VOLUME NO. 16 ISSUE NO. 16 WINTER 2017 - 2018 DESERT CABALLEROS Out Wickenburg Way 2018 NEWSLETTER Avocado Party, the Hawaiian Luau Party, the Margarita Party, the Dear Fellow Caballeros... Cheese Crisp Party, and, of course, the Friday post-Ride Picture Party. I can’t wait until April 13, 2018! That’s the Friday before the 2018 We party almost as much as we ride. (I can live with that.) DC Ride. And it’s when all the excitement and festivities begin in I have asked my old friend, Charlie Hoch, to come up with a “surprise” Wickenburg, Arizona. for us in the food department. I’ve always thought our caterer Mickey It all starts with a brand new Friday night event...the first annual Desert Houston’s food was amazing, and I’ve asked Charlie and Mickey to Caballeros “Back Patio Social”...to be held in the back patio at Tommy come up with something extra special for 2018...an entrée or a dessert Killer’s Rancho Bar 7 beginning at 6:30pm on April 13, 2018. to “wow” us even more! After 30 years of being on this great western adventure, I know that the So please mark your calendars for APRIL 16-20, 2018. But, do plan to job of El Presidente and the Board of Directors is not to change our be in Wickenburg on Friday, April 13 for the pre-Ride weekend festivities. wonderful DC Ride traditions, but to add to them. And don’t forget to tell your friends! Line up your So I thought about all the terrific innovations we’ve Greenstripers now for next April! Let’s make 2018 as had over the last number of years...the Silent memorable as we can. Auction, the duck races, the rifle auction, the hot Please be on the lookout for your Ride package in fudge sundaes, the chicken dance and the flag the mail. If you need an extra Amigo or Nuevo ceremony. All have been welcome additions application form, just let Jim McArthur to our already great trail ride. know ([email protected]). And this coming year, I want to do even My adorable Vikki Ann and I wish all more. So in 2018 - on Friday evening, you cowboys and your families a joyous April 13 - every DC Rider is invited to fall, winter and holiday season. Merry the “Back Patio Social” at Rancho Bar 7. Christmas to you. Happy Hanukah. Happy It’s the perfect way to say hello to old friends New Year. Un Año Nuevo muy feliz! and meet new ones. There’ll be cold beer May God bless you and keep your families in and drinks for sale, loud country music and good health, happiness and prosperity. a fabulous group of DC folks to share the fun with. All DC Riders, friends, wives and See you this coming April 13, 2018. I will sweethearts are invited. be at the bar at Rancho Bar 7’s back patio on that Friday evening. You’ll recognize me We’re also working to improve day-in-camp logistics. because I’ll be wearing a red shirt and my DC name badge. We want it to be a short walk from the horse races to the duck races to the margarita party. No one should have to trek half a mile - Mark your calendars, compadres! And be sure to tell your friends. or anywhere near that distance - to enjoy all of these fun events. I will personally be bringing a whole gang of Greenstripers in 2018. No magic solution yet – but we’re working on it. I can’t wait. It’s gonna be a great one! In 2018, the DC will once again be PARTY CENTRAL...starting with Vaya con Dios, the Back Patio Social at Rancho Bar 7, your Camp’s annual party, RICK NULMAN the El Presidente Party and the DC Silent Auction, the Shrimp & El Presidente Remuda Boys getting ready A gang of desperadoes Pork Chop going out… … Stan coming back DC Newsletter 2018.indd 1 10/17/17 11:06 PM D.C. RIDE, MORE FUN THAN A WHOOPIE CUSHION IN CHURCH. personalities as you will discover beer stops in brush-covered, park By Jim Nichols when attending the various parties the like areas. It is a good 7 ½ to 8 hours California Camp camps host during the ride. before we turn over that lead rope. The evening of the second day is super, There is a great Sunday President’s “Jim, will you write a short piece knowing we get to sleep in Wednesday Party (food, drinks and silent auction) for our D.C. Newsletter?” is how the (day 3, known as Day-In-Camp) and the night before the actual trek begins. request was made. “Of course” then participate in the gymkhana, The guys bring their wives and I responded. “And