Fall 2012 Camping Trip - Sept 14th & 15th

[Valerie]

PLEASE SEE THE POST LATER IN THIS THREAD: THE CAMPING TRIP WILL BE AT A NEW SITE, CLOSER TO SEATTLE, ON SEPTEMBER 14TH AND 15TH. COST IS $20 PER PERSON FOR THE WEEKEND.

How would people feel about a camping trip at a closer site which would cost a little more per person, like $15 or $20 per person for the trip? Site would be an hour away from Seattle and still at a group site at a state park campground with good privacy from the rest of the grounds, but Scenic Beach is unavailable and the main complaint we've ever heard about he camping trip is travel time. We would be shooting for September 14th weekend.

Thoughts? Comments?

[Webmonkey]

If you claim it, we will come ~ The Schetzles

[BLewis]

I would gladly shift the money paid on ferry/gas fees to a closer site that requires no ferry and less gas.

But would be saddened by the inability to comment about being on a boat.

Further, getting away more from the 'warmest' times, not being on the water would make things less chilly.

[Nate]

I feel good about it. Warm and fuzzy even. Legit.

Silly question, if we want an accurate picture of the players opinion, wouldn't a poll be more feasible?

[Valerie]

Polls are tricky to start from my phone, which is where I have board access during the day. I also wanted more detailed info from players, other than a yes or no.

The site is still on a river, but likely much less chilly than the ocean.

[Drenna Vouk an' Amaranth]

If I can get down there, I'm for it~ :3

[Jason]

Sounds good to me.

Btw, what camp ground are we looking at?

[Athena Fire-in-Snow]

Is it Dash Point? I know I suggested that, and I'm going to do a scouting run tomorrow after work to take a look (and some photos) to judge suitability...

[Valerie]

Actually, I was looking at Kanaskat-Palmer as it had a higher privacy rating for the group site.

[Athena Fire-in-Snow]

Funny, that was the FIRST site I looked at, but it was farther away and more expensive, so I recommended Dash Point instead. Great minds, I guess!

[Valerie]

Dash Point may also be available that weekend, but I think given our motley assortment of howling costumed weirdos a more secluded site with tree cover may be best. Depending on the price differential, of course - Dash Point is substantially cheaper but if it's not at all workable it's not at all workable - and whether or not we can get someone to advance-bankroll either and get paid back by the player base.

If you feel like going on an extra adventure tomorrow and want to scout both sites, that would be SO AMAZING, but I totally understand if you don't feel like it. It looks like both are still available for the weekend we're looking at.

[Athena Fire-in-Snow]

I don't get home from work until after 6, so scouting both just isn't doable, and I'm actually going with Kyle. I can see about maybe trying to arrange a scouting-outing Saturday day for K-P. And I can absolutely front the money for Dash Point at least...I don't remember how much K-P is offhand, so I can't say about that. I've got some savings, and I trust people here to pay me back...

[Valerie]

Let us know how the scouting mission went!

[Will S]

I would come no matter where it is; however, my financial situation is the same, still broke. Also got a con that month. it is at the end and shouldn't be a problem with dates.

[Drenna Vouk an' Amaranth]

Looking at the camping info sections for both places on the Washington State Parks site and if I'm looking at the right section, it looks like Kanaskat for certain has bathrooms and showers for those of us who like having those~ Dash Point doesn't say whether or not they have them in the group spots but does mention that the bathroom on the beach is closed down due to a leak and that porta-johns are provided. ^^; I hope I'm reading the right sections about the group spots~

[Gavin]

Unfortunately, I would be unable to make it if we were at a different site, but it sounds like it works better for everyone else, which is awesome.

[Valerie]

We have a site!

Being as Scenic Beach is already booked and response to changing to a site which was generally closer but would end up at a higher cost was predominantly positive (sorry Gavin!) I have reserved the Kanaskat-Palmer group campsite for the evenings of September 14th & 15th of this year.

Julianna is the awesomeness of awesome and drove out to scout the site yesterday to ensure it would suit our needs, and I hear it is awesome: actual bathrooms at the group site itself, better terrain for camping, a fire pit and table at each camp site, a secluded feel with denser tree cover, more shelters in case of rain and more defined gathering areas for things like a moot or other meeting.

Pricing will be slightly higher than our last trip at $20 per person. Please remember, however, that this means NO ferry, NO bridge toll, and LESS gas cost as the trip is closer. All overage, if there is any, will go to the group firewood supply.

I was able to move some stuff around to make room to front the cash for this because site reservations are best made sooner rather than later, as we learned from the Scenic Beach book-up. I know everyone has their own budget magic to do, but please pay ASAP so I do not end up in the poorhouse. This is a separate fund from NOTR - money to the pig is its own thing, and important, but does not support the camping trip and vice versa.

Thank you! I'm really excited, and hope you all are too.

[Gavin]

I hope you guys have an awesome time!

[Drenna Vouk an' Amaranth]

Awesome~ I can't wait to explore this new spot~ :3

[Valerie]

Where we'll be:
The group site at www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Kanaskat-Palmer

Park Address:
32101 Kanaskat-Cumberland Road
Ravensdale, WA 98051

Driving directions & map of the park, showing isolated group area:
www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Kanaskat-Palmer&subject=maps

From their website, describing the area:
The park has a group camp that accommodates up to 80 people. Parking is limited. The camp includes restroom, showers, two adirondack (three-sided) sleeping shelters, eight standard tent sites and a picnic shelter. No motorhomes, trailers or tent-trailers allowed in the group camp. (Note: ST Camp will likely be in one of the adirondack shelters so we can keep books/computers dry and we'd like to keep the other one for common gatherings. "Where are the Storytellers?" "In the Storyteller Hutch." "NO SHIT.")
Enumclaw is ten miles away. Two miles from the park is a convenience store and deli. Four Corners shopping center is eight miles away.