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Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Big Mick Date: 23 Oct 06 - 02:28 PM This whole thread reminds me of a Wobblie Convention. Sdomeone needs to grab hold, come up with 3 or 4 sites, take a poll of potential attendees from those 3 or 4 choices, set a date and let the chips fall where they may. I would like to consider coming to this. But to do so, it needs to be within 2 hours of a decent sized airport with reasonable fares available. And you need to set a date. I sure hope you all get it together, because I would like to see this become another big annual event. Pullin' for you, Mick |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: ClaireBear Date: 23 Oct 06 - 02:01 PM It does sound cool, I quite agree. Thank you, Open Mike. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Amos Date: 23 Oct 06 - 01:35 PM Yay, Open Mike! A positive proposition for action. Here's the Website for the Mystic Valley Retreat. Sounds like fun to me. A |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: open mike Date: 23 Oct 06 - 12:30 PM As I mentioned i have been hosting a folk music camp out the first wee4kend in june for half dozen years now. I would be willing to change this event from the rustic camp ground to a place with cabins as posted in the thread about the Mystic Valley Retreat. If there is interest, i will reserve the space. Sacramento airport is a couple of hours to the south, and Reno is a couple of hours East. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Sorcha Date: 23 Oct 06 - 12:11 AM Sombody just has to take charge here. Who? |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 22 Oct 06 - 09:55 PM Wrong. I don't tell nobody how I'm gonna vote, not even my wife. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 22 Oct 06 - 09:22 PM Hey, Gargle. I ain't no "haggling hen." |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Genie Date: 22 Oct 06 - 07:59 PM Well, Homeless, you could always volunteer your ... Er, oh, right. ;) |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: katlaughing Date: 20 Oct 06 - 12:30 AM Good suggestion, Homeless. I'd be happy to insert it, or we could have a new thread once it is decided. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Homeless Date: 19 Oct 06 - 08:33 PM If/when a date, time, and place is decided upon, can it posted near the top of the thread for those of us that have an interest in attending, but don't live far enough west to have an impact on decisions (and don't want to wade thru 200 or so posts to find the decisions)? |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: JenEllen Date: 19 Oct 06 - 03:50 PM Got word back from Elko commerce folks and they say: I would look at the Western Folklife Center Home of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering at 775-738-7508 or the Stockmen's Hotel & Casino at 775-738-5141 for meeting space. Haven't really had time for much else. I'm still up for it too, just haven't had free time to search for spots. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: ClaireBear Date: 19 Oct 06 - 01:14 PM 1 hour and 4 minutes per Mapquest; I'd say she's not too far off. I work about a mile from the museum, Kat. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: pdq Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:38 PM This is one of the most interesting places in San Jose: Rosicrucian Museum But do not expect to get there from Salinas in 45 minutes unless you have a private jet. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: katlaughing Date: 19 Oct 06 - 12:22 PM That's kewl, ClairBear! It is also about 45 minutes from Rosicrucian Park - one of my fav. places to visit! |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: ClaireBear Date: 19 Oct 06 - 11:35 AM I hope it's still a going thing too. Salinas is about 45 minutes from my house, Kat! But I'd go anywhere in the West for this gather. Claire |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: katlaughing Date: 19 Oct 06 - 09:55 AM Hope this isn't dead in the water. FWIW, I have personal reasons to go to Salinas, CA, esp. if there were a Mudcat Gathering. So...that'd be one place in CA I would seriously look at if it worked for most other folks. kat |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Ebbie Date: 17 Oct 06 - 07:54 PM Let's hope this subject is simmering, even if the thread isn't visible. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 16 Oct 06 - 08:59 AM Weather data for Wells, NV is here, although you have to scroll down a bit. You can check other cities and towns at this website as well. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Genie Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:00 AM Joe, I would LOVE to come to the Camp Harmony gathering some year, but the year's end time is the absolute WORST time for me to contemplate being away from home (since I'm always away over the Christmas holidays too). Too many loose ends to tie up business-wise and finance-wise at year's end. I really wish there were a Bay Area gathering at just about any OTHER time of year. :) |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Genie Date: 16 Oct 06 - 12:56 AM Rapaire, you do have a point about locations near Elko or SLC. The airlines do often offer incredibly cheap flights to those cities for the weekend. My erstwhile boyfriend used to fly there on those cheap flights all the time and then spend the weekend hiking in the wilderness instead of spending the anticipated $$ in the casinos. LOL My ONLY concern about Nevada in July or August is the heat. Isn't it awfully hot? genie |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 15 Oct 06 - 09:49 PM
