R2Kv9 has been cancelled

[CiaoBug]

For those of you SoCal NB owners who still harbor some fond memories of Roswell, it may sadden you to know that this year's (and probably next year's as well) event has been canceled. David Allen cited low attendance, lack of sponsorship, and rises gas prices as the primary reasons. Members of the National List are currently discussing the possibility of just "getting together" next year (which would have been the 10th year) for old time's sake.
CiaoBug is devastated, but will survive.

sue (isley) & CiaoBug (in ABQ, NM)

[AaronGreenwood]

R2K has been canceled and what remains now are memories of other times. It was a hot day in June 2000 when Sue, I and CiaoBug left Carlsbad for our first Rendezvous with other New Beetle enthusiasts at the Ontario Mills parking lot parking lot near Crispy Cream Donuts. This would be the first of many western caravans that would making their way to R2K. Gene and Gina were the first members of the SoCal NBC and that we met.

In Barstow we had a second rendezvous with a caravan originating from the Pacific Northwest. I believe Luke was with that group. In that Caravan that left Barstow (carabug was not a word at the time) heading towards Roswell were Luke, Fatima, Dean, Rena, Gene, Gina, Sue Isley, Manny, Beth, Lee, NetNet, Rick, Randy and maybe Gary-Paul. There were others but I don't recall who they were. New Beetles were on the road and R2K was underway.

June 2000 the Mothership was truly calling her pods home. Excitement had been building for months and there was a camaraderie and spirit that was genuine. The spirit of the time became apparent when the Central and Western Caravans merged somewhere along the road between Albuquerque and Roswell and 50+ bugs road together into the city of Roswell.

It was like entering the Emerald City after following the Yellow Brick Road. There were colorful bugs on the street, at the hotels, and just about everywhere along Main Street. It was truly phenomenal in a lot of ways given it was the vision of people on a mailing list.

It was a meeting of the tribes and I am going to miss it.

Best regards,

Aaron

[Luke]

Sue and Aaron:

Thanks for your great recollections on the Roswell events. I too have fond memories. Especially when we got closer to Roswell one of the first years and our 30+ group joined another 30+ group of New Beetles for the last glorious miles ... and entered town that way. Hard to beat a line of 60 NBs moving down the highway. Fantastic!!

Anyway, there's some good news for you two and anyone else interested in doing this trip (at least) one more time. There are tentative plans in the works for a grass roots June 2009 ten year anniversary run to Rowell. STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS.

- Luke

[Luke]

Just finished watching a National Geographic special called "UFOs: Seeing is Believing" on TV with Peter Jennings as the host (it was a repeat).

At one point the show does some views of Roswell, NM and one of the brief shots shows a close up of the rear trunk lid of a silver New Beetle. I could see the rear VW emblem and an alien sticker just above.

It is fitting that this is aired the week that R2Kv9 should have occurred. I suspect a cover up.

- Luke

PS Recall that Earl and several others are planning a June 2009 Roswell New Beetle event ("New Beetles Return to Roswell") as a 10 year anniversary celebration. I will be planning a carabug from SoCal for those interested in attending.