WA | Seeking Ideas for a Seattle Meet

[Dave Fish]

Originally Posted by k corbin

That is a pretty long drive from Seattle up to the top of the Island and then back halfway south on the Island. I was hoping the idea of this get together is that the camping is very close to Seattle otherwise why even call it a Seattle folks get together? Fort Casey is a 100 mile drive from where I am which is about the middle of Seattle north to south. Sorry but I think we ought to be able to do better than that distance wise if we are going to actually have a Seattle based get together.

Bellingham is only 87 miles away for me and few would consider that a suitable location for a Seattle meet up place as they would think it too far north.

Maybe we need to put some type of limiting factor onto the road mileage distance from a central point in Seattle such as downtown to keep things under control for drive time. When the discussion was started it was meant not to include any ferry travel. Our trailers can't travel as the crow flies so actual road mileage needs to be considered.

If other people from other towns outside of metropolitan Seattle want to show up they are of course welcome.

I'm not pushing for Fort Casey although for us it's only 5 miles. You can save a lot of mileage by taking the ferry. If you are under 30', it's only about $15 summer rate (I've been the charged under the 30 and under 40 rate depending on the toll person. We are 32').

I do like some of the mainland idea as.

[k corbin]

Concrete is 100 road trip miles from downtown Seattle, we can do better than that.

[k corbin]

Kayak point is 50 miles from Seattle. That is much more reasonable for driving distance. One hour drive time, discounting heavy traffic of course. Whidbey folks could ferry over if need be.

[Casita Greg]

It's obvious that this isn't going to be an "easy-to-put-together" event. Getting a new regional get-together off the ground is not without its growing pains.

[k corbin]

I was not defined as being a regional meet up, there are already some of those around including Vintage trailer rallies.

This was defined as a Seattle meet up which while a large area extending from Everett to the north and Tacoma to the south and Issaquah to the East is not what one would call regional other than Seattle being in the middle of it. There are regional meetups but this was intended to be a local meetup vs regional.

There are campgrounds within that geographic area or right along the edges of it that don't require ferry rides (which are not just about the money but also about the hassle of wait times on the weekends) or 100 mile long drives.

Part of the reason for wanting a local meetup vs regional is finding nearby neighbors who can lend a hand now and again with projects or give hands on tutorials, help with analyzing troubles by being there seeing it in person, etc. That is on a daily basis very useful networking plus there is always the chance for coffee dates of the type "come on over to my trailer for a visit " which is a fun afternoon break vs time required for camping events.

Sounds like there is a second zone ready for a local meetup with Whidbey, Anacortes, etc being close to each other.

[40bpm]

I'm following this with great interest. The locations already presented work for me, with Autumn of 2017 being my preferred time.

[Azurko]

I am in. I have been to Faye Bainbridge state park this year which is small but very beautiful. Depending on numbers can be a quick getaway. I would be happy to do a day meet up as well. Georgetown did a cool Van event recently, closing off the main street for parking and allowing people to wander. Could be fun to organize there again for a trailer party in city.
I have not been but Alder Lake and Mayfield lake both have good family friendly spaces.
Grayland state park has fun roundabout style campgrounds right on the beach and is year round as well. It would take some reservations but could attract some travelers.

Look forward to seeing how this comes out and I am happy to assist as in organization.
Azur
Gogocamper

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by k corbin

I was not defined as being a regional meet up, there are already some of those around including Vintage trailer rallies.

This was defined as a Seattle meet up which while a large area extending from Everett to the north and Tacoma to the south and Issaquah to the East is not what one would call regional other than Seattle being in the middle of it. There are regional meetups but this was intended to be a local meetup vs regional.

I don't agree with "your definition" at all. It was never originally proposed as a Seattle event. It was proposed as a Puget Sound region event for folks in the greater Puget Sound region. And I for one would rather avoid Seattle proper, and anything within spitting distance of Seattle, due to the terrible traffic congestion.

[chetandren]

I'm very much interested in this meet-up. My vote would be for Kayak after the Labor Day weekend. Also if you need volunteers, I could be available.

