Posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 19, 2007 at 3:04 PM
We are halfway there! Since I first posted the idea of a CSNP Spring gathering in Arkansas, nearly two months have passed. We have selected the dates of April 27, 28 & 29 (fri, sat & sun).
Cabin reserved (see below) Camping available at/near site.
Keep in mind that we would like to be able to get together saturday night to review images and exchange pictures, processing tips, etc. (and oh yeah, drink some wine!) and just get to know each other better.
Please respond and let us know for sure if you will be attending.
There have been some suggestions for shooting in the Smith Creek area, sound ok?
Room for cots/sleeping bags in cabin too. Tim E. has generously offered camping across the street. Come on, who else is in?
Posted by Brent Stovall on February 19, 2007 at 3:38 PM
I can not say for sure I can be there as I own my own business and who knows how busy I will be then. I would like to attend but it will be one of those last min. hey I am goign to be there things. Place makes me no difference as I do not know the area good enough, also I will sleep on the ground even if a cabin is available.
B.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on February 19, 2007 at 4:13 PM
I've marked it in my calendar, Wayne. Both Mary and I plan on going. In answers to you questions:
1) Wildflowers during this time of year should be fantastic - so any place there are wildflowers. Water would be nice, too... and a cloudy, windless day while you're at it.
2) Sure, why not. I like the lodge or cabin idea - campgrounds are fun, but are not very convenient both in terms of gear/food you have to bring and in setup time.
Posted by Bill Dark on February 20, 2007 at 10:53 AM
I'll be there.
I'm not real sure exactly where Tom's cabin is located, but Pettigrew is a pretty good way from most of the WF (waterfall and wildflower) locations I know of. But last year I checked out a place Tim E told me about near Red Star (near Pettigrew) where there are lots of Lady's Slippers that should be blooming the last of April. Unless someone knows of a few other good places near the Pettigrew area, I'd be a little more inclined to camp down around Lost Valley or Steele Creek. There are lots of reasonably-priced B&Bs in the Ponca-Boxley area, but anyone wanting one needs to book soon. But I really appreciate Tom's hospitality, and am always open for other suggestions.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 20, 2007 at 1:55 PM
I guess I should answer my own questions. I'll be there on Friday, not sure how early, but Friday for sure. I am more familiar with the area around Steele Creek & Lost Valley since I've attended a couple of Tim's workshops.
My vote would be to overnight near that area and I am personally leaning toward finding a lodging establishment that has enough room (or a conference room) where we can all get together during the evenings. Also, since I don't know the area that well, would there be places to eat if we stayed at a lodge or B&B's in the area?
I'm really looking for guidance from those of you who know the area in question well. Thanks!
Posted by TIMERNST on February 20, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Wayne:
There are no eating places near Ponca/Boxley - you have to go to Harrison or Jasper. There are four "lodge" type places in the area, three of them are in the $800 per night range. The fourth one is where we have our workshops and is much cheaper (Buffalo Lodge), but I suspect they filled up long ago - this is the peak spring floating season and I would bet you might not be able to find anyplace with rooms, and certainly nothing with a conference room (other than the lodges). There are lots of links on my "outdoor links" section on the web page, but it would take someone to take the lead and find and book a room and then hope others sign up. I have a feeling what you are going to find is perhaps a single-room cabin someplace where folks could camp out, although I may be wrong. And again for food, you will have to bring your own.
If the water is up you will have a million places to shoot waterfalls, if the water is low there are still dozens of great shooting locations in the greater Ponca/Boxley metroplex - you will have no shortage of shooting locations. I'm not sure where I will be that weekend - I will be done with workshops for a while (all of them are filled up this spring) so I am not sure if I will be able to join you or not but I will keep up to date with your goings on.
Posted by Tom Kennon on February 20, 2007 at 9:43 PM
Wayne, I tend to agree with the group so far. We may want to be a little closer to the action so we can take advantage of the early and late light. As we discussed on the telephone yesterday, I am pretty flexible and have the weekend blocked. Does anyone know about a B&B just behind the Boxley Church? Count me in for what ever the group decides and let me know if you need any help with logisitics.
We can always use my cabin as a backup. It is a one bedroom with a loft, kitchen and great room. There is room for about 5-6 with sleeping bags etc. and plenty of room for tents and campfires. The downside is the distance to Boxley, about 50 minutes.
