It's time to plan for Fall Meet & Greet: Oct 24-26, 2008 at Gilboa

[gtxl1200]

First of all who is pregnant???? enquiring minds want to know? I'm not responsible for it. I didnt do it.

2nd of all.I dont even know why I'm replying. but here goes. You said the whole thing that makes it not doable. WE SET UP TO DIVE ACROSS THE ROAD THEN MOVE BACK AT LATER IN THE DAY. That kills the deal right there. Im not lugging stuff across the road and be stuck their all day with the half my stuff across the road. Then If I dont want to dive like some of us dont or cant. we hang out across the road at the campsite so were still split up.. At least Gilboa when your not diving your at your home area if you want to dive you right there you gear up and dive when your done were still right there. Gilboa has some issue that we dont like but for what we want it for it works for us.

I still vote Gilboa.

 

[rab]

I'd be up for White Star only because I've never been there. Portage is OK, but I've been there 3 (4?) times and Gilboa is a better M&G site (IMHO).

But, I have a new dry suit that only has a couple dives on it. I'm going to use it no matter where the M&G ends up, but it sure sounds like Gilboa is better logistically for getting in the water quickly.

I'll have to go back and figure out what to bring, but I can always bring a cooler of lemonade again (which will probably go better if it's hot outside) or fixin's for SIR.

-Rob

 

[violakat03]

Here's how I look at it ... White Star has never been tried. We won't know if we like it or hate it until we try it. And if we hate it, we can move it back to Gilboa for spring with the ability to say in the future "no, we tried it, it really doesn't work." Or we may be able to say "hey, White Star worked great, let's alternate places in the future to keep it interesting."

To me, the reduced cost is the biggest factor for White Star. Two days at Gilboa and camping for two people, even if one's not diving, run us pretty much broke. I'm still pulling for White Star

 

[Steve_Dives]

Whitestar, while a nice place to dive, would fall third on my list for M&G. Setting up on one side and hauling gear across to the other side is the killer. It's a couple hundred pounds to load into an out of my vehicle. I'd be completely packing up and relocating twice a day. Yuck! If the park service would allow us to set up our camp between the air fills and the "holes in the ground", it becomes a really attractive option. Especially if they are lenient on the adult beverage rules.

Portage would be second on my list for M&G because it allows us to camp and dive in one spot. Their special events would have to be considered, and we may end up sharing the camp ground with an all night party. I think it's a rules violation at Portage to NOT have an adult beverage.

The fees at Gilboa are annoying. The dog fee could be higher. I like not having dogs running around under foot, stealing food off tables, fighting with each other, bark, yap or whine, and pooping and peeing everywhere. The pooping and peeing is my territory! Charging non-divers $14 a day (entry & camping) is pretty steep. I'm not sure how much they'd have to drink to cost that much in toilet flushes, but it might be humanly impossible. Maybe the little bracelets are just way more expensive than I'm estimating??!?!!?!?

 

[Ber Rabbit]

He's going to gloat forever now but I agree with Steve_Dives for the very reasons he posts. I practically move in when I dive, many of you have seen my base camp and helped set it up/tear it down. I've gotten to the point where I like to arrive on Fridays when I dive so I can set up and not have to tear down until Sunday. Set up/tear down two days in a row would suck. I would be more than happy to primitive camp in the area Steve mentioned or even in the parking lot near the walk-in entry at White Star.

I would be more willing to move to Portage (see steve's post for pro's and cons---his head's going to explode). Didn't we do a Fall M&G there a few years ago? I think it was when Mitten wasn't able to dive, I remember we all parked in the back and his trailer was backed up almost to the water. I have pictures but don't remember for sure if that was an actual M&G or the predecessor of the event.

Gilboa has it's problems but I do like being able to leave items out and not worry about them coming up missing. Mike pretty much knows who's on the property on any given day. This is a mini vacation for me so I compare it to my other vacation costs. This is one of the least expensive dive vacations I can take.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[violakat03]

How does Portage compare to the other two for cost? Non-divers, fills, camping, parking, etc.

 

[LKMIDiver]

Im going to gilboa tomorrow and whitestar on saturday. I will fill you in on my preference. This being my first to both places. Nate

 

[Ber Rabbit]

How does Portage compare to the other two for cost? Non-divers, fills, camping, parking, etc.

Here's the link to the website Portage Quarry. The quarry is closed after Labor Day weekend but he does have a clause of opening during out of season weekends if weather permits. I'm betting he would open up for us if we wanted to bring a group down.

Portage:
Diving $10.00
General Admission $5.00
Camping $5.00 (in addition to general admission)
Child camping $4 (in addition to general admission)
Fills $7.00 (up to 3000psi, air)
No pets

Gilboa
Diving $15.00
General Admission $6.00
Camping $8.00
Fills $8.00 (air)
Pets $10

White Star
Diving $10
General Admission $0
Camping $15.00 per primitive site
Fills $7 (air)
Pets $0

Ber :lilbunny:

 

[warm water wimp]

Here's how I look at it ... White Star has never been tried. We won't know if we like it or hate it until we try it. And if we hate it, we can move it back to Gilboa for spring with the ability to say in the future "no, we tried it, it really doesn't work." Or we may be able to say "hey, White Star worked great, let's alternate places in the future to keep it interesting."

To me, the reduced cost is the biggest factor for White Star. Two days at Gilboa and camping for two people, even if one's not diving, run us pretty much broke. I'm still pulling for White Star

White Star- 2 days diving @ 10/day = 20.00
Campsite = 15.00
total 35.00

Gilboa - 2 days diving @ 15/day = 30.00
Campsite = 8.00
total 38.00

For one person, the cost difference is insignificant. Yeah, bring a non-diving guest and that goes up ($6 x 2 p lus $8 to camp) another $20.00. You have to ask yourself if $20 is a good price not having to haul your gear back and forth. :money: Heck, Ted would rather pay someone $20 so he wouldn't have to haul his gear back and forth. :nod: Also, you might miss out on some of the "spontaneous" diving if you have to haul gear.

So, my vote is still for Key Largo. I think I counted three other posts voting for Key Largo too!

 

[gtxl1200]

White Star- 2 days diving @ 10/day = 20.00
Campsite = 15.00
total 35.00

Gilboa - 2 days diving @ 15/day = 30.00
Campsite = 8.00
total 38.00

For one person, the cost difference is insignificant. Yeah, bring a non-diving guest and that goes up ($6 x 2 p lus $8 to camp) another $20.00. You have to ask yourself if $20 is a good price not having to haul your gear back and forth. :money: Heck, Ted would rather pay someone $20 so he wouldn't have to haul his gear back and forth. :nod: Also, you might miss out on some of the "spontaneous" diving if you have to haul gear.

So, my vote is still for Key Largo. I think I counted three other posts voting for Key Largo too!

Actually it is 8.00 per person per night to camp at Gilboa so you have to add 8.00 more to your figures to the cost of Gilboa. but still it is 8.00 dollars not to have to haul your gear.

If I can get 10 people that wants to go to Key largo I can try and set something up..