Whew! What a busy week leading up to the faire. This is my 20th season working and probably the busiest for me. I have some more time now to engage in discussion.
Mike did a great job of greeting campers, new and old, making them feel welcome.
We are looking for feedback, good or bad, about the campground.
Do you like the changes?
New rules for noise? Ravers were there for sure and shut off promptly at midnight.
What can we do to make the camping experience better for everyone?
Some things we are working on this week are: more signs for the exit, more dumpsters and porta-pots where needed, streamlining the pass and ticket sales, and some other small tweaks.
I will address responses as I can...
Camp was great! It will take some getting used to, seeing people camping in what was once parking. I would glance over there and think to myself 'oh they are gonna get in trouble for that' lol.
I loved it! After all the horrible stories I've heard, I was very surprised with how amazing my camping experience was. I was kinda sad the showers weren't up and running, but I completely understood and was able to take a rub down shower in my tent.
Well... long and short, bad noisy neighbors Friday night, we moved, then perfect.
We pulled in near the southern edge of QFC, where we usually camp. The neighbors up the hill were a bit rowdy (read drunk, but having fun, no mischief) early on, then quieted down after 2 or 3 o'clock Sat. morning. The ones downhill from us, unfortunately, were plain old loud and rowdy until about 4:30 a.m.. Not that they were drunk or screaming at the top of their lungs like elsewhere in camp, but just cutting up very loudly later than considerate people usually do. We couldn't sleep INSIDE our RV, with ear plugs in. Needless to say, we broke camp and moved further into QFC the next morning. Interestingly, the rowdy ones gave us a dirty look as WE left!
The new amenities were outstanding. Loved the new store, potable water gets 2 thumbs up, and security response time was excellent.
We also have some 'concerns' (read as gripes), we will cogitate these for a bit and post later.
All in all, good time.
Stalk well...
Our group camped in the same spot we've been using for years (G-20 on the old grid system), and were quite happy with our situation. If there were ravers about, they weren't anywhere near us. On one side we had our usual neighbors, the Motleigh, although their group seemed a bit smaller than usual. Behind us were a couple of small camps, just one or two folks and a family; and on the other side of us was a small group that we noticed some early on Friday, but by the time the last of our crew decided to camp with us instead of sub-zero & pulled their motor home in, well, it effectively blocked anything from the folks on that side. Our big concern was that our spot is now right on the main entry road, so dust and traffic noise was a concern, but we didn't have a bit of trouble, aside from the usual dust.
The folks behind us, and a group a bit farther behind them did leave their trash bags hanging from trees, which I thought was thoughtless & stupid, especially given that they had a flatbed trailer on which they could have stacked the 2 bags & dropped them at any of the several trash collection points on their way out.
The only complaint any of our group had was that the map marking system was kind of confusing, and that we'd like to see a meld of the old grid system and the "area" system being used now, as well as better marking of the areas from the road. As our group leader was driving around late Saturday afternoon to scope out available areas if we decided we want to move on other trips, they only saw 3 signs marking areas. Even if a melded map included only the row numbers, it would be helpful. Also, if there was a marker at the entry to the various rows, even marking every 5th row or something, to give people some ballpark idea of where they might be, especially since the landscape changes quite drastically even in a half hour, light or dark, between Friday evening and Saturday evening. On Saturday morning we had a young woman come to our camp looking for the "moo group" and Thorin's. Since my phone had no service down there, I couldn't get on the forums to check, but I kind of recalled that they might be over in the single digit numbered rows, and sent her that direction.
Folks, please jot down your comments (positive, negative, suggestive, etc.) at the Quickie Mart at the campgrounds entrance if you don't want to post here. We will review and make a master list of concerns. Just to address a few of the comments from this past weekend;
A. Hot showers - This needs a few support items: Water source (available), electric/gas water heaters (need to add the electric/gas supply), septic system (needs digging of leach bed and septic tank). This links to the near future plans for a year-round RV park located to the right of the Quickie Mart entrance where the present water outlets are located.
B. Dump stations - Needs the septic system of item A.
C. Storage for trailers/RVs between weekends - This means folks would come in opening weekend and then move their trailers/RVs to the storage location Monday and then come out the following weekends to move from storage to camping location. How much would you be willing to pay?
Keep the suggestions coming.
I know dump stations would be worthwhile for everyone. I had already advised some people coming from a good distance to wait and get water for their castles at camp to conserve gas, etc. So leaving dry would be a benefit for people as well.
For me personally in regards to storage during the season... Perhaps once or twice I can see that happening but more often than not the castle needs a good scrubbing b/c a faire bomb seems to explode in there just about every weekend lol. Not sure what price I'd be willing to pay for the occasions it would be there during the week. Will have to think about that.
Definitely NOT enough signage. It's quite easy to get confused if you're used to the old routes.
Signs? I don't need no stinking signs! Well, i won't once i get that new pipe bumper i've been looking at... I'll just have to watch out for the larger trees. ;)
:D
Okay..... what is a pipe bumper? :D
Oh, oh, I know what a pipe bumper is! At least I think I do.