[Casita Greg]

Originally Posted by Azurko

Grayland state park has fun roundabout style campgrounds right on the beach and is year round as well. It would take some reservations but could attract some travelers. Azur
Gogocamper

Grayland Beach was the site of the very first WA get-together, which is the same one that is now held at Taidnapum. I personally spearheaded that original get-together back in 2008. And, FWIW, Grayland Beach is, and would be, an excellent venue to consider for this group as well. JMHO

[Kai in Seattle]

Original #1 post:


WA
Seeking Ideas for a Seattle Meet


Hi, all,

Interested in a Seattle-area fiberglass trailer meet-up?


We've had a number of suggestions on a different thread, including:

Deception Pass State Park Oak Harbor Island
Kayak Point State Park
Wenburg County Park
Denny Creek Campground in the National Forest By North Bend

And then there are the suggestions that require a ferry ride or a long drive-around. We'd prefer NOT to do either. Think "Seattle"



Questions include:

1. WHEN (avoiding other local meets and gatherings)
2. WHERE (park recommendations should include # of sites and utilities
offered, as well as any special features like a waterfront)
3. FACILITIES needed
4. ACTIVITIES preferred
5. NAME of gathering

ALL replies will e considered!
Also, if anyone else out there would be interested in hosting this, please let me know!

BEST
Kai
(Kathleen & Paul near Renton which is near Seattle




I hear you about not liking Seattle traffic, so perhaps inside the city limits wouldn't be best, BUT I think within 25-50 miles of Seattle would be closer to the original intent here.


Grayland Beach is super, so is Pacific Beach (!), BUT that's hardly the Seattle area.


The Puget Sound region as well isn't over on the open coast.


I was hoping for something relatively close to Seattle, so we could get there in under an hour or so.


Denny Creek was only about an hour's drive, but it is a small park with only 15 electric hook-ups and no water hook-ups, no showers, etc. the group area only takes 7 rigs.


Anyway, we're getting a great list of ideas and let's keep at this.

[Casita Greg]

I understand your desire to have it closer to home, but whatever you decide, (for me anyway,) sites with full hook-ups would be the only way I'd go. No hook-ups, I'm out, and I think that you will find it to be quite difficult to find enough sites with those amenities close to Seattle. I don't boondock, but don't let it stop the rest of you. I know a lot of people enjoy it that way, and some even prefer it, but it's not my cup of tea. FWIW

[Kai in Seattle]

Casita Greg--


You're the first one to address that question, thank you!
Do you include sewer hook up as well in the needed column?


What about for a one-day event?
Would you still need full hook-up or could you do without some, and if so, what?


Lack of any hook-ups would probably curtail the daycation option, as there wouldn't be any hook-ups in a parking lot.

Good to hear from you and from everyone.


Maybe we need TWO events, or even THREE:


A PUGET SOUND REGIONAL meet that might include Grayland Beach etc

AND a Seattle meet that could include a possible no-hook-ups daycation?

AND an Islands meet-up a bit further north...


Ideas on that? THIS thread is basically, originally, about the Seattle meet possibilities. We don't want to exclude ANYone, but I'm starting to think we can't cover everything everyone might like, so maybe we need one or more other meet-ups as well.

Kai in Seattle

[DanielAG]

Please check out the Olympic Peninsula. Clallam County Parks=Salt Creek is great!

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Casita Greg

I don't agree with "your definition" at all. It was never originally proposed as a Seattle event. It was proposed as a Puget Sound region event for folks in the greater Puget Sound region. And I for one would rather avoid Seattle proper, and anything within spitting distance of Seattle, due to the terrible traffic congestion.

By all means if you want a meetup closer to where you live in the other areas of Puget Sound that are further from Seattle than a half hour and you are doing so just so that you can avoid Seattle traffic then do start a thread to arrange for such a meetup.

Any one who lives in Seattle will have traffic coming and going to any event either outside or inside of the city so that is a null value point in the discussion for people who are from Seattle. Plus it is the weekend and that is not a rush hour commute situation and we won't be traveling during any football or baseball game hours.

Kai started the discussion and she absolutely said people should "think Seattle" and that is her quotation not mine. I don't know how much more clearly and politely it could have been stated what the meetup was intended to be do you? She also stated it being located within a half hour of Seattle. So far there are four suggestions that meet that criteria and all of them would work.
Salt Water Park
Dash Point
Kayak Point
McDonald-Tolt

There was also a within the city one day event location suggestion of Discovery Park which of course is not camping but makes a good shorter notice option as no reservations are required. But I would not expect it to bring in a lot of people from outside of the city unless they had other reasons to be on errands in the city. Another in city location for a staycation is the Warren G. Magnuson Park on Lake Washington. Like Discovery Park it is also a former military base and it is also very large with lots of available parking and hiking but it is less hilly for the hiking.

