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

[Gary and Cheri]

If you look at past signups you will see that we gradually will pick up people. Some people want to attend Thursday thru Sunday but need to get vacation time which they will find out about in January. We are doing very good when we have five trailers and there is so much time before we camp. Over that time I will keep posting occasionally to keep the thread in front of everyone. People have viewed this thread 350 times already. The interest is there.

Gary

[sherryk]

Site 9 for me, looking forward to spring already!

[Gary and Cheri]

SherryK got you down. What are you reading now. I just finished a Cussler novel and a La Mour. Next up is a WWII history book. Looking for a better reclining seat to sit outside the tear and read in.

Gary

[sherryk]

What I'm reading -- work-related, PowerShell . Lol

[Verna]

Hummmm, this sounds like fun. Let me think about this. Surely there's a time of day I could drive through Chicago without pulling my hair out with the traffic!!!

[RioWilson]

Hummmm, this sounds like fun. Let me think about this. Surely there's a time of day I could drive through Chicago without pulling my hair out with the traffic!!!

Last year's Dutch Oven expo at CBTLVII was one of the finest meals I can remember. Chicago for me is a middle of the night thru trip, or sometimes actually middle of the day.

[Gary and Cheri]

Verna,

We travel through Chicago all the time, often pulling the tear. Don't go downtown but rather out and around. Follow the Wisconsin signs. It's between 5 to 10 miles longer but the traffic is usually not stop and go and a whole lot less frustrating so it usually results in a faster time. Also if you can avoid 6 to 9 AM and 2:30-6 PM you will probably be able to do 55 mph all the way. Stay out of the far left lane as that may be against the law if pulling a trailer. My brother got a ticket once for driving a pickup with truck plates while in the far left lane. If the pickup had car plates he was told he would have been OK. Chicago is not as big of an issue as it used to be, also you will be driving through before the construction season gets going real strong.

Gary

[Verna]

Thanks, Gary. That makes feel better about Chicago. I drove through Dallas earlier this year and it's right up there with Atlanta as cities I hate driving thru!!

I should find out in the next month if this will conflict with a longer camping trip. I've looked at your gathering for three years now, and maybe 2014 is the year I can finally make it !!

[Gary and Cheri]

Look forward to seeing you Verna. I heard that the worst city to drive through in North America is Vancouver Canada followed by San Francisco.

You have time to figure out your plans. The first loop at Cooler will start filling up in January and if you have looked at the park map you probably noticed that the big rigs are already taking over the spots just outside the loops. You will still be able to get a site in the second loop if you just show up on April 24th. The park does not fill up this early in the year. It will be about a third full during our event. Nearly impossible to just show up in the summer though.

Gary

[Verna]

Thanks, Gary. I must have hit San Fran on a good day because it didn't compare to the nightmares I 've had in Atlanta. !!!

[Gary and Cheri]

Verna,

I should also point out that while there will be plenty of sites the first loop is all electric the second loop is only partly electric. In the past most but not all electric sites will be take by Cooler. Maybe this year will be the year we fill the electric sites.

Gary

[Verna]

OK, Gary, put me down for Site 12. Sunny Day (Shih Tzu who will be 4 yrs old by this gathering) and I will arrive on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Looking forward to it!

Verna

[Gary and Cheri]

Sounds great Verna, looking forward to meeting you. We usually have a wine and cheese greet on Friday night and as RioWilson have indicated we have a big shared meal together on Saturday night. Most but not all like to use their dutch oven skills for this. Pat, who has not chimed in yet, usually tries to coordinate this meal so that the meal has a little of everything. Thursday night will probably involve munchies around the fire. It will be a good time.

[Verna]

Thanks off the welcome. Wine , cheese and snacks sounds good. I use a crock pot instead of a Dutch oven, but that it 'll turn out OK. Looking forward to seeing Wisconsin and you Tearjerkers !

[bcsnave]

Verna,

Come on up. You'll enjoy it. Maybe see if you can get Mike from LG to head over here also....a matter of fact...maybe more of the LG gang can come on over....