Not-A-Rally (Really) in Oklahoma

[Frederick L. Simson]

Ever since 1987, my extended family (on my Mother's side) has held a reunion in the summer of the odd-numbered years. This was decided after my Grandfather's funeral.

Let's not wait for another Funeral to get everyone together.

In the beginning, these reunions were rotated between the homes of My Mom and her siblings. Some had large Farm properties. Others who didn't, rented KOA space. In the past we found that since the Farm that everyone considered "Home" was near Roman Nose Resort Park, we rented their Group Camp several times consecutively. But some families chose to stay at the Hotel in air-conditioned comfort. Robert and I began bringing our Tent.

Then Grandma died, and The Farm was sold. My generation began hosting duties, and the reunion again rotated to different venues. We found that while venues in Oklahoma could attract 45 extended family members, attendance was less in Missouri and Arkansas, and dropped considerably in New York and Ohio. Robert & I had a Compact Junior.

[b]For 2007, my sister booked a large room at The Lodge at Lake Murray State Park. Hotel rooms needed to be reserved a year in advance. When I inquired about reserving a site at one of the campgrounds, they said that they do not take campground reservations. I was told I would be fine if I arrived early.

My plan is to leave San Diego on Saturday morning, June 9th. I am allowing 3 1/2 days to make the trip to Southeast Oklahoma, arriving by Tuesday, June 12th. I am targeting [b]TIPP'S POINT campground, the closest campground to The Lodge. Then I wait...
...the Reunion begins on Friday, June 15th...

Lake Murray State Park Map

I mentioned to another member here that I would be there, and that person said that they would keep Robert and I company until the reunion begins... I'll let them chime in...

Do we have any other takers for a mid-week get together?
[b]Nothing formally organized...

1. Mystery Camper
2. CD Smith (Charlie & Joyce)
3. Tom Trostel (Tom & Martha Jo)
4. Christi W (Christi & ?)
5. Frederick L. Simson (Frederick & Robert)

[CD Smith]

We have stayed in the cabins at Lake Murray, fished for carp from their dock, and played golf at the nearby course. It is a very nice campground.

I have put your Not-A-Rally (Really) on my calendar and will decide to vist you there as the summer schedule develops.

My wife's brother just moved from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Salt Lake City, UT. She promised to visit them in early summer. This may interfere with a visit to your Not-A-Rally (Really). Otherwise, we are just down I-35 and would like to take a short visit to Lake Murray.

[Christi W]

Hi -
Are you expecting to get there Tuesday morning -or late - or maybe Monday night? We bake for the Springfield Farmer's Market and have to get crackin' by Wednesday P.M., but I think, at Cassville, Missouri, we are less than 300 miles from Roman Nose. Keep everybody posted - would be fun.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Hi -
Are you expecting to get there Tuesday morning -or late - or maybe Monday night?

I think, at Cassville, Missouri, we are less than 300 miles from Roman Nose.

Keep everybody posted - would be fun.

[b]IF we maintain the break-neck pace of previous trips, I could expect to arrive at [b]Lake Murray Monday night.
However, I do not wish to risk Murder in a Fiberglass Trailer! Therefore, we may drive a little slower and arrive on Tuesday depending on how it goes on the road.

We must have worn out Roman Nose... We're not going there this year.

[Tom Trostel]

We plan to arrive Tuesday and stay until Thursday. Sounds like fun.

Tom Trostel

[Christi W]

We've penciled in - arrive on Monday , probably have to leave on Wednesday unless I can figure out how to get some baking stuff prepped ahead
Christi & Larry

[Frederick L. Simson]

I have never been to this Park before, so this will be an Adventure!

I looked on the Park Map and saw that Tipp's Point seemed to be the closest to the Lodge... but that's as the crow flies.

Elephant Rock
Cedar Cove
Tipp's Point
all seem to be part of the same general area. From my naive perspective, anywhere in this area would be good.

Christi W. has a good chance of arriving before I do. As the time gets closer, I could just PM everyone with my cell phone number, and we can figure out how to find each other then. It would become a Treasure Hunt!

[Frederick L. Simson]

Only 4 weeks away!

