Rausch Creek 2009 - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

OLDCHEV4X4 · 01-01-2009, 14:25

Now that its Jan 1 2009, i thought i would get this on the calander before the wife puts something on the same day.
Last year it was Oct. 10, 11, 12. But it was kind of crowded at the park. And the trucks that arived late to camp (me), had a less than desirable parking spot. The park said that this weekend was their busiest weekend of the year.
What do you guys think of moving the date up or down a weekend? It will give us more room for camping and parking and out on the trail.
Of course No.2Diesel has the last say on this since he is the CO of this rally.

Update: The dates for this years ralley are Oct. 22-25 2009. Please mark you calander.

maddawg308 · 01-01-2009, 14:50

I vote a weekend earlier. That weekend was far too crowded for my tastes.

LanceRobson · 01-01-2009, 15:45

He and I have traded a few PMs about the rally. We didn't write about changing dates although we all discussed it around the fire at the campsite (I was awake for that part)

Parking along the edge of the campground would seem to be limited to the width of the campsite. If you went further towards the trail head you'd be able to claim more edge space but there's a lot less shade and a lot more dust and noise down there. Also, those spots were taken by 9 AM Friday.

As you gents have said, I'd like to see a less crowded weekend. Hopefully, with a less crowded weekend the park staff will actually enforce their "quiet hours" rules instead of deciding to give up due to the crowd. I was a lot more frustrated with the mass inconsideration than by the crowd itself.

One possibility we did discuss was trying to milk another day out of the trip. He and Rob had permission to camp over to Monday because they were continuing on from RC and not going home Sunday. Perhaps they would extend the same courtesy to a larger group. Effective leadership and established credibility usually go a long way to getting an exception to policies.

I don't think they were open Thursday but I wonder if we could work out a Thursday PM arrival and hit the trail early Friday?

Alternatively, my son(s) and I could get to the area Thursday PM and stake out a little bigger camping area and parking area at O'Dark-thirty on Friday. I think the minefield marking signs worked fine to keep the parking area clear.

Lance

No.2Diesel · 01-02-2009, 09:59

Those are all great ideas. Thanks OLDCHEV for bringing this up. That means you're still really excited about it

"I wonder if we could work out a Thursday PM arrival and hit the trail early Friday?"

-Maddawg had this idea last year and maybe we should implement it for 09', although it does require an additional day off from work for those who have a hard time getting time off.

-It would be nice cuz' we could all depart from our homes after rush hour (~0900) and arrive at the park in the afternoon. It would make for a more relaxed convoy.

"I vote a weekend earlier. That weekend was far too crowded for my tastes."

-After watching the rally more than double in size in 08' I think it is in the best interest of all those participating that the rally be moved from its original weekend. Future rallies will bring more forum members only making for more crowded conditions.

-I have not contacted Lynn @ RC yet so I will look at their calendar for an empty weekend.

Before a final decision is made I would like some more input from past participants as well prospective attendees. Will decide next week.

Thanks again for keeping the discussion going.

Opie · 01-02-2009, 12:05

Here's hoping my rig is in shape mechanically to make it this year. All of my cousins are now married off, so I shouldn't have any conflicts.

I missed hanging out with you this fall!

maddawg308 · 01-02-2009, 12:17

Hey Opie! Glad to see you're still kickin' around!

Missed you at RC this year, hope you can make it to a few events in 2009...

FormerNewMVGuy · 01-02-2009, 13:03

Its nice to see this in the planning stage's already. I am good with any dates that the group decides on

The past rally was alot of fun,even with the large crowd and the late night shenanigans! Gave it a real party atmosphere

, Although at my age i do like a good nights sleep

Looking forward to next Rally

Skip · 01-03-2009, 22:07

The Jeep Jamboree in Maine is Oct 1-3. That might keep some people busy that week end. (read that me)

No.2Diesel · 01-15-2009, 10:22

Hi,

Sorry for the delay. I asked Lynn from RC the questions you guys raised.

Her response:

"October is the busiest month of the entire year so it's hard to pick any
weekend that's going to be less crowded. We will have more camping space
opened up by the time your event rolls around however. And yes, you can
arrive Thursday to set up camp prior to wheeling Friday. Arriving
Thursday you'll be able to stake out your territory well in advance of the
weekend crowd. And you can bring your own fire rings."

The answer isn't so clear on an alternative date, but we can arrive on a Thursday afternoon and bring our own (and larger diameter) fire ring

Should we push this thing into the first weekend in Nov? just throwin it out their

People's schedules in general would be less busy.

Let me know what your thinkin

maddawg308 · 01-15-2009, 10:48

COLD WHEELING in November in PA. But since there's not a real rally elsewhere in the late fall, this might help to "spread out" the events I have planned this year. Plus it might be good for a change. I'm in.