MNMazda Camping Trip ->July 19-20<- Does this date work for you???

[spek1098]

This is for the Second Annual MN Mazda Camping Trip.

So since that Rushmore thread has popped up, and, I know for myself, plans for the summer are starting to dot the calender, I thought I get this train a-roll'n.

I think it's more important, at this point, to nail down a date, rather then a place, so a poll to pick the weekend.

[Picklz]

Pick the weekend for what? Rushmore Trip? Camping Trip? Something else? Because I know multiple things are being discussed and in the early stages of planning.'

Okay after more reading (Yay) I think its for the camping trip, if I'm wrong please enlighten me.

[dmention7]

Thread title: "MNMazda 2008 Summer Camping Trip"

reading FTW!

Jurgen would you mind if I made it so that people could select more than one option? With that many choices, it might be easier to pick, say, 3 weekends that would work for you.

[Young Roids]

Is this camping trip going to ba at rushmore then ? Or where would it be at?

[dmention7]

Nope, this is separate. We did one last summer up in duluth and it was a blast.

[Young Roids]

I am always up for some camping and fishing. I haven't made my summer plans yet so I don't know when I will be free.

[spek1098]

Jurgen would you mind if I made it so that people could select more than one option? With that many choices, it might be easier to pick, say, 3 weekends that would work for you.

Sounds like a good idea to me!

[dmention7]

Hmmm... nevermind, I guess I can't do that anymore. I can change the choices, but I can't edit the type of poll.

[Hot Ice]

Hey Jay, would you like me to take over on this one again or is someone else going to? Also, we do need to decide if we want it in Duluth or Brainerd area. The weekend will depend on where we go as Duluth has so much going on during the summer. I can't vote yet without that in mind. Also there is a campground or two that rent pontoons in the Brainerd area. Just throwing it out there since you mentioned it earlier.

[micahlarson]

as long as I have over 2 months in advance I should be able to get whatever weekend then

[spek1098]

So I see we got two ideas for places, Brainard and Duluth. I thought tubing on the Apple River might be a decent idea. Why don't we throw out some different ideas, different places people think would be a good idea, and maybe have a poll once we have decided on a date to pick where the majority want to go. Lets try to keep it in the state or fairly close. No white water rafting trips in Colorado for example.

[dmention7]

Unless the apple river has changed, DO NOT WANT to float down a river that hundreds of drunk people piss in all day long. Plus, that's only a 30 minute drive, at best. We need a bit more of a cruise.

I think Brainerd would be a good choice. Duluth gets a second-place vote from me, just because we went there last year. But it was a quality spot!

[Workdawg]

A river flows, therefore the urine would flow away... but anyways...

I'm not big on camping, so I'm out probably.

[dmention7]

If the pissing happens at all points along the river, and at all times of day (it does), then the entire river is full of piss.

[Picklz]

Anywhere Northwest would be good - Brainerd, Park Rapids, Grand Rapids, etc. A place on a lake would be awesome, boat rental being available would be a big + imo.

[mndsm]

Brainerd. Simply because it's different than Duluth.

[Picklz]

I'm going to start posting links as I find them because I'm bored - feel free to post comments:

Cozy Bay, Near Brainerd, On Lake Edward
Offer campsites w/ Water+Electric or Cabins, Boat rental available (not sure how much) http://www.cozybay.com/rates.html

Auger's Pine View Resort - On Lake Shamineau (Near Brainerd)
Campsites, Boat Rental, etc. Looks a little more expensive.
http://www.augerspineview.com/index.html


This place looks pretty nice, $25/hr for pontoon rental (includes gas), campsite for $75/weekend.
http://www.shadyhollowresort.com/camp.html

[mndsm]

Electric is FTW. You missed the last time we had a campsite with electric.

[dmention7]

electricity = playing video games with a projector at night. Which, as tom said, is win.

[Picklz]

most the one's I'm finding have electric so that's cool. I happen to have a projector hanging from my ceiling that could come along lol.