My plans so far:

Leave early Saturday morning, June 9th, from San Diego, CA.
Go east on I-8, then east on I-10.
Stop for the night at Benson, Arizona. (452 miles)




Leave not so early Sunday morning, June 10th, from Benson, AZ.
Continue east on I-10
Stop for the night at Van Horn, Texas. (390 miles)




Leave early Monday morning, June 11th, from Van Horn, TX.
continue east on I-10, then east on I-20.
Stop for the night at Mineral Wells, Texas. (448 miles)




Leave Tuesday (whenever), June 12, from Mineral Wells, TX.
Map shows alternate route or go east on I-20, then north on I-35.
Arrive Lake Murray, Oklahoma. (122 miles)




Robert and I have agreed that about 450 miles is our daily limit. We decided to stop "early" on Sunday, because Van Horn, Texas seems to have several campground choices, but the next available campgrounds from there are beyond our daily mileage limit.

[Suz]

Am I the mystery camper, Fred? I have been so busy that I haven't followed this thread like I should have. In fact, I am just now getting my camper cleaned up for its first trip this year. What a year it has been and I am SO ready (mentally) for this. Now to just get the camper ready.

Won't be long now!

Tom and Martha Jo, it will be great seeing you again. Christi, can't wait to meet you and all of the others that I've not had the pleasure!

[David & Leslie]

Wow, Frederick - you have really turned your reunion trip into "Double Fun". You and Robert will surely be missed at the Gathering, but what a treat to meet other Forum members and FGRV "nuts" during your June travels. Safe journeys - we look forward to lots of pics & anedotes when you return. Take care, L 'n D

[Frederick L. Simson]

Am I the mystery camper, Fred?

Everyone else chose to speak for themselves, here. I just wanted you to have the same consideration.

Do we have any other takers for a mid-week get together?
[b]Nothing formally organized...

1. Mystery Revealed: Suz
2. <strike>CD Smith (Charlie & Joyce)</strike> You will be missed. Safe Journey.
3. <strike>Tom Trostel (Tom & Martha Jo)</strike>
4. <strike>Christi W (Christi & ?)</strike>
5. Frederick L. Simson (Frederick & Robert)

I guess I named it properly.

[Tom Trostel]

Frederick,
We are very sorry to say that we will miss all the fun at Lake Murray. We have a conflict with the new dates for our annual trip to share a beachhouse in Galveston. It's a tough job getting the sand off the grand-daughters' feet when they come in. And, of course, someone has to finish the last shrimp on the seafood platter at Gaido's when the 3 year old is full.

We hope to see all of you down the road.

Tom & Martha Jo Trostel

[Frederick L. Simson]

We hope to see all of you down the road.

Tom & Martha Jo Trostel

Take good care of that granddaughter!

[Frederick L. Simson]

We're on our way! Tonight in Benson, AZ

[Suz]

See you soon!

[Frederick L. Simson]

A picture at our rest stop at Buckman Springs, CA. This was taken Saturday morning.

[Frederick L. Simson]

Then we stopped for the night at Benson, AZ

[Frederick L. Simson]

Tonight, we are in Van Horn Texas.



Yeah, another KOA. I did not take pictures.

Some fuel usage numbers:
(I started with a full tank at home, San Diego CA.)

1st fuel stop, Yuma, AZ
(I had the cruise control set to 55 mph.)
We went 187.1 miles
We used 12.615 gallons
getting 14.8 mpg

2nd fuel stop, Gila Bend, AZ
(I had the cruise control set to 60 mph.)
We went 188.4 miles
We used 15.101 gallons
getting 12.5 mpg

3rd fuel stop, Benson, AZ
(I put the cruise control back to 55 mph. The 'Zonies got past it)
We went 114.1 miles
We used 8.290 gallons
getting 13.8 mpg

4th fuel stop, Las Cruces, NM
(I kept the cruise control at 55 mph. Hey, we're on Vacation. No hurries)
We went 232.7 miles
We used 14.103 gallons
getting 16.5 mpg

[Suz]

[Christi W]

[quote]
Attachment 8230

We are really missing this trip. Hope you all have safe travels!! Transmission fixed - poor but on the road again. Happy trails