WeSTcampSTOC I - Official Event

[Mellow]

Okay, here's the scoop:

Date
July 26-29, 2007

Place
Mesa Verde National Park (http://www.nps.gov/meve/)

Click Attend (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=130&day=2007-7-26&c=1) and add your name if
you're planning on coming

[George]

Joe, is this instead of, or in addition to, WESTOC?? I'm already payed in to that one. I'm planning on taking the whole month and NatSTOC, too. Could be there if there's enuff to do. Was planning on just meandering up, tho, not hurrying from here.

[Raven]

oooo, +1 with George, could we maybe pick a date that doesn't conflict with travel to WESTOC or OnSTOC??? Seems there's already quite a bit scheduled for August, maybe September?

[Mellow]

If you have a better date, go ahead and I'll change it.. it's early enough... I'm not that concerned about interfering with WeSTOC because this event won't affect those going, they've probably already made up their minds and this would just be for those where it's close and they can't make WeSTOC.. However... I'm also openminded enough to push it up or back so it makes sense for more to attend..

I had to put some date there so we could argue about the best date ... LOL see, now I got your attention... he he he

[Raven]

How's about the last weekend in July or the first weekend in October?

[Mellow]

People will have to register quickly in July but October is typically TexSTOC timing so in an attempt to avoid as much overlap as possible, the last weekend in July it is...

[Raven]

Mesa Verde National Park has a campground and a group tent site. The group tent site works out to ~$10 per person per night (up to 25 people) vs. $22.50 per night at a regular tent site.

If enough folks are interested, would it make sense to reserve the group site?

[Mellow]

I'm going to make my reservation today. I'll let everyone know what site, if they give me a specific one. There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest on this so far but they have a max of 2 tents per site and 2 vehicles so it works out to around $10 per person if you share a site.

This is a really great location but most of you already know that. I'm thinking a ride over to the Monument Valley and then up north through Glen Canyon NRA would be cool.

I'm going to post this over at MotoCampers.com as well to see if we can get some more participation.

[Mark]

Chris and I will being bringing our youngest with us (Jack is 14).
I don't know if we'll be on the way to Ouray or coming back from there.
Jack's only hesitation and comment was "Are you planning on any 1000m days?". :D
When I said no, he smiled and thought it would be fun....

Joe,

We'll need 2 tents just for us so we'll have to get a site.
Let me know what site they assign and I'll see if I can get one near you.
( unless Jack sleeps out under the stars... He might think that would be :cool: )

Mark

[Mellow]

I just reserved a 16 ft dry campsite for 7/26 and 7/27. I remember the small 10ft campsites seemed too small last time I was there.

I did this online as I couldn't get an answer from the phone, I'll try tomorrow to see if they will assign a site.

Chris and I will being bringing our youngest with us (Jack is 14).
I don't know if we'll be on the way to Ouray or coming back from there.
Jack's only hesitation and comment was "Are you planning on any 1000m days?". :D
When I said no, he smiled and thought it would be fun....

Joe,

We'll need 2 tents just for us so we'll have to get a site.
Let me know what site they assign and I'll see if I can get one near you.
( unless Jack sleeps out under the stars... He might think that would be :cool: )

Mark

[Mark]

Thanks Joe.

Mark

[Rollon]

Joe,

I'm going to Colorado that whole week with a group of friends. Four of us ride ST's! We plan to stay Tuesday nite in Durango for sure. I hope to get to meet some of you who make it to the event.

Rick

[Mellow]

Joe,

I'm going to Colorado that whole week with a group of friends. Four of us ride ST's! We plan to stay Tuesday nite in Durango for sure. I hope to get to meet some of you who make it to the event.

Rick

Excellent... maybe this will start to build a little momentum... looks like around 4-6 so far.

[freddie]

Joe,

Have the time marked off, this will be my first camping trip on the ST so looking forward to meeting everyone and learning alot from others!

Did you find a site in Mesa Verde so I can reserve next to everyone?

TIA

Keith

[Mellow]

Keith, been a busy week and I haven't gotten a specific site just yet. If I have time, I'll call today but I'm heading out to AR so it may not happen 'til Monday. However, if someone else gets a site we can just as easily plan to be near that site.

I'll post an update when I have more info. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

[Rollon]

Joe,

Our group has been planning this trip for a couple months so we are not planning on camping but certainly hope to meet up w/the ST group if time permits. We will know more as things develop. As of this date we will be spending the 24th & 25th in that part of the state. Some of us may spend more time there.

Look for to meeting other ST-Owners.

Rick

[Mellow]

Sounds like a plan. Hope to see you there.

[Putt]

Mesa Verde is not far from some mighty fine riding.... In just about all directions...
Moab, Glen Canyon, Durango, etc...

Joe, if you are heading over towards Glen Canyon, do a Google on "slot Canyons" if
you don't mind doing a little walking... Just watch the weather...

http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/white_canyon/index.html


I would love to go on this one, but the timing is just a bit off for me.. Doing the
Russell ride in a couple weeks after this one...

Putt.....

