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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 12, 2013 14:16:27 GMT -9
Calling all interested parties/partiers!
Let the planning commence. With the great success of events like SSO Joat's Kenai Picnics, and the new enthusiasm for the Hobo CITO weekends, we would like to get to planning a great Alaskan Kenai Peninsula Campout.
The Peninsula is a playground for many Alaskans, and attracts many thousands of tourists from around the globe. With the parks and lands seeing such a great increase in use, there couldn't be a better way to have some fun, bring more and more Alaskan geocachers together, show off how awesome GeocacheAlaska! members are, and give something back to the communities and lands we all enjoy while outdoors fishing, hunting, hiking, skiing, camping, geocaching, and more!
There is all kinds of planning to work on, and many hands can make light work.
Things we will need to consider: -Dates (That don't interfere with other events involving/not involving geocaching/geocachers) -Location (Somewhere on the Kenai Peninsula with a nice, big campground, and some idea of a service project) -Event ideas (Someone in charge of each formal Geocaching.com event, and each site event) -Doesn't interfere/ovelap with existing geocache event efforts -Event/activities should be fun, family friendly, interesting, and draw a crowd -Outreach: Getting the word out to Alaskan geocachers, GeocacheAlaska! members, and geocachers everywhere else in the world -More and more that I'm sure will come along as we plan together
As soon as we have dates, we can get an event posted to start getting on geocacher's calendars around the world!
Reply below, discuss, and let's have some fun!
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 12, 2013 14:36:28 GMT -9
Here is what has been imagined so far: Make this a weekend-long geocaching event to call home about. Find a great site that will allow us to block out a set of sites for RSVPers to occupy. Use that site as a focused service project location.
Then, a rough set of plans: -Start on Friday night with a meet-and-greet campfire event. Put the kiddos to bed, and have a grand ol' time. -Saturday breakfast party event, then a CITO/service project event -Saturday evening awesomeness event. See some ideas below. -Sunday breakfast party event, followed by campground CITO event -Go home happy, tired, and excited to do it again!
Here are some ideas to get the ball rolling: -Costume contests. -Skits. -Cache container contests. -Celebrations of milestones. -A "clean-your-freezer-from-last-year's-fish" Hobo Iron Chef Salmon Shootout.
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 12, 2013 16:04:38 GMT -9
I would like to see this happen down toward if not in Homer. It is a long way to go for only a weekend especially when working and coming from Anchorage. Maybe there is a 3 day weekend?!?!? A pancake breakfast would be fun! I like the idea of a freezer clean out cook off dinner...might end up with some moose or caribou too! If camping we will be up against finding an open campground. Can you camp on the Spit beaches early season?
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Post by TheFirefly on Sept 12, 2013 21:08:52 GMT -9
Great idea! - I like the idea of having it in the fall if it is in Homer, so as not to compete with other clean up events.
- Hobo Iron Chef Freezer Cookoff sounds awesome, although that may work better for a spring date. Hobo Iron Chef Campfire Cookoff could work any time.
- Partner up with CoastWalk to do a stretch of one of their zones? That would certainly be a community service project and would help us with publicity.
- I believe you can camp on the spit anytime, it is just windy and cold most of the time. (badday)
- A three day weekend would give more folks the ability to get here from Anchorage and parts beyond, but may be tough to find one that doesn't already have a million things scheduled.
- What is the cruise ship schedule for 2014? Planning part of it on a cruise ship day could get more cachers here, especially if we can advertise a CITO activity as one of the events available that day in Homer for cruise participants. I'm sure we can find a way to help with transportation for any cruise individuals that want to participate.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 7:54:33 GMT -9
I would like to see this happen down toward if not in Homer. It is a long way to go for only a weekend especially when working and coming from Anchorage. Maybe there is a 3 day weekend?!?!? A pancake breakfast would be fun! I like the idea of a freezer clean out cook off dinner...might end up with some moose or caribou too! If camping we will be up against finding an open campground. Can you camp on the Spit beaches early season? Depending on the time of year, there are plenty of options. Spring can be tough with planning for snow remains, and end-of-summer can mean some early closures. Homer would be a good site, I'm sure. I'm wondering about some place like the Anchor River. There are some good places to camp down there, and space for good numbers of attendees. I would guess that the city of Homer would be happy to work with us to have Karen Hornaday park for our campout and clean-up. I would hope that talking to the right people at the State Parks would make for a good option at the Anchor River campground. Firefly and I have connections with the City. Anyone have connections with the State Parks folks down here?
