Gulf State Park DIS Meet 2019 (Episode 4)

Ed, Arnold is makimg reservations May 21 to 27, 2020 & we wil take site #4., but not available right now. Was their a decision on Dismeet 2020 @ the Fort. Do we make our own reservations? Will we have a contact that you have been speaking to for a group/loop sites & give them our info & $$.
 
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Been meaning to post a picture of our site, same site as last year, the good company I was in is starting to thin out. Wish I had a dollar for every time someone walked by and asked cif I had a big enough truck", I mess with them and say "nah I left the big truck at home".

What was better was sitting at my site just in front of you where people make the left turn and are suddenly facing that big Pete. The jaw dropping looks were priceless.
 
So during our stay we got to take a tour at the NAS museum. It was a very nice time, and I got some nice pictures, of course while there we crossed paths with Tiggerdad and DD.
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After spending the day there we headed back to the campsite where I was asked to do some more photography. Here is a preview of that session.
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Time to get ready for our travels tomorrow.

I like how Madison's picture has the "Rescue" indicator pointing right at her head.:rotfl2:
 


Well Dismeet 4 in over for me. I am now home safe. Showered and relaxing. The picture above is on the way home making a dinner and fuel stop at you guessed it Buccees. Some were asking about the clearances at the pumps. As you can see plenty of room on the side for another camper and the pump islands are double spaced apart so I'm clear of the driveway in between them. I went light on food and got the fresh made chicken wrap ($6) so I could eat and drive. I was running much later and would now get home in total darkness. No fun backing a 5ver in a curve up small hill into a dark driveway and not hit the house. Yeah it took 5 adjustments before I gave up and left it mostly in the driveway. Did I mention that I am exhausted. It took over 6 hours off and on today to load up. Taking breaks every 30 mins to be able to stand up. Normally it takes no more than two hours.

As I previously posted I came down sick Sunday evening with fever and chills while the girls were at the concert. By Monday I had what I think was full on Flu. As a result of severe weakness and no sleep I could barely get around so I missed out on what I know was some fun times. Finally on Weds evening I got a little energy back and that gave me the drive to get out today some how.

Pulling out later I got to catch everyone and say my goodbyes proper. Except Bert & Chris. You guys were long gone when I came by you site at 9:00 yesterday. Glad you made it home safe. It was awesome seeing old friends and making new ones. BishopArc it was a pleasure to finally meet you and your wife. I'm sure we'll do it again somewhere. Judyfun I think we waved once or twice but I didn't know it was you. I did try to visit you a couple of times but you were out. Hopefully we'll cross paths again. Gloria and Arnold sorry you could not make it. I will be praying for you Arnold. I hope you treatment is easy and as successful as they tell me mine will be. Michael I will pray for you and your family as you bury your Grandmother. I know you said she is at peace in heaven now but it still hurts.

Finally Thank You Everyone for the help and concerns for me. I felt bad staying away but I wouldn't have been liked if I passed this plague on to the group. I wish everyone safe travels home. I won't be camping at either of the Dismeets in 2020. I made plans to return to my annual Smoky Mountain bike trips this time in May 2020 and I am a big Disney Halloween camper so that is booked already. If I make one of the meets it will just be a day trip to socialize. Instead of Goodbye I will say See Ya Real Soon. The Flametamr is out.
 
Ed, Arnold is makimg reservations May 21 to 27, 2020 & we wil take site #4., but not available right now. Was their a decision on Dismeet 2020 @ the Fort. Do we make our own reservations? Will we have a contact that you have been speaking to for a group/loop sites & give them our info & $$.

Okay Gloria you and Arnold can have site #4. I will get with you in the future to work out the how-to's and what-for's. It's not available because I still have both it and #5.

And yes, we did ask for some contract changes on the Oct 2020 DISMeet and received those as of yesterday. I will have some info to post on the main Camping Board Sunday or early next week with details. You will make your own reservations on a form and send that to the Travel Agent managing our group. One night's deposit is required. Watch for details on the main Camping board probably early next week. But it is a "GO" and there is no rush to make the reservation since we have an acceptable contract now.

So last night Bishoparc and DW had folks over to their site as he posted above to chat and cook a "camping cone" which I did. It was a sugar rush! It's a waffle ice cream cone filled with marshmallow, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips, and wrapped in foil and placed in the fire coals for a few minutes only. It was hot and gooey and delish! And our hosts have a beautiful waterfront campsite.

