Lake Shelbyville 08’

I believe this would also be the third year that a few members get together down in central Illinois at Lake Shelbyville, post Labor Day.

I have always missed this weekend, but don't want to again. Do we know the dates for the gathering? Is it Sept 6th-7th?

Also, can you refresh my memory on hotels? I believe Joel told me once about a so-so lodge on the lake... (Carrie won't do the camping thing)...

OK, fill me in, so I can plan..

Thanks
Moj'

I want to see Moj go over the jump.

Date is probably going to have to be Sept 5-7 as the next weekend is the Northeast Reunion and will interfere with some plans, after that we chance cold weather again. I'll email Gary this weekend and see if there is a chance it will be moved to his site in Decatur, we've been there once and it would certainly work out great for us. Slalom course and jump would be awesome plus docks, picnic tables and a lunch restaurant on the water is a big plus. Camping is a little primative but we'd open the Bounder up as home base for showers and creature comforts.

Either location, we should set a date soon.

Decatur would be awesome. I believe Shelbyville is south of everybody, and actually further than GL!

Here is a little more info....if our members are are ok with hosting guests,we are about an hr closer for everyone.
Hotels and restaurants are 10-15 min away,club has a ramp,boats can stay in the water or on the trailer at the club...and all that Alan mentioned.
No one has put the course in this year though??? However...if Joel wants to drop his in , it can stay in for the weekend.
I don't know much about camping at the club...I believe that tent camping is allow for a small fee.
Alan...not sure if any spots are open for the Bounder...we can check today.We have added several new members this year.Of course we would host you and anyone else at our home(like we Rob and Dena did). I think Deb and Brian mentioned doing the same.

More to come tonght!

Update....we are in the process of gaining approaval from our board.

So far...everyone I have talked with is fine with it.

Post more when I have it.

As far as I know...that weekend is the one.
Sorry to lose Kurt though.

For the others...Are we rollin for that date???

OK, Sept 5-7 looks like a go. Bummer on the motorhome, we'll have to see how many people are coming and go from there on where everyone will put up for the night. I think I still own a tent!!!

Carolyn and I should be a go.

I should be in for this one. I'd love to embarass myself on that jump too. And who knows...maybe you guys will finally get to see the BFN, picking it up today...Keep your fingers crossed.

RainDog wrote: Hey, we'd like to come down as well, if Loren will put up with the twins bugging him all the time. I would be looking for a hotel though. Let us know what is available.

Steve, excellent idea !! Our girls are going to want to all wake board "from the "pro" Loren's new boat".. Way cool..... LMAO...

Moj'

Forgot to include...Lake Decatur...camping is not much for tents and no spaces for campers...Shelbyville would be better if camping is important.

Here's my take on it gang and please understand that we'll be there no matter where it ends but the past couple of years have been such a huge success in part due to the camping after a day on the water. I'd hate to have to see everyone check out at dusk when the fun is really just starting. We've always had fun reviewing all the video and photos on a tv by the motorhome and sharing some cold ones and food by the fire. For those staying in hotels our Bounder will be available for you to use as you need. All you need to do is bring food, there are enough camp chefs around to grill it up for you.

I'm all ears to hear what everyone thinks of Clinton. Todd has assured us of a great campground which I think is important. Hotels are not far away and if you're not camping you'll have to pack up no matter what lake we go to.

I think Lake Decatur would be a blast and like Johhny I'd be good for a few laughs off the jump. It is a really nice ski site, but if we all have to pack up at the end of the day it just takes something away from the weekend. It's hugh of Gary and Brian's families to open up their homes but I still vote for a lake with campsites.

Mojo wrote: Alan, How far is it by water from the camp ground where you guys have stayed to the Resort on Shelbyville? Are ther piers at the campground to tie off the boats for awhile?? Does anyone knoe of a place that would bring in camping trailers, like Reed found in WI? While I think Todd's suggestion for warm water is great (because my daughters always freezing), I think we should stick to having a central camping party area like in Shelbyville. Being 45 min farther is not a make or break for us.. Eagle creek has slips available for nightly mooring as well, so no problem if you don't want to pull the boat.. My vote is Shelbyville.. Moj'

Dave, Eagle Creek is only a few miles from the campground by water but tying up at the state park and walking to the campground is probably not going to work(tie up is not great and the campground is pretty far from the launch.) Joel just drove over to the campground from Eagle when he stayed there 2 years ago.

We'll have to wait and hear from Todd because he did say there was ample camping at Clinton and hotels nearby so that is still in the running. Todd, Dana and I are thinking we'll have an open weekend before labor day and thought we'd check out the camping at Clinton if we could hook up with you and Rene for some skiing. Give me a call if you're interested 630-209-3619

Sorry gang but I really thought Lake Decatuer would be a better site but without the camping we're taking something away from the weekend and I don't think that's the way to go.

OK, sounds like I should shed a little more light on the subject. It was late when I read the post.

The reason I put in a vote for Clinton was simply due to better skiing. I guess you can call Clinton my home lake so I am familiar with it. Shelbyville is a good lake, but it is really wide and sometimes hard to find good water. If you were to do a google map search and look at the lake, it is a giant horseshoe. There are shorelines to protect you whatever way the wind is blowing. It is tough to do that at Shelbyville because it is really big. I know there are a lot of barefooters who come along with slalom skiers so I am looking for quality water for everyones interests. Also, there is boondocks the restaurant. This is a far cry from a nice restaurant, but the food is awesome. You also have food at the Marina along with gas if people need it.

Now for the campground. It is not as far of a drive to the water from the campground compared to Shelbyville. Lets be honest here, we are talking 1/2 mile or so. No big deal. The campground is nice and the bathroom/shower facilities are good too. Renee and I always commented on that when we camped there. Now it has been 2 years since we have camped there, but we drive through it all the time. To be honest, I still like the campground at shelbyville because of the huge trees and super protection, but for practical purposes like a solid ski weekend, I'd have no problems whatsoever at Clinton. Heck, Renee and I camp there in the fall just for fun. It is a clean and well maintained campground and is a 2 minute drive from the ramp. You have to pull your boats each night. No overnight mooring.

I absolutely understand everyones concerns with lodging and such. No matter what, we will be there! I still think that Shelbyville is a great locaton for both campers and people who request a roof (with the weather the last two years....I should probably do the hotel). I agree with Joel that they haven't done a lot of updates in the last few years, but it is a place to rest your head and take a nice shower. Again, there is a restaurant and a nice bar in the resort that some people may like. Plus a place to tie your boat up overnight.

I think that Decatur would be a great time and I would like to make a day trip out of it, but having the ability to throw up a tent and sleep for free is kinda nice too.

Again, this is just more information about a possible 3rd location. You can throw it out the window and I am absolutely fine with it. If we opt not to do Clinton, my vote will probably be Shelbyville. I agree with Alan that it is fun to hang out around the bounder and sip brew and watch video. We have a great group of people and the visiting is awesome.

I think that the best thing to do for people who are intersted in coming is to look at lodging online. IF you were to do Clinton, you would have Champaign and the town of Clinton as lodging options. Actually, I forgot about the Super 8 in Farmer City. That is about 10 miles from the campground. I have never stayed there, but it is a Super 8. They did some remodeling there 2 years ago I think, but it ain't no Hilton. If people were to choose Shelbyville, the closest town with a hotel would be Sullivan, IL....I think. Still a 15 minute drive unless you stayed at the resort. If you were to do Decatur, we have to wait on Gary to give us that info.

Just filling everyone in on some more details.