How many have met and liked each other?

[stef]

I see the occasional post for get-to-gethers and wondered for those who've done it, was it worth your while?
Did you make some good friends?
How far did you go to attend?
Did it cost you moo goo bucks?
Did you stay in a hotel/motel/tent/camper?
Who decided where you would meet?
Were running water, electricity and porta potties available?
(Who kept em clean?)
Was it for couples only or could/can singles come?
What did you do while you were together: talked, ate, shared ideas, gave demonstrations, etc., etc.?
Did you have to be a homesteader or just supportive of those who are?
How long a period of time was involved; a weekend, a week, or more?
Swinging back to my first question; would you do it again??

Stef

[MelissaW]

We went to the campout organized by ZealYouthGuy at his house last fall. Yes, we had an absolutely wonderful time! I like everyone who was there. I'm shy, but, perhaps because I had talked with everyone here, or because we all had so much in common, it felt like we were all old friends within a few hours. We slept in the back of our truck. It was COLD! That's Ok, though. That kind of added to the adventure. We borrowed the bathroom in one of the campers, and brought our own water. It took an hour to get to his house, but we would have driven further. It didn't cost anything. Some people came alone, some as couples, and some as families, and there was no requirement to be actively homesteading. We had a potluck lunch, an apple cider making demonstration, a recipe exchange, and many people brought ideas to share. We stayed one night. I would do it again in a second (and hope to, if the NW PA campout gets off the ground!). It really felt like a family reunion, and my whole family loved it. If you ever get a chance to go to one, I highly recommend it!

[mainer]

went to ericjeepers last summer & met some great people.we ate,talked,laughed &learned from each other. I still see Eric from time to time, as he is only 25 miles from me. I helped him make venison sausage this fall! I hope he does it again this summer & more attend. He has a great place & welcomed campers & tents.It was an overnight,but I could only stay a few hours. Next time I'll "clear the decks" for a longer stay.

[EasyDay]

Okay, I know a bunch of you go to the annual Buffalo River get-together. Let's hear from ya'll. DH and I live so close and haven't gone yet. Maybe this year we'll stop in for the day. No over-nighters 'cause we have too many critters than want us home by dark!

[HilltopDaisy]

I've become close friends with several of the people I've met from here, mostly one on one, but we have all gotten together for lunch a couple times. We had a NY'ers campout last fall ~ just an overnight at a beautiful state park, and we paid for tent sites, and everyone chipped in for the pavillion, where we had our main meal/get-together on Saturday. It POURED rain all day but we still had a blast! Would I do it again? YES! We bartered stuff, had enough food for 100 people (there were 11 of us!), laughed and talked and had a wonderful time. I would encourage everyone to meet up if at all possible!

[marvella]

i went to the AR picnic. it was a whole lot of fun and met some great people! they had demos of various things. we camped, but some stayed in nearby motels. it's about a 12 hour drive from here. if it was closer i'd go back more often. i think it cost like 5 bucks a night or something, not much at all. the food was great! everyone brought something from home. you should go if you get the chance. maybe you could feed heavy saturday morning, go and come back and feed again sunday night? i'm lucky that my kids will take care of the place almost any time i ask.

i've also met a number of other people from here, for a variety of reasons. some from the singletree, bought guineas from another, and i know i've forgotten some.

i have to say everyone i met was really nice. there's some good folks that hang out here.

[ozark_jewels]

I've met *many* people from HT, mostly through buying or selling. I liked them all and found out there are several quite near me!

[Mike in Ohio]

Hmmm,

I've been to a few get-togethers....

A few years back there was one in NE Ohio by Geneva on the Lake. We had people from NE Ohio and NW PA. Nice crowd.

DW and I went to one that Ken Schoberek (Sorry Ken, I know I butchered your last name) in Western TN. That was fun as well. We were visiting some friends who have a farm out that way.

There have been several get togethers at Das Dutch Kitchen by Kidron OH. A fun time was had by all.