This morning despite a brief break for a few raindrops from a passing overhead cloud, the 1,000 piece puzzle was completed about 830am. Me, Southalabama5er, Bishoparc-and-DW polished it off. Glad we had all the pieces.



A big shout out also goes to PaHunter's DW who brought us the banana chocolate chip bread every morning they were here. I came to look forward to that (chilled and pre-sliced) in the morning along with my diet Coke.

My biggest decision of today is where to go for lunch. tiggerdad, Gulf Island Grill is in the running as is King Neptune's. I also finished my book yesterday and it was very enjoyable to sit outside at my site in the afternoons and read while listening to the birds and wave at folks biking and walking by. Makes me wonder why I don't do that at home... This afternoon I will be packing up as much as possible in order to get away as early as possible with the goal of getting back home by noon Saturday.

I've greatly enjoyed this year's Gulf DISMeet #4 and it sounds like a relative few of us may still be here next year. We've met some new DIS folks and did miss the those that had to cancel close in (Mike and Arnold/Glo).

So not saying farewell yet but by this time tomorrow we will be halfway home.

Ed :cool2:

PS - I heard a rumor that Patrick was cooking tonight.
 
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Well Dismeet 4 in over for me. I am now home safe. Showered and relaxing. The picture above is on the way home making a dinner and fuel stop at you guessed it Buccees. Some were asking about the clearances at the pumps. As you can see plenty of room on the side for another camper and the pump islands are double spaced apart so I'm clear of the driveway in between them. I went light on food and got the fresh made chicken wrap ($6) so I could eat and drive. I was running much later and would now get home in total darkness. No fun backing a 5ver in a curve up small hill into a dark driveway and not hit the house. Yeah it took 5 adjustments before I gave up and left it mostly in the driveway. Did I mention that I am exhausted. It took over 6 hours off and on today to load up. Taking breaks every 30 mins to be able to stand up. Normally it takes no more than two hours.

As I previously posted I came down sick Sunday evening with fever and chills while the girls were at the concert. By Monday I had what I think was full on Flu. As a result of severe weakness and no sleep I could barely get around so I missed out on what I know was some fun times. Finally on Weds evening I got a little energy back and that gave me the drive to get out today some how.

Pulling out later I got to catch everyone and say my goodbyes proper. Except Bert & Chris. You guys were long gone when I came by you site at 9:00 yesterday. Glad you made it home safe. It was awesome seeing old friends and making new ones. BishopArc it was a pleasure to finally meet you and your wife. I'm sure we'll do it again somewhere. Judyfun I think we waved once or twice but I didn't know it was you. I did try to visit you a couple of times but you were out. Hopefully we'll cross paths again. Gloria and Arnold sorry you could not make it. I will be praying for you Arnold. I hope you treatment is easy and as successful as they tell me mine will be. Michael I will pray for you and your family as you bury your Grandmother. I know you said she is at peace in heaven now but it still hurts.

Finally Thank You Everyone for the help and concerns for me. I felt bad staying away but I wouldn't have been liked if I passed this plague on to the group. I wish everyone safe travels home. I won't be camping at either of the Dismeets in 2020. I made plans to return to my annual Smoky Mountain bike trips this time in May 2020 and I am a big Disney Halloween camper so that is booked already. If I make one of the meets it will just be a day trip to socialize. Instead of Goodbye I will say See Ya Real Soon. The Flametamr is out.
Glad you made it home safely! Thank you for Arnold’s prayers as we have you in ours. So sorry we missed the dismeet, truck still has no part to be found. We plan on going to GS May 2020. We will be @ the Fort for Halloween 10/23 for 2 weeks. Take care & see you real soon!!
 


Sad news. Unfortunately the are recovering a body found in Lake Shelby this morning. My friends and family started checking on me. Prayers for the person and their family.
 
Well day 2 of the travels home and we are at our destination for this evening. We had a couple slow downs today also, one at 24 and another later on. We of course also lost an hour after being on the road this morning. (changed back to Eastern time) Hit some pretty severe lightning and rain storms for the last hour today, but the sun is out currently.
Buccee's was very interesting, I mean they have everything you might have forgotten, fire pit, smoker, wood pellets, shirts, blankets, stuff animals, housewares. We of course did not fuel there as we did not have another 3 days of vacation to spend filling my tanks.
Tomorrow is up early and on the road for the final leg of our journey and arrival home, about 5.5 hours of driving time.
Everyone traveling, stay safe we will do the same.
 
Lunch update from today: Gulf Island Grill was the choice.