love, -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Oct 06 - 06:29 PM Well, whether it's an "official" Mudcat gathering or not, I'd like to encourage everyone to think about attending the San Francisco Folk Music Club's Camp Harmony near Santa Cruz, Wednesday December 27th, 2006 - Monday January 1st, 2007. It's significantly cheaper if you register before November 1, so now's the time to decide [$325 for 6 days now, $410 after November 1]. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Mudjack Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:46 PM Open Mike's post about Mystic Valley Retreat sounds mighty good. Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 15 Oct 06 - 04:22 PM I drove to Bozeman in, what was it? February? But I'm sort of nuts. Cost is why so many people from Pocatello drive to SLC to catch planes -- or take one of the shuttles that run several times a day. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Alice Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:38 PM I really need a vacation! I have not had a vacation trip since I took a few days to go to Glacier Park at least four years ago! A Mudcat gathering near San Francisco would be great. I can only take time off from my job, according to my manager, during Christmas time when sales are slow! Well, most would not want to do Mudcat Camp West during Christmas, I suspect, but if I could get out of here in the middle of snowy winter and be on the west coast somewhere, I'd really love it. Alice |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Barry Finn Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:30 PM When I said San Francisco I did not mean the city itself I meant that as an base metro area. Like the camp used in the DC area is not in the city but it would be easily accessible from a major metro area, Washington/Baltimore. Camp Harmony or the like seems to be a fine fit, Sorcha & others that drive would not have to be near a city (same as the Getaway), only those that had to fly, bus or train in would have to & then make a connection from there which would be an easier hop to a camp rather than try going to an unlikely spot like Chico & then finding some sort of transport to Calamazoo. If I for example fly into San Francisco to go the a camp, like others have done. I could arrive in the AM & somehow pre arrange for a ride to the camp, hopefully with a mudcatter or split a rental with a mudcatter, no overnight hotel stay, & be at the camp by afternoon. That could not possibly happen in an area where an airport, train or bus connection are so small to non-existent with hopefully at least one vechicle rental stall. If this doesn't make sense, that's ok, figure out something else. No matter what I can fool mself & dream. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Midchuck Date: 15 Oct 06 - 02:45 PM You can fly from Washington DC to London for far less than from Bozeman to Sacramento. And Albany, NY, or Burlington, VT, or Manchester, NH, or Hartford, CT, to Bozeman, is furr, furr, wuss... Peter |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Alice Date: 15 Oct 06 - 02:26 PM Flying out of small cities/towns in the west can be very expensive. The smaller airports don't get enough traffic to keep the rates affordable and there are usually round about connections that are time consuming and few choices. You can fly from Washington DC to London for far less than from Bozeman to Sacramento. You can check out comparisons at cheapflights.com. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Ebbie Date: 15 Oct 06 - 02:05 PM Forgot to give the address |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Ebbie Date: 15 Oct 06 - 02:04 PM Sounds beautiful, OM. I just googled it. Here is what it says about groups. Over Night Group Rates for 10 or more Overnight accommodations $30.00 per person Based on 4 or more per cabin or tepee Meals per day per person $25.00 to $35.00 Use of School Building (24-hour period 1pm to 1pm) $100.00 per day + $8.00 each person not included in overnight accommodations Use of ceremonial Tepee (24-hour period 1pm to 1pm) $50.00 per day + $8.00 each person not included in overnight accommodations |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: open mike Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:54 PM i think i may have found a possible site.. http://www.mysticvalleyretreat.com/ this beautiful community is just up the canyon from me and is a retreat site with several cabins and an old school house for group jams. there is also wood burning hot tub and camping space there. Their group rates are about $25 per day per person and meals are avaialbe for an added fee. The Sacramento airport is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours away and up canyon Reno is about the same or a bit more it is situated in the beautiful feather river canyon and the feather river flows thru the property and there is a stream as well. also there are a couple of camp grounds and my property close by as well if we over flow the place...well??? i will search up more info...but i think we should make a consideration for this one!! Mt. Lassen volcaninc nat'l park is near by as well as the sierra nevada mountains and lakes and rivers and forests and mountains and natural wonders. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:32 PM Salt Lake City (airport hub) to Wells, NV, via I-80: about 178 miles, or 2 hours 30 minutes driving time. SLC to Elko, NV: 229 miles, or about 3 hours 15 minutes driving. SLC to Vernal, UT: 171 miles; 2 hours 57 minutes. I've been saying it: fly to Salt Lake City, drive a couple hours. