Okay, if you have any interest in being at the DML National Meet in July
2006, pay attention. Here are how the reservations are going to work. I
know there's a lot of information here, but please read the entire message
and feel free to ask if there's anything I haven't explained sufficiently.
Here's the quick summary. If you want to be at this meet, you will either
need to try to get in to the group area (which is limited) by telling me,
or you will need to call the campground directly to make your own
reservation.
Now the full story...
I have just called and reserved the group camping area for us under
"Dakota Mailing List" (not "DML"). This will be officially designated DML
HQ for the duration of the meet. This area is a cul-de-sac of 10 tent
sites. They have a rule of no more than one vehicle per tent site, so
this means there will only be 10 vehicles allowed in the group HQ. They
suggest no more than 20-30 people in the area. I think since we're a
truck club, the more important number for us is the 10 vehicle limit.
Additional vehicles can be parked in a separate parking lot. If you're
traveling alone and want to share your site with someone else, that's up
to you. I think many of us will not be traveling alone, so if we limit
ourselves to 10 vehicles and figure 2-3 people per vehicle, then we'll be
fine.
If you want to be camped in this area, then you will need to deal with me.
You won't need to call the campground, I've already reserved the entire
area. I will set aside three spots there for Tom Stack, Jon Steiger and
Jim Ward. These guys are on the organizing committee and have put a lot
of their own time and effort in to making this meet happen. I think it's
fair that they get to be in the group area. That means there are seven
spots open. (Guys, if for any reason you thought you wanted to take a
separate spot and give up your space in the group area for someone else,
let me know.)
In order to maximize the number of people who get to camp in DML HQ, I am
going to make a rule of one site in the group area per DML member. Sorry
Walt but that's my decision. Outside the group area, you can take as many
as the campground will let you have.
Now, if you do NOT want to be camped in the DML HQ, or if we're unable to
fit you in, you should call Lone Duck directly and make a reservation for
yourself. Their toll-free number is 1-800-776-5925. Identify yourself as
a member of the Dakota Mailing List. IMPORTANT: tell them that you are
*not* reserving a spot in the cul-de-sac, but you want a separate site
nearby. I have already reserved the entire cul-de-sac, and if you try to
call them to reserve it, they will not be too happy with us. If you
reserve a site (or sites) outside of the group area, could you let me know
so I know how who has already reserved?
As for the timeframe, Steve said that we should have plenty of time to
make reservations. Obviously he can't be specific on what "plenty of
time" means, but he said they usually have several spots even in to
January. Even so, I wouldn't suggest waiting that long. If you want a
separate spot, or even think you *might* want a separate spot, I'd suggest
calling them ASAP to reserve it. You can always call back and cancel if
you change your mind, or better, transfer your reservation to another DML
member. By all means, if you want to try to get in to the group area, but
also call and reserve your own site just in case, feel free to do so. If
you get in to the group area, you can transfer your reservation to someone
who didn't.
I have reserved 8 nights for the group, checking in on July 15 and
departing by noon on July 23. Feel free to show up early or stay later
than that. Personally, I plan on showing up on the 13th. However, if you
want to be there outside of the official 15-23 dates, you will need to
call them directly and reserve a site for yourself for the extra dates.
The group area is not reserved outside of the 15-23 dates, so keep in mind
we might have some muggles in the mix for those of us showing up early.
If you can't make the entire duration, let me know and we'll work
something out. For example, I know Jon can't be there for the entire
time. His spot in the group area will be available for the first night if
anyone wanted to spend one night in the group area, then move to a
separate spot. Depending on how people's schedules work out, we might be
able to do some "time sharing".
If you want more than one site to give yourself room to spread out, call
them directly and reserve those sites for yourself outside the group area.
The "one vehicle per spot" rule applies to the entire campground, this is
their rule, not mine. RV trailers don't count as vehicles, but trucks on
flatbeds do. If you're bringing another truck on a flatbed, either count
on parking one of them in the parking lot on the other side of the
campground, or reserving yourself two adjacent spots.
If you want an RV site or anything more than a basic tent site, call them
directly and reserve a site for yourself. As far as I know, there are no
electric, water or sewer RV hookups available in the group camping area.
I assume there is drinking water available nearby, but that would be for
filling up water jugs and not for hooking up to a trailer. I have no idea
about electricity, but if you just want to recharge batteries we'll offer
an outlet in our trailer.
If you want a little privacy, peace and quiet away from the DML group, you
might want to consider calling and reserving a separate site for yourself.
The campground has rules about quiet hours, but during the loud hours
we'll probably be pretty busy. If you've never been to a DML BBQ, we're
not completely crazy (most of the time), but we do act like a large
family, which means we do stuff like sit in each other's chairs, drink
each other's beer, and hide surprises in each other's trucks. And play
Lawn Jenga. Hopefully this doesn't bother anyone.
Now, if you definitely DO want to be in the group cul-de-sac, let me know.
You have fourteen days from today (until Tuesday September 13). Assuming
I get more than seven people interested, then I will put names in a bowl
and draw them at random on that date. Anyone who doesn't get a spot in
the group cul-de-sac will need to call the campground directly and reserve
their own spot. I wish we could get everyone in, but this is the way it's
going to be.
As for deposits, they actually seem to be pretty easy going. Steve told
me that he won't even put a charge on my credit card until we show up, he
just wanted the number on file to hold the site. I'm guessing if we pull
a no-show that I'll get charged at least one night.
What does this mean to you? I'm not sure how I want to handle this. I
want to have a firm commitment from the people who are going to be in the
group area, but I don't feel right asking for money up front since I
haven't had to pay anything either. The best thing to do would be if you
could send me a check, made out to Lone Duck Campground, for at least $19
to cover the first night. Better would be $152 for the 8 nights, that'll
guarantee you the spot for the duration. If you decide you can't make it,
I'll send the check back to you and offer your spot to someone else.
Otherwise, I'll hang on to the checks and when we show up next July I'll
use them to pay for the first night. We can figure out other arrangements
beyond the first night, that shouldn't be too difficult. If you don't
feel comfortable sending a check to me for whatever reason, you can send
it to Jon, Tom or Jim. I'm open to other suggestions on how to guarantee
these spots in the group area.
If you are reserving your own site, then you don't need to deal with me.
I would ask that you let me know that you have a reservation, but you'd
just call them directly and give them a credit card number or make other
arrangements for sending them a deposit.
OK, I think that just about covers it. Questions, comments, any better
ideas?
-- Jason Bleazard http://drazaelb.blogspot.com Burlington, Ontario his: '95 Dakota Sport 4x4, 3.9 V6, 5spd, Reg. Cab, white hers: '01 Dakota Sport 4x4, 4.7 V8, Auto, Quad Cab, black
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