Past Mississippi River get togethers

flyn727

Hi All,
Does anybody know who has put together the Mississippi River cruises in the past? I have heard that they are from Houston, TX but not sure.
Thanks in advance,
Ross

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:32 pm Post subject:

Ken and Pat (Pelican) were responsible for the Meet in the Middle Brat gathering. Ken poured his heart and soul into the gatherings. Sadly, he passed away three years ago. Tex (Bixby's Cub) hobbled together our last gathering, 2018. However was/is not able to continue. This past year nothing happened due to Covid. I had thought about trying to throw something together in the future, but decided not to. (Just don't have the time or inclination and prefer to keep my schedule flexible.) It was one of the great annual gatherings, and the only one in the middle of the USA. Many folks would plan cruises on the Mississippi in conjunction with that gathering. However, there are others that may plan trips down the Mississippi as part of the Great Loup or of their own accord. Colby

Barry Rietz · Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2020 10:27 pm Post subject: Meet in the Middle Gatherings

Ron & Connie Fisher of Guttenburg, Iowa initiated these gatherings about nine years ago and held them at their beautiful Mississippi Riverfront B&B in the historic German settlement. As the annual gatherings attracted more attendees, the gathering was moved to the American Marina down at Dubuque, Iowa. The marina had a lovely riverfront restaurant that catered to the week-long event. The Fishers decided to turn the event over to Tex & Sharon Allen and Ken & Pat (Pelican) after five gatherings. When Tex, Sharon, Ken and Pat got involved, the gatherings were moved down river to Bellevue, Iowa, then to Pike, IL and later to the Alton, IL marina. They were all great gatherings as Colby will attest and I miss all the folks who attended every year.

texasair · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:02 am Post subject:

Hello Ross,

Sharon and I, along with our good friends and cruising buddies Ken and Pat Frey have organized the Mississippi River Gathering for the last several years. The gathering has always been held the weekend following Labor day in September.

Ken Frey passed prior to the last gathering in 2019 and I was having serious health issues at that time. Sadly Pat Frey passed in March of 2020.

I would not have been able to organize an event in 2020. With the Covid outbreak the event could not have happened anyway.

I believe that I may have turned the corner on my health issues and am recovering.

If Colby or anyone else wants to step forward, I will herald their efforts.
With the support of the great folks at the Alton Marina, it is a relatively painless task. We have a outstanding group of core attendees and always some very interesting newbees and wannabees.

Texas C-Brats are rare and I am just south of you in Cypress. I will send you my contact information by PM.

Tex and Sharon
on "Bixby's Cub"

hardee · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:23 am Post subject:

I am way out of the area and I kind of like Colby's ideas on schedule -- keep it flexible. I have had some thoughts about going somewhere Midwest or ?? since Canada is probably going to still be closed. So, I have had thoughts about some Cumberland Lake/River cruising for some Fall Color watching this Fall, (Sept to ??), however I am a long ways away both in time and distance, and obviously we have not fixed Covid yet soooo, I will be watching this thread, and if it worked out, SleepyC might be in the area.

CBGTS are really great fun, and worth the effort so, for anyone inclined, go for it.

Also great opportunities for photos for the 2022 C-BRAT Calendar8)

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 11:26 am Post subject:

Thanks Tex and Barry for filling in the rest of the details. I had forgotten much. But I should have remembered more. My first experience with the C-Brats was with this gathering when Ron and Connie sponsored it, and I believe that was at Dubuque. (So in a way, Ron is responsible for my love of this group! It was he that talked me into going and answered all my many questions before I got there...) It was a great experience and while working full time driving school buses at the time, I wasn't able to attend all the following years Meet in the Middle, but I did make a few. And as with the Florida gathering, always a great group of folks. Also Tex, I wasn't aware Pat also passed away. I'll share that with Rosanne as she very much enjoyed Pat's company. We did know she also had some health issues. I gave it a lot of thought in re-inventing the gathering possibly on Kentucky Lake, but just decided I didn't want to lock myself in to running a gathering, and prefer being an attendee only. Smile

Glad to hear your health is improving as well! And good to hear from you! Colby

flyn727 · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2020 2:22 pm Post subject: Gatherings

Hi Everyone,
Would like to thank y'all for your comments on the Gatherings. We are down in Texas and would welcome anyone coming this way to get on our lake for a day or two. Like the idea of someone coming down the Mississippi to let everyone know where they would be and could meet up with them and float along for awhile. Or someone going to a lake. I was thinking about driving up to MN and drop the boat in and go down the Mississippi. Then taking AMTRAK (which runs along the river) back to get the pickup and trailer and then drive down the river and pick up the boat.

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year,
Ross