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Genie Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:12 PM I agree with Bick Mick. Flying a few thousand miles isn't prohibitive for a lot of us, nor is driving 12 or more hours. I just don't think many of us want to do BOTH, and that's what would be involved for a lot of people if the gathering were on the northern coast of Calif or in some location in the mountain states that's not close to a sizeable city. A location not too far from a large population center increases the likelihood that people will be able to carpool to the gathering site. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Ebbie Date: 15 Oct 06 - 12:28 PM Wizzy's comment reminds me: If there should be 40 attendees, say, maybe a home-based gathering would work very well. A sister in law of mine had her family reunion based at her home. Their house and yard are large but many people stayed in motels nearby for the short time away each day. They weren't into music -it was food and games and talk - but music is a far, far better thing that we do... |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: wysiwyg Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:46 AM Have most of y'all been to a home-based Gathering, or most to a festival-based Gathering? They's two different sorts of events-- both are great I am sure-- but what frame of reference are you trying for? Both of those styles have evolved, rather than springing up whole from virgin ground, so copying them is probably not the best approach; but if you let the nature and extent of your propinquity determine what is possible it will evolve from there. ~Former Gathering Hostess |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: katlaughing Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:40 AM It seems to me we are heading towards two smaller, separate gatherings. One coastal, the other closer to the Rocky Mtn. west. I don't know of any concentration of Mudcatters west of the Mississippi, unless it is a fairly large area in the northwest. The other thing for me, at least, is I will actually be able to make the getaway in 2007, so expenditures for any other gathering in the same year will have to be minimal. I agree with mg, though, pick the place(s) where the most can make it and I'll come if Rog and I are able. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:35 AM Western Eastern and Western Gatherings? You could attend both the Western Eastern and the Western Western, even in the same year. Ebbie, my back yard is about 50 x 100 feet, with a gate out to the Highland Golf Course. The house has 2.5 kitchens, 3.5 baths, about 6,100 books, three Internet-linked or -linkable computers, four largish rooms (living room, dining room, family room, Sun Room, two offices (his and hers), a sewing room, a guest room, and a room in which sleeping bags could be unrolled. There's also a workshop and a storage room, a covered deck under which is a patio. There's a pad where an RV could be parked (use your holding tank, 'cause there's no sewer connection, but electricity and water could be done) and parking for maybe threee cars in the driveway. There are also two 50-gallon hot water heaters, central air conditioning, a water softener, and two furnaces. Trash pickup is Friday, and there is a bus stop close by. Oh yeah, two fireplaces with inserts, but we've been told to use only the downstairs one because it's the better insert. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Big Mick Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:23 AM I suggest not parsing this to death. The location should be first, easily accessible from a major airport, and second close to a concentration of Mudcatters. Easily as important is that the facility must be comfortable, reasonably priced, and have spaces for people to break out to. Don't let distance for anyone person hold up the gathering. I drove 13 hours each way for the Getaway for five years. The gathering was so good, that I was willing to make the trek. KT and Ebbie flew from Alaska to the east coast. The Shellbacks and Brits came from Great Britain. Folks came from all over the country. It is about planning a great event, making it as accessible and comfortable as possible. Seems to me a Camp Harmony type surrounding is what you are after as it has the facilities. Doesn't have to be that one, but should be like that one. I would suggest that you create a cyber committee of folks that are committed to making this happen and committed to attending. Let them make the decisions in committee, and then stick with it. Everyone can submit their suggestions to them. Suggestions shouldn't be for some general geographic area, but rather specific facilities. Then you can get past the "chewing the fat" stage and move to specifics that will let people make a decision as to attendance. