Indiana Gatherings for 2008

[Jst83]

Your very welcome, Look forward to meeting you also.
Once you find the campground we should be easy to find, we tend to stick out

[Kurt (Indiana)]

We are planing to eat at Ribberfest Sat night! How about a pie iron desert cook-off? Or DO desert?

Kurt what kid of eats do they have there. Booths etc. ?

D.O. Deserts sound Good

Friday, and Saturday there will be several booths selling BBQ'd beef, Pork, Brisket and chicken. They aren't real cheap but they are good.

Most sandwiches (or meals) are 3-8 tickets to purchase inside the festival grounds. They only deal in "tickets" which can be purchased for $1 each at various places.

On Friday evening, after the Back Yard BBQ Blast (for the amateurs) judging is over (6:00 pm.), you can wander around the cooking area and taste some great samples of the all day cooking event. There is no charge to taste the samples but they disappear fast.

There are lots of cafes and small restaurants in the downtown area also.

About 100yds from the festival entrance there is a small Restaurant ("The Tug-Boat") that serves light fare such as burgers, dogs, thenderloins, BLT, etc.

http://www.madisonribberfest.com/stateco.htm
http://www.madisonribberfest.com/bbqblast.htm
http://www.madisonindiana.org/
Of course they have beer and (local) wines from the Madison wineries.

[Jst83]

Me and the wife were talking about the topic of a pitch in, I think we should stay with the pitch in Saturday. Because we'll have lots of time and be eating lots of BBQ over the weekend and a pitch in will give us a break for something different.

Just our thoughts.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Me and the wife were talking about the topic of a pitch in, I think we should stay with the pitch in Saturday. Because we'll have lots of time and be eating lots of BBQ over the weekend and a pitch in will give us a break for something different.

Just our thoughts.

Scott, I think the pitch in is OK as long as it is early so that those who want to see and hear the Blues artists can get back to the stage area for the later artists.
It could be a small (optional) pitch in also. The food at the festival is not cheap (although some people might want to stick around the festival) so the camp ground dinner would solve that issue.

A pitch in held at 5:00pm would resolve some of the issues of scheduling for the shows on the Blues stage. It would be a good break from the festival as well.

Just my thoughts after attending for several years.

Let's hear what people think.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Well, I checked out the A/C in the teardrop and it appears to be cooling just fine.
It's hard to tell what the temperature will be like on the 15-16 weekend, but why not be prepared?

So far (through August 12) the weather looks great. A high of 81F is forecast. Let's hope it holds true for the next 4 days.

[Tripmaker]

My $0.02 on the pitch in. For dinner leave it open and those that want to eat in camp can get together informally, like it is ever formal to begin with, or just eat something quickly and get back to the festival if they desire.

A Sunday breakfast pitch in, perhaps Saturday too, should be a must do. In my book breakfast is the best meal of the day and I can't do without Kurt's waffles.

By doing group breakfasts it leaves the day open for whatever we want to do. I've never been there before and don't know what to expect.

Jim

[Kurt (Indiana)]

My $0.02 on the pitch in. For dinner leave it open and those that want to eat in camp can get together informally, like it is ever formal to begin with, or just eat something quickly and get back to the festival if they desire.

A Sunday breakfast pitch in, perhaps Saturday too, should be a must do. In my book breakfast is the best meal of the day and I can't do without Kurt's waffles.

By doing group breakfasts it leaves the day open for whatever we want to do. I've never been there before and don't know what to expect.

Jim

Jim, you're right. The breakfasts can be a sure thing while the pitchin could be optional. The pitch (optional) could be what ever time is best for those involved.

I like to eat and cook so we can resolve this at the gathering.

Dale and Florence Gilbert (Ohio) are coming as well.
We now have 17 campers who have committed.

Scott, I'll send you an update.

[Jst83]

Dale and Florence Gilbert (Ohio) are coming as well.
We now have 17 campers who have committed.

Scott, I'll send you an update.

I can't wait.

[bobhenry]

My $0.02 on the pitch in. For dinner leave it open and those that want to eat in camp can get together informally, like it is ever formal to begin with, or just eat something quickly and get back to the festival if they desire.

