Cooler by the Lake VIII (April 24 -27, 2014)

[Backroads4me]

We took a different way home, which was quite uneventful until we came across this fallen tree on County F---between Fairburn and Wautoma. The shoulders of the road were a bit steep looking, so Bob backed the rig while I stood in the road waving my arms at the two cars that drove up. Another car came around the corner from the opposite side and turned around. After we got turned around, I knocked on the door of a farmhouse, and a young lady called the sheriff's dept. We wound up having to make a 5 mile or so detour around the lake across the street. Good thing it was Sunday morning and not a busy road!

[Gary and Cheri]

Cheri and I are just getting home from a long day. The expected has not occurred at his time but it looks to be a long week for us. The baby shower took place today and my son-in laws relatives gathered for the inevitable.

I really appreciated all the help we had from all the great new and old friends. I know we only get together a few times a year but I feel like I have known most of you for many years. I guess a common interest in camping can bring like minded people together.

Things that went great and I would like to repeat next year:

Thursday nights cooks night out. Dennis and Cheryl your restaurant advice was perfect for the group. I would like to try others in the future. Get to know the local food. Possibly a place that can accept a reservation for 30.

The timing of our gathering events - 7 for Friday night's meet and greet let most people attending to get to the park and get set up. Saturday breakfast at 9 let some sleep late and others had enough time to set up the more complicated meals. Saturday nights meal at 6 was early enough but gave enough time for people to explore the area. Unless someone thinks otherwise I would like to stick to those times next year.

The weather. We were lucky once again and if we had not been that shelter is invaluable.

The negatives:

Could have been warmer.

Several of our friends were not able to make it for various reasons. Please plan to attend next year.

Most of the new people understood that it is their responsibility to make them selves known to the group. It is not the group's responsibility to look for a person no one has ever met before and posting negative comments to the group will not help your relation to the group should you like to participate in the future.

Watch for a start to a COOLER NEAR/BY THE LAKE IX thread before Christmas later this year.

Thanks to Pat and Mark for the food thread. Dennis and Cheryl for smoothing things out with the park. Thanks to all of you for making this something I want to organize again.

Gary and Cheri

[Gary and Cheri]

Congrats to Dennis and Cheryl on their new mega tear.

[gdpipkorn]

I like the 'Tow Bug'.

[Gary and Cheri]

Friday's walk on the boardwalk.

[Gary and Cheri]

Deer watching.

[gdpipkorn]

2014 002.JPG (129.79 KiB) Viewed 1311 times

Found this guy roaming the beach!

[pigcooker]

Gary & Cheri, Great gathering. Thanks for making our 15th Anniversary even more memorable. The cake
was very thoughtful, and tasty. Who knew it could fly? Bill got a good picture of the bumpy landing.
Thursdays, "cooks night off" outing just could be a regular event. There was such a variety of excellent food,
for breakfast and dinner, mmm. Thanks to all who came out. We met some new Friends, and re-connected with
the old Friends. Congrats to Dennis & Cheryl, on their new toy, many great times are ahead. Be safe.
Thanks again to everyone! See Ya'll next time.

Doug & Nan

P.S. Was I dreaming? Did I see Diane stop in for a few minutes ??

[Gary and Cheri]

Doug,

In the desert heat causes us to see a mirage of water in the distance. In the cold we often see a mirage of Diane so no I don't think the sighting could have been real.

Diane sightings are almost as rare as yeti sightings.

Gary

PS - We love ya Diane.

[pigcooker]

But it seemed SO REAL!! A Yellow Chevy (sub compact), Three dogs, (on leashes)
The driver, wearing RED, looked just like Her, and a fellow wearing Black, emerged
from the passenger side. Then all was gone in about 1/2 an hour.??????

Should I be scared??? Doug

[Gary and Cheri]

Be afraid, be very afraid!!!!!!

Gary

[bennelson]

Hi everyone! We had a good time. It was nice meeting so many people.

Other than her daily melt-down/temper tantrum, the Little Girl had a very good time camping. She especially liked all the different camping trailers and making friends with new dogs.



Hope to be there next year, maybe with a new trailer the whole family fits in!

[OuttaHand]

Thanks so much to the organizers and all attendees for another superb CNTL!!! Annette and I enjoyed the camaraderie, the great food, checking out other teardrops, walks along the lake shore, deer watching, some horseshoe pitching, and some napping!


For those who toured our teardrop (Little Tow) and were interested in my buuild dog, please see here: http://webpages.charter.net/outtahand/littletow/index.htm

And here are a couple pics I thought I'd share:

On the dunes early Sunday AM as we were leaving:


Pitching some shoes Saturday afternoon:

[tearhead]

Gary and Cheri, Thanks again for organizing this event. We appreciate your leadership and attention to detail! The buttons were so good to add. The shelter worked great, as usual. It's nice that so many people pitch in to fill the woodbox. Great to be able to come and go. So nice to meet new people, and we hope they will become old friends along the road ahead! Hope to see some old friends resume next year! Dawn? Steve?

p.s. There is only one Yeti, and it is not Diane.

[drock73]

In case anyone is interested.....there is a Campinn 550 classic for sale in Janesville.

http://www.campinnforum.com/ubbthreads/ ... #Post27023