[ZoomZoom Diva]

A river flows, therefore the urine would flow away... but anyways...

I'm not big on camping, so I'm out probably.

Urine is pretty much clean and sterile anyway... you probably have more to worry from other things in the river.

However, like the above, I don't do camping either. No bed, no plumbing, no shower = no way.

[Workdawg]

electricity = playing video games with a projector at night. Which, as tom said, is win.

lol, that's my kind of camping!

I'm gunna stick with a no, but maybe after things get hammered out I'll change my mind.

[Picklz]

You guys could always rent a cabin wherever we end up going (provided that resort has both cabins + Camping).

I'm not usually huge on camping but for a night or two I can survive, as long as I have copious amounts of Beer.

[Young Roids]

This is not camping! Camping is dropping dueces in holes in the ground with a toilet seat on top. Camping is no electric, maybe a shower if you are lucky. Cabins!? no. Camping is done in tents! cooking over a camp fire for your food. Camping is about being one with nature.

So I usally do my camping at state parks or national forrests, places like that.

[Picklz]

This is not camping! Camping is dropping dueces in holes in the ground with a toilet seat on top. Camping is no electric, maybe a shower if you are lucky. Cabins!? no. Camping is done in tents! cooking over a camp fire for your food. Camping is about being one with nature.

So I usally do my camping at state parks or national forrests, places like that.

We could drop you off on the way :D

[dmention7]

That's the kind of camping you do with your dad or wife... this is the kind of camping you do with a bunch of fellow car nerds

[Young Roids]

We could drop you off on the way :D

Sounds good!

[mndsm]

Car geek camping=as much electronics as would generally be crammed into an entire apartment. That's just how we roll.

[Picklz]

Car geek camping=as much electronics as would generally be crammed into an entire apartment. That's just how we roll.

Are we renting a U-haul? Because there's no way all the electronics in my apartment are fitting in my 3, lol. Surround Sound + HD TV while camping FTW

[mndsm]

I thought about bringing the plasma the last time, we settled for projector+ computer surround.

[AJ]

I'm getting interested. Outdoor Rock band or Wii? FTW! Plus I can always run somewhere and drop a double deuce in a hole somewhere for pure nature's pleasure.

[Young Roids]

Plus I can always run somewhere and drop a double deuce in a hole somewhere for pure nature's pleasure.

And remember to wipe with leaves for the true experience.:D

[spek1098]

WTF, Jay? Why you gotta piss all over my idea like that? I don't see you coming up with your own ORIGINAL idea. :) I guess though, too many half naked frat boys, but just as many half naked frat girls and... ahh... oh, sorry, forgot you're not single... But tubing would still be a blast, either down a river, or behind a boat.


This is not camping! Camping is dropping dueces in holes in the ground with a toilet seat on top. Camping is no electric, maybe a shower if you are lucky. Cabins!? no. Camping is done in tents! cooking over a camp fire for your food. Camping is about being one with nature.

So I usally do my camping at state parks or national forrests, places like that.

Well spoken brother! Got my Boundary Waters trip planned for the weekend of the 12th and 13th of July (Please don't pick that week for my sake?http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/saraucf/Dumb%20stuff/evilgrin0039.gif)


Are we renting a U-haul? Because there's no way all the electronics in my apartment are fitting in my 3, lol. Surround Sound + HD TV while camping FTW
Well, last year we had 5 hatches (well 6 if you count the mini. Do you?) and 3 trunks, and we managed fairly well. I have a feeling this year there will be a bit more people and few more hatches, as the MS3=FTW. I guess the next question is, if its a bigger group, who's bringing the projector, and who's bringing the flat screen?

[mndsm]

Do we need a TV if we have a projector? (or two?)

