Vagabonds rally at Lake Patagonia

Dard Price

The Vagabond RV Club enjoyed a great rally at Patagonia Lake State Park near Nogales March 11-15. This was the first rally with the Vagabonds for several couples. Nineteen rigs were parked in very large treed sites in a group. There was a very generous area in the middle of the RVs with a fire pit and lots of room for 38 of us to gather with our chairs for eating and visiting. We were able to leave our chairs in that area our entire stay!

The arrival evening everyone brings hardy appetizers and we enjoy our traditional Margaritas for a meet and greet. This was a relaxed outing that wasn’t full of planned activities as it was on a lake with rental kayaks, canoes, rowboats and paddleboats and a nine-passenger pontoon boat. The park ranger took us in groups of eight on an hour long narrated pontoon cruise of the lake. We learned the history of how the lake was dammed by ranchers for their cattle and recreation. The area has many varieties of birds and water fowl. The park has a very nice birdwatching trail which many of us enjoyed. The fishing is year around and was planted with legal trout during our visit. There are also large mouthed bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. We watched and talked to several fishermen who were catching their limits right off the dock! It was very relaxing with time to visit with new friends, read a book or drive into Patagonia to visit the nationally recognized hummingbird and monarch butterfly reserve. Some went golfing at Kino Springs Golf Course.

On Monday we enjoyed a wonderful Italian buffet at the Wild Horse Restaurant in Patagonia. Tuesday was our traditional potluck dinner and more visiting with more new friends. Wednesday we drove to the border and walked two blocks to the LaRoca, a highly rated Mexican Restaurant in Nogales, MX. We had our own room and dinner was delicious! Thursday morning was our traditional Men’s Breakfast where the men do the planning and preparation! The women enjoy the freedom to visit and be served! The weather was perfect every day, which made the rally extra special!

The Vagabond RV Club welcomes everyone with an RV (trailer, fifth wheel or any type of motorhome). We meet in the Laredo Room the first Friday at 4:00 p.m. September to May. It is always good to check as we may be meeting somewhere for a meal. For more information please call our President Ron Brother 253-261-2772 or our vice president  Teresa Baxter 240-422-7972.