Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 09:34 AM

Jan is out for me....spring or summer. But, someobody just needs to make an Executive Decison.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Fortunato
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 10:00 AM

good idea, this. I'd be interested in coming
chance

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: JenEllen
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 11:44 AM

Summer please! Then I can be sure to get time off from the school. Breitenbush is nice, and it is geothermically heated for old bones *bg*. I have a camper and don't mind the drive, so the 'where' really isn't a problem for me.

Also, I was thinking 'western' like this side of the Rockies. Any ideas on how to vote for place?

~J

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Midchuck
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 11:58 AM

What JenEllen said. A lot of us can only get away longer than a weekend when school is out.

And I personally would be a lot more interested in the Rockies than the West Coast. I like Idaho/Montana/Wyoming/Utah.

I'm dubious about trying to work it inside of an existing festival. I think we'd have trouble making connections. A lot of 'catters go to Old Songs every year, and never get together.

Just one opinion, of course.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:00 PM

Maybe we could start out with votes on general location, i.e. Western Rockies, West Coast, Southwest?

Fortunato, that is so kewl that you'd think of coming all this way! everyone else, too!

Summer seems to be the best time for several folks and would be fine for us, too.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:44 PM

'Nother thing: when it's snowtime in the Rockies it can get mighty damned cold, mighty damned snowy, and just generally unpleasant (depending where you are). Snowslides closed I-70 last year, remember? And the Donner and other Passes can be downright iffy.

So: late Spring or early Summer on the Western slope?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:51 PM

West slope or Southwest. Dont care. Summer because of the weather.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: ClaireBear
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 03:58 PM

Southwest (ideally four corners New Mexico) and early summer would be my favorite choices.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Mudjack
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 04:21 PM

I say it is up to the person organizing, Both time and place. Since that person will have the task of doing most of the work, the where and when should be their decision. I am asuming Jen Ellen is our front most volunteer. If that is the case, Then Jen Ellen can count on me for any assistance I can offer. I am at your service, you know how to contact me. After all the planning and time to happen, those who can go will go regardless of where and when. Trying to satify 50 folks might require some 50 places and 50 dates. I'll help with your plans the best I can and might even have to pass on the event for other commitments. Thats how it goes.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 04:34 PM

Okay! I drew a line on a map from about San Diego (Amos) to about Torrington, WY (Sorcha). I then divided it in half and measured SE from Seattle, NW from Albuquerque, sort of W from Torrington, and sort of E from Sacramento.

This gave me a box of about 250 square miles on the Idaho/Nevada border, just West of where Idaho, Utah, and Nevada meet.

Now, things like shade and water can be sort of scarce in that region and I for one would prefer not to die of sunstroke. So I looked around the general area and came up with a town that's used to festivals (they host at least one every January) and could accomodate a few oddball types.

And folks, here it is!

(Fooled ya! You thought it would be someplace like Franklin, Idaho!)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 05:07 PM

Elko sounds good!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 05:25 PM

Garg said he's going. If he firms that up, I hope someone posts it here. I have a serious desire to make his acquaintance.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: JenEllen
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 06:44 PM

Elko sounds fair enough. Now how about the 'when'? *bg*

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 06:46 PM

Well, as much fun as it might be, during the Cowboy Poetry Festival it would probably be really hard to get rooms...or anything else, for that matter.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: JenEllen
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 07:04 PM

Just dropped a line to the toursim dept at Elko. Maybe they can help us with some idea as to 'where' locally. We'll see.
Mudjack, you make my day. It was just an idea, but if I have to herd earthworms I'm glad for the support!
~J

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 07:13 PM

Here's one option for lodging 'round there about 20 minutes outside of town. They say they can accomodate ten, but that might mean twenty who were good friends.

A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 07:18 PM

Just spoke with the folks at the Western Folklife Center in Elko. Yes, they rent the joint and it's being renovated. They have a BIG performance hall and a smaller, more intimate, bar (can't bring your own beer though).

We discussed early June, late May as possibilities. They do get weddings on the weekends.

