Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?

Subject: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: JenEllen
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 05:17 PM

Anyone interested? Where is a good place to meet, and what time of year would work best for all?

I can travel anywhere fairly easily--summer is best for me.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 05:21 PM

How about Pocatello, Idaho? That way I wouldn't have to travel very far (not all, in fact).

I'm semi-serious about this, too. There's a pretty decent music scene there and great scenery. Spring, summer and fall are all pretty nice, and even Winter is bearable.

Massacre Rocks State Park or Lava Hot Springs are both other possibilities. So is Ft. Bridger, Wyoming. I'd skip Jackson Hole, WY and Moab, UT, since they both already have music festivals.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 05:46 PM

Hmmmmm. Must consider this.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 05:49 PM

Ah! How about Seattle?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:18 PM

There are some beautiful sites in the Portland area and in Wyoming that mebbe we could lease up, depending on how many we could muster. I yam in for it. And I come from the bottom corner!!! Western Runamuck rides again. Yeeehaw!

A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Midchuck
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:34 PM

Do mid-summer. Please. We could work it into our summer trip.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: artbrooks
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:35 PM

Albuquerque? Park City? Eastern Slope Colorado? Central part of the west would be good...Seattle is kinda in the corner. Time...late-ish Spring, I think.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: open mike
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:49 PM

sunny camp and rainy camp are in the portland area.
they happen annually. ask mary garvey....the october one just happened.

I always host a folk music camp out on the first weekend in June.
I usually post invites and info in april and may...leading up to it.

it is held in a beautiful serene secluded rustic campground about
100 miles north of Sacramento in the foothils of the Sierras.

the next one will be the 7th annual...


y'all come, ya hear?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: open mike
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:52 PM

oh yeah, that is in northern california--for camp Hoot "N" Holler...

we do have a hot springs in the area...and lassen nat'l park and

breweries and wineries....and other less rustic campgrounds near by..

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:54 PM

I agree with Art, if you're doing western corners, Seattle and Portland are the wrong ones. ;-) Something more central west would be nice -- getting to Seattle from here is like going to the east coast.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 06:55 PM

Ya know ... I would be very interested in attending, and helping, with this! Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 07:01 PM

Let's scout around for nice sites and see if we can come up with something that would be a Strange Attractor to all corners of the West.

Jen will be back after the weekend, she tells me. Here are two she found as just possibilities:

http://www.breitenbush.com/

http://www.cowcabins.com/

Both gorgeous places. Candidates?

A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 07:38 PM

I would be seriously interested in a MC gathering, next summer, on the West coast of America, anywhere from Portland Oregon to the North. Bob

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 08:41 PM

Bob:

Hell we should throw one jes' for that reason alone!

A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 08:43 PM

Sounds good to me. I'll bet that you and I can trade a good song ... or two! Bob

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 08:50 PM

Western slope of Colorado, even southwestern CO might be good, Four Corners area; also parts of Nevada,ner Mesquite (maybe) heck we're only a few hours from *gasp* Vegas! If you do WY, esp. Bridger-Teton, it'd have to be mid-summer for easy-weather access.:-) Idaho hight be a fairly half-way point for many of us, from west coast to mid-Rockies. I'll have to think on it some more. For me, it would depend on whether Rog could take the time off, too.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 09:09 PM

Evanston, WY. Vernal, UT. Cody, WY. Cortez, CO. Monticello, UT. Salmon, ID. Butte, MT.

And don't forget the border area of Alberta....

Ft. Bridger, Wyoming might be a danged fine place for it, especially in the Spring.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Deckman
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 09:27 PM

If salt water doesn't lick it's shores ... it's NOT the west coast! Bob

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: mg
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 10:55 PM

You know, Vegas and Reno have highly subsidized flights so it is cheap to get there. Also, Sacramento California always seems to have cheap SW flights. I think Reno would be fascinating. mg

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST,KT
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 11:48 PM

I like the Seeattle idea. For those who would have to fly, it'a a major hub and that would eliminate having to take a second flight! But Sacramento or Portland could work, too. By the way, are there any Sacramento mudcatters? I know Joe is pretty close....any others?
Great idea, JenEllen!

