The 2017 FC Roundup group photo

Thanks once again to Jesse and Andrea for treating all of us to another great FC Roundup. This year the Roundup was dedicated to Dan Horenberger, who passed away last November.

The weather was a perfect 80 degrees, not too hot and not too cold. Despite the perfect day, we didn’t get going all that quickly. And, when we finally made it to the event, I realized I’d forgotten my badge, so back to the hotel I dashed. While away, I put Ann to work photographs:

“Marilyn” made her first trip to Phoenix.

Mark’s love machine seems to get the women’s attention (so he tells me). It’s his daily driver. Note the rare Husky hubs.

It’s hard not to photograph the FCs.

I’m not sure why all the red-colored FCs were in the middle.

This one polished up nicely.

It’s always great to chat with old friends.

Unfortunately, there were no emergencies, so we couldn’t see this Fire Jeep in action.

When Ann wasn’t snapping with her camera, she was experimenting with Facebook Live. Here’s her quiet overview of the FC event (with her can in one hand and her cell phone in the other).

At lunch, I took a break, while Ann continued her camera work.

After lunch, came the raffle. As usual, Boomer was the master of ceremonies.

We did well this year. Ann won a hundred-foot 12 gauge extension cord, while I snagged a Southwire tool backpack. I’d never seen a tool backpack. It turns out there are a bunch of them!

Ann was very exited to get this cord. It was the second year in a row she’s won a cord.

We also snagged this sign made by Jason Monday. So, we have a wiring diagram AND headlight gaskets. Man, we are soooo close to have a complete FC!

Here’s another sign by Jason Monday that we didn’t win. !!!!TEARS!!!!

Here are some of the items donated by the Blaster Corp and Kaiser Willys, which we in turn donated to the raffle.

I guess we must have been fading near the end of the day, because we didn’t manage to get many photos of the other raffle items. As I mentioned, this year the Roundup was dedicated to Dan Horenberger, who passed away last November. In his honor, Bonita made a fused glass image of an M-677. I’ll share the photo once I get a copy of it.

Ann was pretty bushed when dinner rolled around, so we said our goodbyes and headed for a quick dinner, then our room.

On Sunday, we’ll be attending Joe-in-Mesa’s Southwest Military Transport Show in Mesa. After that, we’ll be meeting with a man in Sun City to see his M-38. From there, we’ll head west and spend the night somewhere near Palm Springs. On Monday we plan to pick up a set of DJ front axles in Riverside. Then, we’ll begin our trek north. We have to be back by late this week. Here’s a look at our tentative route home.