Author Topic: Summer 2012 Kick-Off update (Read 19185 times)

OleRed · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2012, 04:57:07 PM »

Me Too ... I just called the girl and so far I am the only reservation at the camp ground ?
I'm kinda like you Barb, I hope we can all be together in a group somewhere, she said it's a half mile or so from the campground to the boat slips.

OleRed · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2012, 04:59:54 PM »

but, ya know what Barb ... we might be spoiled, down here we can camp, eat, look at the boats, and be on the dock and not have to walk more than a hundred yards all day.

dorelse · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2012, 05:44:32 PM »

I'll let Dan answer...but...tent camping is in the State Park (and they have a couple (4?) basic basic cabins). RV's, Cabins, and Lodge rooms are at the Resort. They are separated by a bay of water.

It used to be 1 park, called Honey Creek State Park, then about 5 years ago, the State of IA, spent around $200 Million to carve out the 'Resort' side, and its beautiful...its also very big. Designed to give everyone space.

Maybe this will help?

OleRed · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2012, 06:28:50 PM »

Where are you going to be staying Doran, and how about you Jason ?

dorelse · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2012, 07:33:04 PM »

Quote from: OleRed on January 12, 2012, 06:28:50 PM

Where are you going to be staying Doran, and how about you Jason ?

I am leaning towards renting one of the RV sites and one of the RV campers, from this site:

http://www.rathbunrvrentals.com/

BUT...for $119/nite, at the Lodge, that's a pretty good discount for prime summer night. (I've paid $229/night before...)

If we had a number of RV's coming, I'm sure they'll give us an 'area', and we could use that as 'home base' during the day & evenings, then folks could split to their own 'beds'.

I'm flexible, but leaning towards the RV's...something to be said for a campfire at night...with an AC'd camper waiting near by.

WetRaider · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2012, 07:43:20 PM »

Doran's right on. If you use Google Maps, you can see the State Park covers both sides of Honey Creek. The campgrounds are on the peninsula, RV sites, cottages and main lodge on the north of Honey Creek. They are separate by about 4 miles of asphalt, but less than 90 seconds by boat. I'm assuming most of you are bringing the boats? The lodge side has the slips, the restaurant, the water park, etc.

I'll drive out either tomorrow or this weekend and see if I can't get some pictures to load up on here. For now, I'm thinking the giant fire-pit ring would make a good meeting place. The larger ramp is at the campground side, but the beach and the slips are within site of the fire-pit.

Another FYI. The Crappie Masters National Qualifier is also on Rathbun that weekend. It is only a 1-day tournament here. I've talked with the President of the Crappie Masters Tournament and neither of anticipate any problem with sharing the lake. He expects about 70 boats, in teams of two. They'll be fishing from 6 am 'til 2:30. As a fisherman myself, I anticipate they'll be seeking water in the 7-15 foot depth range. They have to be in line for weigh-in by 3:30. Our boat parade is the only organized event for all of us on the water during that time, our beach party/public viewing for favorite boat awards is 12-3. This is the reason for limited slips discounts at Honey Creek - they are listed on the Crappie Masters site as the "host lodging," BUT, weigh-in and hq for the Crappie Masters event is at the marina in Buck Creek. Buck Creek is separated from the main lake by a narrow, no wake channel.

dorelse · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2012, 08:48:21 PM »

Don't know if this helps...but here's kind of the general layout:

Tmstibbe · « **Reply #27 on:** January 12, 2012, 11:49:57 PM »

I have a "basic basic" cabin rented at the state park campground @ $35 a night. It is a house keeping cabin with beds and refrigerator. (bring your own bedding) No bathroom, but the bathrooms and shower building is nearby and shared with tent campers. I secured the cabin a couple of months ago, and after my rental, there was 1 remaining of the 4 available cabins. These cabins are adjacent to tent camping. If the weather went wild, we will have a roof to share.
Tom Stibbe
La Crosse, WI
1991 CSS19 teal and white

dorelse · « **Reply #28 on:** January 13, 2012, 12:24:57 AM »

Boy Tom, hope you didn't take that the wrong way...I've actually heard they're clean and well kept.

WetRaider · « **Reply #29 on:** January 15, 2012, 05:51:58 PM »

OK - I made it out to the Resort & State Park this weekend ... took some pictures with a dinky Sony point & shoot digital camera ... I will make several postings here and try to group the pictures so that I can offer a brief description.
The following is my "Truth in Advertising" disclaimer ... walking around out there on a windy winter day, this place is spread out. It's a 9.5 mile drive from the RV Sites on the Resort Side to the Campsites on the State Park side. The State Park side has amazing ramp facilities. The Resort side, just a skinny 2-lane ramp that is awaiting spring thaw for re-installation of the courtesy dock.

