***Gorge 2009***

[dMATTb]

Originally Posted by bustdstuff

People do it all the time. You could pack light and pack your gear or find someone to borrow a tent from. Over the course of the year plenty of people will be putting together vans and such out of Seattle too.

hmm, i have something thinking to do then. I really want to camp, but i really dont have to time to drive that far.

[ExperienceJones]

Originally Posted by dMATTb

hmm, i have something thinking to do then. I really want to camp, but i really dont have to time to drive that far.

Trust me, you will not regret making the camping happen.

It's so much fun, great atmosphere!

[newscane]

Originally Posted by dMATTb

Thats about what i expected. I really want to camp, too.

Has anyone managed to fly/camp? I guess, if you really skimped, you could fit most of your camping essentials into 1-2 extra bags. Then wait to get food/beer/ect in Washington.

Originally Posted by bustdstuff

People do it all the time. You could pack light and pack your gear or find someone to borrow a tent from. Over the course of the year plenty of people will be putting together vans and such out of Seattle too.

As Steph said, it's very doable. Pack one suitcase with your clothing and things, and another with your camping gear (tent, and a sleeping pad/compact sleeping bag). You will wind up paying a 2nd bag fee, but as long as you're not paying a 1st bag fee too, it's not all that bad. Rent a car and buy your food in Seattle... or camp at Wildhorse, eat at the Corral Cafe, and only worry about drinks & snacks

[mbuttercup7]

I'm going to put my vacation days for labor day weekend this week at work. Those days go fast, obviously, so I gotta do it now. I waited until two weeks before last year and they said I couldn't do it. Grr...but I found someone to trade shifts with me.

It's crazy how excited I get about gorge over the course of the ENTIRE year!!

[mbuttercup7]

Originally Posted by newscane

As Steph said, it's very doable. Pack one suitcase with your clothing and things, and another with your camping gear (tent, and a sleeping pad/compact sleeping bag). You will wind up paying a 2nd bag fee, but as long as you're not paying a 1st bag fee too, it's not all that bad. Rent a car and buy your food in Seattle... or camp at Wildhorse, eat at the Corral Cafe, and only worry about drinks & snacks

Or you can also buy gear there and give it to away before you go.

The people camping next to us last year came from Conneticut (I think) and gave away their coolers and stuff they didn't have room for.

[ExperienceJones]

I can't wait to drive over to the gorge and see the statues of the wild horses welcoming me to the columbia river!

[mbuttercup7]

I HAVE to stop at that monument this year! I've wanted to do it every year, but don't have the patience, I just want to get to the campground and start unloading.

[Point202]

Originally Posted by dMATTb

Thats about what i expected. I really want to camp, too.

Has anyone managed to fly/camp? I guess, if you really skimped, you could fit most of your camping essentials into 1-2 extra bags. Then wait to get food/beer/ect in Washington.

We're coming from Pittsburgh. There is NO way we are going to drive all that way - so we will be attempting the fly/camp thing. It'll be a challenge - but I'm looking forward to it!

[ExperienceJones]

Originally Posted by mbuttercup7

I HAVE to stop at that monument this year! I've wanted to do it every year, but don't have the patience, I just want to get to the campground and start unloading.

I love the site of those horses, I've never stopped either but it always puts a huge smile on my face when I see them. I think it's an absolutely gorgeous piece of art.

Maybe we should do a big Ants Post-Gorge picture there, that'd be pretty sweet.

[jesspc]

Originally Posted by ExperienceJones

Maybe we should do a big Ants Post-Gorge picture there, that'd be pretty sweet.

Post-Gorge pictures are not pretty.

[Steady37]

Originally Posted by jesspc

Post-Gorge pictures are not pretty.

i would have to agree with you there we all look a bit haggard by the end of the weekend a bunch of us ants met at the monument last year before heading over to wildhorse so we could camp together, i know there was a hiking adventure to the top of the hill and i believe mayor toups got onto one of the horses...

[jesspc]

Originally Posted by Steady37

i would have to agree with you there we all look a bit haggard by the end of the weekend a bunch of us ants met at the monument last year before heading over to wildhorse so we could camp together, i know there was a hiking adventure to the top of the hill and i believe mayor toups got onto one of the horses...

Yeah I heard about that, I think Kevin and Brett met up with you guys before we met them down in Vantage.

I think if anything there should be a off-campus Ants meet-up at the river or something on Friday or Sunday. That way we can play flip cup for campsite bragging rights.

[Point202]

Originally Posted by jesspc

I think if anything there should be a off-campus Ants meet-up at the river or something on Friday or Sunday. That way we can play flip cup for campsite bragging rights.

I think this is a great idea!

[burnedpig]

Originally Posted by mbuttercup7

I HAVE to stop at that monument this year! I've wanted to do it every year, but don't have the patience, I just want to get to the campground and start unloading.

This is the way I feel about everything there.

We always say; "lets go to the river!" Then we just stay at camp. "lets go do _____!" Then we just stay at camp Usually cause we're already so happy.

[dMATTb]

Originally Posted by Point202

We're coming from Pittsburgh. There is NO way we are going to drive all that way - so we will be attempting the fly/camp thing. It'll be a challenge - but I'm looking forward to it!

Good deal. Maybe as the shows get closer we can bounce ideas off each other.