[Mellow]

I called Mesa Verde yesterday and they said they don't assign spots unless it's super-busy and it's not super-busy..

So, who's planning on showing up first?

I should be there sometime after 3pm on Thursday 7/26. I'll ask for a site with at least a couple empty sites on both sides if they have it. I can also split my site with anyone if they want, just shout. I'll be there Thursday and Friday nights but plan on heading back towards Dallas after breakfast on Saturday.

[Mark]

Joe, if you are heading over towards Glen Canyon, do a Google on "slot Canyons" if you don't mind doing a little walking... Just watch the weather...

http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/white_canyon/index.html

Putt.....

Skip the "slots" this time of year. We lost a whole party of tourists a couple years ago in one of the slots.
Can't really watch the weather because the rain might have fallen 40 miles away.

Mark

[Mellow]

Yesterday... the long-range forecast was for rain.. but now.. wooohooo...

[TexTom]

Joe, Would you like someone to ride with? What route are you taking? And if possible I'd like to share a tent space.
TexTom:06biker:

[Mellow]

Sure. I'm heading to Amarillo from DFW via 287. Not all that great of a ride but get us someplace. I have to work next Wednesday but I'm planning on leaving around 1pm from DFW.

If you want to head up to Dallas or meet somewhere along the way just let me know.

[TexTom]

OK I'm in Grapevine for the summer.287 isn't pretty but it does get ya outta town.
I know a route out of Tocumcari that takes you thru Las Vegas and Taos,Chama and Durango.
Let's do it.
Tom

[Mellow]

OK I'm in Grapevine for the summer.287 isn't pretty but it does get ya outta town.
I know a route out of Tocumcari that takes you thru Las Vegas and Taos,Chama and Durango.
Let's do it.
Tom

Cool, if you want, we can meet somewhere in Decatur around 1:30-45 PM.

[TexTom]

Sure,you name the place. The bigger and boldest signage the better.
Not that I get lost easy but........... take no chances.
I'll be doing 114 weat to 287 then north to Decatur.
Tom

[Mellow]

I don't know that area well enough or been through it recently to know a good place to meet up... I'll look over my stuff to see what's around. There's supposed to be a rest stop just north of Dectaur on 287, before Alvord.

[TexTom]

Yes it looks like it's 4 or so miles north at the Shiloh road exit.
Tom

[Mellow]

Sorry guys... I'm out...

My sweetie needs knee surgery ASAP.. apparently her knee cap has actually shifted and is on the side of her knee.. she just thought it was swelling...

Anyway, she told me she could put it off a week so I could go on the trip but I'd prefer she have this taken care of sooner than later as she's been in some incredible pain and she has a high tolerance for it so I know it's more pain than I could possibly handle.

Please don't avoid going because I won't be there, that is such a great area and there are still others going so friendships will be had and fires made and roads ridden regardless of who does or doesn't show up.

[Mark]

Good call.
Sorry you're not going to be able to make it..

Mark
P.S.
I'll take some picture so you know what you missed... :-)

[TexTom]

Take care of her Joe. The knee is a worrisome area. I had a thing done there myself and it went OK. Had a friend suffer with a problem in her knee for 40 years.
I'm gonna do a eastern Ok. westernArk. ride to see family. Probably a Monday to Monday thing to be back in DFW by the first.:06biker:
TexTom

[Mark]

Looks like tSTorms so I'm going to cheat a bit (Jack's 1st big bike trip and I do not want him 'hating' motorcycle trips due to a wet camp).

I talked to Chris and we think one of the 'tent cabins' might be the way to go...

Mark

[Mark]

Chris doesn't get off as early as she expected on Friday.
We'll leave here whenever and stay along the route Friday night.
We'll ride through and get our place in the campground on Saturday (I don't expect anyone will be in camp by the time we go through; but, I'll check).
We'll do the Dolores, Ouray, Durango route as a loop and then back into camp.

Hope to see more than just an ST1100 and ST1100 there... :-)

Mark

[freddie]

Unfortunately I wil not be able to make it either :( My 9 year old golden has taken ill and has not eaten in 7 days so I need to be here for her..... hate missing this trip everyone be safe and enjoy the great roads!!

Keith

[Mellow]

Keith, hope she feels better soon.. obviously, you have to have priorities and your are in the right place..

I didn't do the best job in planning this one.. I promise I'll try better next time and maybe we'll have some more participation..

Mark, if you two end up making it then it was worth the limited effort I put into planning..

Those that do go, hope you have a great time.

[Mark]

Paid for the reservation... we *are* going! :-)

Not to worry, camping is one of those things... alone or with a group it is always a good time for me (and I hope mine! ;) )

I'll take some pictures so we have teasers for next year... :-)

Mark

[STeve1300]

....
I didn't do the best job in planning this one.. I promise I'll try better next time and maybe we'll have some more participation..

geeeze... Seems this is the first time your "planning method" failed (pick a spot, pick a date,then post)... I swear its the name... we already got a CampSTOC.... If you would have chosen "MellowSTOC" for instance, you'd have dozens of attendees (just kidding). Anyway, this brings me to a suggestion I've been wanting to throw out there.... How about an Annual "STownerSTOC", sometime between May and September so anyone can ride there, perhaps South Central US (hmmm north of Dallas ???), where you can recognize the riders of the year, month, mileage awards, hand out the banner etc... Kind of THE official "must make" annual event, maybe held in a Hotel sorta like WeSTOC where many will bring their wives & SO's... what ya think???