Fall weather in mid to late September in Seattle should not require the use of air conditioning and it is still in the greater potential time for dry weather during those weeks.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by DanielAG

Please check out the Olympic Peninsula. Clallam County Parks=Salt Creek is great!

I think you should start a separate thread for that meetup. I love the Olympic Peninsula too and would be likely to come to a new regional meetup there. But it is not within a half hour of Seattle which I will remind everyone is both the title and intent of this particular thread.

[rainjer]

I have been involved with a couple groups that have camp-outs/gathering every year. One is a teardrop trailer group and the other is a Coleman Collector group.

Our PNW Coleman group meets 3-4 time a year. We have people from Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Canada attend all of the events. In March we do a indoor gathering in Lacey. In May, we do a camp-out in Cle Elum. In August/September we do another camp-out. This one moves around. We have had it in Long Beach, Portland, Birch Bay, Hood Canal and this year Raser State Park in Concrete. next year we are adding a July camp-out in Portland.

The teardrop community is the same way. I have traveled as far as California to attend a gathering. There are 6-8 gathering in the PNW every year. I pick the one I want to attend and go.

Based on my experience with these groups I can tell you a couple things.

1 - You can't please everyone.
2 - If you book it they will come.

If you want to host a gathering, pick a date and a place and book it. Then let people know about it. If they are available and want to come, they will. If they can't come, they will not.

Jeremy

[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Kai in Seattle

Ideas on that? THIS thread is basically, originally, about the Seattle meet possibilities. We don't want to exclude ANYone, but I'm starting to think we can't cover everything everyone might like, so maybe we need one or more other meet-ups as well.

Kai in Seattle

Kai having organized a lot of FG meets I can tell you that you will drive yourself crazy if you attempt to find a location that the meets everyones needs. Yes there are some who will not camp even one night without power while there are others who will not attend if it is in to much of an urban setting and has power. Its a no win situation. ;-)

When it comes to the need for power keep in mind that the big FG meet in Quartizside each winter that is WELL attended not only does not have power and water but no public bathrooms or showers at the camping location either.

Since the introduction of LED lights and solar and compact generators most folks these days have learned to camp & enjoy it without power and water on site. There are a number of alternitive dumping stations people can seek out on their way home.

Bottom line is pick a place that you as the organizer like. Those who like the choose will attend & those who do not will not.

[Dave Fish]

My thoughts:
1. Distance or travel time are a low priority for us. If you live on an island, you get used to 2 hours to get anywhere on the mainland. So any location that can accommodate a groupp is ok.

2. However, we have no interest in camping "in" Seattle and would not pull the trailer over for a day meet.

3. Hookups are not important to us. We would like to have electricity but could not use water and sewer. I fully appreciate those that require those facilities and would hope we could find a location that would meet both needs.

4. Anacortes and "island" were mentioned in post 1, which is probably why so many north end suggestions have been made. Anacortes is definitely more than a half hour from Seattle.

Still in for the gathering and appreciate all of the constructive ideas.

Dave

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[Bobbie Mayer]

Originally Posted by Dave Fish

My thoughts:
1. Distance or travel time are a low priority for us. If you live on an island, you get used to 2 hours to get anywhere on the mainland. So any location that can accommodate a groupp is ok.

2. However, we have no interest in camping "in" Seattle and would not pull the trailer over for a day meet.

3. Hookups are not important to us. We would like to have electricity but could not use water and sewer. I fully appreciate those that require those facilities and would hope we could find a location that would meet both needs.

4. Anacortes and "island" were mentioned in post 1, which is probably why so many north end suggestions have been made. Anacortes is definitely more than a half hour from Seattle.

Still in for the gathering and appreciate all of the constructive ideas.

Dave

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Fiberglass RV mobile app

What Dave said. I consider two hours close.

Though I also like the idea of a Fort Casey unorganized meet and may let people know when I am ready to do my "shakedown" trip there in hopes that some join me.