[Point202]

Originally Posted by dMATTb

Good deal. Maybe as the shows get closer we can bounce ideas off each other.

Absolutely

[canes101190]

Originally Posted by Point202

We're coming from Pittsburgh. There is NO way we are going to drive all that way - so we will be attempting the fly/camp thing. It'll be a challenge - but I'm looking forward to it!

Yeah I'm coming from Arizona but my friends are coming from Arkansas and Florida (all at different universities obviously) so we're all in the same boat

[blsc1121]

Originally Posted by jennie75

dude, whose gonna represent for oh high oh??

I shall hand pick a temporary replacement for this one unfortunate year. They will be the interim commissioner for me. Then I shall return in full glory next year.

[blsc1121]

Originally Posted by dMATTb

Thats about what i expected. I really want to camp, too.

Has anyone managed to fly/camp? I guess, if you really skimped, you could fit most of your camping essentials into 1-2 extra bags. Then wait to get food/beer/ect in Washington.

It's easy to do...I fit all my camping stuff in one suitcase and clothes/essentials in another. I just packed a tarp, tent, sleeping bag, lantern, rope, trash bags, and a few other small items I could fit. I then bought beer at a grocery store and I also bought a folding chair for less than $10 and a few other small heavier things at a Target. While I didn't have my canopy and all the luxuries, it was still more than enough to have a great time. It's a lot easier to fit stuff than you think it will be. Also, unless you are on a very strict budget, I wouldn't even bother buying any food beyond a few snacks. They have a great cafe place at the campground that varies their menu and is really tasty. I ate there for every meal and was very satisfied.

[blsc1121]

Originally Posted by jesspc

I'll wear my Greg Oden Blazers jersey, is that close enough?

If you go next year I'll bring my Greg Oden OSU jersey and we can be matching buddies.

[blsc1121]

Originally Posted by ExperienceJones

The lots are a ghost town. You can park and then walk over to the campground and mingle and party if you want, i'd suggest that if you plan on not camping.

I wouldn't say a ghost town....Alpine? no, but there are still quite a few people. It's pretty equal to weak normal lot. I went over a little early on N1 and N3 and met up with some people who camped further away and had to drive in and we had a good time. We saw Rashawn driving around in a golf cart both nights which was cool.

[blsc1121]

Originally Posted by jesspc

Yeah I heard about that, I think Kevin and Brett met up with you guys before we met them down in Vantage.

I think if anything there should be a off-campus Ants meet-up at the river or something on Friday or Sunday. That way we can play flip cup for campsite bragging rights.

Brad, Jessica, Katie, and I did the river on one of the afternoons. It is highly recommended. We had a great time and even stopped at a couple scenic places along the way to take pictures and hang out. It was really beautiful country.

[ExperienceJones]

Morning all my gorge people.

[Point202]

Originally Posted by blsc1121

It's easy to do...I fit all my camping stuff in one suitcase and clothes/essentials in another. I just packed a tarp, tent, sleeping bag, lantern, rope, trash bags, and a few other small items I could fit. I then bought beer at a grocery store and I also bought a folding chair for less than $10 and a few other small heavier things at a Target. While I didn't have my canopy and all the luxuries, it was still more than enough to have a great time. It's a lot easier to fit stuff than you think it will be. Also, unless you are on a very strict budget, I wouldn't even bother buying any food beyond a few snacks. They have a great cafe place at the campground that varies their menu and is really tasty. I ate there for every meal and was very satisfied.

Thanks for the tips! I am very glad that Wildhorse has a restaurant - one of the big reasons I'm staying there over the Gorge campground.

[burnedpig]

Originally Posted by Point202

Thanks for the tips! I am very glad that Wildhorse has a restaurant - one of the big reasons I'm staying there over the Gorge campground.

There is a pretty pronounced "food" aisle at the campgrounds. Alot of people selling various foods at all hours. I really don't know why I quoted foods?

[ExperienceJones]

Originally Posted by burnedpig

There is a pretty pronounced "food" aisle at the campgrounds. Alot of people selling various foods at all hours. I really don't know why I quoted foods?

I love making my own grub at the Gorge, cooking up some good old breakfast burritos and what not. Can't wait!

[Point202]

Yeah, me too. But coming from Pittsburgh we won't be able to bring along cook gear, and I don't want to buy new and have to leave it there. Wildhorse is going to be the place for me. I have dietary needs (hypoglycemia) which will be much easier to manage with an easy place to get three square meals a day

[ExperienceJones]

Originally Posted by Point202

Yeah, me too. But coming from Pittsburgh we won't be able to bring along cook gear, and I don't want to buy new and have to leave it there. Wildhorse is going to be the place for me. I have dietary needs (hypoglycemia) which will be much easier to manage with an easy place to get three square meals a day

From Pittsburgh, eh? You'll be able to find my site - we fly a big 12th man flag from the Seahawks, damn steelers....

I still weep over super bowl XL, no i'm over it...maybe...

[Point202]

Originally Posted by ExperienceJones

From Pittsburgh, eh? You'll be able to find my site - we fly a big 12th man flag from the Seahawks, damn steelers....

I still weep over super bowl XL, no i'm over it...maybe...

Do you need a tissue?

[burnedpig]

Originally Posted by ExperienceJones

I love making my own grub at the Gorge, cooking up some good old breakfast burritos and what not. Can't wait!

Morning meals and post show meals are