Last but not least, I was at the get-together that ZYG had at his place (MelissaW mentioned it). I had fun but everyone decided DW doesn't exist because she hasn't come to any of the get-togethers. Then they made fun of my mandolin playing even though I had already told them I couldn't play. If I wasn't such a good natured fellow I might have gotten upset <G>. A real rough crowd. On the other hand, the food was excellent, the conversation grand and the apple cider magnificent.

At all of the get-togethers, people talked about their places, things they like to do and their plans for the future. I haven't stayed over at any of the get-togethers but for me it is just more how it played out. I can see staying over at them and if DW and I ever have one at our place I could see inviting people to camp overnight.

Depending on the timing of the NW PA get-together people are talking about, I could see camping overnight.

I could also see some sort of get-together in conjunction with the April Kidron Auction (it is a big one and they usually have 5-6 auctioneers going at the same time).

You don't have to show any homesteading credentials at the door of any get-together I've been to. Just show up and be pleasant.

Mike

[Tana Mc]

I've been to 3 of the Buffalo River deals. It is about a 6 hour drive for us. I took a few of my kids and left the rest home to do chores. We camped in a tent one year and in the back of the truck one year. The last one we went to, the whole bunch of us went and rented a cabin --- and were sick as dogs by the time we got home!
I feel like I have gotten to know the "regulars" pretty well. Posifour and Okiegoatgal2 are pretty regular visitors to our farm and we do lot of trading back and forth.
Everybody goes potluck and there is usually enough food for waaaay more people than are actually there.
As long as everybody is in agreement that alcohol and family get togethers don't mix, it really is a nice time and worth the time and money to get there. It is reassuring to know that there are really other people out there that do some of the same things that we do.
Tana Mc

[Corky]

OK, My DH and I have been to several Buffalo river campouts and have always had a wonderful time.
We have made many good Friends that I hope to keep for my lifetime.
We all are very different in many ways but have the love of country living in common. We don't think drinking goat milk or butchering rabbits and chickens is weird. We like to sit up half the night around a camp fire and talk and laugh, keeping other campers from getting a good nights sleep. (sorry) NOT!!!We always have lots of good campfire food to eat.
It will be at Bullalo Point in May this Spring I hear.
If you are in the area you should go on over.
They will be posting more about it as the time gets closer.

[FarmboyBill]

Cause I was uncertain of what I would find. , and CAUSE IT WAS A LONG TRIP, AND I GET LOST EASILY. LOL. I thought it would be either an old folks get together to just shoot the bull, OR, it was a bunch of old maids looking for someone, Or that it was people who didnt have enough to do to keep them as busy as I was. And probably more. But u know what? I was plesently supprised. In a sense, they were all of the above, and for at least, there was one old geezer there looking also lol. Its familys getting to gether for a family reunion, as it were. Its ALOT of fun. I guarantee youll laugh ALOT. I guarantee youll love the comaradie, setting up late cause you dont want the day to end, just small talk, getting to know each other, feeling and talking about the similarities, in family and lifestyle. I went , not wholly finding what I went for. I left finding somtehing I hadnt had in a long time. A big friendly family. It didnt cost more than a hundred in gas, grocerys, grounds fees, ect. I guarantee that youll like it. I can say what youll learn. i cant say what you can teach. But if everybody goes ready to give whatever little it may be, then all will leave having learned something, and generally, that is somthing you hadnt expected to learn. Good luck, and get ready to make new friends. Remember what Laura Ingalls Wilders husband Manny said to his friend. (God hates a coward)

[FarmboyBill]

Originally Posted by EasyDay

Okay, I know a bunch of you go to the annual Buffalo River get-together. Let's hear from ya'll. DH and I live so close and haven't gone yet. Maybe this year we'll stop in for the day. No over-nighters 'cause we have too many critters than want us home by dark!

Ive only been to the Buffalo River campout and my remarks refer to it.