[Young Roids]

Well spoken brother! Got my Boundary Waters trip planned for the weekend of the 12th and 13th of July (Please don't pick that week for my sake?http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b385/saraucf/Dumb%20stuff/evilgrin0039.gif)




Good to see there is a fellow woodsman on the forum. BTW thanks for that shop manual cd it will come in handy.

[spek1098]

Do we need a TV if we have a projector? (or two?)

Both!


Enjoy the disks, feel free to share them. I will be taking donations from people throughout the summer for the help and information they provide. :)

[Hot Ice]

Hey Jay, would you like me to take over on this one again or is someone else going to? Also, we do need to decide if we want it in Duluth or Brainerd area. The weekend will depend on where we go as Duluth has so much going on during the summer. I can't vote yet without that in mind. Also there is a campground or two that rent pontoons in the Brainerd area. Just throwing it out there since you mentioned it earlier.

Well since you are all so active in this and no one responded to me...I will just show up if it is a weekend I can do. I vote for a keg or two again!!

[dmention7]

Sorry Jess, I saw your post, but I felt compelled to give a resounding "negatory" to the apple river after Jurgen's post... lol

We can probably use all the help we can get here, so anyone who's willing to get involved with the planning is more than welcome to take the reins where they see fit!

[Young Roids]

You guys don't want me planning this thing or it will into an episode of Man vs. wild.

[Hot Ice]

Well, I guess I will do some research and phone calls over spring break, next week, and see what I can find out. I am sure the place in Duluth would let us stay there again but if some want a lake and boats, I am thinking Brainerd area would be the best. I will keep an eye out then. ;)
By the way...the cash went in the mail today...

[AJ]

You guys don't want me planning this thing or it will into an episode of Man vs. wild.


Right on!:VP2:

[YSOSLO]

My summers are usually all over the place, but I'll probably try to make the trip if the weather's decent. Since someone asked about ideas and you don't want too long or too short of a drive, I'd like to throw out this place as an option. http://www.lostfalls.com/index.shtml It's about a 3 hour drive mostly down I-94 although there are more scenic routes available too, and the last 20-30 minutes of the trip is on nice country roads. The campground is great and the campsites by the beach (sites 28 & 29 especially) feel secluded, yet are fairly close to portapotties as well as the "long grass areas" for you outdoorsmen...lol They also rent out canoes and tubes to float the river on and if you check out the pics of the place it's not a little stream like the Apple River. It's a good sized river yet it has some nice sandbars to take breaks on or swim off of etc. I went a couple of years ago with a group of friends and this place was really great. There are even cabins for those that don't want to sleep in a tent, although the cabins are a short drive from the tent sites. ...just another option for your consideration.

[mndsm]

MOTHERFUCKING PAUL BUNYAN LAND.

[mazdamn02]

Hmmm... I'm all in for this trip wherever it takes us.
Duluth is cool.
Place with lake and boats to rent is also cool.
I'll go with the flow.

[spek1098]

That Lost Falls has potential. If we end up in Brainard or something, I'm might have to take my kid up there this summer...

[mazdamn02]

If we end up somewhere where we're not going in to town constantly I'll have to bring my pup :)

[mazdamn02]

I was buying some mini propanes from Target yesterday and got a bad itch to go camping, this snow isn't helping me...
Would anyone be interested in perhaps, dare I say it- 2 camping trips? I need to put this stuff I bought last year to good use.
Once we determine our primary camping site, how about we decide on another one for a mini trip, not necessarily a full out mnmazda trip, just who ever's interested.

[dmention7]

Josh, I'd probably be interested.

[Picklz]

Same

[mazdamn02]

Cool Jay. Michele and I are already talking about our wish list from REI, etc...
I'll be bringing my Weber super grill, I'm in the process of finding an adapter house to hook the thing up to a full size propane tank. Think of the cooking damage we could do then...

[AJ]

I think the best bet is comeone need to pick a weekend and a place. if there are 3 people laying the pipe for all the plans, it needs to be a weekend they can all attend. Then, give everyone else enough notice to scheudle around it as well. We all know you can work with everyone.

