Coal Mine camping situation

[iptman]

Here's a section from the email I got regarding the tent camping situation.

......


There has been some new construction going on at Twin Grove.

The good news is that there will be more of the Family Lodges available up top where we camp. The (maybe) bad news is that they are in the area that many of you have tent camped in the past.

see the map for reference:
http://twingrove.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/resortlayout.pdf


TENT CAMPING:

There MAY be some space around the family lodges that are occupied by CMCC folks - this will be entirely dependent on it being ok with the resident of the cabin to say if it is ok to camp in their area - please be considerate of their decision.

Down in and below the “trailer” area: I am told they will have that area mowed - you can tent camp there.

The former paintball area out behind the new A78 and A79 will NOT be available for camping

The land past the gate (near A78 on the map) and behind the upper Family cabins on the other side of the trees (where it says “NORTH” in red on the map) will be available to tent camp but you will not be able to drive back past that gate.

There are a few tent sites available, as of 1pm today, June 2. They are T9, T13, T18, T12 and T22. These are open to be reserved by anyone.

 

[iptman]

Last night at the meeting we approved to spend up to $200 of club funds to rent a cabin. This would be used as a base of operations and gathering area for all CLCC folks. I have confirmed the cabin A78 (shows as a tent on the above linked map) is available and rents for $161/night. Assuming we rent the cabin for Thursday-Sunday that's $483. Take out the $200 of club funds we need to collectively come up with $283 between the members to pull this off. Since we'll be renting the cabin and using the surrounding "cabin" area to setup our tents I assume we then don't need to pay the $10/night tent camping fee. If this is the case then with 10 people dividing the remaining cost we're making out better. Plus we'll have our own bathroom/shower/kitchen/AC. Additionally, this cabin is adjacent to the area behind the gate ("North" on the map) where we were last year which if I recall had a good bit of space for tents.

If there's anyone in the club who'd like to come but doesn't do tent camping I'd be game to let them occupy the queen bedroom for a double share. This seems reasonable to me and it might bring someone out who wouldn't come otherwise. Thoughts? Any takers?

First of all I'd like to get a head count and tent count for who's planning on going. And secondly, your thoughts on this plan. It'd also might be helpful to know when you're planning on showing up.

1. @iptman - 1 person, 1 tent, arriving Wednesday. I'm up for splitting the remaining cost of a CLCC cabin.
2. @Jakes40 - 1 person, 1 tent, arriving Wednesday.
3. @76FJ40 - 1 person, 1 tent, arriving ?
4. @Von Hayek - 1 person, 1 tent, arriving Wednesday.
5.
6.
.
.
.

 

[Jakes40]

I'm going to CMCC
tent camping. (Setting up in a shaded spot till someone throws me out.)
Going up Wednesday. (I think.)

I'm bringing my daughter again this year.

 

[76FJ40]

I'll be next to Chris. I may bring my guard dog to keep the campground police away.

 

[plfj40]

Thats a good idea,
I rented a cottage (for cmcc) for me and family all the way back in february, at the time the family lodges weren't avaliable.

 

[76FJ40]

So I guess we're all camping on Tom's front yard.

 

[Von Hayek]

1 person, 1 tent. Trying to get up on Wednesday.

 

[woytovich]

Here is the info thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/cmcc-twin-grove-cabin-camping-info.861169/

 

[iptman]

Hi Mark - For those of us renting a cabin and either staying in or around it, can we get our tent camping fees back?

 

[emorth]

Some comments from the cheap seats since I can't make it this year...

Some pros & cons:

1. The camping space, or lack of camping space, is going to be an ongoing problem which may get worse if Twin Grove continues to build cabins and RV spaces.
2. The cabins are expensive and there may be conflicts with non-CMCC renters who don't want a bunch of tent campers and strange looking vehicles in their "neighborhood"
3. The drive from Rausch Creek to Twin Grove is inconvenient for those who have to trailer buggies that are not street legal
   
4. Twin Grove does have really nice bath houses with hot water, a restaurant and a store
5. Twin Grove is close to the town of Pine Grove for supplies, gas, food, etc.

