Category: Rotary Trips

Rotary International is a global service organization that brings together leaders from different professions to provide humanitarian services, promote high ethical standards in all vocations, and advance goodwill and peace around the world. Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois, Rotary has grown into a vast network of over 35,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and regions, with a total membership of over 1.2 million Rotarians. Each Rotary club operates autonomously but within the framework of Rotary International, with members participating in community service projects, vocational training, youth programs, and international exchanges. The Rotary Foundation, the charitable arm of Rotary, supports these efforts with grants and funding for local and global projects aimed at addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues, including poverty, disease, and illiteracy. I’ve been a member of the Rotary Club of West El Paso for over 15 years and have participated in numerous adventures within the US and around the world.

Rotary Trip (Aurora, Colorado) – October 2015

I made this trip to Aurora, CO to learn more about a Rotary Project known as Ambulance Gateway. On the way there I stopped at several places to do some sightseeing, including the Enchanted Trails RV Park, which is a Route 66 icon; Tent Rocks National Monument – where I hiked; then onto Capulin Volcano National Monument. After leaving Aurora, I went to Valley of the Fires National Monument, where I stayed for 2 days doing more sightseeing in the area. I toured Three Rivers Petroglyph National Monument; Smokey Bear Historical Site; Fort Stanton, and Lincoln State Monument in New Mexico. It was a great trip.

RYLA Camp – July 2015

This is the 7th year I’ve attended RYLA camp as a counselor. RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Award and you can learn more by clicking on the following link: https://ryla5520.shutterfly.com/

Anthony, NM Mud Run – June 2015

This was a fun event – a 5K marathon and obstacle course, affectionately known as the Mud Run. It was sponsored by the Anthony Rotary Club and several local Rotary Clubs had teams, including my club – West El Paso. Also, 15 Rotary Youth Exchange students from Rotary District 5520 participated in the event. My role of photographer was simple compared to the event participants. It was fun to watch.

RVF Rally – Estes Park – June 2015

This was a trip Donna & I took to the Rotary RVF Rally. Her parents – Charlie & Barb Mannino joined us. Our first stop was at Tetilla Peak campground near Santa Fe, NM so we could visit several places in Santa Fe. We continued to Colorado Springs where we visited the Garden of the Gods and drove to the top of Pikes Peak. On our way to Estes Park we stopped at the Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center, then drove to Mary’s Lake Campground in Estes Park where the RVF Rally started. We toured Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as the famous Stanley hotel. Charlie & I went fishing a couple times and we all enjoyed the fellowship with the RVF group.

Lunch time in our campground at Colorado Springs

Brad Fitch – John Denver Impersonator – He was great!

Clovis, NM Rotary Conference – May 2015

Donna & I traveled to the Rotary District 5520 Conference in Clovis, NM. During the conference we toured Canon Air Force Base and visited the old post office/library where we walked through the spy tunnel of the old postmaster. The conference was two days where we enjoyed the Youth Exchange breakfast: a performance of the award winning Clovis high school band, and the legendary Fireballs.

Very Large Array – March 2015

I visited the VLA on the way home from a Rotary conference in Albuquerque, NM. The Very Large Array, one of the world’s premier astronomical radio observatories, consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shaped configuration on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet) in diameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically to give the resolution of an antenna 36km (22 miles) across, with the sensitivity of a dish 130 meters (422 feet) in diameter. Click on their website to learn more about it. http://www.vla.nrao.edu/

There are many exhibits at the Very Large Array site

RVF Rally – Globe, AZ – January 2014

This trip was with the camper on an RVF (Recreational Vehicle Fellowship) rally. There were a total of 14 rigs. We visited a working copper mine, several museums, Tonto National Monument, Roosevelt Lake and Dam, and Besh-Be-Gowan National Monument. We enjoyed the fellowship with the group, including the daily happy hours, meals and touring. We had Tim’s dog Sassi along with us on this trip, She kept Josie company. We also visited the Gem & Mineral Show in Globe. Our campsite was in the Globe, AZ fairgrounds, next to the Arizona State prison.

Hanging out with our RVF friends at the open copper mine

ON the bus – heading back to the campground

RVF Trip – Clovis, NM – September 2013

This trip was with the Rotary Recreational Vehicle Fellowship group. Donna & I were the camp hosts for this event. There were 10 rigs (campers) with the group. We all went there to enjoy the 2013 Clovis Music Festival. Click on this link to read more about it. http://clovisrvfrally.blogspot.com/2013/09/clovis-rvf-rally-sept-5-8-2013.html

Bolivia (Rotary B2P) – May 2013

This trip was with the Alamogordo Rotary Club. We were volunteering with an organization known as Bridges to Prosperity. There were 10 of us in the group, led by Norm Arnold. We visited several bridge sites in various locations in Bolivia.

Click here to read the complete Trip Report

It’s always fun and inspirational to visit one of the local schools in the community where we are working

Our road was blocked because water washed it out. Locals are building a bridge so we can pass.

Chile (Inbound) RFE – November 2012

A select group of men from Chile were hosted by the Rotary Club of West El Paso. There were 11 men and each one went to a separate West El Paso Rotary Club family. We toured Las Cruces and various other places around El Paso, then held a barbeque at our house the Saturday before they went back to Chile.