Itinerary 3rd Annual Nw Camp-inn Round Up

Looks chilly. Will pack extra blankets and thank goodness I have a furnace! seems like it will be quiet though. Ha!

Looking forward to what you are finding out. Sorry I wasn't much help. Really looking forward to camping!

 

This is my report to the committee:

After checking all available group sites in Washington and Oregon through Recreation.gov, Reserveamerica.com and the Pacific Northwest Camping, published by Moon, I came to the conclusion that most of the horses had already left the barn and there are naught but slim pickings. Even though there are some group places available, not a lot, for WE 8/16-17 and WE 8/23-24, it is difficult to determine if they are suitable for this discerning group’s requirements. There a few group places in Oregon that looks interesting, however, if they are not taken by now you have to wonder. I did check out the place with all the snow and don’t think it would work for us even if there was no snow.

Note to self, start looking way earlier; groups sites are a different game than individual sites.

One resource I have not checked is private campgrounds. If anyone knows of something interesting there, let me know.

So where does that leave us? Well, we are pursuing alternate dates with Mossyrock, the venue cannot be beat; however, working with the reservation people is like using the Pony Express. I also have one ace the hole that is booked for WE 8/16-17, I am excited about the spot but I doubt that it will work for those who don’t like traveling long distances. So for now it is a venue of last resort.

 

Steve,

One fallback option would be the Big Cedars County Park - the site of the first NWRU. It is a day use area only, so I doubt it will be reserved. We had a special arrangement with the county the first year, and I think we would have a good chance of it working out again if we needed it to.

The site was very nice - just a bit further for most folks.

 

Big Cedars is certainly in contention. One search I have found to be real useful is to go to the recreation.gov site, it seems to be about the same as reserveramerica, and enter Oregon or Washington as where, then select group sites and then give it a date range and a number of days. I have been giving it either 8/15 or 8/22 and three days. Anything that pops up in blue is worth looking at. Pine Point is what Sarah had found earlier and it is possible to book it, however, it would be like booking a couple of double spots and hope that we can all the cares and trailers into a pull through. I have seen this style of group camp at Lake Kachess it was a tight fit. I am game if people want to try it. Look at all blue open blue sits and consider if they will work. There are a few interesting one in Oregon still available, RAAB, Bear Creek, Bear Springs and a few more if I remember correctly. These are designed to be multiple group sites; however, I don’t know how they exactly work without looking at them. An alternative approach is to pick a park with a lot of individual sites left and just have everyone book their own site.

 

We currently have two spots that are booked as follows:

-Mossyrock, WA: July 25 through July 28. Three nights.

-Magone Lake, OR: August 15 through August 18. Three nights. This comes with a kitchen shelter for Saturday.

Our third option is to book Big Cedars again. I have not talked to them but suspect they would be happy to take us again.

A few words about Magone, it is in eastern Oregon. It is a located by a small lake in a high plateau area at 5,000 feet elevation. Because of the elevation, it does not get super-hot in August. It is surrounded by distance high peaks and near the Malheur wild life area; best birding spot that I know of. The problem with Magone is that it would be a five to six hour drive for everyone.

Ironically, the driving time from the Seattle area is only about one hour more than from Portland.

Because of the distance problem with Magone, I am going rate our options as:

1. Mossyrock
2. Big Cedars
3. Magone Lake

 

Mossyrock sounds fine to me or Big Cedars. Magone Lake is too far for me.

Thanks Slumry for arranging this again this year.

 

What Joan said.

 

I would vote for :
1. Margon
2. Mossy Rocks
3. open (Big Cedars was nice, but the firing range really got to me)

Open to anything though... would like to go somewhere haven't been of course...
Good luck.

and note:
bookings, yep, I typically booked in Nov or so, for summer popular outings like Coulee Dam and others.. have to.

Great Job Stephen, it's not as easy as people think...

kewl..

 

I would also like to go somewhere we haven't been but I think it might be too late in the day for that. As for Mossy Rock, I think that Steve tried to make the reservation as soon it was open for reservations. Just wasn't in the cards for the weekend we picked. The weekend he did get will work for me.

Magone Lake looks like a nice place to camp but based on Google maps, a 6 hour 10 minute drive there and back for a weekend is just too far. I am going to go to southern OR in June. It will be about a 5 hour drive. However, I am planning on this being a 5 day trip. This gives me two days for driving and 3 days to enjoy the weekend. I can't do this for the NW get together since I need 2 1/2 weeks off for my trip back to WI for the CICO.

Hope to see everyone in July or August regardless.

 

The 3rd Annual NW Camp-Inn Roundup executive committee met in secret emergency session and have decided in lieu of any dissent other than Uncle Frank’s that the official venue of the event will be the Mossyrock Group camp and that the official dates the event will be held will be from Thursday July 25 through Sunday July 28th.

Frank, we are counting on you being there.

Also, since the Lake Magone site is pretty cheap, I am going to keep that reserved just in case anyone may want to have a version 3.5 NW Camp-Inn Roundup.

Mark your calendars and start your blenders.

 

Heheheh, works for me... Mossy was a nice place and easy to get to..
Ms Carmen (blender) will be there in all her Splendor and Glory...
ready to "Mix It UP !!!"



Along with a new science demo... The mentos "Happening" will also be there too, just to kick things off...

Fun..

 

I am currently trying to work out the details so we can make it. I am supposed to be on a boat that Friday. Seeing if they will hold it for me. As I have the grandchild, I have some leverage, but we'll see. He might end up with his first ferry ride trying to catch up with Dammo and Poppy. Boy, this summer is really filling up!

 

Unfortunately I will not be able to attend, my family has our own campout that weekend. However I may stop by and visit if our campout is nearby this gathering.

 

OK - how about I am in for both... Mossy Rock and Magone.

Mossy Rock Primary and Magone for those that can't get out enough....

 

Since the date's been changed, we're going to plan to join all of you (unless that turns out to be the weekend my brother and family come to visit.) Bob and Kathy

 

Whoa!! This earlier date actually might work for me and some combination of family members!

 

Rick, you will probably get the "furthest traveled" award. Not that we do awards mind you! We would love to have you and any other family members!

 

Thank you, Sarah!

Others: ...do I need to make an individual reservation at Mossy Rock State Park - or is someone holding a reservation for group camping?

I'm still not 100% that I will be there - but I'm wondering if I need to be actively doing something to reserve a space?

 

The group site is reserved for us by Stephen, and you just show up. Depending how many people are there determines what our cost for the weekend is. You can camp in any area you like. It is first come-first get!

 

Would be great, Rick, if you and any others can join in the fun. There's stuff to see in the area if you want to take the car out, or you can just hang out. Last year (we couldn't attend year #1), we sat around a campfire all evening and shared snacks and assorted beverages. Evan brought a bunch of games, which was really fun. Some brought bikes. Very casual weekend.

Kathy