SLO, CA Gathering at Montana de Oro SP Sept. 13-15, 2007

[Joanne]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the kind words! The DD project has been a lot of fun and I've really enjoyed sharing the experience.

I understand the limit on campsites. I don't know if they will allow it at this campground, but I have no issue with doubling up with someone in a campsite. A lot of us did that at the IRG and it was fun camping together with new friends.

Oh, the iron is already packed in the truck...it was too hot to unpack yesterday when I got back from Big Bear Lake. Of course I don't want ma3tt to out do me too bad so I'll have to load up some extra. Seriously though, Ma3tt I'd be glad to assist with the hands-on demo if you could use the help.

Joanne

Hi Joanne and Lee,

Hope you both make it to the SLO Gathering. Before adding your names to the list of people with camp spots "on hold" I need to ask the camp host for more.

Joanne, I've been inspired by you and the information you share on your Desert Dawg website...it'd be a pleasure to meet you in person at our growing gathering by the sea. Especially if you bring your cast iron.

We have 24 camp sites "on hold" (a verbal handshake agreement) with the camp host out of the 46 camping sites in the MdeO campground. The first 24 people who RSVP'd have dibs on one of the "on hold" sites. The other 22 camp sites will be first come first served for anyone.

I'll go by MdeO soon to talk to the camp host to see if we can put a few more spots "on hold", and include you two. She has no phone and infrequently goes into town for email access. I'll post an update soon.

[Italia]

Joanne & Matt,

A demo would be great. When my dear friend Pitch Pine found out he was dying, he gifted me his dutch oven, He loved to cook in his dutch oven and was quite accomplished. It would serve his memory well to once again cook up something delicious on the cooking fire ,especially when I can learn from a someone who shares his love for cooking with cast iron.

Thanks,
Chris

[Esteban]

Excerpts from the Montana de Oro campground rules:

"No more than 2 licensed vehicles per site (including trailers).

All vehicles must be parked on the pavement.

8 person MAXIMUM limit per family campsite.

No camping or fires on the beach.

DOGS are NOT ALLOWED on trails. Dogs may be walked on paved roads but must be on a 6-foot leash held by an adult while on the road and in campsites. Please keep your dog inside a tent, camp trailer or vehicle at night and pick up after them.

Quiet hours in all State Parks begins at 10 PM p.m. and extend through 8 a.m. Voices and music travel far in the quiet night and morning hours at the campground. Please, no radios, musical instruments or loud talking during the quiet hours. Generators may NOT be operated after 8 p.m. or before 10 a.m."

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It seems possible to "double up" at a campsite. The question then becomes what to do about the extra tow vehicles? Lana, the camp host, told us that rangers ticket cars parked in the Park after 10 p.m. So tow vehicles for doubled up campers might have to be parked a couple of miles away in Los Osos. I'll ask Lana for more information and post what I learn.

BTW we have about half of the campsites on hold. We may be able to get more spots "on hold." The rest of the spots in the campground will be first come, first served, at the time of year of our gathering.

[Esteban]

I second Chris. Martha tipped me to a 12" Lodge DO deal. I have much to learn. I'd really like to see, and taste, cooking demo's by DO masters, Ma3tt and Joanne.

[doug hodder]

Steve...so how I'm reading this...if a couple of people want to double up with tears in a site and there are other sites available...we can put 2 tears into one site and just park vehicles in the other, wherever it is...of course we would have to pay for 2 spaces right? Hey...sorry...I'm just one to push the envelope...I enjoy camping with another tear in the same site....Doug

[martha24]

Steve...so how I'm reading this...if a couple of people want to double up with tears in a site and there are other sites available...we can put 2 tears into one site and just park vehicles in the other, wherever it is...of course we would have to pay for 2 spaces right? Hey...sorry...I'm just one to push the envelope...I enjoy camping with another tear in the same site....Doug

It sounds like it would work as long as there aren't more than 4 people per trailer.
Plus it could keep more people in the one loop or the better spots.
Martha

[doug hodder]

I'm sure that we could make that all happen...more tears in sites together, and leave the vehicles parked away...at least until the "campground cops" come by....damn you Barney Fife!!! Doug

[Esteban]

Doug, you rocket fired envelope pusher, I'll ask landing site control, 'er the campground host about that.

Steve...so how I'm reading this...if a couple of people want to double up with tears in a site and there are other sites available...we can put 2 tears into one site and just park vehicles in the other, wherever it is...of course we would have to pay for 2 spaces right? Hey...sorry...I'm just one to push the envelope...I enjoy camping with another tear in the same site....Doug

[Teardrp DeBono]

Thanks to Dan and Chris for our RSVP. I just registered for this fun looking site. Now can't wait until Sept.

[Nic]

Man i am STOKED about this get together and checking out some DOs! Maybe it could be an annual thing? Its cool how FAST and how many tears got on board!

[billnut]

Shuck Nic you seen nothing yet! The Ladies wear Mini Skirts when DO. cooking. And i'm a old,old man
Bill

[cherokeegeorge]

now Bill,a little honesty, you were the only one wearing a mini skirt around the dutch ovens.

[billnut]

Yes George BUT I had panpyhose on that were blue !
Bill

[Nic]

Sounds like i better cash out for singles.

[Esteban]

Confusion that ensued this weekend regarding when high season reservations end, Thank Goodness, got cleared up today. The reconfirmed answer is that the ability/need to make reservations ends on Sept. 3rd for primitive camp sites at Montana de Oro SP. After that it's first come first served like we were first told. I. Feel. Much. Better. Now.

Good news. Now we have up to 35 camp spots "on hold" with the camp host. It's the upper limit of camp sites available for us.

About "Doubling Up." Three vehicles are allowed per camp site if they all can fit in the paved parking area. A trailer counts as a vehicle. A camp site can have two trailers and one tow vehicle or two tow vehicles and one trailer. A second car or truck parked in a camping site costs $3/day extra. There is no overnight overflow parking area for extra vehicles in Montana de Oro SP.