Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => Member Gatherings and Road Trips => Topic started by: deestafford on June 05, 2013, 12:53:10 PM
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Here is information on this year's Gathering. I'll give some verbage (Turtle, that means words) and I've been trying to train Don (IR2Dum) on how to transfer previous posts and videos from one site to another. If he has been paying attention to his training he will follow up with some visuals of what the facility looks like and some videos of previous Gatherings.
Where: Central Christian Church Recreation Campground, Appling,GA, on Clarks Hill Lake. The lake is the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River and has over 1200 miles of shore line. It is located about 15 miles up the Savannah River from Augusta, GA. We Georgians call it by its original name of Clarks Hill. Congress renamed it in honor of Stron Thurmond and that is the "official" name. I will put out directions latter.
The facility is one of the best on the lake and was developed by Central Christian Church of Augusta and is still coordinated by them. It has four cabins with each sleeping 8-10 people and has an external bath house. There is a bunk house with two sides which has about 30 beds on each side as well as shower and bathroom facilities. Usually one side is male and the other is female.
All you will need to bring will be your toilet articles and bedding. I use a $25 sleeping bag I bought from Academy Sports. There are a number of campsites with water and electricity as well as other places one can pitch a tent. There also is a dump station available for RVs. I don't remember the number of spaces with hook ups. I'll have to go up there and look. There is enough space to bring a large travel trailer, motor home, or 5th wheel.
On the first floor, the bunkhouse is on the 2nd floor, there is a full kitchen and dining room. The kitchen has a commercial size gas stove (the ovens were not working last year and I would not bet on them working this year), and a large double glass door refrigerator. Also, there is a large electric drink cooler outside. There is also a microwave. All cooking pans etc are provided. We will get some paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, drink cups etc.
There are two outside covered areas we can use to smoke, cook on grills and all if it rains. I will bring an electric smoker, an SRG, and a Bayou cooker. Tommy and others bring cookers as well. RecTec has already told me we can have their trailer with the four pellet grills on it. So, don't worry about cookers. We'll have enough available brought by those of us who will be driving.
People will just bring whatever food they have and there are WalMart Super Stores and Publix stores within 20 miles for those who want to buy some things to cook. Having enough food has never been a problem, so don't sweat it. If you want and can to bring some fine. Your presence is what is desired.
When: We have the facility from Sep 23-29. I will pick up the key on monday the 23rd and will begin staying there until we finish up. Some folks arrive on wednesday and most are there on friday. We have had people come in for only one day. Saturday and Sunday are the main days but it really doesn't matter...just come. Some stay over and leave on monday which will be no problem.
Events: We mainly will just be cooking, eating, and sitting around BSing. Saturday supper will be the only structured meal which we will have in the dining facility, which can seat around 100. We will have a few classes such as knife sharpening by Art. Between now and then we will come up with some additional classes/demos as y'all want. On Saturday night we will have a bonfire by the lake where we just sit in chairs and enjoy ourselves and each other. On Sunday morning there will be a service led by Jaxon for those who would like to attend. Since this is a church facility there can be no alcoholic beverages allowed.
Costs: The only thing it costs us is a $500 donation and I think we already have that covered by sponsors. Tim has been working with sponsors on donations of things from them. For the first Gathering we had two large ice chests of the best pork I've ever tasted donated by Compart from a company somewhere in the upper mid-west. Unfortunately, the head of that company died awhile back. Barry Martin had arranged that. The quality and quantity... of the pork is a whole other subject (WOW). So the only thing it will cost you is getting there. If you would like to make a donation fine, if not fine. We will have a container there for you to drop money in if so desired. The main thing is for people to come and enjoy themselves.
Transportation: I will provide driving directions later. It's very easy to get to from I-20 in GA. If you fly in either private aircraft or commercial we will pick you up and take you back. If you're walking I'll have to have more information so as to give you azmuths and distances from way points.
There is no need for anyone to stay in a motel. I know there maybe some ladies who desire privacy and would not want to stay in a room with other people (My wife would be that way if she were coming) and in that case in the past couples so desiring have stayed in a cabin by themselves. Pam and Donna have already laid claims to one cabin and have room for some other ladies there if they want. The other three cabins can be reserved for three couples if so desired. I will handle that on a first-come-first-served basis. So if you and your spouse want a cabin let me know. Remember cabins have no bathroom facilities... there is a separate bath house. One side do the bunk house will be set aside for ladies.
Well, I just wanted to give you this little short note to alert you and let you tell your bosses that you ain't gonna be at work during some of the last week in September. If my training has paid off, Don will post his visual portion of this alert notification.
Dee
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Folks this is a great event, lots of friends, food and as Dee said BS'n.
Here are just a few pictures of the camp
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/Cookout2012038.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/Cookout2012038.jpg.html)
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/100_0146.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/100_0146.jpg.html)
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/100_0144.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/100_0144.jpg.html)
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/100_0143.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/100_0143.jpg.html)
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(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/100_0148.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/100_0148.jpg.html)
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/100_0153.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/100_0153.jpg.html)
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/100_0159.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/100_0159.jpg.html)
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Boy that sounds like fun! Dee you have done a great job getting this off the ground. Maybe someday I will be able to make this trip. I guess until that day I can always keep practicing my grilling skills! ;)
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Last year it was the 3 F'S
Friends
Fun
Food
Dee said the road is good so we driving the rig up there. No wheelbarrow :P
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Tommy, Thanks for the pictures. Dee
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Tommy, Thanks for the pictures. Dee
Anytime Dee, I have more if you want them posted but these give the basic feel of the place
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Hey Rick,
If Dee gets the front wheel fixed on his wheelbarrow he can have that in hot standby for you.