[big rockpile]

Been to Buffalo River get together couple times,Tent Camped.Went to Indiana get together,stayed with friends.

Been to several other get togethers on other Forums.Getting ready to go in a couple weeks to one.

All in all had good time at all,made some friends.

big rockpile

[ericjeeper]

well I attended one hosted by Mom of 5. met a few great folks. Did not like any of em.. Then I thought I would have one at my place.. see if this time I would like any of them. Nope not a one.. I just do not understand.. How I could go to two Indiana gatherings and not find a soul I liked.
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Nah Just kidding I Liked everyone I met. It was truly a wonderful time. and Yes I will do it again. Hopefully more people will show up. Rather than saying yeah I will be there with five kids, and then you do not show.
It makes it hard when trying to plan a menu. No one likes anniversaries all in the same month, all bringing Cherry desserts,Potatoe casseroles.. (those that attended The McCormicks creek GTG will get a laugh out of that.,. That was just to plain wierd.)
So if you say you are going to go. Please either contact the host asap when your plans change or if you have doubts going in just do not say you will be there.. I had enough beans and cornbread to feed an army.(the racoons were farting for weeks in the woods behind my house.)

\ from Stef

I see the occasional post for get-to-gethers and wondered for those who've done it, was it worth your while?Most certainly
Did you make some good friends?Yes many
How far did you go to attend?40 miles first time. my backyard the second one
Did it cost you moo goo bucks?The first time I took basically enough to feed my family of 5
Did you stay in a hotel/motel/tent/camper?No
Who decided where you would meet?Mom of 5. 2nd one I did
Were running water, electricity and porta potties available?yes. 2nd time full amenities. even 3 real bathrooms.
(Who kept em clean?)
Was it for couples only or could/can singles come?Anyone and everyone was urged to attend
What did you do while you were together: talked, ate, shared ideas, gave demonstrations, etc., etc.?we talked. ate really really well. we walked through the woods and gathered Paw paws, Then swapped recipes.Ajax Lucy makes the best greens on earth,.
Did you have to be a homesteader or just supportive of those who are?anyone
How long a period of time was involved; a weekend, a week, or more?a day
Swinging back to my first question; would you do it again??without a doubt.
Hope I answered your questions.

[ericjeeper]

gee this thread died quick

[Metagirrl]

I can't wait to attend our first get-to-gether! It's always fun to meet new folks!

[lonelyfarmgirl]

I went to the buffalo river gathering a few years ago, and I have a verrrryyy incriminating photo of vera, but she begged me to keep it under wraps, so sorry about ya!
we camped. it rained. it was hot, then cold, ate too much food. blah, blah, had a blast.

[Old Vet]

Well I have had fife get toto geathers at my place. They were from another fourm but the people there are great. I had one that 75 people should up for it. I bought all the food for the long weekend and rent severial portipoties. We talked a lot. People came from all over the country. I had severial people that came from Origon ,California,Vermont,Texas, Oklohmia, Misouri, Georgia, Flaurida, as well as from Arkansas. It cost me about $500 for that one but we had much fun. I also ran electricty for some.

I also have been to Goatlatys get togeathers and had a great time.

I will go to the Bufalo River campout and if you are their you will find out that they are much fun.

If I were healthy enough I would have another one here also.

[posifour11]

yup, the river rats are lots of fun! don't expect to sleep much...

[MullersLaneFarm]

We've hosted a weekend the past 2 years and will host another this June (no definite date set - thinking the 3rd weekend though).

Last year folks helped Paul with the hay, we cooked over the fire, made homemade ice cream (fresh from the cow) and played instruments & sang on the back porch. We'd like to do/have more demonstrations, but there is only so much time in a day!

Singles, couples, families - all are welcome. The only thing we ask is you leave your dogs & alcohol at home.

Folks camped out - we have a well with hand pump - latrine and house was open too.

We met some great folks and have become very good friends with some really strange folks (just kidding Pony!) Love that gal like my sister.