A Sunday breakfast pitch in, perhaps Saturday too, should be a must do. In my book breakfast is the best meal of the day and I can't do without Kurt's waffles.

By doing group breakfasts it leaves the day open for whatever we want to do. I've never been there before and don't know what to expect.

Jim

Obviously have never camped with Scott his idea of breakfast is a pop tart at about 11 am when he finally wakes up

[Tripmaker]

My $0.02 on the pitch in. For dinner leave it open and those that want to eat in camp can get together informally, like it is ever formal to begin with, or just eat something quickly and get back to the festival if they desire.

A Sunday breakfast pitch in, perhaps Saturday too, should be a must do. In my book breakfast is the best meal of the day and I can't do without Kurt's waffles.

By doing group breakfasts it leaves the day open for whatever we want to do. I've never been there before and don't know what to expect.

Jim

Obviously have never camped with Scott his idea of breakfast is a pop tart at about 11 am when he finally wakes up

Now that you mention it, Scott isn't an early riser is he!

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I'm really looking forward to Madison, but in the meantime, I have entered my first "real" day of retirement.
Took my car in for an oil change and some service to the remote starter this morning. I also put my bike on the rack and took it along to ride around during the service.

I rode about 10 miles this morning and made it back to my house without wearing my self out. As soon as I get a call, I'll go get the car.

I want to look at Dunham's for a Kayak since I receved a nice gift card from my ex-coworkers as a partng gift.

I know it's only the first day, but, you know, I think I can get used to this.

[48Rob]

Kurt,

I wish you the best retirement anyone has ever had!

Remember though, there is a strange disease you can catch from rocking chairs that make old folks die early...

Stay active and you'll be fine!

Congratulations!
It was a long drawn out wait, but what a nice reward!
You can go camping whenever you want, sleep late, do nothing...uh oh, your wife isn't retired yet is she...

Rob

[Jst83]

Obviously have never camped with Scott his idea of breakfast is a pop tart at about 11 am when he finally wakes up

Now that you mention it, Scott isn't an early riser is he! Sleepy Head

Be nice, I get up at 3:45 a.m. every morning and go to bed at about 10 every night when I get the boys to fall asleep. I deserve to sleep in

The boys will be with me that weekend so I'm sure they won't let me sleep in. Unless someone wanted to agree to house them for the night so I could sleep in.



Congratulations Kurt now the fun begins, I'm sure you can find more than enough to keep you busy

[Kurt (Indiana)]

Thanks guys. The retirement is not necessarily a time to rest. My wife is not going to retire this year. She said "as long as I keep cleanin and cookin" she'll work a little longer. Taking the stress off her is a major factor.
I finally bought a Kayak (at Dunham's) since it was on sale ($279) and I thought that was a good deal. Looking at their internet price os $859, it made sense. The Pelican "ultimate 120" is my latest purchase.

I got a gift card from work so the price was very good, even after the car rack and the paddle. I still need a "life jacket" (PFD) to complete the package.

Retirement might be more demanding than working every day but I think I'll like it better.

I'm thinking of entering a "Mentor" program for high school kids. Has anyone done this? What are your opinions?

It's a whole different set of challenges (so far).

[bobhenry]

Thanks guys. The retirement is not necessarily a time to rest. Retirement might be more demanding than working every day but I think I'll like it better.

I'm thinking of entering a "Mentor" program for high school kids. Has anyone done this? What are your opinions?

It's a whole different set of challenges (so far).

Congratz on yet another milestone in life !

"retirement is not necessarily a time to rest"

Hell no! with a new kayak and bicycle toys to play with any time of day that you want to.

Don't mind me I'm just jealous.

On a serious note my mother ( 79 years young and legally blind) has volunteered for a college sponsored literacy program for 15+ years and loves it. It has kept her young and active and has kept her mind sharp as a tack. Some come for reading , writing disabilities others to get their GED's , She is proud she has never failed to help a student. She will be at Madison for a visit next week you two should talk.