Lots of folks there appreciate cowboy/folk music, too.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 07:29 PM

Well, can we sleep in it?

Or would we have to stagger down the road at 4 AM to a motel or sompn?


A

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST, Eb
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 08:00 PM

Has anyone got experience with The Bishops Ranch in Healdsburg California? It's in Sonoma wine country. I'm told it's gorgeous, alcohol is OK, good lodgings, good food, etc...

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 02:00 AM

Well, Elko is 288 miles from Reno, or about 388 miles from me. I guess I could drive it - reluctantly. I'd say it's well-nigh impossible for people to fly there. Healdsburg is not an unreasonable distance from the airports at San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. Our larger West Coast concentrations of Mudcatters are Seattle and San Francisco - the rest of us are scattered.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:20 AM

Then why not some place tween Seattle & San Francisco & maybe inland from there to accommodate those who are futher from the water & closed to the divide? I'm not going, way to far but I though I might add 1 cent worth. Good Luck

Barry

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Amergin
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 05:21 AM

Can always do it during tumbleweed in Tri Cities. It is Labour day weekend.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 06:02 AM

I'm hanging in here with this one folks. I'm still working and run a business as a deck builder. That's why people call me "THE DECKMAN.! (good business ... decks).

If we're talking about NEXT year, and if plans develope to somewhere that "bride Judy" and I can drive to, this is a definate option for us. Bob

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 09:35 AM

*Thinking out loud, here*

Elko's about eight hours from us. It sounds good, but I don't know if we could manage it. Depends on Rog and time off from work. Are we talking just over a weekend, longer, or during the week? If it's weekend only then I don't see us driving that much distance. Will check the airlines and see how much. I DO know Vegas is not that far of a drive and there is also daily shuttle air from here to there, BUT Vegas is NOT my idea of a fun place to go to!**bg**

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 10:14 AM

Tell me where and when, and I'll tell you yes or no. I/we will be driving if we attend.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Fortunato
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 11:13 AM

Joe, Calmp Harmony looks good, but we have a gathering of the clan at our house in Asheville through the holidays.

see ya somewhere,
chance

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 11:18 AM

I wish...

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Dave Swan
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:13 PM

Eb asks about Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburgh. I atayed there for a function of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers and very much enjoyed the rooms, food and locale. I don't know what financial arrangements are like, or how far into the future they're booked, but I'll sniff around.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:42 PM

I really don't want this to become known as a California/Oregon/Washington only event. I think that at least in the beginning it should be held elsewhere -- not to knock those states, Lord no!, but there is far more to the Western US than the four states bordering the Pacific coast.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:57 PM

Well, I think you'll find it's cheaper to get to the Pacific states, than it is to get to the Rockies. I've paid over $700 for some flights to Denver and Idaho, as opposed to $300 to fly from California to Baltimore. For flying, distance isn't the main factor in determining price. Cities served by Southwest Airlines and the other discount carriers, are usually the cheapest. For some reason (probably the executives at United Airlines), Denver airfares can be outrageous. I can fly through Denver to the East Coast for $300, but $700 to fly to Denver.
-Joe in the Sacramento area-

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 12:59 PM

Exactly, Joe...and I can't possibly fly anywhere cause it has to be out of Denver. I'm driving, and I can't drive to CA

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:17 PM

So far we have around a couple of dozen people on this thread. If we don't get a lot more definite interest then I'd be inclined to go with katlaughing's back yard.

It won't hurt to start small, and as things build up over the years we can move to a bigger place.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:18 PM

Either way, flying is too costly for us. CA or NV, both would be around $4-500 each, unless I got some last minute thing. Regardless we'd ahev to go through SLC.

We'd need to drive. There have been some small ones on the west coast. I'd really love to see something in the Rockies, but there ought to be a compromise so that most folks feel it is doable, imo.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:24 PM

Cross-posted, Bert. LOL...okay, but if you know who digs a latrine, I say we put him in it!

