March 22, 23, 2009 Valley of Fire, Nevada (Canceled)

[daveleb55]

Madjack,
Many gathering plans have gone awry due to the campground's ridiculous rules and whatnot, especially regarding the group use areas. Last years San Luis Obispo gathering almost didn't happen because of it.
I just told Esteban that we needed to plan our time off and to just pick one; and we would show up if we could.
A whole bunch of us met at Lopez Lake, and a great time was had by all. We made homemade ice cream in our antique hand crank ice cream maker, listened to vintage records on a vintage victrola, and other fun stuff.
Oh, and did I mention the food? A lot of us teardroppers also like to cook in Cast Iron, and an even greater number like to eat as well!

Girls just want to have fun!
(Old bald fat men, too!)

Dave & Kathleen

[Yogi Bear]

Hi Madjack,

Paul, I have a question for ya...one that I am sure others would like answered as well...I read about your "registration" rules and the subsequent tightness of your "rules and regulations"...I know of no other folks, putting on a gathering, that attempts to cross the I's and dot the T's the way you do...so what's up with that...we just kinda announce a date and hope for folks to show up...and have not been disappointed so far...and have surely not had to cancel a gathering for a lack of interest......
madjack

p.s. just curious...that's all..............MJ

You have very good question and a fair one too. I am going to try to answer it in "short hand" only because there is a long story going back to first gathering. (Bear Lake) not (Hanksville).

My events are planed and organized gatherings. I feel that if people are driving for hundreds of miles to come to a event. It there should be something special for them when they arrive. Because, folks can camp anytime and where they like to.

As a host I feel certain responsibility for trailers users that come to enjoy the area and group camping.

The Valley of Fire was different from most of my other events. IE: I need to pay the Valley of Fire State Parks Dept. for the use of the group area. The reason for use of the group area was to keep us together so I can hold group actives easily. "Not every man for themselves!" With only three trailers sign up. Well, I am not a fool. "G" Whiz, I am nice guy but...

I have background with the US Forest Service and other security agencies.

You can bet, I cross "T" and dot "I". I know the rules and follow them for good reasons.

As a host of any gathering or party. There are many costs. That I cover for the group over all enjoyment of the event. I need to know who and how many persons will attending for a harmonize out come for all. I feel that is not to much to ask anyone to register.

As some of you may know. My gathering are not teardrop gatherings or T@B rallies only. They are people that want to come and participate in the group camping experience. I don't really care what type of trailer you own or have to use or not. At every event there are people camping in tents and stay in motel rooms. Just to come and participate with the group and enjoy the area we are visiting.

I hope I answered you questions. I thank you for your friendship and help on this form over the last few years.

Best Wishes
Paul

[jhb]

For your Sunday morning lesson:

1. Whenever two or more of you are gathered together, that is a teardrop meet.
2. Reservations? We don't need no stinking reservations! (unless the campground is full)

I'm with Dave & Kathleen, not much actually got planned out for the Lopez Lake gather, and a good time was had by all. (though there was some guy in a wedding dress that had some of us wondering)

[jhb]

I'm going to add one thing here since Paul posted about a minute before I did.

Something I've noticed about teardroppers is that there are all kinds of folks with many different religious and political points of view, and what they want in a trailer. Some folks like to plan stuff out and others just head down the road, but we all have teardrops or the like.

I've not been to a lot of gathers, but I've never heard folks get all hot and bothered about anything, except for perhaps our Los Osos raccoons getting in the truck and eating all the bacon . So far, teardroppers have been just a great group of people and I wish I had the time to go to more gathers.

[madjack]

Thanks for the answer Paul...one the greatest things about TD's is being able to doit your way and the same thing applies to anyone who organizes a gathering...much like our TD's what someone wants and needs is different for each of us...personally, I don't want a whole bunch of organized activities that may interfere with my relaxation, which is what I camp for in the first place(that and the scenery)...Paul, hopefully we will get to sit around a campfire someday, share a libation or two and swap some tall tales...until then............
madjack

[Yogi Bear]

Hello,

Just a update. I have just a few email from folks that are still planning on visiting the VoF State Park on there own.

On or about the dates I picked.

I don't for sure, if I will be there myself or not at this point.

So, if your in the area have fun!

See ya next spring!

Paul