KT

Subject: Whatever this is about....
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 12:10 AM

Gee, Bob. I didn't know Salt Lake City was on the West Coast! 8-)

Reno could be good. Where the Walker runs down to the Carson Valley plain....

Or Carson City. Or even Virginia City (either MT or NV).

How about Flagstaff, AZ? Or Window Rock, NM? Or Tuba City (a town with a musical connotation!!)?

The problem with big cities is that they are generally expensive. And SLC wouldn't do for this bunch. But there are other places, close to major cities, that might work:

Salem or Eugene, OR
Logan, UT
Evanston, WY
Bozeman, MT
Pocatello, ID
Redding, CA
Spokane, WA
Grand Junction, CO
Cortez, CO

and many more.

Any town with a university will most likely have decent transportation to it. And you could most likely get a bunch of deals from the local Convention & Visitors Bureau, too.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 12:14 AM

Well of course, I am going to vote for Grand Junction, then ya'll can come over to my house and help landscape the backyard.**bg**

I wouldn't vote for Evanston, WY. Fort Bridger might be nice, but only in the LATE spring or summer. You can get some mighty snowstorms up there in May, even June, sometimes.

I don't know if Vernal, Utah is ready for a Mudcat Gathering, but I'll bet my dad would be smiling if it happened, just wishing he was still there to meet all of you.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 12:46 AM

Green River, UT or WY. You ain't seen nothin' 'til you see the Red Lands, the Book Cliffs, The Needles, Flaming Geor...er, Gorge...and all the rest of that part of the US!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 10:11 AM

Hey! We got the Bookcliffs ryetcheer in Coluhraduh!:-)AND, the Grand Mesa AND the National Monumnet all them dine-oh-sore bones, too. Maybe they'd let us blow on a few on them suckers...great hollow head cavities make wunnerful noises.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 11:10 AM

Why, we got dozens o' threads to prove that point, too, Miss Kat!!!


A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 11:10 AM

I can't get to California, CO would be easy, Pocotello or NM maybe do able.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Dave Swan
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 01:07 PM

Oh, hell yes. New Mexico sounds good to me, but I'll go anywhere.

D

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 01:27 PM

I yam sure there's loverly country around Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo hills. No salt water, though!

A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: pdq
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 01:30 PM

If Vacouver BC and Dallas Texas are both considered part of The West, then the geographic center is fairly close to Salt Lake City, Utah. Actually closer to Vernal. Hey, great idea, Vernal, since so may folksingers are fossils and dinosaurs already.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 05:18 PM

Based on many years of experience, I'd stronly urge that whatever it is be handled like the Getaway: opening up an existing gathering to Mudcatters. Otherwise, the problems of setting up an infrastructure at a distance are apt to be insurmountable. Also--while I don't mind camping (even primitive camping) it should nbe noted that Mudcatters seem to fall into the graying portion of the population, and may hesitate to take even temporary lodging on de col' col' ground.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Deckman
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 05:32 PM

To Rapaire ... You nailed me on that one ... about the Great Salt Lake! (ouch .... oooooh ..... the pain)! Bob

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 06:14 PM

That'll lairn ya, pardner. Thank goodness I'm back from SLC!

Vernal'd be a good choice, really would be. Or just across the line in Colorado (the line isn't all that far from Vernal). Vernal info. Some more.

Might be possible to contact the Convention and Visitors' Bureau and/or the Chamber of Commerce and see what sort of deals could be made.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 07:01 PM

It's been a long time since I have driven in Breitenbush country but it is beautiful. On the western slope of the Cascade mountains on a narrow but serviceable road. Breitenbush started out as a fairly unimproved hot springs destination then closed down for some time. Before I left Oregon in 1988 it had opened again and had become a commercial enterprise. You can access the location from several directions.

(Hey, if you can make it to Pocotello you can make it to Oregon!)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST,kt
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 07:09 PM

And if we're REALLY talking about coast, Oregon's is fabulous!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 07:25 PM

SLC or Vernal is do able..and it's not so much the camping per se as it is hauling all the stuff to do it.....we could maybe rent a 'cheap' hall? Or a meeting room in a motel? With a cafe on site?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Oct 06 - 08:32 PM

And Oregon doesn't have sales taxes. :)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 05:06 PM

Hey! Get this back up there were it belongs!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Ebbie
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 05:41 PM

Thanks, Rap. Let's not let this disappear until more information is exchanged.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 06:28 PM

Going by what Dick Greenhaus said, there are a ton of festivals throughout Colorado: This year's Listings, but, again, I would avoid the eastern slope like the plague! A lot of these are not neccessarily oging to be like the Getaway, though, as they are more commericial, open to the general public for entertainment, and fairly expensive and nt all have on-site accomodations. Keep in mind, too, that mid-summer can be very hot, esp. in Grd. Jct. and Vernal.