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Alice Date: 15 Oct 06 - 10:02 AM Maybe I missed it, but is there a link to Camp Harmony web site, photos, etc.? |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Genie Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:54 AM I like the Camp Harmony idea, Joe. I agree that the best location would be something near major transportation routes (airport, interstate or train or all 3). I love the Northern Calif. Coast or the Big Sur area, but places there are not quick or easy to get to, even after you've flown to the area from Portland, Seattle, Boise, Denver, Phoenix, etc. The Sacramento area has less traffic but it a lot hotter in the summer. If I did have to spend 2 or 3 days or $250 each way to get to the gathering location, I'd want the room and board to be very cheap to make up for that. But it would be nice if I didn't also have to go buy a tent. I agree the West Coast gathering doesn't have to be in the same location every year. The "movable" feast idea has its merits too. We did have a great time at JenEllen's in 2002 with only about 10 of us in attendance. And it didn't take most of us terribly long or cost us an arm and a leg to get there. (Speed demon Amos drove straight thru from Ellensburg, WA, to San Diego in about 12 hours, but he's the exception.) ;) I imagine some of us would be able to make it to two or more smaller Mudcat gatherings in the same year, too. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Joe Offer Date: 15 Oct 06 - 03:13 AM These are all great ideas - but so far, it's easier and cheaper for me to go from Sacramento to the Getaway for a Mudcat gathering. I still strongly suggest considering San Francisco's Camp Harmony for a gathering. Camp attendance has been down in recent years, and Mudcatters attending could be as helpful to Harmony as it has been to the Getaway. The Mudcatters I've seen at Harmony are DADGBE, Radriano, Chanteyranger, Blessings Barbara, Bev & Jerry Praver, Open Mike, and a whole lot of others who have posted occasionally. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Amos Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:48 AM Definite interest, a big plus, and lots of good possibilities. The rest is like herding catfish! A |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Mudjack Date: 15 Oct 06 - 01:14 AM Back yards are great for limited numbers. My home(2 bdr 2 bth) is open to all that think it might work. 37 miles east of Portland OR airport and secluded away from the city life. The gathering would have to share with my normal circle of pickers and that can get crowded on its own merits. Could we secretly have a Mud gathering without my closer music friends knowing? I don't think so, but am willing to make the offer. The Columbia River gorge is beautiful in the summer months excluding the rainy season. The winter months can serve up ice storms. We'll just have to keep plugging away. Also willing to drive to some other catter's home/backyard Mudjack |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Ebbie Date: 15 Oct 06 - 12:46 AM The chances of this is looking good! If it should happen to be in the San Francisco area, how about looking inland from there? I know- it's pretty urban for a long way around. But is there a user-friendly community east of there so one wouldn't have to drive the congested freeways? Personally I like northern California much better than farther south; places like Dunsmuir and even more remote, Arcata, or in the other direction, Marysville and - humph, the cities have fled my mind... Wells Nevada sounds good to me. At 5000+ feet it's milder in the summer too. Hey, Rapaire, just how big IS your house? And your back yard? :) |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Sorcha Date: 14 Oct 06 - 11:19 PM I can't stand cities, don't deal well with crowds of strangers and I am NOT going to drive to San Fran. No way, no how. Just how far I can go depends on date and if Mr is available to help drive. DATES people...and just how can we keep a certain troll from knowing the final details????? |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 14 Oct 06 - 10:41 PM The closest major air hub to Wells is Salt Lake City. If you don't want to rent a car, a pickup by someone might be arranged. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Rapparee Date: 14 Oct 06 - 10:39 PM Barry, Straight-line distance for Sorcha would be 1,017 miles. It's only 637 miles for me. Of course, that's "as the crow flies" and not "as the car has to drive." The highest motel rate on the Wells website is less than $55 per night, and that's for 4 people. I know for a certainty that San Francisco rates are somewhat higher. There's another thing: some people simply do not LIKE large cities. Me, I only dislike New York City and Los Angeles, but I'll put up with them if I'm forced to do so. But there are people, many of them, who think differently -- and many of them live in the West. |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: GUEST,mg Date: 14 Oct 06 - 10:33 PM I think you will find you won't get people from far away unless it is near, like not requiring a rental car, to an airport of some kind and is some sort of destination. I could not possibly, and for heavens sake this is not a factor so have it wherever, make it to the middle of Nevada unless there were an airport with cheap flights. But before you plan this, see who can come under what conditions. Some of the long-standing camps here have trouble now and then surrounded by a million or so people and with good public transportation. mg |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Barry Finn Date: 14 Oct 06 - 10:20 PM "*traffic* and cost...it's still a long ways from west of the Rockies:-)" Come on, it can't be worst than us Northeasters blowing in on DC. Were still diong 10 - 12 - 14hr non stop drives, well, not all of us, Sinsull's a whimp but then she has an excuse, she has to put up with me for the journey not to mention those 2 other wild women, shopping freaks. We do need to have a visit & a stay with Tinker on the way. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place? From: Sorcha Date: 14 Oct 06 - 10:07 PM Traffic, people and money. |
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