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marihalojen
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 10:16am | IP Logged
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Cay Gibson wrote:
marihalojen wrote:
I've never camped in the south, but if you'll protect me from the crocodiles, Cay, I'll bring my tent! |
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Okay, Jennifer, you live on a boat in the Keys but you've never camped in the south? Hon, I think you're a natural. You'll be able to show all of us how it's done. 
And forget the crocodiles. It's the mosquitoes that will get you. Btw, we have alligators in our swamps. Just a slight technicality.  |
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See you caught me! I just went back and edited that to gators this morning cause I realized you probably only have gators up there and here you were quoting me with the crocs! I guess they are on my mind as Marianna and I went to the Everglades this week and I saw my first real gators in the wild, one the ranger guessed to be 17 foot! 
BTW, did you know that this area of FL is the only part of the world to have Alligators, Crocodiles and Caimens living harmoniously together? (harmoniously according to my daughter)
Oh, and I like being on my boat as our freeboard (the height between the water and the deck) is enough I don't think a reptile by any name can leap easily aboard. But a tent? That'll give me worse nightmares than bears in NM by my tent!
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~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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marcie
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 12:39pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Cay!! 
I even have a tent!!
By the way....I will be in your neck of the woods this weekend. My dd and I are going to a women's retreat in Moss Bluff.
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Marcie Melancon
New Iberia, LA
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 6:00pm | IP Logged
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We're in! 
Fall 2007 sounds great. Summer is definitely way too scorching, unless we go north -- far north. Besides, swim team and sailing dominate the summer calendar, so we couldn't camp unless everyone came here...
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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J.Anne
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 6:01pm | IP Logged
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I think Fall sounds great too! We love fall camping.
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Jennifer
http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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I'm in too except I've never camped, ever. I'm all for bathrooms. I think the fall sounds good too. Do we have a location in mind?
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KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
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Michaela ('01)
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
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marcie wrote:
By the way....I will be in your neck of the woods this weekend. My dd and I are going to a women's retreat in Moss Bluff.
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Marcie,
Have you left yet? If not, PM me.
KC in TX wrote:
| I think the fall sounds good too. Do we have a location in mind? |
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I thought we'd pinpoint the season first...Fall 2007 seems to be winning. From there we'll pinpoint the month then we'll work on a location around that month. The location will probably be the deciding factor on which weekend we have it.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Dawnie
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| Posted: Jan 26 2007 at 9:50pm | IP Logged
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I don't know if I can come or not, but I have some suggestions for locations...
What about one of the state parks in Arkansas? I have been to Petit Jean State Park (once as a child, once as an adult w/ dh and our oldest dd when she was 2) and Lake Catherine (as a child). Many of them have cabins for those who don't want to "rough it" and camping grounds for RV's or tent campers. I think it would be nice to pick a place where people could either stay in a cabin or camp...that way those of us who don't have lots of money to spend on vacations could still come (if they know how to set up a tent, anyway).
I really really liked Petit Jean...it's up on a mountain, lots of nice hiking trails. I'd love to visit all the state parks in Arkansas someday.
Anyway, since we're brainstorming, that's my idea. 
Dawn
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Mom to Mary Beth (99), Anna (02), Lucia (04), Clara (06), and Adelaide Victoria (2/28/09)
Visit my blog!Water Into Wine:Vino Per Tutto!
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marihalojen
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I love Arkansas! And since we still have property in Southern MO, and my little sis hopefully will be in college there, I might just have to go and check on it and her and you all too! Fall 2007, entirely doable.
I have the perfect state park to recommend for our group of Catholic Homeschoolers - are you ready for it?
Devil's Den! Seriously, it is beautiful, built by the CCC with fabulous cabins, gorgeous campsites and the Den itself is sooo cool (literally and figuratively). It is pretty far north though.
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~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 11:20am | IP Logged
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marihalojen wrote:
I have the perfect state park to recommend for our group of Catholic Homeschoolers - are you ready for it?