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Post by ladybugkids on Sept 13, 2013 7:55:52 GMT -9
- What is the cruise ship schedule for 2014? Planning part of it on a cruise ship day could get more cachers here, especially if we can advertise a CITO activity as one of the events available that day in Homer for cruise participants. I'm sure we can find a way to help with transportation for any cruise individuals that want to participate.
Based on observations of Juneau caches, the average cruise ship has fewer than one cacher per ship. The August day we were in Juneau this year, there were four ships in ttown and the "gimme" cache at the dock visitor center and a highly favorited nano along the dock had only one other visitor besides us. So, unless the cruise ship is specifically touting a geo-tour like we hosted an event for in July, I wouldn't bother scheduling around the cruise ship schedule. Homer gets "crowded" enough in the summertime without piling in when 2500 come off a boat, too. But, that's just the introvert in me talking.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 8:02:44 GMT -9
Great idea! - I like the idea of having it in the fall if it is in Homer, so as not to compete with other clean up events.
- Hobo Iron Chef Freezer Cookoff sounds awesome, although that may work better for a spring date. Hobo Iron Chef Campfire Cookoff could work any time.
- Partner up with CoastWalk to do a stretch of one of their zones? That would certainly be a community service project and would help us with publicity.
- I believe you can camp on the spit anytime, it is just windy and cold most of the time. (badday)
- A three day weekend would give more folks the ability to get here from Anchorage and parts beyond, but may be tough to find one that doesn't already have a million things scheduled.
- What is the cruise ship schedule for 2014? Planning part of it on a cruise ship day could get more cachers here, especially if we can advertise a CITO activity as one of the events available that day in Homer for cruise participants. I'm sure we can find a way to help with transportation for any cruise individuals that want to participate.
I think the cookoff would be a hoot. For sure. The Coastwalk idea is really good. I like it. I wonder about sites. Know anything about it? Spit camping=icky, unless you have an RV. Fuzzy, I'm looking at you to host EVERYONE inside. Three-day weekends might be hard to come by for the right timing. Memorial Day might work, and so could Labor Day. My only worries are that those holidays are big camping times here...meaning it would be tough to block out enough space for our needs. I don't know if there will be any cruise ships this next year. The one we had in Homer this year was a surprise, and I doubt that we will have as many as 2012 or before. We could host in Seward. Cruise ships, equidistant for Anchorage attendees and Homeroids, etc. My only worry will be, again, reservable blocked space for camping. I'm wondering if we might want to lean toward Anchor Point? That makes for a haul for Anchorage folks (and especially Fairbanks cachers!), but if they want to get in on the full event, one can always plan ahead and leave work early... I'm sure that as an event planning team, one would already have to plan on taking a half day, or full day off on the Friday for setup alone.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 8:16:35 GMT -9
- What is the cruise ship schedule for 2014? Planning part of it on a cruise ship day could get more cachers here, especially if we can advertise a CITO activity as one of the events available that day in Homer for cruise participants. I'm sure we can find a way to help with transportation for any cruise individuals that want to participate.
Based on observations of Juneau caches, the average cruise ship has fewer than one cacher per ship. The August day we were in Juneau this year, there were four ships in ttown and the "gimme" cache at the dock visitor center and a highly favorited nano along the dock had only one other visitor besides us. So, unless the cruise ship is specifically touting a geo-tour like we hosted an event for in July, I wouldn't bother scheduling around the cruise ship schedule. Homer gets "crowded" enough in the summertime without piling in when 2500 come off a boat, too. But, that's just the introvert in me talking. Agreed...and I'm no introvert! I think if we angle toward the folks who might be angling for an RV trip to Alaska might add the event to their list if a big party were advertised. I know that we won't see a huge bump in attendance from folks outside, but it would be fun to get on their radar...especially if we have the energy to make this an annual weekend extravaganza. Year after year it might get some attention. That said, I think a late-summer date might be better. Guarantee of no snow, good recreation opportunities still available for all (including those who might be coming from outside and would fish, hunt, etc), and more time for us to plan.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 8:31:36 GMT -9
We're gaining momentum!
Let's keep on track with questions #1 and #2: When, and Where?
