You are invited to join other Barthmobilers at the Nation's Capital G-T-G !!

When: Fri-Mon, October 9-12, 2009

Where: Cherry Hill Campground
College Park MD (I-95 & I-495 North)
7 miles from the National Mall

Full hook-ups/local transportation/guided tours !

Question:
What say you all?

Choices:
Yep - on the calendar in INK
Kinda Yep - on the calendar in PENCIL
MAYBE - Gotta think about it
Nope - Wrong location and/or dates
Nope - Wrong _______________

 

Lee, the only thing keeping us from inking this in is the time factor. IF everything goes even half way right between now and then, and IF gas isn't 8 bucks a gallon, and IF the Euro keeps humming along like a true Barth, we're in!

Not to worry Danny....Congress is in session right now and working hard to fix all the problems that "us guys" created......

I'm in for the fun and festivities! Come on folks---this should be the largest rally of Barthmobilers to date! Sometimes you have to overlook the negatives and feast on the positives. This is one of those times. How many times do you think you'll be able to meet lots of fellow owners/families and see 20+ Barths (should be the minimum that show) in a great setting like our nations capital? And for those like me that still have those pending questions about our Barth ...this would be the place to get those answers in person !!! Let's make this a great get together.
Bruce

I will make myself available to assist in the 09 Washington gathering since we are about an hour from the campground.

Virginia, Maryland and PA have numerous places to visit on the way to and from Washington DC.

On the way back from Chattanooga we found a wonderful state park located a few miles inside of TN for $20 a night! We stayed until noon the next day just walking the trails and admiring the beautiful Holston River.

We plan on making it next year, and hopefully in our Barth!

Doug, Athena and Mary Frances

I think we should all celebrate before we are arrested for NOT paying our increased taxes due to our government increasing our taxes to bail out Wall Street for their unbelievable greed. I thought that when you were caught with your hand in the cookie jar one person was disiplined not the immediate family, the extended family, neighbors, city, county, state & country too. (maybe we could be gypsies & just travel the country together trying to escape capture) I think it's time to make a stand. Any takers?
Tere (hey doug, athena, mary francis)

Wow!....We've had a poll up for only 48 hours, for an event 13 months away, and we already have 4 coaches COMMITTED to attending, 5 PLANNING on coming and 2 more THINKING about it. With a very early, preliminary potential of 11 units, it looks like we've got us a G-T-G in the works

Since it's in my backyard, I'd be happy to serve as lead contact and help anyway I can if that's the group's wishes... And THANKS to Nick, Bruce & Doug for stepping up to the plate to help pull this off. This could end up a Dine-O-Mite Event!

Over the next few days, I'll stop by Cherry Hill, snap some pics of the proposed G-T-G site and post them here. Hopefully, we'll be able to have an area in the rear, furthest from the Interstates.

I've already approached a friend who owns a tour bus company...Since October is a slack time for him, we may have access to a limo-bus to allow for our own initial 3-4 hr whirlwind tour of DC, allowing folks to get a lay of the land and better plan their own personal itineraries later.
(Sounds like driver tip & some diesel fuel will make it happen.....)

Another aquaintance, located in north central Indiana, is going to make some local inquiries in the Milford area.....I think it would be a Hoot to have a campfire chat with some former employees of Barth during the Golden Years of production. Group thoughts?...........

While I don't fully understand the apparant chasm that exists between us & the Barth Rangers, this seems like a good opportunity for a possible joint venture.....Again, your thoughts?

SIDEBAR: While interest in the G-T-G is encouraging, 4 folks so far have said "NO". We should be interested in their reasons....At this early stage, maybe we can alter the plans enough to accommodate them too...So, if ya said you're not coming, please let us know what it would take!

Lee, don't know if it is one of the no's or not but BillyT has a RV show the first weekend in October. Rusty is waiting til this weekend at the Peach State Star Party to see the dates for next year. That's two you could probably count on if the schedule is right.