Posted by Bill Dark on February 20, 2007 at 10:22 PM
update: I just checked and Walnut Grove is taken. But, Autumn Breeze is available. I think it's about 5 miles up the hill on the highway. Check it out here http://www.ozarkcabins.com/autumnbreezecabin/
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 20, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Bill, Tom et. al., I just inquired online about the availability of the autumnbreeze cabin. I am going to roll the dice and reserve this unit if it is available. I will also try to call the gal tomorrow to see if we can have people camp on the grounds should anyone want to. I'll let you know what I hear. Thanks Bill
Posted by Tim Ferrell on February 20, 2007 at 11:12 PM
I'm planning to attend but its hard to plan that far ahead for me. We have a surgery coming up that may cause a conflict but not likely.
I think you should make sure theautumnbreezecabin will allow for tent campers then take the first 4 people to lock in and give them a bed for $25 a night, then its $15 a night for everyone else. Assumeing thats the correct rates. Thats cheap for everyone. Then all you have to do is hire a cook and bring the wine.
Posted by TIMERNST on February 21, 2007 at 7:45 AM
Wayne:
If you get the Autumn Breeze cabin I own the land across the street so you will have plenty of space for folks to camp if needed! By the way, a new scenic area that allows public access is also just across the street, although the best place for access is down the highway a mile - the Smith Creek Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy. I can get you lots of info on where to go - in fact I think Tom was in there not too long ago, but it is easy to find your way around.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 21, 2007 at 9:07 AM
Great news Tim! If you know the owners and can pull any strings I think that unit sounds like a good start. It would give us a place to stage from and sounds like it's in a central location. I'll let everyone know as soon as I hear anything. Thanks!
Posted by TIMERNST on February 21, 2007 at 9:34 AM
I know the owners but there aren't any strings to pull - if the place is rented then it is rented, and if it is open they you can get it - of course, if you tell them you know me they may charge you double! There is a nice open field on my property just across the highway with a pretty good view down into the scenic area, and you can drive right to it so there is plenty of room for folks to camp...
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 21, 2007 at 10:24 AM
Update on Autumn Breeze Cabin: I have reserved this cabin for April 27th & April 28th. I spoke with Bill and he has it reserved in my name. Check out Bill Dark's post above to see the cabin and related info. Anyone wanting to stay in the cabin (I'm in) please contact me asap. As soon as we have it filled I'll post that news.
Thanks to all for your help in finding this location. Sounds like with Tim's generous offer, anyone wanting to camp will have plenty of space and I'm sure we can arrange for access to the cabin's facilities. Who else is in?
Posted by Tom Kennon on February 21, 2007 at 3:21 PM
Wayne, I am in for Friday and Saturday night. I will be glad to chip in whatever amount we need to pay. It sounds like a game plan is taking shape.
Posted by Bill Dark on February 21, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Just sent you an email Wayne. Sign me up for a bunk Friday and Saturday too, if there are any left. I thought about camping, but in the event of heavy rain, I think I'd rather be under a roof.
Posted by Tim Buchanan on February 22, 2007 at 1:40 AM
Same thing for me, Wayne: e-mail in your inbox.
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 22, 2007 at 9:12 AM
Update, all the beds have been reserved for the Autumn Breeze cabin. Anyone else interested please let me know directly by email and I'll see what other arrangements we can make. Thanks, Wayne
Posted by TIMERNST on February 22, 2007 at 12:03 PM
"I thought about camping, but in the event of heavy rain, I think I'd rather be under a roof."
WHAT? In the event of heavy rain you should be out with your camera! (you probably meant at night through ey...)
Posted by Bill Dark on February 22, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Tim - yeah, I was talking about the evening hours. I still feel like a wimp though. Some of my best memories include sitting around an evening campfire during a gentle rain under a tarp next to the river (high on a gravel bar of course). I guess we're all hoping for a good rain, preferably a heavy one the day before, and maybe some fog the next morning with a light drizzle now and then to saturate the colors. Dang, I better get back to work...
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on April 3, 2007 at 4:00 PM
To all attendees, I'm in the process of nailing down a map and/or driving directions to get to the Autumn Breeze cabin. Have one now: To receive a copy of the map, please contact me at wrhodus@hotmail.com. The Autumn Breeze cabin is 5 miles south of Boxley on Hiway 21; driveway is on your right just after the hiway swings left.
I also spoke with someone there and we should have all the cooking utensils, pots & pans we need in the kitchen. There is a gas grill on the covered porch for use as well. Propane should be available for the grill.
For all those who have so generously offered to prepare a meal please bring everything you might need to prepare the food. No guarantee that there will be any salt / pepper, foil etc there to use.
I'll double check my meal schedule and post any remaining open meal slots to see if we can't get them filled up. Let me know if there is anything I am forgetting. Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks! Oh, by the way ... any last minute takers!