Shall we parse the good/bad of, say, early season first? -I'm planning events for the 2014 Shorebird Festival here in Homer, which is always the second weekend of May. -Anchor River opens for King fishing the weekend before Memorial Day, and goes the next 5 weekends. -Deep Creek and Ninilchik open ON Memorial Day weekend, and go for the next 4 weeks. -Camping in Homer proper starts to get busy on Memorial Day, but not very busy at the hillside Karen Hornaday park. -I think we learned at this spring's HOBO events that time of year for camping can be less than ideal. -Looking at June means increased crowds, but better weather. -There are already many community cleanups happening in the spring. Focusing on a specific service project might get us some traction with partner agencies like cities, state parks, or feds. Fire rings will be in the use 'em phase by Memorial Day -CITO projects can always be good at campgrounds, boat launches, trailheads, and fishing areas any time of the early-mid summer. They get used, get trashy, and could use a facelift any time of year
Ok, I pass the conch. Other thoughts?
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 9:15:43 GMT -9
Here is some information about the Coast Walk program. If we incorporated it, the walks always happen around this time of year. However, it is meant to be performed on Kachemak Bay, not Cook Inlet. www.akcoastalstudies.org/coastal-monitoring/kachemak-bay-coastwalk.htmlThis would be an option to coordinate with if we camp in Homer, or there might be interest to carpool from Anchor Point to a site along Kachemak Bay for the CITO event.
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Post by ladybugkids on Sept 13, 2013 10:35:37 GMT -9
I like the ideas that are coming out in this thread and look forward to seeing what comes together. The Spring 2013 edition was a lot of fun even though I wasn't able to join the convoy until Soldotna. That makes for a haul for Anchorage folks (and especially Fairbanks cachers!), Back in the day...2005 to be exact...The 1st Annual Summer Solstice Midnight Caching Event was hosted at Byers Lake and drew cachers from Fairbanks and Anchorage. Denali, Chulitna River, and other locations offer Parks Highway camping opportunities between ANC and FAI. A Denali Highway traverse could also be a lot of fun. So many ideas, so little time...
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 13, 2013 10:47:21 GMT -9
Seward pretty much turns into a ghost town after the salmon derby! Even Labor Day the crowds are almost non existent.
Is it similar in Homer?
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 10:52:37 GMT -9
Seward pretty much turns into a ghost town after the salmon derby! Even Labor Day the crowds are almost non existent. Is it similar in Homer? Very much so. This year there was a little boost over Labor Day, but the city certainly wasn't hoppin'.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 10:57:45 GMT -9
Seward pretty much turns into a ghost town after the salmon derby! Even Labor Day the crowds are almost non existent. Is it similar in Homer? Very much so. This year there was a little boost over Labor Day, but the city certainly wasn't hoppin'. Daaaaang. I think we might have just answered our own questions. I'll let it simmer for a bit in the thread, but let's propose a motion that the event is held at the end of the summer...say, Labor Day weekend? Let's all consider what else is going on over Labor Day. Start your lists and post what you know that might get in the way of good attendance.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 11:10:03 GMT -9
Having taken part in a little bit of this mayhem, I'm hopeful that we might someday get to that level of fun and participation...
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Post by ladybugkids on Sept 13, 2013 11:23:37 GMT -9
Thank you for that link...I was having trouble finding it because I couldn't remember how to spell it. Here is a link to this year's event: Champeog 2013.
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 13, 2013 11:28:57 GMT -9
The 3rd Annual Hatfield and McCoy Geotrail Mega Event is on Labor Day weekend. That could be a conflict for me. The Mega was fun and there is more than enough caching for another trip to it and it is a beautiful area.
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 13, 2013 11:38:45 GMT -9
You may lose a few attendees do to hunting season on Labor Day weeken but I think a trip to Homer for caching on the 'end' of summer weekend is perfect. Plenty to do, warm enough to camp out and everything is still open. I am not a fair goer...does that run through Labor Day?
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 13, 2013 11:40:18 GMT -9
Champeog sounds fun!
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 12:23:08 GMT -9
Thank you for that link...I was having trouble finding it because I couldn't remember how to spell it. Here is a link to this year's event: Champeog 2013. WOAH! They resurrected it! That event is a hoot, and sadly it went away for a while. I think enough reminiscing happened to make it a necessary part of the PDX experience.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 12:53:57 GMT -9
The 3rd Annual Hatfield and McCoy Geotrail Mega Event is on Labor Day weekend. That could be a conflict for me. The Mega was fun and there is more than enough caching for another trip to it and it is a beautiful area. Well, dagnabit! I'd hope you could attend here
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 13, 2013 13:28:42 GMT -9
Way to far out to know where I will be then...Sponge Bob and Wendy have a great geotrail ie the HMGT, fun geoart and put on a great MEGA. Where i end up will all depend on where I am and what is going on!!!!
