PJ III - any suggestions for next year - Car show - dates

[ARKPAT]

I want to get ideas for next year so we can start getting ready early.

I know things come up and change; but while every thing is fresh on your minds we will try to make it even better next year.

[Cindy]

Pat, I have explored Petit Jean and would like to have the camp-in at another of Arkansas beautiful parks. Check out De Gray Resort State Park. I think July 4th weekend would be great because they have free fireworks that weekend and a festival that weekend. They are also near Crater of Diamonds State Park and Garvan Woodland Gardens which might be nice to check out.
Here is a link to the park. http://www.degray.com/

[oklahomajewel]

I agree with Cindy....

Arkansas has pretty lakes and parks.... the one she mentioned sounds wonderful....

Or something more north so some Missouri folks can make it too ...

I'm trying to think of where to go this year, feels like I haven't camped in forever !!! I still miss my Jewel

[ARKPAT]

Keep the Ideas rolling in. Please chime in if any park changes so I can check with the park for availabilities early on. We will look at the one Cindy mentioned. We can always move to another location each year if that is what is consenses of the group. We will let the poll run for 120 days and get ideas.

Arkansas has a good number of parks available. The problem is number of sites that are available and all in one area.

Good Ideas all.

Keep um comming.

Pat

[mechmagcn]

But if we change the venue, it won't be PJIII!
Really though, we're up for just about any park in the Natural State. If we go north, check out Buffalo Point on the Buffalo River. It is a very nice park.

[ARKPAT]

You are right Jeff on that account. If we change the place it would not be PJ anymore. I was just getting a feel for what people have for Ideas. We might just keep it as it is now; the same week in June or a week eariler. I think June is the perfect month for PJ. That is my opinion.

That is why I have a poll up. We had it last year in August and the ones said they wanted it earlier that August and they did not come this year. But the idea was good one. So suggestions are open.




Pat

[starleen2]

We discovered Lake Ouachita last year after a disastrous attempt at the Crater of Diamonds. COD, ever since the discovery channel feature, was very crowded and packed together real close. Our space was ready when we arrived. Called Lake Ouachita and their place is gorgeous. In fact we are returning again this year! Vote No for Crater of Diamonds!

[mechmagcn]

Also, you can forget having the gathering the same weekend as the car show (father's day weekend), the park is usually booked solid as soon as they start taking reservations.

[madjack]

I haven't been to Lake Ouachita for twenty+ plus years but remember it as very scenic and since it is sitting right on the lake, it was fairly cool during the summer...another nice park might be below the dam at BullShoals Lake on the White River....
madjack

[ARKPAT]

Good to know Jeff.

Thanks for the idea of Lake Ouachita. It is in the same general area of the state. How are the sites arranged and would they be alright for a gathering and common area between for supper and meeting. I have not looked at the information on the website about them.


Keep the Ideas comming. I want it to be a benifit to all that want to attend the gathering.

Pat

[madjack]

ya know Pat, as I sit here thinking about it, Lake Ouachita would be a good alternative to PJ...it is probably no more than 40/50mi away from PJ and right next to Hot Springs which is a major tourist destination with lots to see and do...the only problem I see, because it is near Hot Springs, it may be crowded during the summer making it hard to get our sites together...
madjack

[ARKPAT]

You are right about being close to the Fourth. Also there where Bike Ralleys in and around the area the same weekend we had PJ II.

( I was looking at the same thing eariler also Jack - but never been there - kinda like I was about Petit Jean I ) Bull Shoals is in the northern part of the state near Missouri Arkansas border. Do you have an Ideas about area of the park and campsite to drive up and look at.

Pat

[madjack]

Pat, Marlene(aka the poor girl) and i spent our honeymoon on a houseboat on Bullshoals...the big park is actually below the dam on the White river and is scenic and since the water coming out of the lake is in the 50* range, it was fairly cool...the problem is the fact that there are no main highways into or thru the area and would be a pretty good haul for folks coming from south or west...there is also little to do except watersports on the lake...of course we were honeymooning on the lake so really didn't look
http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/bullshoalswhiteriver/
http://corpslakes.usace.army.mil/visito ... Id=M474912

I found this link to campsites on Lake Ouachita http://www.arkansasstripers.com/lake-ou ... amping.htm most of them are Corps of Engineers sites but it may mean we wouldn't be limited necessarily to the state park...I think this would be a good alternative to PJ.....
madjack

[ARKPAT]

Jack; I will check out Lake Ouachita camp sites. I have a friend that make many trips and has a boat on the lake.





Pat

[reo-ron]

Well, many years ago I spent the summer as a COE park ranger on DeGray and also spent many ,many summer days when not working enjoying the nice views of the swimming beach 8 miles from a college town. Also had a work study job gathering water and bottom samples for a productivity study one of my Biology profs was doing. I haven't been back since the early eightys.
There are lots of nice parks in Ark. The closest lake to the diamond mines is Lake Greeson and it's pretty nice. Ouachita is a LARGE and beautiful lake and there are lots of camp grounds. Does any one have any experiance with the smaller mountain lakes like Nimrod, Cove, or Spring lakes?? Then there is always the Buffalo Nat'l River for the canoeers and kayakers!! I just don't wanta miss next year.
Ron