Devil's Den! |
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Do you have any idea how close this is to beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas!!!! My honeymoon spot.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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J.Anne
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 3:04pm | IP Logged
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I just pitched this idea to my husband, who doesn't know anything about the 4Real Forum.
"Hey honey, I think we're going to go camping next fall in Arkansas with a bunch of people I met on the internet."
Sounds harmless!
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Jennifer
http://ascozyasspring.typepad.com
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Cay Gibson
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J.Anne wrote:
I just pitched this idea to my husband, who doesn't know anything about the 4Real Forum.
"Hey honey, I think we're going to go camping next fall in Arkansas with a bunch of people I met on the internet."
Sounds harmless!
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Really.
I hope we don't make front page news.
I'm wondering about our mile radius.
Is north Arkansas too far for everyone? Don't get me wrong. I love Arkansas.  Dh and I talk about retiring there. But, while we'd welcome anyone with a 4Real signature, I think we need to keep the location close to home for the majority of us.
Edited to add: I think most are located in Texas.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Courtney
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 7:24pm | IP Logged
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I'm getting excited! I also vote for fall 2007. It is HOT in summer and I'm pretty confident this summer will be really hot, too! I'm happy to help find a place or whatever.
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Courtney in Texas
Wife to Mike since 3/94
Mom to Candace 10/97,Christopher 4/00 and Connor 11/11
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KC in TX
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 7:52pm | IP Logged
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Cay Gibson wrote:
Is north Arkansas too far for everyone? Don't get me wrong. I love Arkansas. Dh and I talk about retiring there. But, while we'd welcome anyone with a 4Real signature, I think we need to keep the location close to home for the majority of us.
Edited to add: I think most are located in Texas. |
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Well, anywhere outside of Texas is too far!! And, we live in the center of the state. Anyway, we are willing to drive although not much more than a day. Well, check that--sometimes even after driving a full day, we're still in Texas. I would just be happy to meet up with y'all. When I saw this post, I was so excited I wanted to jump up and down.
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KC,
wife to Ben (10/94),
Mama to LB ('98)
Michaela ('01)
Emma ('03)
Jordan ('05)
And, my 2 angels, Rose ('08) and Mark ('09)
The Cabbage Patch
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 8:07pm | IP Logged
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Everything is 4 hours from me. 4 hours is an easy day trip for me. Less is even better.
Dallas is 4 hours but I won't go there by myself because it's unfamiliar territory.
New Orleans is 4 hours but I won't go there by myself.
Galveston is not far from us but I won't travel there by myself.
North Louisiana is 4 hours and I could talk my dh into this one because he always welcomes a trip to go back to his old college stomping grounds (LA Tech ~ Go Bulldogs!!!) There's also a great state park there.
I will go to the Houston area with or without dh because I have family there and have had to learn the route.
That's where I'm coming from. I'm trying to think of all you. We want to shorten the travel time for the majority.
Let me try to figure out where everyone is located and pinpoint a central location. If the central location is further from the majority (say TX neighbors) then we'll lean closer to them.
I appreciate everyone's suggestions. Keep them coming. Brainstorming is a wonderful thing. Once we pinpoint an area, it'd be great of those of you who offered to get info on the spots available. We can plan from there.
Fall 2007 seems to be winning.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Carole N.
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| Posted: Jan 27 2007 at 9:45pm | IP Logged
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Okay, I just briefly skimmed this thread--was reading pretty intently at first. But what about your Oklahoma neighbors? We have driven all the way down to Lafayette for a prolife conference, so we are willing to drive. Closer would be better (northern Louisana, Arkansas or east Texas). I have family in Texas (and Louisana for that matter). And besides, my dh is a scoutmaster, so we must love camping! Would you be willing to include us?