This first post shows a panorama of the Resort Beach - proposed location for our beach party and boat vote, the resort slips (42 total available, only the first 5 at half price ... I'd only recommend if staying at the main lodge), and a very nice pavilion (the downside here is that the pavilion is isolated ... nearly everyone would have to drive to it).

See Next Post for more info & pictures.

WetRaider · « **Reply #30 on:** January 15, 2012, 05:59:55 PM »

Here we go with ramp facilities photos.
The first photo was taken from the top of the campsites ramp on the State Park side. Tons of parking, 6-lanes of ramp with floating courtesy dock.
2nd image shows the 6-lane campsites ramp from the edge of the resort beach.
3rd image shows the basic cabins where member Tom Stibbe has made his reservation. These are situated at the edge of two rows of campsites on the State Park side. It appeared to me that the State Park campsites can accommodate an RV as well - I will contact the State Park and Iowa DNR to find out. These campsites are 1.25 miles from the large 6-lane boat ramp.

WetRaider · « **Reply #31 on:** January 15, 2012, 06:04:28 PM »

Final set ...
All three photos here are the two lane ramp situated at the end of the RV sites on the Resort side. The first photo was taken from the top of the 6-lane ramp on the State Park side, The other two taken from the 2-lane ramp @ the RV sites.

Jason · « **Reply #32 on:** January 16, 2012, 07:18:14 AM »

FANCY PANTS!

OleRed · « **Reply #33 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:33:00 PM »

looks like a nice place, so, if the campgrounds fit my little rv, I'm inclined to cancel my reservation at the lodge area and stay over there

dorelse · « **Reply #34 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:38:05 PM »

Quote from: OleRed on January 16, 2012, 08:33:00 PM

looks like a nice place, so, if the campgrounds fit my little rv, I'm inclined to cancel my reservation at the lodge area and stay over there

Would that be the 'man van'? We've seen in the pictures?

OleRed · « **Reply #35 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:44:22 PM »

yes, thats it, believe it or not, that old van has a prophane system, two burner stove, refrigerator, back seat makes a bed, a/c d/c lighting, personal fan's, a place for the porta pot. It has a 318 motor, gets pretty good gas milage.

dorelse · « **Reply #36 on:** January 16, 2012, 08:54:44 PM »

Sounds like a plan!

I didn't realize that the Park cabins had AC...thought they were 'Cooled by Nature'...I might end up camping with you guys. We'll see...depends on whether the family's coming with or not.

Jerry · « **Reply #37 on:** January 17, 2012, 03:05:42 AM »

If the boat's done I'll be there. Like Red I bring my own bed. (4 burner stove)

Jason · « **Reply #38 on:** January 17, 2012, 09:37:22 AM »

Quote from: Jerry on January 17, 2012, 03:05:42 AM

If the boat's done............

What do mean Jerry? It's like 6 months away!!

WetRaider · « **Reply #39 on:** January 18, 2012, 02:26:55 PM »

More Info !!

For clarity in discussion, I will refer to the portion of Honey Creek north of the water as the "Resort Side," and the portion south of the water as the "State Park Side."
The 6-Lane Ramp is on the "State Park Side."

The "State Park Side" campsites will accommodate RV's as well as tent campers. This will allow much of the group to remain together. The full-hookup sites (water, sewer & electric) are $19.00 per night. The electric only sites are $16.00 per night. Significantly more affordable than the "Resort Side," but they will not come with any passes for the water park (for those of you bringing any children) ... the resort water park is $10 or $12 for a day pass. There is no launch fee for the ramps on either side, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sells a daily launch permit for $3.00 for the other ramps around the lake. The "State Park Side" has north campsites and south campsites. The south campsites are the full-hookup, the north are electric. There is no distinction between RV and tent campsites ... the fee is the same. There is a large parking area adjacent to the north campsites that will accommodate the boat trailers, cars, etc. The 4 basic cabins and restroom/shower facilities are located immediately adjacent to the north campsites as well. The "State Park" side does patrol at night and officially closes the park at 10:30 pm.

The State Park office has been informed of our event and will attempt to keep everyone in our group together. When making a reservation, identify yourself as a Classic Glastron Owners Association member attending the Run On Rathbun event. In total, there are more than 100 campsites available on the "State Park Side" ... we should have plenty of room.
For reservations on the "State Park Side," call 1-877-427-2757.

I will make up a comprehensive information sheet and make it available as a .pdf - I'll put a labeled map in with it.