Greetings 4CU Members!

I hope you had a fabulous Canada Day this week and will have a wonderful July 4th weekend and a full summer of rest, rejuvenation and rallies!! Here are some fun facts. What is the most popular 4th of July food? Well, potato salad of course! What is the flower for July? It’s the pink larkspur. What are the July birthday gemstones? Ruby, onyx, and turquoise. Happy Birthday to all you July babies. And Happy 250 Birthday USA! What was your most fun rally so far this year? All of them!!!

In This Edition

In this edition, we introduce our new members; give you an update from our rally committee; present a rally review from the rally hosts of Cool Times in the Cool Pines at Sky Mountain RV Resort, Chama and Balloons Over Angel Fire; and provide our new recipe favorites!

Membership News

We’re excited to welcome the following new affiliate members to the 4CU. Be sure to introduce yourselves to them, when you see them at a rally or streaming down the road soon!

Affiliate Members

Rick and Meryl Kessel, Kanab, Utah BRN 04641

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Rally Committee Update

Rally Committee Update – July 2026 by Barbara Engelmann

Route 66 Caravanette Update

It is with disappointment that we announce the cancellation of our club’s first Caravanette. Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the Route 66 event and the considerable effort invested in its planning, we did not receive enough registrations to make the Route 66 Caravanette feasible.

While we are disappointed by this outcome, we are incredibly grateful to the outstanding committee members who devoted countless hours, creativity, and enthusiasm to bringing this vision to life. A special thank you goes to Leon and Janet Hauck, Kirby Collins, Eric and Theresa Sanchez and Scott and Cathy Verhines. Their dedication, hard work, and passion were evident throughout the planning process, and our club is fortunate to have volunteers of their caliber.

Please join us in thanking these members for their commitment and willingness to pioneer our club’s first ever Caravanette. Although this idea will not move forward, the lessons gained from this effort may help shape future opportunities for our membership.

All Caravanette registrants will be refunded 100% of their fees, and 4CU Treasurer Jim Mizera will coordinate those refunds directly with each of the registrants.

Thank you to everyone who supported the event, and we look forward to seeing you at future 4CU rallies and gatherings.

Member Driven Rallies:
Do you have a favorite camping spot, that you think would make an ideal rally location? Have you wondered about hosting a rally? Rallies can be as relaxed as you’d like or as “planned” as you’d like. The rally committee has set up many of the rallies each year, but it’s time for YOU to step forward to come up with some new rallies for the 4CU. The rally committee is here to help answer questions and get the rally registration set up. Then it’s up to you! Make it fun, make it new, and make just what you want in a rally.

Share your ideas and locations with the rally committee now!

Rallies coming soon:
October – No rally is planned. If you have an idea for a rally, reach out to the Rally Committee, and they can help you with details.
Second Annual Artesia Air Urban Rally – November 5th-8th 2026 – Artesia, NM
Catalina Unplugged – November 11th-15^th 2026 – Oro Valley, AZ 

2026 Rally Schedule

Priest Gulch RV Campground, Dolores, CO
August 13th–16th 2026
15 Full hook-up sites
Hosts: Meme and Michael Eberspacher
Co-Hosts: Alan and Genie Shupe
The rally registration is closed.

Airstream International Rally, Minot, ND
August 22nd–27th 2026

October is Open!  No rally is planned. If you have an idea for a rally, reach out to the Rally Committee, and they can help you with details.

Artesia Air Urban Rally
Artesia, NM
November 6^th – 8th 2026
Hosts: Scott and Cathy Verhines
Co-Hosts:  Gary and Pat Griffen

Catalina Unplugged – Registration Coming Soon
Catalina SP, Oro Valley, AZ
November 11th-15th 2026
Hosts: Leon and Janet Hauck

New Year’s Rally, Picacho Peak State Park, AZ
December 30^th, 2026 – January 3rd, 2027
Hosts:  Louis Hall and Sergio Quiros
Co-hosts:  Lee and Tammy Gatten

Looking Ahead to 2027

Members commented that they want to know as soon as a rally is booked, so that they can look ahead and plan their travels. Take a look to see if you can join us at an upcoming rally.

Usery Mountain Regional Park, Mesa, AZ
February 25-28, 2027
Group Campground A & B, Dry Camping

Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood, AZ
April 1-4, 2027
Raven Group Loop, Dry Camping

Sky Mountain RV Park, Chama, NM
June 10-14, 2027
FHU Sites

Angel Fire Resort and RV Park, Angel Fire, NM
June 17–21, 2027
Hosts:  Scott and Cathy Verhines
Co-Hosts:  Chuck and Andrea Hanson
FHU Sites

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Rally Roundup

Cool Times in the Cool Pines – Chama

“Cool Times in the Cool Pines” Chama Rally was held June 15-18 in Chama, NM at the Sky Mountain Resort & RV Park. Thirteen rigs and a total of 27 people enjoyed fantastic weather and activities. Thank you Cathy and Randy Fuhrman for hosting this great rally!

The rally began on Monday with a Happy Hour at the club house with light appetizers. The mild weather allowed us to use the patio as we met old friends and made new ones. On Tuesday many attendees took the opportunity to hike, fish or visit Chama and the surrounding area. Wednesday evening there was a potluck and live music was provided by The SideKicks.

Our featured charity was the Rio Chama Foodbank. We were able to collect a large amount of food and $150 cash for them. This pantry is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting and distributing food to those in need. This food pantry serves as a vital resource providing free groceries, including canned goods and fresh produce, to those in need in the northern Rio Arriba region. The pantry serves rural and underserved communities, with distribution twice monthy and no eligibility restrictions.