try not to make horse races, duck races or trap shoot. Rick the florist Monday parade Stan the man sweethearts, all decked out in their it the old rehash about friendships, western finery. The FOOD ON THE RIDE IS scenery, food and the Day in Camp.” MAGNIFICENT from beginning to end. “What the H.? That is like asking me We are served steak, fish, chicken, to boil a frog with no water” I said. lobster with all of the sides and more. This is my 26th Ride and I’m going The breakfasts are also spectacular; FLAGS to spit it out the way it tumbles out of everything and anything a hungry my head. And if any of you Caballeros cowboy would want. Look out for the & moan “Oh the same old gooey stuff”. Moose Milk delivered by boys from Well EXCUUUUUZE ME! Read it with one of the camps as the sun is barely splashing its rays across the meadow. ... your dark glasses on or don’t read it Flowers at all. In fact if you’ve been on the D.C. Moose Milk is like a Mai Tai with adventure before don’t read this just cream in it. Yummie but if too much is Caballeros, wives send in your money and get your butt consumed you won’t be able to find in the saddle at the appointed hour. the zipper on your sleeping bag when This little article is for our Newbies. you’ve got to get up in the middle of and sweethearts! Our GREENSTRIPERS who are about to the night. Sheldon Roberts & Big John Franzreb Gil and rose have the time of their lives. Yep, more Moving on, Day 4 is a reprise of Day fun than slipping a whoopee cushion 2 - only in a different direction. It on the preacher’s chair seat when he’s is a long one but memorable. Lead at the lectern leading the congregation ropes handed off, the 4th night is in prayer. spent luxuriating at the Boyd Ranch, Do you know how many bad times The boys are in the saddle the which has permanent showers, rest I have had in a quarter of a century following morning. We muster before a rooms, bars, a casino and an eating spurring with the D.C.? NONE! sound stage, listen to a young lady sing pavilion. At night there is a wind-up God Bless America, get introduced ceremony. More buckles, ribbons and That’s why I keep coming back like a to the D.C. officers and local police, accolades are generously handed out buzzard to Hinkly, Ohio. hear a prayer, and off we go. There is to deserving cowboys. excitement in the air as we parade Okay, listen up you new people: you out of town with flags flapping, horses It is a night to enjoy and remember will quickly learn that the D.C. is a prancing, women blowing kisses from and to say farewell to friends old brotherhood. A male bonding piggy the curbs and bar doors, and truckers and new. IT IS OUR LAST NIGHT family of guys who care for each TOGETHER. Following day there is a looking at their watches with frowns as Many nations! Friday parade Wildflower other. Friendships are re-established, they sit dead still on a Highway Patrol short ride into town. We muster and memories and stories are shared stopped interstate. parade back to where we started with (some even true). Nostalgia visits me truckers waving out the windows, when I look in the Ride Book and see After about 4 hours we ride into camp. telling us with their middle fingers the Empty Saddles. (Cowboys who The boys wander to their various that we are “number one” in their have made their last ride). camps where beds are already set up, book. At least, that is what I think they drinks are served and music is heard mean. In the evening there is a picture THE RIDE: Actually before the ride it playing over generator-driven camp party where one can buy a photo should be pointed out there are three speakers. The Californios host an or a beautiful collection of photos days of activities, parties and short avocado party the first night, Monday, of the ride taken by our official ride rides sponsored by the various camps. for the whole Ride. photographer, Dave Darby. The D.C. is the Mother Ship. However it is composed of satellite clubs: Los DAY 2: It’s a long one, but a fun one. So that’s it in a nutshell. Get your Californios, Cheapskates, Honkers, We climb into the mountains. We money and applications in early so you Los Caballeros, Poor Boys and cross the Hassayampa, ride across the have a place on the picket line with Remuda.