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Carole ... in Wales
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Chari
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Cay Gibson wrote:
Chari wrote:
I have some thoughts.....imagine that
Anyway.............whoever gets in charge of this.....I will be happy to give you our failures to learn by  ...if you want! |
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Do we want?!!! Need we ask!!!? Give us the scoop, Chari. I was going to ask you anyway. Am I in charge though? Goodness, NO! I am not a take-charge kind of person---as you will all discover when we're together. I'll be the one sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate in my hands. My oldest son will be pitching the tent and my second son will be making the fire. I am so not high energy.
I'm a terrible coordinator and if someone doesn't raise their hand to take charge then we're all on this sinking ship together. 
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It is NOT hard to coordinate. The only extra work for the coordinator happens BEFORE the campout. I sit at the fire drinking my tea, trust me.
In fact, I bet you southern gals might not want to drink hot chocolate........maybe Iced tea
Even here if you do not drink your hot chocolate early enough in the morning......it is too late..........you will end up sweating while drinking it
So, when you figure out who is in charge .......pm me and I will give you my phone number......I prefer to talk on the phone, rather than write a lengthy post 
You can do this on this thread, but at the time, we started an email list just for the campout, a spin-off from CCM. That is where we discuss and make plans. Works well.
Anyway, what Willa and I did first was find a place. then we told everyone where it was........
Look for a family friendly campsite.
Ours is a private campground on a lake. It has bathrooms, laundry services (though I refuse to do laundry at camping ) and clean water and sand.
I would only go to a campground that has a group site, or you will not spend much time together all at once. Trust me on that one. BTDT. Make this a priority. Plus, all of the kids can play together while you all watch them together. Makes it easier. For us, we have one person pay the reservation fee ahead of time and then whoever camps splits the fee between them on arrival.
One thing that has really helped is to have one person be living not too far from the campsite so it can be inspected first.....then, no surprises. In fact, whoever lives closest to the campsite, could be in charge, just for the convenience. It is NOT hard to be in charge
TENT camping in a campground is NOT roughing it. If you are not in a group site, you will miss out on enjoying time together, trust me on this. You then will leave feeling like things are kind of unfinished. A sad feeling...... Three nights is not enough......five nights feels best.....six sometimes a little too much.
Second, then pick your time. I think you should try spring 07, you have time.......or, commit to the Fall.
ETA....oh, I see you already got that figured out.........good idea!
At the end of our campouts, we discuss what works and what doesn't. I would love to keep you guys from doing the mistakes we did. You will enjoy yourselves more and have less growing pains.
Any specific questions? When you narrow down the place and time.......I will tell you about our great meal plans and mom's meetings.
mmmmmm........eating homemade chocolate cheesecake.....mmmmmmmmmm!
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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Dawnie
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Okay Cay, since you're trying to figure out where everyone is, I'll start.
I'm in Wichita, Kansas (south-central area of the state).
Dawn
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ALmom
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Is this a whole family thing? Don't make decisions based on me, but please keep me posted as I would love to try and do it - IF dh can be convinced to try camping and can get off work. I know I won't drive any distance without him. I do happen to be in N. AL.
Janet
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Jan 31 2007 at 12:34pm | IP Logged
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ALmom wrote:
Is this a whole family thing? Don't make decisions based on me, but please keep me posted as I would love to try and do it - IF dh can be convinced to try camping and can get off work. I know I won't drive any distance without him. I do happen to be in N. AL.
Janet |
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Yes, whole families. I don't travel alone either.
Janet, I was in your area of America this past summer. We toured Helen Keller's home. I never realized how breath-taking Alabama was. Beautiful!
Alright, we have sixteen members so far. And I know Cheryl and Alice C. are in Louisiana too so it might be eighteen.
We have:
7 in TX
1 in NC
1 in OK
1 in FL
1 in AL
1 in KS
3 in LA(possibly 5)
And Genevieve. Sorry, dear, but I couldn't remember which state you're in. See why I never volunteer to be in charge?
What! No one in Mississippi?
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Genevieve
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Cay, I'm in Northern Mississippi, really a hopy and skip away from the TN border. 
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Genevieve
The Good Within
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Calling all TX-LA-MS-AR Neighbors
