FCW/SM/GT#15 - A Flashaholic Get Together in NJ - October 4th,5th,6th.

TranquillityBase

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TranquillityBase

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Clinton, NJ

Tonight


Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.
 

sledhead

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Awesome! Will you forgive us if we melt it, within the first 30 minute? Collectively we're a bit fire crazy!

Well, I realized this was a possibility...:D..... I'm sure the ban will be lifted by then...............:popcorn:

The wife would not be happy ..... she might even " Release The Kracken! " Ooooh, you don't want that to happen!!:eek:
 
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TranquillityBase

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BTW, if anybody wants to extend their weekend camping, I have site #35 reserved for Wednesday and Thursday.
 

KartRacer31

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Hi Everyone --

I'm so glad to hear the positive posts about making the best out of the possible fire ban. :) I've been a little stressed out about the situation, and I've been on the phone with Spruce Run several times over the past few days - in fact I just got off a 30 minute call with them this morning. Additionally, I spent quite a bit of time speaking with Stan (who has helped me organize this event) discussing our options regarding the fire ban etc.

So here is what I can tell you:

Spruce Run says that the state fire marshal does monitor the fire ban situation at every state park daily/every other day. Since it is forecast to rain on Thursday, it is very likely (but not guaranteed) that the fire ban will be lifted or reduced for our weekend there. It is worth noting that the fire ban is currently in a stage 2 situation - which Spruce Run says they are rarely put into. If the ban is reduced to a stage 1 ban, that will allow fires in the campgrounds fire pits just like normal. So all we need is for a reduction from stage 2 to a stage 1 fire ban, and we are good. That appears to be very likely to happen - but again, not guaranteed.


The weather forecast: As of this morning (Tuesday Oct. 1st) the weather at Spruce Run is as follows (based on a combination of The Weather Channel and AccuWeather forecasts) -
Thursday 60-70% chance of rain.
Friday - no rain /partly cloudy - 62/40 high/low temps
Saturday - no rain/mostly sunny - 63/45 high/low temps
Sunday - no rain in the morning - 40% chance of rain after 2pm - 68/57 high/low temps

So the good news is that it looks like it will be dry while we are camping there - but a little on the colder side.

So here is what I suggest: We bundle up and hope for the best, and prepare for the worst!
Best: fire ban is lifted or reduced - either way we can have fires like normal.
Worst: fire ban is not lifted or reduced, and we need to get creative.

Stan has a portable fire pit with a screen over the top of it, that he is going to bring. Sledhead has the SoloStove fire pit that he is bringing. I have a propane lantern that I'm gong to bring for inside the gazebo area. I also have a disposable grill in a box thing, I'll bring that and see how well it works.

Do you have anything you can bring to help out if the fire ban is not lifted?

Perhaps a portable fire pit -wood or propane.
A Coleman lantern. - if we put a few Coleman lanterns under that gazebo, it should warm up in there a bit - it may be even better to tarp 3 sides of it to really hold in some heat.
One of those patio heaters that run on propane.
A portable grill - propane or charcoal.
A full size propane tank.
Any of the 1lb green propane bottles - we will likely need several of these.
Some cinder blocks - to raise the portable fire pits, they are suppose to be 1 foot off the ground. Other wise, Spruce Run suggested we can place them on top of the existing fire pit ring.

Something else?

Stay tuned for more updates --Tim
 
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KartRacer31

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FYI for everyone thinking about using a hammock:

carrot said:
Hey Tim,

Wondering if you know whether or not Spruce Run allows hammocks? I know that some of the parks we've been to in the past have been iffy on the subject.

Thanks
Steve

PS Can't wait!!!!


Hi Steve,

I just called Spruce Run to confirm, and I was told that they do allow hammocks, they ask that you set it up in such a way that it does not cause any damage to the trees. :)
 

Bimmerboy

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Tim - Excellent post, and update. Thank you for all your time and effort! Great idea about tarping up the gazebo as well.

As for wood, I left a voice mail at Annachar Pellets and Firewood in hopes of getting a good deal out there. I don't know if they only sell large amounts, but perhaps they can point us in the right direction. Will let ya'll know if they call back they call back.

I'm also bringing my home made pellet stove, without the cooking platform this time. It goes through pellets fast (I'll bring plenty), but gives off a lot of heat, and should make for an awesome, and legal marshmallow roaster. :laughing:


I was hoping I could make this trip. But I'm going to have to cancel. Family stuff just pushed into my weekend. Sorry, gents. I really wanted to catch up with you guys. It's been a long time since I ripped the bumper off my truck.
I was looking forward to finally meeting you, showing you Beelzebulb in person, and chatting some Malmsteen. Hopefully next time! Still haven't heard how your bumper got torn off... lol.


Either way. I'm still looking forward to the Born to be Wild acoustic set :grouphug::rock:
Thinking up a nice, mellow, unplugged version as I type. Born to be Mild we shall sing!


Awesome! Will you forgive us if we melt it, within the first 30 minute? Collectively we're a bit fire crazy!
You can say that again! We damn near had a foundry going last time. :party:
 

KartRacer31

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Tim - Excellent post, and update. Thank you for all your time and effort! Great idea about tarping up the gazebo as well.

As for wood, I left a voice mail at Annachar Pellets and Firewood in hopes of getting a good deal out there. I don't know if they only sell large amounts, but perhaps they can point us in the right direction. Will let ya'll know if they call back they call back.