[Mellow]

Wha...... you trying to kill me? You know how much organization that would take? whew... for me, the pick a spot/pick a name thing works.. If I had to worry about all that other stuff I think it would take the fun out of it for me...

I originally wanted NatSTOC (National Event) to end up being the 'must attend' event.. The only thing is for it to become one of those events, it will need to consist of the type of planning that WeSTOC organizers go through and that would mean a lot of commitment..

As far as timing goes, September seems to be the best month for most people but then would compete with WeSTOC...

As far as location - North of Dallas? are you crazy? Unless you mean the Dakotas or Canada I don't think anyone would show up.

It seems to me that with WeSTOC being the premier event for most to go to, not just those in the WeSTern half of the U.S., that NatSTOC could be the Eastern version of this, maybe a month before or after as to allow people to attend both if possible.

The location can also move around like WeSTOC and most other events do.

We have a ton of members on both sides of the U.S. and there are places to ride that I have yet to experience but I'm always hearing of great places - like from reports from NJSTOC.

To be totally honest, I just don't think that I have the energy to organize a big event, the site keeps me pretty busy. So, if someone wants to plan the next NatSTOC, I would 100% back them and do whatever I could to help their effort... it's not easy, just ask any of the previous WeSTOC organizers.

However, there's probably a huge level of satisfaction in putting one of these events together and knowing you had a big part of making great memories for so many..

Steve.... did you just volunteer.? :hat1:
:STOC: :STOC: :STOC:

[Mark]

Steve.... did you just volunteer.? :hat1:
:STOC: :STOC: :STOC:

Something STruck me when I read this... I figure we all *guess* how much work Adam has just done :bow1: :bow1: :bow1: on WeSTOC and I figure we'll hear the title to an old song in our heads:
"The Sound of Silence"... :lol:

Mark

[STeve1300]

Steve.... did you just volunteer.?

Hi Joe...Actually, I agree with your "post and show up" method and thought maybe the name and purpose of the "event" would make it a "must attend". I'm truly amazed that you can fit all you do for this site into your schedule. Thank you. I was thinking this would be a way to recognize your efforts, not require more. oops.

...I had no idea north Texas was lacking... I gotta get out more

...As for planning an event... I'm with Mark and all the others in the recent "Kudos to event organizers" thread... in appreciating all the effort that you and many others provide!!! And hopefully someday I can find a way to volunteer for something like this.

[Mellow]

Hi Joe...Actually, I agree with your "post and show up" method and thought maybe the name and purpose of the "event" would make it a "must attend". I'm truly amazed that you can fit all you do for this site into your schedule. Thank you. I was thinking this would be a way to recognize your efforts, not require more. oops.

...I had no idea north Texas was lacking... I gotta get out more

...As for planning an event... I'm with Mark and all the others in the recent "Kudos to event organizers" thread... in appreciating all the effort that you and many others provide!!! And hopefully someday I can find a way to volunteer for something like this.

Showing up on the site, posting and being part of all the confusion is all the 'thank you' I need..

At some point if anyone here wants to do an event, they can be as much or as little effort as you want.. I've proved you don't need more than a few mins of effort and others have proved that months of dedication can produce a truly amazing event.. .you can't go wrong either way.

[Mark]

Talk about a small event!
2 STs and 3 intrepid travelers were at CampSTOCwest! :-)

Beautiful place.
The campground is well setup with some secluded spots and 'base camp' tents. The individual sites are fairly small; for future events at Mesa Verde if at least one person gets one of the 'base camp' tents there will be an entire campsite with just a fire ring and table (one of the pictures shows the 'extra site') for gathering around.
I will include these shots in a trip report as well.

Mark

[Mellow]

Well, I'm glad you three made it... sure was missing riding in that area this weekend...

[Mark]

No you didn't... trust me... just read the ride report! :D

Mark

[clmixon]

I wish to point out that I was no where near Mesa Verdi :rolleyes:..

That was some neat looking country and it sounds like y'all had some fun no matter what.

Of course, I just looked and the rain chance for Western Washington jumps to 60% one day before I am scheduled to arrive. Anyone wanna bet what it will be on the 9th?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Chris :06biker:

[Mark]

I wish to point out that I was no where near Mesa Verdi :rolleyes:..

Good thing! I don't know how much more rain we could have handled!

Of course, I just looked and the rain chance for Western Washington jumps to 60% one day before I am scheduled to arrive. Anyone wanna bet what it will be on the 9th?

I may be a betting man; but, I'm not *STupid*! no bet!
:-)

When do you plan on bring the rain to AZ again? :D

Mark