2013 - Aug 1-4 Gathering at Potato Creek SP, West Liberty, IN

We arrived at Potato Creek Stale Park in late afternoon on Wednesday, July 31, but I didn't take any pictures until Thursday. As you can see, it was a beautiful day. Just about perfect for camping and any other outdoor activity.

We sat around in the breeze under a shade tree and watched a young couple with three toddlers trying to set up a borrowed tent. After the husband lost his temper and left, Suzy went over and helped the wife set it up. It took a while, but they got it done. Then it rained HARD that night. They were gone when we got up on Friday morning.

It was still drizzling Friday morning, so we went to the South Bend Chocolate Factory with Cindi and Loren. Fun! Friday night was the traditional campfire. Chuck, from Indiana, smuggled in a bunch of wood and with what we bought, we had plenty.

Saturday was the potluck. Chuck, from Missouri, organized it: 5:30 - Bring whatever you want. It was Great!

2013 - July 17-21 Mini Gathering at Lincoln Trail SP-Marshall, IL

We rolled into the campground on Wednesday afternoon at 3:15. It was about 92/92 degrees/humidity. Didn't take any pics that first evening, just sat around and tried to shoot the breeze, but the was none!

Thursday, after I got out of my cool bed at 12:35pm, we sat around in the heat as a few more campers arrived. We ended up with eight campers, twelve people and a few oscillating fans to create a breeze for us to shoot.

Friday, we drove the twenty miles, more or less, through the country (and I mean country) to the Moonshine Store, founded in 1889 by William St. Martz. It's out in the boonies outside Martinsville, IL at the intersection of two blacktop roads. No other buildings are visible from the site. Nice little place and the burgers are great! Check it out at themoonshinestore.com.

Friday evening was warm. Some of the group went to the park restaurant for dinner. Marsha and I were still full from our lunch at the Moonshine Store, so we sat around camp until the rest got back. The group got smaller over the course of the evening. Fred, Paul, Rich and I finally headed for bed around midnight.

Saturday, we went to the park restaurant for breakfast, then stood around and watched a little rain shower pass through. After that, Marsha, Rich and I went for a ride to go check out Millcreek County Park where we saw a large tree trunk sitting on the rear end of a boat. Ouch! Later that afternoon, we got a pretty good rain with a lot of storms in the area, but it let up in time to have a nice evening around the fire.

As Aliner Gatherings go, this wasn't a very big one, but it was a nice sized group. No management needed.

2013 - June 26 Gathering of Aframes at Bennett Spring SP, Lebanon, MO

We arrived at Bennett Spring State Park about 6:00 on Wednesday. We were a bit late because we attended a retirement lunch for the couple who owned the company I retired from. A few folks were there, even though the official start date was Thursday. There was a total of twelve campers in attendance for the weekend.

Wednesday night and Thursday were hot and humid, but it rained Thursday night and cooled things off. Friday and Saturday were perfect. The traditional potluck dinner was scheduled for Friday which also happened to be my birthday. We had a nice time.

Saturday was a lazy day. Marsha and I went into town (Lebanon) to pick up some ingredients for her dish for her family reunion in Shelbyville, IL on Sunday. We got up at o'dark:30 on Sunday to make it to Shelbyville by 12:30.