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Silvertwinkie · 06-18-2003, 04:51 PM

Here it is the final, final copy of the Chicagoland Rally Roundup Plan!

After working the phones today, I found that the park we had selected is reserved out for the remainder of the 2003 camping season. This posed a problem since some are traveling more than 200 miles to be with us with no promise of a campsite. My bad for not checking beforehand.

Most seem to have liked the 7/11 to 7/13 dates and Indiana Dunes also meets the swimming requirements we all talked about. Check in time is 2pm. Checkout time is 5pm.

Reservations can be made using a Visa or MasterCard calling the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 1-866-622-6746.

The Indiana Dunes website is:

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/parks/indianadunes.html

The site has directions and address, however if you prefer Mapquest:

http://www.mapquest.com

The cost is $23.32/night (including tax). There is also a $5 park fee payable once you get to the park (I'm told that covers beach access, etc..it's the out of state rate).

As of 6:45pm 6/19, the website has these sites open for tow vehicle and trailer up to 40'.

29-- it's the only one avail that will fit a 34 footer + tow vehicle-- Reserved by 85MH325

13
25-- Reserved by Silvertwinkie

37
40-- Reserved by Tracy Lawrence
51
52
77- Not avail until the 12th

I have locked in site 25 so that I can get near Roger who will try to grab spot 29 that fits a 34' trailer. As of this post, Roger and I are the only two commits. The rest of the spots should accommodate a 28' for less according to the woman on the phone. I would call the reservation in since the web reservation system did not seem to have the level of detail I was able to get over the phone.

Contact me on or offline if you have any questions. If you can go, please post your site so that we can get an idea of where we all will be.

Hope to see as many of you as possible.

Eric

85MH325 · 06-18-2003, 05:28 PM

We've got site 29 reserved!!!

Ok, that's two trailers!!! Who else is up for this? It's about 239 miles (according to Mapquest) from my house to the park. C'mon folks... everybody closer than that ought to try to make it!

Tracy... no excuses this time... uhhh... are you bringing the pillows, or are we???

Roger

hotLAVA · 06-18-2003, 06:27 PM

Okay, I just called and made our reservation. I asked for site 23, nope, 24, nope, 19, nope. Then he stopped me and said that my choices are #40 and #53. So we will be in #40...........could it be that the rest of our group called and booked every 1 of the available sites? .............Hoping that's the case.

Indiana Dunes State park is one of our "old standbye" camping grounds not only because it is so close to home: there are some really great nature trails, a nature center (I learned that I have the wingspan of a Turkey Buzzard!), they have guided hikes and animal watching, and of course, Lake Michigan. I'm sure that everyone will be pleased.

So count us in at site #40. Will anyone be bringing children? Hoping for a playmate for our son. I was told our site is 50 feet from the park........is this a good thing?

Fill me in on the other ladies that will be attending......I need to size up the competition for the pillow fight.

Looking forward to two weeks in a row of camping bliss!
Tracy

Silvertwinkie · 06-18-2003, 06:42 PM

I just checked the website. The sites are done by size of trailer plus tow vehicle. I would think that for those who get down to the bottom of the barrel, it might be possible to park the tow vehicle in the overflow lot and keep the small site for just the camper.

At any rate as of 7:30 this evening based on a combined size of tow vehicle and camper of 35', there were still 6 sites left with electric.

It might be a good idea to verify this with the folks on the phone before committing.

Get 'em while they last!

Eric

Cottage · 06-18-2003, 06:51 PM

I'm checking to see if we can pull it off. I'll let y'all know soon.

Silvertwinkie · 06-18-2003, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tracy Lawrence
Fill me in on the other ladies that will be attending......I need to size up the competition for the pillow fight.

Tracy [/B]

Brandi will be there...I told her about it...she seemed less than eager but hey, I used to be in sales and the old saying is that you can't get the sale unless you ask....

Oh well, it was worth a try.

Eric

85MH325 · 06-19-2003, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Silvertwinkie

Brandi will be there...I told her about it...she seemed less than eager but hey, I used to be in sales and the old saying is that you can't get the sale unless you ask....

Oh well, it was worth a try.

Eric

Laurie (my wife) just laughed at me when I suggested it. What's up with THAT???

Roger

85MH325 · 06-19-2003, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cottage
I'm checking to see if we can pull it off. I'll let y'all know soon.

Hope you can make it! I'm looking forward to meeting at least some of the folks we missed at Moraine.

