Hello Everyone

What lake is the Cooler by the Lake gathering on? I didn't see an address.More info please.

 

Lake Michigan. Cooler by the lake, that phrase, is a reference familiar to people who live near the lake, its a constant phrase when you listen to local weather. a reference to how the big lake affects temperature-- it may be 80 degrees in Wisconsin, but its always "cooler by the lake" by 5-10 degrees, more so if the wind is coming from the East.

2nd posthttp://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57806&sid=79ce8e8680160b52091325243500d2db has a link to Kohler-Andrae state park at reserveamerica, and 3rd post is the list so far by Gary and Cheri, keeping track.

 

Thank you, I thought it was probably Lake Michigan but when I didn't find a Cooler by the Lake Campground I was confused. lol

 

The idea for Cooler Near the Lake (CNTL) was started back in January of 2007 by Bob K. (Brwbier)from Sheboygan. Wanting an incentive to complete his homebuilt teardrop & realizing there was an increasing number of teardrops in the eastern part of Wisconsin, Bob proposed an Eastern Wisconsin Campout. The idea was well received and several locations/dates were proposed.

It was originally decided that the gathering would be an annual event, occurring on/about the same weekend every year. It was to be a traveling gathering, meaning the location would change every year but would always be somewhere on/near Lake Michigan.

The ball was now rolling! The last weekend in April was chosen. Tom C.'s suggestion of Cliffside County Park in Racine was the agreed upon location. Jim C. put a moniker to the gathering - "Cooler By the Lake" which was later changed to "Cooler Near the Lake." Duke B. designed a logo & made up nametags...Jim C. made buttons. The "official" attendee list grew to a respectable size.

The weather that first CNTL proved to be prophetic for future CNTLs...cold, rainy Friday night (verging on snow at one point) & a clear, sunny (albeit somewhat chilly) Saturday & Sunday.

Attendees numbered 23 adults, 4 kiddos, 15 teardrops (8 Camp-Inns, 1 SoCal, 1 Hunter - Eddie Bauer Edition, 4 Homebuilts & 1 original 1947 Tourette).

Here is the group photo & attendee list:



Tom C. (550 Ultra #103)
Jim C. (Homebuilt - now he also has a 560 Ultra #389)
Duke B. (Didn't have his homebuilt tear ready, so camped in a "soft-sided"...later purchased a Little Guy - now he has a 550 #566)
Bob K. (Homebuilt with Camp-Inn parts)
Betsey & Craig E. (550 Ultra #2)
Elmer (Homebuilt)
Cary & Holly W. (560 Ultra)
Parnell & Barb N. (550 Classic #77)
Brian & Julie R. (550 Ultra #134)
Doug H. (550 Ultra #133)
Cheryl & Alan (all original 1947 Tourette)
Mike S.(SoCal Teardrop)
Tom O. (Homebuilt)
Tina & Jerry L. (550 Ultra #136)
Pam R. & Gene G. (550 Ultra #185)
Will G. & Anna Ruth W. (Hunter - Eddie Bauer Edition)

It was decided at that first Cooler, to hold the second one at Kohler-Andrae. The gathering grew in numbers. I took orders for t-shirts the 2nd-4th years, using the official Cooler logo & teardrop slogan. In addition to a Saturday night potluck, a Sunday morning breakfast was added...then a Saturday breakfast & Friday Appetizers & Drinks. Attendees have also done geocaching, dined out together, gone shopping/antiquing as well as participating in outdoor activities the park offers.

Although there was discussion of moving to a new park after having Cooler at Kohler a second year, it never happened. It continues to be held there. Although the weather is usually a challenge, the enclosed shelter with one half having tables, facing the lake & a huge stone fire place & the other half having heat, tables & electricity make for a pleasant time.

We attended the first 4 CNTLs. By that time it was an established gathering. We did attend #6, in 2012. The combination of travel time/distance, getting off work & the fact that we usually have a camping commitment that same weekend make it difficult to do.

Cooler attendance ebbs & flows, with many of the "regulars" attending along with some "first timers." The only person to attend all 7 Coolers is Tom O.

"Management" has changed hands a few times. Currently, Gary & Cheri J. have volunteered to keep it going.

For anyone who has not attended Cooler, you should give it a whirl...definitely worth going. But be sure to take your long underwear & extra blankets, as it will most definitely be "Cooler Near the Lake."

 

Thank you Betsey, Great information.