DW got Mango BBQ Shrimp (from the appetizer menu) which was tasty:



and for dessert she got a slice of chocolate turtle pie.

I went for the Ya Ya and it did not disappoint. It is shrimp, chicken, and sausage in a sauce with peppers and onions diced up and served over rice.



During lunch we reminisced about our old favorite places to eat that are no more in Gulf Shores.

1. Coconut Willie's (about where Gulf Island Grill is - along that stretch of Beach HIghway)
2. Sunplace Else (Caribbean flavors with a New Orleans flare) in a small mobile home on West Beach
3. The Spot (good, cheap kids meals served on an upside down logo frisbee) and adult food was good too.

Outside stuff is packed in the 'Burban. Tomorrow morning will be a Throw-and-Go (throw the rest in the car and go home).

Ed

PS - anyone who would like to join, Bishoparc, friendofeeyore/grumpyaggie, and myself here next year around Memorial Day weekend 2020 and the ensuing week, make a reservation NOW (or sooner rather than later) and we will carry on.
 
I was a complete slug today. I slept till 7:30. I was supposed to be up at 5:30 and run 6 miles. I did not even walk into work. I took an early lunch and managed to get my 6 miles done in the heat, but hey no yellow flies. Doing laundry and working. Mallory is pretty tired too. She did not sleep much yesterday during the drive.

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Well of course Mallory slept in. Did you forget how much it takes to be the Belle of the Ball and the Center of Everyone's WORLD AND ATTENTION. Then you take her from where she has round the clock adoration and she went into a state of shock.
As for you there is only 1 acceptable excuse and even that passes muster by the slimmest margin HOW MANY MILES DID YOU DRIVE on the way home.
Chris took a great photo of her.
 
Home by noon today. Pulled out of GSP at 630am. Drove past Patrick's site and we exchanged waves so he can vouch for me.

It was a good relaxing trip for me and DW. We are grateful that we renewed old friendships and made new ones.

Next camping trip for me is Labor Day weekend at my little CoE campground here near home.

Some good ideas brewing for the Fort Wilderness DISMeet 2020. We will carry that discussion to the main board in a few days.

If you want to come next year, here is the link for Gulf State Park. Click the "Book Campground Reservations Now" link.

Gulf State Park Main Page

ED

PS - leaving early has its benefits. Went out Beach Highway to 59 up to County Road 4 to the Express to I-10 and only caught two red lights. And cheapest gas from Gulf Shores to Montgomery is still in Bay Minette just off I-65.
 
We got home around 9:30.

DW & I cant say enough how much we enjoyed meeting everyone. It felt like meeting a bunch of celebrities after following everyone for so long on the boards.

HUGE shoutout to @bama_ed for organizing these meets. We absolutely cannot wait for the meet at the Fort!! Thanks to everyone for their kindness, fellowship, and all the wonderful food that was shared!
 
I'll finish up with the safely home posts.

We pulled out right at 7. Ed was already gone and I didn't see Bishoparc out. Good drive home, other than 5 potty breaks. A little traffic in B'ham due to a fender bender in the left lane, but otherwise no drama. Even Nashville wasn't bad. We rolled in here at 7:30pm. The odometer said 794 miles and 9.5 mpg. Not as good as the trip down, but we had a cross wind most of the way through AL.

And wouldn't you know it, big thunderstorms were brewing as we drove across central Illinois. We could see the lightening in the distance the closer we got and it cut loose about 30 minutes after we got home.

j
 
Glad you made it home before the rain came, Jim.

ED
 
A few wrap-up items from the Gulf DISMeet 4 this past year at Gulf State Park.

I have re-habbed my destroyed puzzle pieces (the ones that Flametamr found that had been outside for days and run over repeatedly). A little glue, a little pressure, letting it set overnight, and the pieces are good as new. The puzzle has been de-constructed, put in a gallon Zip-Loc, and stored away for another day.

My strategy of wearing some light long clothes in the evening for the yellow flies appears to have paid off. I had bought a light athletic long sleeve shirt for arm protection and some thin long pajama bottoms for leg protection (didn't choose the attractive BatMan bottoms) and I had much fewer bights after returning home. Of course, wearing long sleeves and pants during the dinner hour through sunset may have looked weird (or else it's just me? :confused3 ) but it cut down on the bug bites. And I can't always count on Randy, Patrick, or Nic with the salt guns to zap the flies as they like to do (have to see it to believe it).

Those were good memories in my rearview mirror.

ED

PS - and having DW by my side with a hair trigger finger on the Deep Woods OFF spray can helped too....
 

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