Roger

Silvertwinkie · 06-19-2003, 03:20 PM

TTT

Silvertwinkie · 06-19-2003, 05:47 PM

Updated campsite info as of 6:45 this evening. There appears to be only 4 sites left for a 7/11 arrival and 1 site avail for a 7/12 arrival. This time I did both 35' and 40' tow vehicle and trailer combined length.

Get you electric site soon before they disappear!

Eric

Silvertwinkie · 06-22-2003, 12:27 PM

Anyone?? Anyone?? I checked an the same sites are still avail......

Hope you all can make it!

Eric

zamboni · 06-22-2003, 07:01 PM

Laura, the kids & I can't make it...have a great time though. Perhaps something in the Fall (Septemberish) I really don't like camping in the heat of the summer as my job requires me to be out in the sun alot during the day. The night life at this rally sounds as though it may be quite interesting though (according to Tracey).

overlander64 · 06-30-2003, 07:27 PM

When my plans changed and I realized that I would be able to make the Rally, I thought that I was likely too late. When I called the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, I was surprised to learn that sites were still available. I guess from what the operator told me, I snagged the last available site with electricity (they still had two primitive sites). My site number is 21. I decided to make it a bit of a leisurely trip and plan to arrive on Thursday, July 10. At the conclusion of this Rally, it will be off to the Region 7 Vintage Airstream Club Rally at Waldo, Wisconsin (Near Sheboygan).

The Minuet will be making this trip, but tow vehicle is less certain. The Cadillac will make the trip if I am able to get at least two more wheels that aren't bent.

Kevin

85MH325 · 06-30-2003, 09:54 PM

Glad to hear you can make it, Kevin! Looking forward to meeting you, the Caddy and the Minuet!

Roger

Silvertwinkie · 07-01-2003, 10:19 AM

Fantastic. We are up to four!

Here is the final breakdown:

21- Kevin (Overlander64)
25- Eric (Silvertwinkie)
29- Roger (85MH325)
40- Tracy (Tracy Lawrence)

Brandi and I will be there Friday afternoon. Anyone care for a potluck again on Sat?

Here is a link for the weather forecast for the area (even though it's a bit early to get that weekends forecast):

http://www.weather.com/weather/local...ocalUndeclared

Eric

overlander64 · 07-01-2003, 11:14 AM

Greetings Eric!

The potluck sounds good. There are two variations that might work an alternative with the smaller number involved - - Soup Pot Suprise or Hobo Meals.

In Soup Pot Surprise - - soup is the main course where a soup stock is prepared by one participant (usually either beef or chicken stock) then everyone else contributes their favorite soup ingredient(s) - - beans, vegetables, noodles, etc. - - a taste treat that is different every time that it is made. <I have two stainless steel 8 quart stock pots that I can bring if this is an appealing idea.>

In Hobo Meals - - a cook from each trailer meets at a central table to prepare the meals in aluminum foil packets that will be cooked in the evening fire's coals - - each Hobo packet contains a meat (usually hamburger or chicken - - with variations of Dutch Sausage, brautwurst or hot dogs also having been tried), one or more vegetables, and potatoes - - options include onions and/or mushrooms - - customization is possible such that it is possible to have vegetarian or special composition for other dietary concerns - - it is also easy to vary the size of the meals so that they are suitable for adults or children. The meals can be prepared at any time during the day and stored in an ice-filled cooler or refrigerators if space is available.

A side advantage to each of these activities is that the cooking is moved outside the RV - - the hobo meals are cooked in the campfire, or the soup pot surprise can be cooked on top of a grate above the campfire.

Kevin

hotLAVA · 07-02-2003, 07:20 PM

Welcome aboard Kevin! So glad you 're going to make it and can't wait to see your Minuet.

I'm with Kevin on the dinner idea. We've done the hobo meal packets in the past and it was lots of fun. Also they're easy. Maybe we could each bring a meat and an ingredient to add to the mix?

We're all looking forward to the weekend. Enjoy the Fourth!

Tracy

85MH325 · 07-02-2003, 09:06 PM

and Laurie votes for the hobo meals...

Roger

eikel1we · 07-07-2003, 11:25 PM

Sorry we will not be meeting with you all this time around. However, it looks as if a pattern may be developing and I think we'll be with you another time- hopefully in the not too distant future. HAVE A FUN AND SAFE TRAVEL to all of you who attend.

suz

Silvertwinkie · 07-08-2003, 05:24 AM

Sorry for the late answer, we just got back from the U.P. of Michigan for a week long trip!

We vote hobo too.

Should we all post what meat we will bring for the hobo?

Sue and Ike, sorry you can't make it and we were all closer to your neck of the woods too!

Being that we just got back, I gave Brandi your email so she should be sending the mac and cheese recip soon.

Eric