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 13:54:03 GMT -9
I think we can avoid that weekend easily. Plus, we have to have the ETs represented 50% or more at our own GeoAK party!
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 13, 2013 14:03:55 GMT -9
Anyone have any experience working with Alaska Recreation Management? It appears that they regulate things at the Anchor River Rec site and campgrounds. I'm trying to reach out to the State Parks folks to see about "reserving" sites, since that area is first come, first served.
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 13, 2013 15:58:46 GMT -9
The other half should be back by then!!! Who knows where we will be spreading our brand of fun! I say leave it Labor Day weekend. You need the 3 days to get the ANCH and maybe even the FBNKS crowd down. Right now...I plan to spend summer 2014 in AK... Better start pondering some hides to publish for the event weekend!
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Post by TheFirefly on Sept 13, 2013 20:18:31 GMT -9
Egads - hard to keep up with you two here. Coastwalk does focus on Kachemak Bay, around the corner up to Anchor Point. Two years ago we did a big pickup where the Anchor River meets the sea. We would be greeted with open arms if we wanted to grab a zone and do a pickup along the beach. (In fact, groups or individuals are still needed this year to do pickups - on your own schedule sometime in Sept & Oct!) Camping in Anchor Point would be great, if there aren't too many fisher-people to compete with. A few years ago we'd see a bit of a spike in caches finds when the cruise ships were here. (Of course, a "spike" in Homer means that someone other than NS or I found a cache...) I've heard rumors of more ships coming, but nothing definitive. "Firefly and I have connections with the City." It is conceivable that my connections are no longer what they once were. Ahem. Turnover at the Chamber has created some...interesting...dynamics.
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 16, 2013 7:43:49 GMT -9
"Firefly and I have connections with the City." It is conceivable that my connections are no longer what they once were. Ahem. Turnover at the Chamber has created some...interesting...dynamics. Hmmm. And "Grrrr." Well, should we shoot for Labor Day weekend, Anchor Point, Coastwalk cleanup? I called the State Parks folks in Soldotna to inquire about a stay at the Anchor Point campgrounds. They reiterated that the sites are non-reservable, but that it isn't that busy by Labor Day. (I agree, based on my trips there to fish these last few weeks) However, I am going to try to work with some local folks I know here in Homer with the State Parks to ask about the possibility of having Halibut Campground (or maybe a different, more wooded site) cordoned off to allow us space for our events and cleanup crews. If anyone else has some good connections with State Parks and can pitch in advice or contacts, that would be great!
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Post by NeverSummer on Sept 17, 2013 15:59:27 GMT -9
I don't want this to fall too far off people's radar, so...
Does anyone have existing connections with the State Parks on the Kenai Peninsula? I still haven't heard anything back from them myself.
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Post by akgh519 on Sept 17, 2013 16:46:03 GMT -9
Not I sir
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Post by SSO JOAT on Sept 17, 2013 18:27:08 GMT -9
We have the permit person at the Sterling office who handles our blanket cache permit. We are still in a budding relationship with that desk, but it is one of those relationships that needs to be watered and nurtured to allow it to bloom. CITO stuff is pretty good at doing that.
Just to clarify the ideas flying about... are we looking at continuing with the two per year concept with one around Memorial Day (or earlier) and the second around Labor Day (or later)? From my personal vantage point, I'd suggest either the weekend of Sept 13 or 20 with the latter missing the hunting season and possibly drawing more folks out. I have to work Labor Day plus the following weekend next year, so I couldn't make that one anyway.
If you're wanting to lay claim to the end-of-season series for the Homer end, then we can look at the Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26) for another route (possibly including Seward this time). I'm working the two weekends prior to Memorial, so I can't do the weekend prior like we did this year. But maybe we could get a bigger turnout if we just do it on Memorial weekend in the midst of the crowds. People are going to have a 3-day weekend and be out doing stuff anyway, so why not give them something organized to do? It would be much easier to fit the 2 nights of camping in by having the fist camping night on Saturday instead of limiting the drive for those who work M-F jobs and can't get there for a Friday night kick off. Or we could still have a Friday night campout and provide the chance for the die-hards to get in 3 nights around the campfire over the long weekend with everyone else joining up on Saturday and becoming Hobos through Monday.
Lots of time to toss plans about this winter, so there's no need to nail any specific dates or places down right now.
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