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12th January 2015, 10:33 AM #1
2015 Northeastern US Great Goat Gathering
It is time to start planning in earnest for the 2015 Northeastern US Great Goat Gathering.
For the newbies, this will be the second gathering of GISes and similar boats for a weekend of camping and sailing, held somewhere in the Northeastern corner of the US and open to anyone who can drag their boat to it.
Unlike, say, the Small Reach Regatta, this is a low key event. No frills. (I.e., we won't have a caterer. You are responsible for your own tent and food, although we did share a lot last year.) No net. (I.e., we won't have a chase boat or any sort of insurance. You are responsible for your own safety on the water.) Just a few days of sailing together and telling fish tales around the campfire.
I can't see changing much from last year. Dave really got everything right. Hard to improve upon perfection. But just to make sure we are all on the same page:
- Does the mid- to late-September timeframe still work for everyone? Summers are busy and it is hard to find campground space. But it does impose a burden on those with school-age children. Let me know if you'd prefer that we try to find a time before Labor Day instead.
- Salt or fresh water preferred? Or no preference?
- Where is everyone coming from? I'll try to find a spot convenient for all the likely participants.
Regarding locations, we want a campground which: 1) is near to a sizable body of water, 2) has, or is near to, a boat ramp and place to park trailers, 3) will be open in September, 4) is reasonably convenient to major highways, and 5) allows alcohol. At this point, I don't think ANY Connecticut state park or forest meets even 4 of the 5 criteria, although I'll make some phone calls this week to see if I've missed something on the DEEP web site. We could go back to Cayuga, which was lovely and friendly and met all the criteria. I don't think anyone would complain. But if you want to mix it up and you know of a place which will work, let me know so I can start working the phones.
Jump in with comments, questions, etc. Don't be shy.
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12th January 2015, 11:21 AM #2New Member
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Possible venues
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.
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12th January 2015, 12:30 PM #3
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.
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12th January 2015, 01:18 PM #4
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.
Building Gardens of Fenwick, a Welsford Parthfinder
Gardens of Fenwick
Karen Ann, a Storer GIS
Goat Island Skiff - Sacramento
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13th January 2015, 03:54 AM #5
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.Dave
StorerBoat Builder, Sailor, Enthusiast
Dave's GIS Chronicles | Dave's Lugs'l Chronicles | Dave's StorerBoat Forum Thread
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17th January 2015, 05:41 AM #6
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.
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17th January 2015, 08:24 AM #7Member
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I like this idea. Thanks Paulie.
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17th January 2015, 12:01 PM #8
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8th February 2015, 12:34 PM #9
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.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkDave
StorerBoat Builder, Sailor, Enthusiast
Dave's GIS Chronicles | Dave's Lugs'l Chronicles | Dave's StorerBoat Forum Thread
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13th February 2015, 01:22 PM #10Member
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13th February 2015, 05:14 PM #11
And don't forget photos.
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12th March 2015, 01:58 AM #12
Calendar filling already!
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.Dave
StorerBoat Builder, Sailor, Enthusiast
Dave's GIS Chronicles | Dave's Lugs'l Chronicles | Dave's StorerBoat Forum Thread
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24th April 2015, 07:16 AM #13
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?
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24th April 2015, 07:37 AM #14Dave
StorerBoat Builder, Sailor, Enthusiast
Dave's GIS Chronicles | Dave's Lugs'l Chronicles | Dave's StorerBoat Forum Thread
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26th April 2015, 11:43 PM #15
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."Dave
StorerBoat Builder, Sailor, Enthusiast
Dave's GIS Chronicles | Dave's Lugs'l Chronicles | Dave's StorerBoat Forum Thread
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