Discussion
20 repliesCabin reserved (see below) Camping available at/near site.
Keep in mind that we would like to be able to get together saturday night to review images and exchange pictures, processing tips, etc. (and oh yeah, drink some wine!) and just get to know each other better.
Please respond and let us know for sure if you will be attending.
There have been some suggestions for shooting in the Smith Creek area, sound ok?
Room for cots/sleeping bags in cabin too. Tim E. has generously offered camping across the street. Come on, who else is in?
B.
1) Wildflowers during this time of year should be fantastic - so any place there are wildflowers. Water would be nice, too... and a cloudy, windless day while you're at it.
2) Sure, why not. I like the lodge or cabin idea - campgrounds are fun, but are not very convenient both in terms of gear/food you have to bring and in setup time.
I'm not real sure exactly where Tom's cabin is located, but Pettigrew is a pretty good way from most of the WF (waterfall and wildflower) locations I know of. But last year I checked out a place Tim E told me about near Red Star (near Pettigrew) where there are lots of Lady's Slippers that should be blooming the last of April. Unless someone knows of a few other good places near the Pettigrew area, I'd be a little more inclined to camp down around Lost Valley or Steele Creek. There are lots of reasonably-priced B&Bs in the Ponca-Boxley area, but anyone wanting one needs to book soon. But I really appreciate Tom's hospitality, and am always open for other suggestions.
My vote would be to overnight near that area and I am personally leaning toward finding a lodging establishment that has enough room (or a conference room) where we can all get together during the evenings. Also, since I don't know the area that well, would there be places to eat if we stayed at a lodge or B&B's in the area?
I'm really looking for guidance from those of you who know the area in question well. Thanks!
There are no eating places near Ponca/Boxley - you have to go to Harrison or Jasper. There are four "lodge" type places in the area, three of them are in the $800 per night range. The fourth one is where we have our workshops and is much cheaper (Buffalo Lodge), but I suspect they filled up long ago - this is the peak spring floating season and I would bet you might not be able to find anyplace with rooms, and certainly nothing with a conference room (other than the lodges). There are lots of links on my "outdoor links" section on the web page, but it would take someone to take the lead and find and book a room and then hope others sign up. I have a feeling what you are going to find is perhaps a single-room cabin someplace where folks could camp out, although I may be wrong. And again for food, you will have to bring your own.
If the water is up you will have a million places to shoot waterfalls, if the water is low there are still dozens of great shooting locations in the greater Ponca/Boxley metroplex - you will have no shortage of shooting locations. I'm not sure where I will be that weekend - I will be done with workshops for a while (all of them are filled up this spring) so I am not sure if I will be able to join you or not but I will keep up to date with your goings on.
We can always use my cabin as a backup. It is a one bedroom with a loft, kitchen and great room. There is room for about 5-6 with sleeping bags etc. and plenty of room for tents and campfires. The downside is the distance to Boxley, about 50 minutes.
That's Walnut Grove cabin, but it's probably booked - but you can try. Their website is http://www.ozarkcabins.com/walnutgrovecabins/.
update: I just checked and Walnut Grove is taken. But, Autumn Breeze is available. I think it's about 5 miles up the hill on the highway. Check it out here http://www.ozarkcabins.com/autumnbreezecabin/
I think you should make sure theautumnbreezecabin will allow for tent campers then take the first 4 people to lock in and give them a bed for $25 a night, then its $15 a night for everyone else. Assumeing thats the correct rates. Thats cheap for everyone. Then all you have to do is hire a cook and bring the wine.
If you get the Autumn Breeze cabin I own the land across the street so you will have plenty of space for folks to camp if needed! By the way, a new scenic area that allows public access is also just across the street, although the best place for access is down the highway a mile - the Smith Creek Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy. I can get you lots of info on where to go - in fact I think Tom was in there not too long ago, but it is easy to find your way around.
Thanks to all for your help in finding this location. Sounds like with Tim's generous offer, anyone wanting to camp will have plenty of space and I'm sure we can arrange for access to the cabin's facilities. Who else is in?
WHAT? In the event of heavy rain you should be out with your camera! (you probably meant at night through ey...)
I also spoke with someone there and we should have all the cooking utensils, pots & pans we need in the kitchen. There is a gas grill on the covered porch for use as well. Propane should be available for the grill.
For all those who have so generously offered to prepare a meal please bring everything you might need to prepare the food. No guarantee that there will be any salt / pepper, foil etc there to use.
I'll double check my meal schedule and post any remaining open meal slots to see if we can't get them filled up. Let me know if there is anything I am forgetting. Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks! Oh, by the way ... any last minute takers!