Scott will be the club Secretary and Lynn Busenbark will be the Treasurer.  Thank you for your input and be sure to let anyone on the board know if there is something that you would like to do.  We can make it happen.....Happy Trails....

Thin light clouds drifted throuth the air. Barely any cars on the road.  Cool crisp January morning.  An enthusiastic group of people assembled behind the car wash on Ray road at  10AM Friday morning.  A few had gotten "bad ice" the night before, but all were in good spirits and ready for a run.  We headed out for Tucson and had a relaxing drive on the way down.  Mark and Sherry made sure that all nine of the cars stayed together.  We had lunch at Sonic and were quickly on our way out to Gates Pass.

We found spots to park all together and enjoyed the beauty of the view landscape surrounding the area.  It was a perfect place for a photo opportunity.  Soon we wended our way through Gates pass and out to route 86 toward Kitt Peak. 

The magical beauty of New Years Day means a distinct lack of traffic on the road.  We enjoyed the ride to the top of Kitt Peak only catching a little gravel on the way.  Some saw snow, but the weather was beautiful.  The wind was calm and the sun warmed you up immediately.  We drove up the mountain top down and enjoyed the wind in our hair.  We could not have asked for a better day. 

Happy Holidays! Along with being merry it's also time to elect your new Board members. We have four seats available this year and you have already chosen the nominees. You must be a club member in good standing in order to participate in the election process. Don't know if your membership is expired... Feel free to contact your This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have let your membership expire you can go to the National Club's web site and re-new. Once your membership account has been brought current you will receive the Ballot via email to vote for your new board members.New Board Members will be announced at the January 16th Annual Membership meeting.

John Busenbark
Debbie Denette
Phil Denette
Francis Garcia
Cheryl Godridge
Jerry Polo
Joe Schumann
Rose Scott

[CLICK HERE for Names and Bio]

 A fun filled 3-Day Baja Mexico Cruise, departing the Los Angeles port of Long Beach, onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Fun Ship ”Paradise”. This is a 3-day Cruise that travels to Encenada Mexico and back to the port of Long Beach.

Cabins Starting at only $340.11/pp!

*Prices are based on double occupancy and include cruise fare, port charges, government taxes and document handling fees.

 Celebrate the start of Summer 2010 by joining your Sky-Sol Car Club friends and other National Club Members. Contact Joanne Polo 602-493-5676 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Go to the RSVP above for all of the details - don't delay, there are some deadlines coming right up to ensure we get our cabins together. 

The Wild Wild West and Tombstone are synonymous with a whirlwind of fun for the Sky-Sol Club.  We left at different times on Friday heading down to Trailriders Inn and other establishments for spending the weekend.  We arrived full of enthusiasm, dropped our gear and headed into town.  Some headed straight to Big Nose Kate's for some refreshment and to meet up with other members who had arrived earlier.  Others walked the street to stretch their legs while still others took a rest before the evening activities. 

We met at the Six Gun Saloon for dinner and by the time everyone arrived we had 34 people in attendance for dinner.  We ate dinner and listened to Karaoke.  Soon the natives made their way and really took over the Karaoke machine.  It was a fantastic way to reconnect with friends we had met...Then off to the Crystal Palace, our own rooms or the Bunk House for some late evening conversation.

Saturday morning dawned early as we were able to park our cars on Allen Street beginning at 7:00AM.  The car show was to begin at 8:00AM.  Cars started to arrive and we lined Allen Street (the main street in Tombstone) from the Longhorn Restaurant to the Bird Cage Theater.  What a beautiful sight.