I have not answered the poll but we will be there. Count on it.

Nick

It would not be possible for me to attend until after the 10th of the month, that makes the first available weekend for me Oct. 16-19. I understand that you can't please all and if I don't get to come that will be alright, but I am sure a lot of fun to be around and I don't think you would want to miss it

I am ok with a date change to the 10th. I think the preview tour of our Capital is a great idea, it will quickly diminish the thought of someone attempting a ride to the mall via Barth...I am sure there is parking someplace, but I have no idea where.

If there is anyone intested in flying to Dulles I can provide a ride between the campground and the air port. Mary recently did this and it works out pretty well.

The later in October we make it the cooler and more colorful it will be, and that is not a bad thing!

Lee---On the other discussion board about this GTG, I suggested a September or October weekend date. Seems that October is the right month and maybe we should throw the two weekends (2nd-4th and 16th-18th) out there to see which one will draw more participation. I, myself, can make either weekend but cannot make the 9th thru 11th.
Doug and others---Check out the website for Cherry Hill Park. Along with Lee's possible transportation for a quick tour, there is transportation available right at the front gate throughout your time there. That is one of my +++'s for this park as a spot for our GTG...no need to tow alternate transportation behind you---JUST BRING THAT BARTH (and get better gas milage)!
To All---My 2 cents worth: I am willing to help anyway needed to insure as many Barth's as possible show up for this GTG. Personally, it does not matter to me whether they belong to the Barth Rangers. It seems to me that we have a few fellow Barthmobilers that are also Barth Rangers. Most importantly, they own a Barth!
Last, but not Least---There has been 370 views of this discussion, yet only 9 replies to the original "poll" discussion started by Lee. We are trying to put this together as quickly as possible so that you have plenty of time to make plans for next year. As I have said in the past IN REGARDS TO this GTG, WE NEED YOUR INPUT AND OPINION!!! Soooo, stop just reading about this and start leaving some replies and opinions, even if you can't make it!
Bruce

The October 16th-18th would work for me, can't take off work on the 2nd-4th.

quote:

Originally posted by Lee:
While I don't fully understand the apparant chasm that exists between us & the Barth Rangers, this seems like a good opportunity for a possible joint venture.....Again, your thoughts?

I have no problems with any Barth Ranger or Barth club attending this event... We had a few Rangers at the Choo-Choo GTG. As the footer on every page states.

quote:

This website is dedicated to the Barth Custom Coach, their owners and those who admire this American made, quality crafted, motor coach. We are committed to the history, preservation and restoration of the Barth Custom Coach.

Nowhere does it say that we'll exclude anyone! All are welcomed to attend.

New Moons in 2009 are 9/18 and 10/18; Full Moons are 9/4 and 10/4, so 10/2-5/09 are likely won't conflict with the Peach State Star Gaze. But it would, for me, mean an extra 510 miles - 1570 miles then a ten days later, 665 miles. If one followed the other, it would be legs of 785 miles, then 608, then 333.

I'll confirm tomorrow, but the PSSG will likely be 10/16-25/09; if so, I'll have to pass on GTG 2009.

Good input!.....So, here's what I've deduced so far......

1. There's enough preliminary interest in a 2009 Wash. DC G-T-G to set serious plans in motion - it's no longer a question of IF but of WHEN. Having 10-12 coaches giving serious thought this early could easily increase two-fold or more over the next 13 months......

2. Cherry Hill Campground is an acceptable venue.
Full hookups, dedicated rally site, front door transportation, easy access to Interstate and numerous campground amenities would seem to out-weigh the density & noise issues. 60 bucks-plus per night isn't fun, but that's just part of the "Washington experience".......

3. I was premature in arbitrarily setting a date of October 2 thru 5, 2009. Some/most who could come on those dates could also make it for an Oct.16-19, timeframe, but not vice-versa.