How many folks are we talking? I have a backyard that goes back 150 feet by 80 feet. It'd have to be cleaned up beforehand, but several tents could be pitched, but we only have one bathroom and kitchen. There is a nice RV park just across the highway from us: RVRanch. There are several other places on the Western Slope which might be suitable. I'll do some more checking if you all want. Can also check with Chamber of Commerces, etc. The Paonia area would be neat, as well as Gunnison, etc. though probably more expensive.

Also know a lot about Vernal. That's where we used to go visit my dad. Remember it is NOT close to anything, really, other than another small town, Roosevelt, and the dinosaurs, etc.

Will post more, later.

kat

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 07:48 PM

I've got 3 full bathrooms and a half-bath (no bathing facilities) and a back yard that's about 50 x 100 feet. I've also got 2.5 kitchens, a deck, a patio, and space to sleep about 10 or 15 people in sleeping bags, on the floor. There's a pad for an RV (sorry, just one) and there's a KOA about a mile up the road. Within a mile are six or seven motels: Red Lion, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Ameritel, Super 8, Comfort Inn and there might be another one I'm forgetting. Within three or four miles are Ramada Inn, Motel 6, Econolodge, and bunch more (this is a university town).

Yes, there is an airport with commercial air service, and we're at the junction of I-15 and I-86. The Union Pacific RR yards are also large and you could ride the rods into town.

While my neighbors would certainly object to wild and salacious goings-on until all hours, it wouldn't be difficult or expensive to get a shelter at one of the city parks (but no beer then!) or...hmmm...lemme think...camping...would need portapotties...

But there's this which in addition to being close the hospitals (there's that "graying" thing again!) and civilization, is also close to this and, of course,
this (pull the second handle).

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: pdq
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 07:53 PM

Gunnison, CO, is extremely high elevation. One of the highest towns in the US. The lack of oxygen in the air is quite dangerous for older people or those with poor circulation.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 09:22 PM

Yep, it is high in elevation. A while back that would have been a major problem for me. Guess I am getting so healthy I forgot:-). Good point, pdq.

Rapaire, sounds great!!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 09:29 PM

Pick a place, and them what goes, goes--and them what don't,
don't.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 10:45 PM

Well, we could meet at San Francisco's Camp Harmony, Wednesday December 27th, 2006 - Monday January 1st, 2007. We've gathered at the Getaway on the East Coast for a number of years (since 1999), and that has worked out very well. Some of us are already going to Harmony, and there's plenty of space.
What think ye?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 12:35 AM

Some very fine ideas afloat here. Mebbe we can arrive at some consensus in the upcoming week, assuming Jen shows up to chime in, as the Starter of Ye Threade.

I'd love to see Bob Deckman show up wherever we go!


A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 12:43 AM

Kinda short notice, Joe, but that sure looks neat!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 12:48 AM

Well....almost three months, Kat. Mind you, it is a bit expensive - $325 if you register by Nov 1, and $410 thereafter.
I get to go free, since I'm King of the Mop (chief of kitchen cleanup, with takes 5 hours a day - all campers have to work 1 hour a day).
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Mudjack
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 01:10 AM

Will have to stay on top of this one, sounds like it will realy happen. The when is my priority, the where is what I'm looking forward to. Open Mike's 100 miles north of Sac-Cal sounds good. Oh heck, they all sound good.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:26 AM

I'm with Dick Greenhaus on choosing a place in or around an existing festival. I'll put a vote in for the Northwest Folklife Festival, but I'd suggest starting a day or two before the festival begins, so we can meet up without getting lost in the larger fest. That way, there's time to have our gathering, then enjoy this incredible festival in Seattle. It happens in late May.

Chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 09:19 AM

January's out for me. Spring would be much better.