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Balloons Over Angel Fire

Balloons Over Angel Fire Rally –
June 18-22, 2026

The beautiful Moreno valley of northern New Mexico was the setting for the Balloons Over Angel Fire Rally, June 18-22 with 26 Airstreams joining. Thank you hosts: Cathy and Scott Verhines and Andrea and Chuck Hanson!

The Angel Fire RV Resort was our home base with full hook-up sites on concrete pads and loads of amenities and activities to enjoy.

Several campers attended pickleball lessons offered by the RV Resort and pickleball games were enjoyed during perfect sunny weather. Others enjoyed biking, went on local hikes, fished the Cimarron River, had lunch at the St James Hotel in Cimarron, or visited nearby Red River or Eagle Nest.

The Resort’s Waffle Wake Up was popular as waffles were delivered to our rigs by the campground staff on Saturday morning. In mornings and evenings, a herd of elk caught our attention as they strolled down from the mountain to a large field adjacent to the campground.

The rally kicked off with a Meet and Greet in the spacious clubhouse where campers had the chance to meet everyone, as well as sample delicious appetizers.

The weather was good for colorful hot air balloons to launch Friday morning and several campers rode bicycles to the launch site at the airport, about 2 miles. Unfortunately, the scheduled launches for Saturday, and Sunday mornings were hampered by breezy conditions aloft. Others took the opportunity to watch the action from our campground at Angel Fire RV Resort or by getting up close and personal by driving to the launch area.

On Saturday, many campers were found strolling through the Arts and Crafts Market at the new event center venue just off of Main Street in downtown Angel Fire, and the first Farmer’s Market of the season was visited there on Sunday morning.

Sunday was Father’s Day, which we celebrated with a catered barbecue meal in the clubhouse accompanied by all the trimmings and music. The resort provided dessert with an ice cream social following the meal.

Too soon Monday rolled around with many departures following a super get together in Angel Fire. There was a lot of interest in an Angel Fire rally again for 2027, so be on the lookout next year!

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RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookies – Amy Duska

Submitted by Mary Morales (Balloons over Angel Fire Rally)

Prep time 10 minutes; Chill time 2 hours; Cook time 15 minutes; Servings 12

Dry Ingredients
3/4 c + 1 tsp all-purpose flour
1 c + 1 tsp bread flour (less chewy if you use all-purpose flour)
1 tsp fine sea salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients 1
1 large egg
1/2 c sourdough starter discard
1 tsp vanilla extract

Wet Ingredients 2
8 Tbls unsalted butter cold, cubed
1/2 c light brown sugar
1/2 c white granulated sugar
11/2 c chocolate chips semi-sweet or milk chocolate (or chunks)

• Instructions
• Mix together dry ingredients and set aside.
• Whisk wet ingredients 1 until smooth and set aside.
• Mix wet ingredients 2: Beat the butter and sugar with the paddle attachment of a stand mixer into small crumbles for 45-60 seconds. Add the chocolate and mix on low-speed 30-35 seconds scraping down sides of the bowl.
• Add dry ingredients and mix on low-speed for 20-30 seconds until crumbly.
• Poor in egg mixture and mix on low-speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, 20-30 seconds. Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
• Use a cookie scoop to portion dough into 12 balls and place on a parchment-lined baking tray. Chill the dough for 2+ to 24 hours.
• Bake in preheated over at 375 degrees for 15-17 minutes until the edges are golden brown and center appears slightly under-baked.
• Remove and let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe

Recipe Notes: I don’t follow it to a T, so I’ll put what I do:
I use less than the total sugar it calls for – not by much, maybe 30-40g less. 
When I use chocolate chunks versus chips, they turn out the same. I use semisweet chips, but you could use milk chocolate.
I add the flaky salt right after I pull them out of the oven (not on the batch I made for the rally).
I prep the dough in bulk in advance, so I don’t refrigerate 2 hours before baking. I put the dough balls in the freezer and bake, whenever I need/want them. (They last a very long time and turn out great every time.) 
Straight out of the freezer they bake 375 degrees for 16-17 minutes.
Oh, and I will say the bread flour is really important. That is what gives the consistency to the cookie. If you use only all purpose, it will be a bit flatter/looser.

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken – The magical slow cooker: Sarah Olson

Fiesta Chicken is a flavorful, one-pot slow cooker meal made with salsa, beans, corn, and tender shredded chicken—perfect for tacos or bowls.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Servings: 8

Ingredients
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 oz. packet spicy or fiesta Hidden Valley Ranch Mix (can be labeled dressing or dip)
15 oz. can black beans drained
15.25 oz. can whole kernel corn drained
10 oz. can Rotel® tomatoes (DO NOT DRAIN)
8 oz. cream cheese
1 small sweet yellow onion diced

Instructions
1. Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle over the ranch packet.
3. Add the drained corn, drained beans, Rotel tomatoes, onion, and place the cream cheese block on top.
4. Place the lid onto the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
5. Shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker.
6. Stir the cream cheese into the chicken and other ingredients.; heat for 15-30 minutes.
7. Serve with tortilla chips, grated cheddar and salsa — and enjoy!

https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/wprm_print/slow-cooker-fiesta-chicken

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Swag!!!

Do you have your 4CU gear already? Taken any pictures? Share with your editor, and we’ll feature a couple photos in the next newsletter!

Here is Karen Conley sporting her 4CU Apron. Pretty snazzy, huh? Jeff and Barbara Engelmann are decked out in hat and shirts.

If you haven’t got yours yet, here’s all the links to browse through all the great 4CU branded swag now available from our select partners: Bonfire, Lands’ End and You Customize It.

Get yourself outfitted before you hit the road again!

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Psst! Have you got a great photo or story to share? Send it in to our news desk and we’ll do the rest!

Keep on ‘streaming and we’ll see you down the road!