Art
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Here are a few from last years event
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/Cookout2012044-1.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/Cookout2012044-1.jpg.html)
Our fearless leader Tim
(http://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt326/TMBs/Cookout2012049.jpg) (http://s624.photobucket.com/user/TMBs/media/Cookout2012049.jpg.html)
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I'll give some verbage...
Thanks for the clarification, dee. OBTW, "verbage" is a (sometimes intentional) misspelling & mispronunciation of "verbiage" and rhymes with "garbage." Jes' sayin'.
... no alcoholic beverages allowed.
Several days of dee and tee may be a bit much for most people to face without alcohol. Maybe someone ought to set up an off-site bar at the Army rec area next door or someplace.
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Several days of dee and tee may be a bit much for most people to face without alcohol. Maybe someone ought to set up an off-site bar at the Army rec area next door or someplace.
Heaven forbid that a few days with Colonel and me might overload your reptillian pre-frontal cortex... ;D
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Tee - Life its ownself overloads whatever it is you said.
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Alright, I will organize a "field trip" on Saturday to a local pub to watch some football, have a few beverages of your choice, and maybe Tommy and I can throw a few darts, if he is up to it by then and there is a dart board, of course.
Art
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How you gonna find a bar that has all the following games (and a knife sharpener)?
Ole Miss at Alabama
Texas A&M at Arkansas
Florida at Kentucky
LSU at Georgia
I don't think there are that many TVs in Augusta.
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Since I am riding with the T-meister, guess which game we will be watching? Actually, an unfair question. We will be at the pub with the coldest brewskis!!
Art
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Donna and I are IN. Might be flying in..will let you know so we can get picked up by Don IR2dum. Can't wait.we had soooo much fun for both gatherings. Cya in september. Pam ; *))
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How you gonna find a bar that has all the following games (and a knife sharpener)?
Ole Miss at Alabama
Texas A&M at Arkansas
Florida at Kentucky
LSU at Georgia
I don't think there are that many TVs in Augusta.
The Alabama game is the only one that matters. Dee (an Alabama graduate by the way) missed Alabama's off week by one weekend, but if my wife doesn't schedule an Alabama football party at the house this year I am going to try and make it.
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Donna and I are IN. Might be flying in..will let you know so we can get picked up by Don IR2dum. Can't wait.we had soooo much fun for both gatherings. Cya in september. Pam ; *))
If you fly you can't bring all those Ohio State flags and stuff. Too bad.
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2P - I don't have a dog in this fight but it would seem to me that your wife should schedule the party to take place at the gathering.
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2P..I can use the flag for a blanket. We won all our games last year too. GO Bucks. Pam ; *))
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There is an "establishment" with a TV and alcoholic beverages 3.35631 miles from where we will be. Dee
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2P - I don't have a dog in this fight but it would seem to me that your wife should schedule the party to take place at the gathering.
My hard shelled hero to the rescue - witha salient idea! After all Ken - it's just YOUR FRIENDS that would like to see you...Something tells me that the folks in Tuscaloosa will not notice if you are not glued to your personal TV on that particular Saturday :D :D :D
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Alright, I will organize a "field trip" on Saturday to a local pub to watch some football, have a few beverages of your choice, and maybe Tommy and I can throw a few darts, if he is up to it by then and there is a dart board, of course.Art
Art I would love to throw darts with you. Hey it's just a knee getting worked on not the hand so I should be good ;)
Of course with me you never know what will get worked on next ??? ??? ???
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2P - I don't have a dog in this fight but it would seem to me that your wife should schedule the party to take place at the gathering.
My hard shelled hero to the rescue - witha salient idea! After all Ken - it's just YOUR FRIENDS that would like to see you...Something tells me that the folks in Tuscaloosa will not notice if you are not glued to your personal TV on that particular Saturday :D :D :D
I missed the second year, but the first year I drove from B'ham to Augusta about 4 1/2 hours (if any of you are Ga policemen I admit I broke several laws) over and stayed for about 2 hours then drove 5 1/2 hours back (construction on I-20) and made it home as our guests were arriving for the football watching party. Put the Birmingham Wings in TBE and they were ready at halftime. A fine time was had by all but I was one tired puppy. If I make it this year it will be for the weekend. My wife's rehab should be going well by then.
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Well Ken, you have enough time to plan your party around the gathering. You can miss this year
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Dee, sorry I'm late to this party, but work gets in the way of life way too much lately. Here is the stuff you requested....and thanks for the lessons on how to post pics. I couldn't have done it without you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRghotv7AKg&feature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRTfzOdDpTA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFiuPU1nnPE
Pictures to follow.
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Here's some pics of the campground.
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Donna and I are IN. Might be flying in..will let you know so we can get picked up by Don IR2dum. Can't wait.we had soooo much fun for both gatherings. Cya in september. Pam ; *))
Pammie, I would be honored to retrieve both you and Donna from the airport.
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Repost
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that looks like a good time.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFiuPU1nnPE&feature=player_embedded 2013
http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=4325.25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp1f9txjALQ&feature=youtu.be
Sorry to remove that...but, due to Barry's desire to not be associated with Let's Talk BBQ, and this video is property of Char-Broil..... so unless we have written permission on file from them, we will not post their videos.
http://www.letstalkbbq.com/index.php?topic=4325.25
here is some pics and the videos of the 3 gatherings for someone who wanted them. Pam
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WOW brought back some good memories!! :D :D :D :D