I'm also bringing my home made pellet stove, without the cooking platform this time. It goes through pellets fast (I'll bring plenty), but gives off a lot of heat, and should make for an awesome, and legal marshmallow roaster. :laughing:

:party:

Thanks for the kudos. :) Cool about the stove and wood. And I'm glad you like the tarp idea... Anyone with an extra tarp or two, please bring them. --Tim
 

KartRacer31

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TranquillityBase - Do you have the huge "Tarp of Life" from the last FCW at Hickory Run? If so, please bring it if you can. Thanks -

Anyone else have an extra tarp - please bring it.
 

Bimmerboy

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The Tarp of Life should solidly cover a large side, and maybe even a small side with some luck. But the more tarps, the merrier, just in case. I have one that should do pretty good on a small side.

I'm quite confident that through our combined brain power, creativity, and a bit of nuttiness, we'll be fairly warm. We're not average people, destined to shiver in the cold darkness.

We are flashaholics!
 

KartRacer31

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The

I'm quite confident that through our combined brain power, creativity, and a bit of nuttiness, we'll be fairly warm. We're not average people, destined to shiver in the cold darkness.

We are flashaholics!

I LOVE IT!!
 

KartRacer31

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Update --

Some bad news - Karl isn't going to be able to make it, his wife isn't feeling well, and so he will be taking care of her this weekend.

Some good news - I spoke with Karl, and he has changed the reservation for his shelter at Spruce Run over to me. I let Karl know it will go to good use - I will NOT be staying in it, and it is open for anyone who wants to stay in it. There are a total of 4 beds (2 bunk beds). The shelter does not have power, running water or anything like that, but it does have the wood stove, and so if we don't get the fire ban lifted, it will serve as a "warming hut" for anyone who has a chill.

Thanks again Karl - and again, wishing your wife a speedy recovery. All the best to you and yours. We look forward to seeing you again soon. --Tim
 
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KartRacer31

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There are only 4 beds in the shelter - I guess you could put an air mattress on the floor too. If anyone wants to stay in the shelter, it is available to anyone/everyone. --Tim
 

Bimmerboy

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Aww, man... that stinks about Karl! I was quite looking forward to seeing him again. Cool dude, and very nice of him to transfer the reservation. Best wishes to Mrs. Karl!

Just realized... That means no pulled pork!!! And I'll be Chililess. Not quite the feast as last time, so we're mostly on our own foodwise. I'm bringing a couple bags of garden salsa Sun Chips for people to chow on.

OK, cool wood update. Got a very nice call back from Annachar. They usually only do cords and half cords, but they agreed to sell us a quarter cord for $50 if we pick it up, which is a stupendously better deal than buying those pre-bagged bundles at Home Depot, supermarkets ,etc. We'd go through 50 bucks of that stuff in about two hours. A quarter cord is about 150 pieces, which should do especially nice if we end up having two fires (fire ring, and Karl's shelter stove).

If this sounds good to everyone, let's work out the details. It can be picked up Friday so you can use it that night, but will require a few cars or a couple SUV's to haul it, and of course, someone to pay for it. I won't be there until Sat., but if you guys want to coordinate to go get it so you can enjoy plenty of fire Friday night, feel free to do so. I already let them know that might happen. Annachar is about 5 - 6 miles south of the park, and the number is 908-399-8794. Ask for Chris. I'll put in $25 to the cause when I get there, and the rest of ya'll split the remaining $25. Ain't gonna' get a better wood deal than that!

:hitit:

Let's do this. Burn, baby, burn! Camping inferno!
 
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KartRacer31

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OK, cool wood update. Got a very nice call back from Annachar. They usually only do cords and half cords, but they agreed to sell us a quarter cord for $50 if we pick it up, which is a stupendously better deal than buying those pre-bagged bundles at Home Depot, supermarkets ,etc. We'd go through 50 bucks of that stuff in about two hours. A quarter cord is about 150 pieces, which should do especially nice if we end up having two fires (fire ring, and Karl's shelter stove).

If this sounds good to everyone, let's work out the details. It can be picked up Friday so you can use it that night, but will require a few cars or a couple SUV's to haul it, and of course, someone to pay for it. I won't be there until Sat., but if you guys want to coordinate to go get it so you can enjoy plenty of fire Friday night, feel free to do so. I already let them know that might happen. Annachar is about 5 - 6 miles south of the park, and the number is 908-339-8794. Ask for Chris. I'll put in $25 to the cause when I get there, and the rest of ya'll split the remaining $25. Ain't gonna' get a better wood deal than that!

:hitit:

Let's do this. Burn, baby, burn! Camping inferno!

Bimmerboy - awesome job coordinating this, thanks! I can get over there and get some in my Jeep, but I can't haul all that much in my vehicle. A pickup truck would be great. Is anyone coming in a pickup truck that can make a run over there Friday after you set up?
 

KartRacer31

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Fire Ban /Weather Update: Nothing official yet, however - In the Spruce Run area it rained pretty heavy last night for s short time, and then drizzled for a little bit after that. Then it rained over night a little, and it's raining again now. The forecast says it's going to rain off and on all day today and tonight. And then it is forecast to be dry, partly sunny, and no rain Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning (chance of rain Sunday night after we would have packed up and left).

So the weather may be working with us for a change. Rain now when we need it to lift the fire ban, and then dry when we are there! However, it is forecast to be quite cool: 60/65ish day and 38/43ish overnight low. So be sure to bring warm clothes and an extra blanket to put under/over your sleeping bag.
 

KartRacer31

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So is anyone planning on staying in the shelter?

Is anyone coming in a pickup truck, that will be mostly empty in the back (after you set up) so we can get the rest of the wood?

Anyone have an extra tarp to bring? TranquillityBase had started on his way here, before I was able to ask him to bring the giant Tarp of Life.
 
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