Kansas City shake down rally for Spring 2011?

[blmitch5]

I’m sick of winter already and was working on our camping trips for next year and thought Kansas City needs a rally! I was thinking early spring in or around Kansas City, Weston, and Lawrence etc. Any interest in such a thing? We would like to meet our neighbors and keep it informal and include a small raffle, pot luck etc. Let me know and I can set it up on the rally page.

[2airishuman]

the further from the metro area, the better...

IF one draws a circle with a 120 mile radius (~2.5 hours drive)

some nice campgrounds, lakes and state parks are included...

this would include both sides of the state line.

reduce the radius to 60 miles and there are still a few good ones.

many parks don't turn on water till LATE april/may or even MEMorial day.

but some have a few sites on or a central water supply.

given the wildly variable weather in march and april...

any attempt to gather before may 1 makes for interesting planning.

some of the state parks have 'group campsites' that are a nice way to gather 10-15 streams...

u might look at the local wb unit calendars and some of their historical stuff.

they don't do anything that early BUT some of the campgrounds they use could work.

site use/occupancy that time of the year is 10% at best for many good parks,

so there is no real worry about getting sites.

cheers
2air'

[blmitch5]

We stayed at lake Pomona last year on April 11 and had water. I was thinking somewhere a bit nicer but will look at dates once I get some interest. There were a few leaves on the trees and the weather was perfect!

Thanks 2ndair

[2airishuman]

hey how'd u like that park and lake?

was anyone else there?

they have an older plumbing system that's deeper and frost proof connections at most sites.

there are even a couple of loops with full hook ups (near the marina)

it's very dark there at night, lots of good star gazing.

cheers
2air'

[JBinKC]

I think Watkins Mill SP is cool. And don't forget Arrow Rock SP. Please keep me informed. Best wishes, John

[blmitch5]

Watkins Mill SP looks great! They have electric and water on in April. April 1st?

http://www.mostateparks.com/wwmill/camp.htm

What do u think?

[blmitch5]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hey how'd u like that park and lake?

was anyone else there?

they have an older plumbing system that's deeper and frost proof connections at most sites.

there are even a couple of loops with full hook ups (near the marina)

it's very dark there at night, lots of good star gazing.

cheers
2air'

It was a great area! Lots of stars and we had a great site! That was our first trip in the Bambi. It was a fun trip, we met some fun people but a little too much partying but fun. Thanks for the tip.

[DCtraveler]

Depending on the date, we're interested! Looking forward to doing a rally in the area...!

[drew05]

Originally Posted by blmitch5

I’m sick of winter already and was working on our camping trips for next year and thought Kansas City needs a rally! I was thinking early spring in or around Kansas City, Weston, and Lawrence etc. Any interest in such a thing? We would like to meet our neighbors and keep it informal and include a small raffle, pot luck etc. Let me know and I can set it up on the rally page.

Brad,

Count us in!!!

I thought I was going to be able to sneak away but that wasn't to be In fact I had winterized our FC in mid November. I view it more as a minor setback rather than a defeat...

I have not been to Watkins Mill, but have been told it is nice.

Drew

[drew05]

Originally Posted by blmitch5

Watkins Mill SP looks great! They have electric and water on in April. April 1st?

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site - Camping - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, DNR

What do u think?

I'm ok with Watkins Mill. We were supposed to go for Halloween, but our son had swim meet.

There are also some neat Corps of Engineer parks in the KC area on both sides of the state line. I was hoping to get to Tally Bend, which is past Clinton. Here is it's site; Harry S. Truman Lake.

We've never been to a rally before, so we're both looking forward to something different before Branson

Drew

[blmitch5]

Thanks Drew! I'm ready to go camping but like you the AS has been winterized. The site at T lake also looks good and I'm pretty open on where we have it, it might be a small group but like you I'm feeling the need to go camping before the Branson rally. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks again,
Brad

[TinLoaf]

I always camp at Weston Bend State Park when I have to work at Fort Leavenworth for a week or two. Last time was in March. I don't remember if I filled my tank there or brought my own water but the dump station was definitely open. As you can see, it was busy.

[Lily&Me]

We would be interested, depending on the dates.


Maggie

[blmitch5]

I was thinking April 1st weekend. That way we could get a bigger group together before people head out on other trips etc.

Here are some areas that look nice.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site - Camping - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, DNR Water will be on but electric only sites.

Campground Details - Outlet(Melvern) (KS), KS - ReserveAmerica - [NRSO] Has full hookups in a nice loop by the water. Also will check on the group shelter there. All services will be on.

Weston Bend State Park - Missouri State Parks and Historic Sites, DNR (Thanks Steve) will have electric only at the site but will have water to fill your tanks.

Last but not leaset, Rutladers RV Park We could go to a full service RV campground close to almost everyone.

I dont care where we meet up so once we agree on a site I will post it on the rally page with all of the details. I think this should be fun meeting the "neighbors" in KC

[blmitch5]

Hi all. I've been busy with the Air Midwest rally but I still want to do a KC shake down rally April first. If we want full hook ups Ruttladders or Melvern lake will be the closest to KC. If electric only with water and dump stations available Weston looks good. How about a quick poll then we will set it up. I like Melvern outlet.

Thanks
Brad