4. MD/DC weather in October can range from Tee shirts to parkas...but bumping back two weeks shouldn't be a deal-killer - I'd guess sweatshirts, sweaters & light jackets would be the worst-case scenario....and as Doug mentioned, the fall colors at the later date may be a bonus for those coming in over the mountains.

5. Trying to get the stars & planets to line-up correctly for a DC G-T-G is above my pay grade....Worst case - choices may have to be made.
(Sept. dates are still an option - maybe we want to revisit that timeframe?)

6. As a Barth Ranger non-member, I can't access the innards of their site. When a date is finalized, maybe a Ranger here could take the ball regarding promo, hype & coordination with them......

Obviously, an event 13 months away will have a ton of unknowns right now - the economy, fuel prices, lifestyle changes. etc....and that's OK.
But I think a firm date for the G-T-G is probably the first order of business.

So, how do we want to handle this?....Forum responses with someone keeping a tally?.....Another poll?.....the Moderator as Dictator-for-a-Day?.....Coin Toss?......Whatever we do, it should have a finite life so that once we reach the deadline, a final decision is made, cast in stone, and everyone adjusts to it........

Just my thoughts - Yours are more important.....

quote:

Originally posted by Lee:
I was premature in arbitrarily setting a date of October 2 thru 5, 2009. Some/most who could come on those dates could also make it for an Oct.16-19, timeframe, but not vice-versa.

In the order of dates for me... My personal preference? It would be closer to Sept as the weather should be better but we could also get a Hurricane too.

quote:

Originally posted by Lee:
...the Moderator as Dictator-for-a-Day?

In all honesty, I can handle any of the dates you choose... to steal a quote from Lee "Just my thoughts - Yours are more important....."

Lee, Donna and I are a couple of those retirees that will have to check with our social secretary to determine commitments already made for next year. You may want to have your people call my people.

Well, I have been corrected. After checking with MRS. Cagle, I have been told we will be available any week that includes a Saturday and a Sunday.

Nick

Lee,
You might want to check with Cherry Hill Park on available dates and costs. I know around here, the rates go down the later it gets. From being in D.C. when it's warm out, I believe it would be easier to get warm than to cool down! Also, some of our Barth's run MUCH better in the cooler weather. It can get warm in September around here, as it has this year. One thing for sure, my belief is that this should be well attended. There may not be a better reason and opportunity to gather... centrally located on the east coast (that takes care of Maine to Florida and basically east of the Mississippi), lots to do and it's our nations capital (for those who can make it from the rest of the country)! That should be enough reason to get on board, but the best reason could very well be the thought of 20-30 or more Barths gathered in one place and the opportunity to spend time with the fine folks that own them.
Bruce

The Peach State Star Gaze is set for 10/16-10/25 (actually, 10/18--10/25, but I'm on staff, so come early). So, a GTG 10/08-10/11 - or something like it - works best for me.

Okay. One thing is evident at this point of time...we are not going to be able to schedule a date that is good for all. But, we knew that. It would be the same for any event you ever try to schedule. Soooooo, now it is probably more important than ever to try to hear from as many folks as possible, as we want to try to set a date when the most owners may be able to make it! I, myself, am now going to make myself available for whatever date is set. I believe that this should be THAT GOOD to clear my calander.
I have put together many major events and realize the work that goes into putting these things together. I can appreciate those who have organized the past GTG's. It is always a handful of folks that do the organizing and work and the multitudes that get to take advantage of that work. This GTG is no different. The folks that have stepped forward to try to organize this GTG are ready to do what needs to be done to put it all together.
The only thing that most have to do is give us an opinion. So please let us know what you think...if you can or cannot make it, dates you might be able to attend, thoughts on where we plan on holding it any other input you would like to send. We would all appreciate it!
Bruce

Okay, we need a date. Like you we can make it any week but for the sake of a vote put us down for the weekend of October 10.

Nick and Donna