Seriously, there are other places around here besides my backyard that would be much better and, I think, reasonable.:-)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:36 PM

Well, the mountain ben held rondys in "Holes" -- like Jackson Hole or Pierre's Hole. I really don't think we should call this "The Rondy at Kat's Hole" though.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:40 PM

I've lived at sea level most of my life. When I was younger - and much fitter - I hiked in an area that was 8400 feet above sea level. I could scarcely take more than 6 steps before I had to stop, all out of breath.

I have no doubt that nowadays I would react even more severely.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 01:41 PM

LOL, what's a "mountain Ben?" LOL!!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 02:19 PM

And WHO wants to pay 'Hole PRICES????? NOT ME!

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:04 PM

Mountain Ben was Gentle Ben's nasty, evil, vile twin brother.

Sorcha, if we did this right we could get it hole-sale.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:11 PM

There's a songwriter here in Colorado Springs who owns a motel. He's always fully booked throughout the tourist season but we might be able to persuade him to open up for an off season weekend.

What do you think?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: JenEllen
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 03:31 PM

The travel's not a problem for me. Y'all decide what works for the best and I'll be there. *bg*

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:24 PM

Depends, Bert.....find out/post more.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 04:57 PM

No offence, Bertdarlin'...typical western slope attitude, I know, but when I hear eastern slope it makes me *groan*:-)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 06:29 PM

How about Soldotna, Alaska in June. The salmon are running fierce in the rivers, the temperatures are in the mid 70's and the sun shines 'til midnight. Come on up.

Mike

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:43 PM

Why's that katmeluv? I know The Springs is a tourist town but it's not THAT bad.

Maybe though, there's a motel in your area that might work.

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 07:51 PM

I would think you would want things easy to fly to otherwise not many people could make it. I still think everyone should check out prices to Reno from where they are. How far to Elko? Don't know. Reno is a very historical place, home of many Basque traditions. I have never been there but would like to go. There are old ghost towns I think around there, and of course Lake Tahoe is not too far. Compare prices to say Sacramento, which is cheap, Denver, which might be...and add taxi or bus far to wherever the event is. I could probably make it to Reno, Las Vegas or Sacramento. Maybe not much else. But I agree that out of WA/OR/CA might be nice for some. Albuqueque? I think SW flies there. Very very hot for some though. Santa Fe is great but takes some getting there. mg

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

SunnyCamp is only slightly closer to PDX than to Seattle, and Rainycamp is in the Seattle area.
None of them are geared primarily to Mudcatters, although some area Mudcatters do attend.

I would vote for Portland over Seattle, not just because I live there (which is irrelevant half the time anyway) but because it's more centrally located.   But I can certainly understand the attraction of the Sacramento or Bay Area location as being probably the most central on the west coast.   Not horribly far from the Pac NW or SoCal or from the Tahoe area or Idaho or even Denver.

I guess a lot depends on the sites available and their costs.   There was a great B&B in eastern WA called "JenEllen's" where we had the 2002 Mudcat Gathering, but I don't know if they're still in business. ;)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Genie
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:13 PM

Breitenbush is, indeed, gorgeous, and the hot springs are a definite plus (but kind of hard on your guitar).
But Breitenbush is very popular and thus both hard and spendy to book.

The trouble with some places like Eugene is that they don't have good air travel access.   I'd vote for a place like Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, San Jose, Reno, etc., that is easy to get to by car, train, or plane.   If we expect to draw 'catters from a wide area, that is.

Of course, maybe we could all crash our own Barbara's folkie gathering in Sheridan, OR (not too far from Salem) on the third weekend in July. ;)

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:24 PM

Hey! I own a couple of acres in the valley behind Sheridan. However, it is unimrpoved these days- no water, electricity or toilet (except one outside one).

Does Sheridan have camp/lodging facilities at the jump area?

Subject: RE: Western USA 'Catter Gather--Time/Place?
From: Genie
Date: 10 Oct 06 - 08:42 PM

I'd say west of the Rockies, just because there are more of us humans there than on or east of the them danged mountains if we're talking about the western US. And summer is about the only time you can pretty much count on not having to deal with snow in the Rockies if you're driving.

The most important thing for me is to know WAY ahead of time when it's going to be so I can plan my work itinerary around it.