Some thoughts:

1. Investigate other camp grounds in the area with lots of available camping space
   
2. Perhaps one of the local farmers would rent out a few acres for the event. This would eliminate any conflicts with non-CMCC campers. The staff at Rausch Creek may have some ideas. Offer to take the farmer off-roading.
   
3. The club voted to spend some money on a cabin. Perhaps the club should purchase some equipment for club events that involve primitive camping. For places like; Rausch Creek, camping in the farmer's field, Gore, GSMTR, Delaware beach or any other place we may wander. Things such as; water tanks, portable showers, portable water heaters, canopies, etc. would be nice to have.
   
4. For major club events renting a CLCC member only porta-potty may be a good investment. They are not that expensive.

Remember, my advice is free and you get what you pay for.
Ed

 

[woytovich]

Hi Mark - For those of us renting a cabin and either staying in or around it, can we get our tent camping fees back?

If you are IN the cabin and not camping then yes. If you ARE camping then... no.

 

[woytovich]

Some comments from the cheap seats since I can't make it this year...
.....Ed

Thanks Ed. I'm not sure there ARE any other options in the area for the event (we moved out of Echo Valley because of the general condition of the place and the lack of facilities. BUT we WILL be investigating options at TG and well as in the area... we are as unhappy as you all are at the trend to eliminate tent camping at TG... but I UNDERSTAND it. They are in business to make money and $10 a night doesn't cut it.

 

[emorth]

Yep, sometimes the real world sucks.

Just another thought... sometimes rural volunteer fire departments have several acres where they hold fund raising events like carnivals, craft shows, pumpkin patches, Christmas tree sales, etc. For a modest donation, they may let us camp there. The worst thing that could happen is a rude awakening in the middle of the night by the sirens if they get a call. After being hauled away several times in an ambulance, I don't mind being awakened by a siren, at all.

An offer to take the firefighters off-roading might convince them to let us camp there. Wishful thinking???

Good luck on your search. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

 

[woytovich]

The "problem" with a farm or FD field is...facilities... or lack thereof. I know Rausch WAS thinking of expanding tent camping but I don't know where that stands. One of the things we LIKE is havingMOST people in one place - thus the desire to work with TG to get good tent areas approved.

 

[76FJ40]

Dan and I stayed at a campground along 81 and north of Rausch. I don't recall the name but it was ok; decent showers, ok management, reasonable cost. The downside was listening to the coal truck jake brakes all night long.

 

[emorth]

The "problem" with a farm or FD field is...facilities... or lack thereof.

Understand & agree. TG used to be ideal. Maybe someone needs to present Rausch with a business case for an off-road oriented camp ground. What is the ROI for a bathhouse and a bunch of picnic tables? How much money went/goes to TG that could be going to Rausch?

One more thought regarding the fire house... some of them have halls for bingo games, banquets, wedding receptions, etc. which might work for the CMCC banquet and raffle. Just an option to TG if needed. This doesn't help with the need for the need for the other type of facilities.

Again, let me know if I can help in any way.

 

[Jakes40]

I really think we need to check it out before passing judgment. It may not be as bad as we think.
TG is nice for me and my daughter. (And any one else with kids.)There is something else they can do besides set around and listen to old People talk.

 

[76FJ40]

I really think we need to check it out before passing judgment. It may not be as bad as we think.
TG is nice for me and my daughter. (And any one else with kids.)There is something else they can do besides set around and listen to old People talk.

Yup. I'm hoping to bring Austin and he'll get bored at Rausch.

 

[bkfj40]

Dan and I stayed at a campground along 81 and north of Rausch. I don't recall the name but it was ok; decent showers, ok management, reasonable cost. The downside was listening to the coal truck jake brakes all night long.

wasn't that where we stayed for the pig run a few times? was that closer to Paragon than Rausch?

for those that haven't been to multiple campgrounds around that area, the current one is the nicest of them all. I don't mind staying at the primitive sites at Rausch. Last time I stayed there during the week, I was the only one there in the whole place....after riding in the truck all day, that shower sure feels good at a real campground.

bk

 

[76FJ40]

I do like the showers at TG but a propane powered shower at Rausch still feels good at the end of the day. I'm planning to check out the primitive sites at TG before deciding where to lay my weary head