I'd love to have this event on my calendar asap so it's a set date.

[mazdamn02]

There, I got my vote in :)

So if it is the Weekend of July 19th, 20th, all we need now is a location and things will get rolling nicely.

I'm thinking about a camping opener in May, perhaps in Duluth again, I can open a new thread for my unofficial Josh camping thread.

[mazdamn02]

Jess where is you? Organize our wandering brains!

[dmention7]

Well, I think we've got the weekend fairly well nailed down. I think maybe it's time to declare 7/19-20 the weekend, and see if there are any serious objections. If not, people need to start marking their calendars.

Next step, figure out a place. That place in duluth was solid, but I would personally be leaning towards a new place for the sake of variety. Brainerd is sounding good...

[YSOSLO]

Can you guys try to post a website if available for any suggested campgrounds? That way we can get an idea of the amenities and everything to help decide where we might prefer. Since I wasn't around for last year's trip, can someone fill in some details like whether this is more of a guys-only thing or if gfs/wives come along, did you head out Saturday morning and caravan up or just all meet at the designated place either Friday night or Saturday whenever? Does everyone pay ahead of time to nail down our site reservations and ensure that we have enough people to rent a pontoon for a day or whatever you all do, or is it pay that weekend so nobody's really locked in? Do multiple tents share a site, or did you spread out last year and have a "get-together" area for meals and stuff like that? Any pics from last year?

[dmention7]

Can you guys try to post a website if available for any suggested campgrounds? That way we can get an idea of the amenities and everything to help decide where we might prefer.

Here is where we stayed in Duluth last year: http://indianpointcampground.com


Since I wasn't around for last year's trip, can someone fill in some details like whether this is more of a guys-only thing or if gfs/wives come along

Girlfriends/wives are more than welcome! We had several couples last time.



did you head out Saturday morning and caravan up or just all meet at the designated place either Friday night or Saturday whenever?

The plan last time was to head up friday afternoon, stay friday and saturday night, then pack up on sunday. Though, it should be no big deal if people want to show up and/or leave on saturday as well. We incorporated a nice cruise by all meeting up in Forest Lake before rolling out to Duluth, which was pretty fun.


Does everyone pay ahead of time to nail down our site reservations and ensure that we have enough people to rent a pontoon for a day or whatever you all do, or is it pay that weekend so nobody's really locked in?

It's probably flexible. Last time, Jess (Hot Ice) was generous enough to book the site ahead of time, and we all paid her when we met at the campground.


Do multiple tents share a site, or did you spread out last year and have a "get-together" area for meals and stuff like that?

Last time we reserved 2 neighboring sites and used them together as one big communal site. That worked really well, and I'd imagine that's how we'd do it this time as well. Though we may need 3 sites, depending on interest.


Any pics from last year?

Here is the thread from last year: http://www.mnmazda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=312

I know pics exist, but they are probably scattered around on computers and file-sharing sites.... there were some in the gallery, but that got nuked! lol

[JustROLLIN]

I wont be able to make it that weekend... :(

[dmention7]

How about I create a new poll with the weekends July 12-13 through Aug 16-17 and people can vote for weekends that they couldn't make. It should be easier to figure out what the best weekend would be.

[Hot Ice]

Jess where is you? Organize our wandering brains!

Sorry Josh. I was off for Spring Break and this wonderful computer decided that it wasn't going to work and I wasn't around the internet much. I think I am letting others take over unless specifically asked. I know that I would like to go and probably with Crista again. Right now, all of my weekends are open, except the first one in June, so I don't need to vote until it gets down to the end. But I will be trying to keep an eye on the forum. I am hoping to get more time with it!!

By the way...happy spring to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mazdamn02]

OH CRAP I can't make it July 19-20. My grandpa's 80th and a friend is getting married....

[mazdamn02]

www.exploreminnesota.com

There are some cool camping sites on there...