The Mexican Connection September 2008 Newsletter is available, with PASSWORD access. Chapter 8 members have received an email with the password.

HURRY THE CHAPTER 8 RALLY REGISTRATION FOR THE 2009 RALLY TO GUAYMAS ENDS DECEMBER 10, 2008

If you're going to change to a winter address and that is not the one you placed on your rally application, please let us know or file a change of address. Email your change to us at noretorno2rig@yahoo.com. We plan on mailing out the rally packets mid December before we leave for Douglas.

The 2009 Rally Registration Forms and the 2008 Club Membership Form are available WITHOUT a PASSWORD.

2009 RALLY REGISTRATION FORMS (To Print Ctrl+P)
The 2008 CLUB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (To Print Ctrl+P)

Thomas Korsmo has sent an email with the password to paid up members. If you didn't get one, contact Tom or Joanne, the Newsletter Editors. Paid dues are required to receive the PW. $8 yearly membership, renewal $6. To send an e-mail to Tom click here. You can also e-mail the Webmaster who has a list of club members who are up to date for the password. Click here.

If you can't bring up the "Login Page Click Here.

If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader file version 5 or better, then you can download it free. Go to downloads, click here.

Here is a brief summary: The 2009 Rally dates are: February 14 to February 26, 2009. Basic rally costs are: Rig fee: 1 rig and 2 people $500 + rally fee $40 per person.

There's a domino game called Mexican Train. The 2009 rally will be the Mexican Train Connection beginning February 15th in historic Douglas, Arizona and ending in Guaymas on February 26th so that we will be there during one of the oldest carnaval celebrations held in Mexico.

Walter Douglas, for whom the town of Douglas is named, was a major stockholder in the Southern Pacific Railroad and after some gentle persuasion from his wife, ordered the Souther Pacific Railroad de Mexico to build a deluxe hotel in Guaymas on the bay. Mrs. Douglas and a friend spent a lot of time overseeing the plans for the Hotel Playa de Cortes where we'll be staying.

When the hotel was completed the best mariachi band from Jalisco was hired for the inaugruation fiesta. At that time mariachi bands dressed in ordinary clothing. The ladies decided they wanted the band to dress like Charros which has become the costume associated with mariachi bands to this day.

This was the first time in Sonora and possibly in all of Mexico that the Charros attire was worn while performing.

The Chapter 8 caravan will be in Guaymas in time to partake in one of the oldest carnaval celebrations in Mexico: floats, music, parades, cultural events and more.
If you find the revelry tiring, you can laze beneath a palm tree studded private beach, swim in the pool, hook up to WiFi in the hotel lobby, enjoy the view of the mountains and sea or view beautiful sunsets all from the steps of the hotel.

While in Guaymas you can tour a pearl factory, visit a mercado, take a nature margarita/harbor tour, or charter a fishing boat.

The rally will begin February 15 - 26, 2009. For more information continue to visit this website. Brian and Claudia Ellis, Wagonmasters.

RALLY ROUTE UPDATE

An update on the route to be taken has been made. The original planned route was to be Mex 17/14, however after getting feed back from fellow members and rethinking our drive along the route, we have decided that the thrill of having rearview mirrors filled with the grills of LARGE intercity buses coupled with 56 miles of mountain roads without guardrails or safe places to turn off was not really needed. The new route will involve going from Douglas on some very good American roads to Nogales and taking Mex 15 to Guaymas.

To see a more detailed report of the route change with colorful graphics follow the LINK. This is a two page pdf file which can be printed.

Brian and Claudia Ellis

Becoming A Member of Chapter 8