Thread: 2015 Northeastern US Great Goat Gathering

its midnight here so I've not done any research but here are a few options. Lake Champlain, Lake George, northern Chesapeake. You've seen my photos of the Sassafras River. I'm thinking islands , places to go with the possibility to either camp out overnight or sail back on the same day after a picnic lunch. I can supply a mothership to carry stuff to outlying picnics.

Oh and Alan has to promise to bring coffee.

Personally, I'd be happy with either Lake Champlain or Lake George. No further for me to drive than Cayuga. I'll look for some campgrounds around there.

Northern Chesapeake is lovely and also a reasonable drive for me and the NYC/NJ contingent. Kinda far for anyone from northern New England. Pipe up, folks! Who's thinking of coming from up that way?

Don't discount Long Island Sound. Great sailing there in September. I'd need to find a place for us to camp. And, unlike at a lake, we'd have to factor in the tides. But Rick LaFontaine might be able to sail his really big mothership (grandmothership?) to join us.

September is as fine a time as any but it is safe for me to say. We are making plans to visit children and grandchildren next September in Tanzania. If competing plans can be accommodated, we'll see about attending the Goat Gathering.

I'll be of little help by saying, any of the venues you mention work for me. That includes the very broadly defined Long Island Sound.

I will say that the September timeframe worked fine for me and I'd vote for that again.

I'm liking the look of Croton Point Park. Fairly central, good sailing, seems to have all the amenities. I know it looks like it is close to NYC, but you can avoid the city by coming in via I-84 or I-287.

I'll call them and see if they'll have us. In the meantime, holler if you think this is too far for you, not the right spot, etc.

I like this idea. Thanks Paulie.

Originally Posted by BrianMCarney

I like this idea. Thanks Paulie.

Super!

MIK

My brother reports that Croton Park is very promising. The tent site are not super close to the ramp, but everyone is traveling from afar so that shouldn't be an issue.


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Originally Posted by paulie

I'll call them and see if they'll have us.

So the conversation would go, "We're thinking about a group outing there sometime in September. Mind if we bring our goats?"

And don't forget photos.

I can't even believe I'm writing this, but my September is already starting to fill up:

The first weekend I am open as of now. That's Labor Day weekend. Is that good or bad for scheduling the Gathering? Maybe that helps with time off from work? Maybe that necessitates advanced campsite bookings?

The second weekend I have a desire to do a cycling event on Sunday, 13 Sept. The NYC Century is an awesome opportunity to ride throughout The City and I'm trying to convince a friend I haven't seen/ridden with in years to do a 55-miler with me. Not locked in stone, but I'm fencing the time for now.

The third weekend I have a likely Boy Scout event. It's also not locked in stone, and I can sometimes find an alternate to take my place. But it's not my preference for this particular trip.

The fourth weekend is still available. Until it's not.

Sorry I was off-line here for so long. Busy getting fired and restarting my freelance practice. Not a lot of extra bandwidth for organizing.

Dave, is the last weekend still open for you? Labor Day is no good for me.

I called Croton Point to nail down details and they are out. Their boat launch can only handle car-tops, no trailers. They are also quite expensive.

Digging through the NYS Park booklet, I find Northampton Beach State Park (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24486.html). Big lake, pretty park, same rules and regs as Cayuga Lake, same prices too. 100 tent sites currently free for the last weekend in September.

Everyone please check out Northampton Beach and tell me if it is accessible for you (might be tough for Clint and Steve Dahms -- no direct route west). Should be comparable to Cayuga for anyone from CT, NY, NJ, and PA.

If Northampton no good, should we think about going back to Cayuga? Or should I try western MA?

Originally Posted by paulie

Don't discount Long Island Sound. Great sailing there in September. I'd need to find a place for us to camp. And, unlike at a lake, we'd have to factor in the tides. But Rick LaFontaine might be able to sail his really big mothership (grandmothership?) to join us.

I'd prefer LIS over The Adirondacks. Pat can Portage IZAP on his shoulders to the north shore...

Is this totally unhelpful?

Also just as unhelpful, there is a park just north of Croton Point that has a ramp, but I think no camping...

"George’s Island Park is a 208-acre waterfront park offering magnificent views of the historic Hudson River. It contains tidal wetlands, a fresh water pond and wooded trails and provides boat access to the Hudson River as well as areas for nature study and picnicking. In winter, it is a favored spot for viewing eagles on the Hudson.
A trail network links it to the Hudson River Greenway. This park has archaeological significance and sensitive natural areas, especially along the shoreline."