Back from Eastern

[ohio ramrod]

Well another Eastern with rain and mud problems. The site would have been a good site for a total of about 75 to 100 camps spread between the two main sites, sutlers and campers. But the site did not have many good camp sites along the "mud" road and hill sides. Many came in and turned around and left. But for those of us who stayed it wasn't too bad. There was little wind, so few tents came down even though you could only get in your tent stakes in two to three inches before hitting solid rock. Also the Frontier road going to the site was strictly one lane much of the time leaving some long waits. I did get a ham barbequed with spice berries one night.And a large pot of venison chili and corn bread the next night, as well as several apple/rhubarb cobblers baked. And there were spice berry bushes along the archery range so I picked about a years supply. They closed early because more rain was coming in. Hopefully things will be better next year! :idunno: :idunno:

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Next year. Where? Thanks

 

[faste350]

i was there on Saturday for about 1 1/2 hours. 7 hours of driving total. pretty disappointed myself. i myself really like primitiveness, but the location for alot of people would be a turn off. i didn't see any area for campers, which alot of folks have that aren't into staying in a lodge, and parking was non existent. as much as i hate to say it, i think the locations need to be a little more "user friendly". our sport/hobby folks is dying a slow death and it is sad to watch. when i looked around, as in past easterns, i might be younger (57)than the average people there. that not a good sign. with the "high tech age" we live in, i often wonder how to get others interested in the sport/hobby i have enjoyed and loved for almost 40 years. i sure hope it turns around, but i just can't imagine how.

 

[Keb]

I came in on the early set up day and the camp was pretty much full. The hooters & wood piles had the best camp sites as far as I could see. I didn't want to set my camp up on a 35° angle so I turned around and left. I was feeling a little bad about leaving until I saw the weather forecast for that area. I was glad I left. Hopefully the people who choose sites will overlook that one from now on. New York or Pennsylvania would be a nice state to have an EPR in. I'm just sayin

 

[Alden]

Never been to an Eastern. Could pass and suppose I should just to say I've been, but, that does sound awful and it sounds like lotta folk won't be back next year either based on this'n. At least these rendezvous are going out the way they did historically... Fitting!

 

[faste350]

Never been to an Eastern. Could pass and suppose I should just to say I've been, but, that does sound awful and it sounds like lotta folk won't be back next year either based on this'n. At least these rendezvous are going out the way they did historically... Fitting!

really Alden?!!!! more historical correctness!

 

[ohio ramrod]

Nothing definite about next year, but I am betting on Coopers lake in Pa. Off of a main road and paved roads through the camp area. :idunno:

 

[ohio ramrod]

Gee my camp was on only a twenty five degree angle.I had four inch blocks on the "down hill "side of the bed and it still wasn't quite level. It took about half of my brazier wood to get my bed,ice box,kitchen and table near level.

 

[faste350]

Nothing definite about next year, but I am betting on Coopers lake in Pa. Off of a main road and paved roads through the camp area. :idunno:

i spent the whole week at that one 2 years ago and thought the same thing about hearing semi's all night in my lodge and the nice paved drive in front of my camp. however, after being at the one last weekend, i would pick cooper's lake mainly because of number of people that showed up. did 2 easterns in NY several years ago and they were great. remote, flat, easy to get to, lots of parking not too far away, ect. the one i believe was on national forest property, around the indian reservation. boy what a mud fest that was! i just think that having locations like this years was, is going to lose people and make it difficult to get new people.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I was at the one at Salmanca. Yep a real bad mud hole. The camping area was infested with voles and my then 5 yr old daughter was always catching little snakes with red and brown stripes running the length.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

The spot at muddy run south of lancaster pa always had a good turn out. I helped mow the area with my tractor for the 2002 epr.

 

[ny griz]

:idunno: How about Newarkvally,Old Hickory BP Club?

 

[Alden]

More historical correctness indeed. The Rendezvous going out with a whimper instead of a bang. Still, I would argue, it only takes two to tango and wherever a couple of pioneering guys in ratty old clothes get together with their muzzleloaders they are keeping a flame alive!

I have spent a couple of months, a week to two at a time, at Cooper's Lake with thousands of others on each occasion in historical rec-reation if not quite re-creation.

And please don't forget the Cooper's have showers (too many "mountain men" seem to miss their ablutions) as well as a store with oddly renowned chocolate milk and the convenience of a cash machine that let's you get $100 at a time for $3 or so -- win-win!

 

[zimmerstutzen]

The fake wooden castle out to fit right in

They have a shooting range?

 

[Keb]

They did have shooting at Coopers Lake rondyvoo. It was all standing at a line & shooting at paper targets. Nothing special.
Coopers Lake was a plenty big site. Almost all flat ground. Even if there were some slopes you could just move along a little bit and fine a flat spot. My gripe was there was construction on I-79 at the bottom of a long grade. All the big rigs had to slow down coming off that grade for the construction area. We had the wonderful sound of Jake Brakes all night every night. I suppose it wouldn't be so bad if the construction isn't still going on.

I don't know how it went at this year's EPR but the next EPR site is usually voted on at the event so you should know where the rondyvoo will be for next year or two. I guess it's possible nobody stepped up to host one next year which means it'll be another quickly thrown together event like this year's event was or there will be no event at all.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

I went to the High Plains in 1994 a couple years before it folded. I had a blast. There may have been 200 camps. The folks were unbelievably friendly, even more than the Easterns and folks at the Easterns are exceptionally nice.

I first met Fuzz Fetterman when he was booshway of an eastern years ago. He looked exhausted. Not many will step up to undertake such a monumental year of work.

Normally, at the Easterns, the next year is already set. They vote on the location/Booshway for 2 years in the future. Did that change?

 

[ohio ramrod]

Sad fact is there was some "heated discussion" at last year's Eastern about the site and nothing was settled.Still nothing definite at this years Eastern. The simple fact is we need to stop fighting among ourselves and start working together or else our living history foundation will be a dying foundation! Some good people have left because of infighting.We need all of our members to work together to improve communication. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Keb]

Normally, at the Easterns, the next year is already set. They vote on the location/Booshway for 2 years in the future. Did that change?

No it didn't but they can never plan that far ahead today. As Ramrod said, they can't even agree on where to have it 1 year in advance. It's pitiful.

 

[cositrike]

We were there from Friday to Friday. Had a great time. I know things weren't perfect, but having to change site at short notice, the staff did a great job. The shooting was ok and the tavern ladies did a sterling job. I understand that the 2017 site is settled and next year is hopefully just a paper signing excercise. It's easy to moan, but no matter how good or bad a site is, the staff can't make your enjoyment for you. I travel about 4000 miles for the Eastern, so I make sure I enjoy it.
Just my opinion .

 

[ny griz]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Good opinion Simon :hatsoff: Griz