Kind of a big truck version of a cow catcher on a train.
Seen a few home-made ones (PVC, chrome, and even galvanized pipe) on some large pickups in HEB parking lot. They look like they do everything from ram stuff out of the way to specialized tie downs for something big enough that part of it is hanging over the cab.
You all know I don't pull punches in these matters, so take that into account. We had a great time, and though we had a cluster of ravers set up camp (McShug normal area), the police responded promptly when they went past noise curfew and got them to turn it down. Police presence during the day was a lot better than it has been in the past, and when we went back to our camp early in the afternoon we were buzzed a half-dozen times by the scooter-cops (ATV patrols), letting me know that they were on the ball this year. My toddler finally got exposed to using a privy now that she is potty trained, and I didn't have to throw an incendiary grenade into the thing to purify it before letting her near it.
Pros: Upgraded police presence and response.
Cons: miss the parking row signs we have used for years for navigation (rows 1-8, etc.)
:D :D He haz a happyzzz! :D :D
*ducks for cover*
I was not able to camp this weekend, but am wondering about the parking provided specifically for campers to drive closer to entrance. Was there plenty of parking? Did it fill up early?
Wondering ... any stats on number of campers Saturday and Sunday opening weekend?
The changes were mostly for the best thus far. Had some trouble finding the new entrance, but that was probably posted somewhere and I neglected to read about it.
The only thing I really didn't care for were the bright lights on the hotdog stand right at the bonfire. It really seems to get brighter and brighter out there ever year and I'd love to see a drop in the light pollution.
Also, THE ANTS!!! I'm not sure if it's everywhere this year, or if we just happened to pick a bad spot since another group of campers beat us to our usual camping spot (shake fist), but there were fire ants EVERYWHERE.
My poor feet :'(
Xed we missed you completely! :-[
The ants are always a problem in the area in general. Most of us bring ant killer and spread it out before setting up tents.
I've had good luck with Cedar Mulch-Natural Insect Repellent keeping ants and mosquito's away with the added advantage of having a pleasent aroma around camp.
That is interesting about the cedar. Does it work well in repelling ants? I would assume that it would need to be fresh for the best effect.
Bonny, we missed a lot of things completely this weekend (including everyone we know, SOMEHOW), unfortunately. I'll write up a post about it later tonight.
We are still planning a return for thanksgiving, though.
Great tip about the cedar, I will definitely invest for closing weekend, and ant poison as well.
Quote from: Batonrogue on October 15, 2012, 10:54:48 AM
That is interesting about the cedar. Does it work well in repelling ants? I would assume that it would need to be fresh for the best effect.
I've found it works you can buy cedar saw dust in a jug at most organic gardening stores.
Thanks! Great tip! I had not thought about cedar saw dust. There is a shop here in town that make cypress and cedar furniture. I wonder if I can get some from them.
Quote from: SirRichardBear on October 15, 2012, 08:13:32 PM
Quote from: Batonrogue on October 15, 2012, 10:54:48 AM
That is interesting about the cedar. Does it work well in repelling ants? I would assume that it would need to be fresh for the best effect.
I've found it works you can buy cedar saw dust in a jug at most organic gardening stores.
I love it! Safe, natural, and cedar smells amazing. I will definitely get some for next weekend. Thanks Bear!
No, sawdust is NOT safe, and cedar may be especially troublesome. OSHA has this to say: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/wooddustwesternredcedar/recognition.html (http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/wooddustwesternredcedar/recognition.html)
Anytime OSHA establishes a PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) for a substance, you want to be cautious using it, especially around the young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
TLDR: Cedar sawdust can cause skin irritation and difficulty breathing. Asthmatics and those with cedar allergies are especially at risk.
But do you believe that cedar is less safe than ant poison? I would think cedar sawdust would be safer than Amdro or one of the other poisons.
It would depend on the size and exposure level, wouldn't it? Ant killer in pellet form is only dangerous if ingested, while sawdust is easily inhaled if cut fine. Cedar-based mulch should be safe unless you have an existing allergy to it (use gloves).
Just talked with my clan members that were there for opening weekend. They agreed with many of the comments already posted however, everyone agreed that the privvies this year were exceptionally clean. So I thought I would share that.
Great! I hate opening a porta-loo's door to be greeted by someones idea of splatter art...
:D
Posted what happened in our camp under Mpullens Third weekend camping thread.
Had some issues, some small some more troubling..overall think it is heading in the right direction!
Quote from: Batonrogue on October 18, 2012, 11:37:38 AM
But do you believe that cedar is less safe than ant poison? I would think cedar sawdust would be safer than Amdro or one of the other poisons.
^ This
I'm bringing 2 boxes of baking soda, a bag of powdered sugar and 2 bags of cedar mulch. It's natural and it works.
With only two weekends left, I doubt it will be worth the expense. Fighting the ants is only beneficial to those who camp in the same spot every weekend. You use your preferred genocide method opening weekend and live somewhat ant free for the remaining seven. Nothing works over night. And most methods don't kill the hive, it only encourages it to move a little further away.