09/06 - 09/09 - National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering

[Connie Fisher]

Announcing the Third Annual, 2012, “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering”

The Third Annual, 2012, “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” is being held at the American Marine Yacht Basin Facility in Dubuque, Iowa.

Thursday evening, Friday, Saturday and Sunday breakfast  (September 6, 7, 8 & 9)

Since many C-Brats will be travelling long distances to attend this gathering, they may choose to extend their vacation and show up before and/or stay after the scheduled gathering.

To welcome the C-Brats to their facility, American Marine has graciously agreed to offer the special C-Brat slip rental fee of  $1.00 per foot of boat (per day/night), includes hook-ups, from Tuesday September, 4th until Friday September 14th.

To make slip reservations for the “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering”, call Diane Averkamp:  563-557-9700 (Caller must identify themselves as a C-Brat).

Many more details to follow.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher


http://www.americanboatingcenters.com/custompage3.asp?pg=5

http://www.traveldubuque.com/

http://www.traveldubuque.com/visitors_guide_form.cfm

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Iowa/Dubuque-773422/TravelGuide-Dubuque.html

http://wikitravel.org/en/Dubuque#b

http://www.go-iowa.com/Dubuque/

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-475903-dubuque_vacations-i

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g37853-Dubuque_Iowa-Vacations.html

http://www.catfishcharliesdubuque.com/default.asp

http://cdn-5.psndealer.com/e2/dealersite/images/americanboatingcenters/CCReviewArticle.pdf

http://www.visitquadcities.com/tmr/print.php?itin=culinary&show=all&PHPSESSID=ae2f731d71d4607b8001731d0f598f7f

http://www.catfishcharliesdubuque.com/custompage3.asp?pg=testimonials

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&cp=17&gs_id=1w&xhr=t&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1433&bih=699&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=catfish+charlies+dubuque&fb=1&gl=us&hq=catfish+charlies&hnear=0x87e32b84c08a86d3:0xb4be1ec626a37147,Dubuque,+IA&cid=0,0,13485241633108647893&ei=x88rT--XLdT_sQLqrNysDg&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&sqi=2&ved=0CA0Q_BI




Added to Calendar
Signup list
-TyBoo

[texasair]

Ron and Connie throw a pretty good party!
We are in.

[colbysmith]

Hm, close to home and I'd like to have my own C-Dory by then. And if not, it might still be a great time to come down and meet some real C-Dory owners. I'll have to put it on my schedule if I'm not working.

[Connie Fisher]

While in Dubuque, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an absolutely “must see” attraction.

http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com/#images/Homepage/Thumbnails575/Bowlin'%20on%20the%20River%202012%20home%20page%20slide5.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dubuque,_Iowa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubuque,_Iowa

http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?NID=1060

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iadubuqu/civilwar/cwdbqhist.html

Comments?

Regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher

[colbysmith]

I've been to the museum twice. Definitely worth the stop!

[TyBoo]

This has been added to the Calendar and a signup list is in place.

[Connie Fisher]

Nearest camp ground;

Make reservations after May 1st, 2012

Miller Riverview Park & Campground
1851 Admiral Sheehy Drive, Dubuque, IA, 52003

(563) 589-4238

http://www.cityofdubuque.org/index.aspx?nid=1133



Nearest Hotel;

Hilton Garden Inn Dubuque Downtown
1801 Greyhound Park Drive, Dubuque, Iowa, USA 52001

Tel:  1-563-585-5200   Fax:  1-563-585-5222  

The Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Dubuque hotel, conveniently connected to the Mystique Casino and the Dubuque Greyhound Park.

http://hiltongardeninn.hilton.com/en/gi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=0GL5KFISBXD5GCSGBJC2VCQ?moreDesc=true&ctyhocn=DBQDTGI

[Connie Fisher]

Hello again,

Our contact/coordinator with American Marine at the Dubuque yacht Basin is Diane Averkamp:  563-557-9700.

See aerial photo http://www.americanboatingcenters.com/custompage3.asp?pg=5

I strongly suggest that those attending this gathering, contact Diane and reserve a transient slip for the gathering, as soon as you know that you are going to be there.

Upon arrival at the Dubuque yacht Basin, check in with Diane (her office is in Catfish Charlie’s Restaurant) for slip designation etc.

Also at that time, also ask Diane for the free WIFI access code.

More details to follow.

Regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher

[Connie Fisher]

“Meet In The Middle”

This is a personal invitation to you and yours, everywhere in the USA, to join us at the upcoming Third Annual “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” in Dubuque, Iowa. (September 6th, 7th & 8th, 2012).

This is an opportunity for C-Brats from across the nation to “Meet In The Middle” of the USA, on the upper Mississippi River, at a wonderful time of year.

The goal of this Gathering is for everyone to enjoy yourselves, relax and get aquatinted with other C-Brats, while experiencing the adventures of cruising the Upper Mississippi River.

Twenty boats showed up for last year’s gathering, from Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and of course “us” from Iowa were represented.

Hopefully this year, C-Brats from other states will make the list longer.

This year, the gathering has been moved to the Dubuque Yacht Basin, which offers, more docking, a heated pool, gazebo, first class restrooms, spotless shower facilities, laundry facilities, picnic area for cookouts, Catfish Charlie's Waterfront Restaurant, American Lady Cruises etc.

Itinerary:

NOTE: There is no registration fee this year, it’s totally a “pay as you go” event.

Also, as we discover events that are going on in Dubuque that particular week end, they will be added to this thread as we go along.

Breakfast:

We will meet each morning for breakfast at 8:30 AM (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), at Catfish Charlie's, meeting room, which will be reserved for the C-Brats.

NOTE: Catfish Charlie’s does not normally serve breakfast and is creating a “special” breakfast menu, Just for the C-Brats.

Day trips and/or excursions will be planned during breakfast each morning.

Thursday Evening:

You are welcome to come along; Thursday evening (9-6-12), Everyone loves a good Happy Hour! Why not enjoy it on the water?

5:30pm - 7:00pm, join us for the Happy Hour Cruise see; http://www.americanladycruises.com/custompage3.asp?pg=happy

Tickets are available for purchase inside Catfish Charlie's. Advance reservations are required. Call 563-557-9700 to book your reservations. 

Friday Evening:

You are welcome to come along; Friday evening (9-7-12), 7:30, Join us for the two hour Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the American Lady, it is the perfect way to take in Dubuque's beautiful river scenery while enjoying a delicious meal catered by Catfish Charlie's.

http://www.americanladycruises.com/custompage3.asp?pg=sunset

Tickets are available for purchase inside Catfish Charlie's. Advance reservations are required. Call 563-557-9700 to book your reservations. 

Saturday Evening: Banquet, in the reserved meeting room at Catfish Charlie's.

General Information:

- Gathering Philosophy; “We will just make it up as we go along”.

- Enjoy the daily camaraderie of other C-Brats either on the dock/s or Dubuque Yacht Basin Marina grounds.

- Everyone can bring their favourite beer/wine (BYOB) and any snacks they wanted to share each afternoon/evening, tables will be provided on the Transient Docks (anytime), bring your lawn chairs.

- Everyone is “very” welcome to attend the National, Mississippi River, C-Brat Gathering & Reunion, with or without a C-Dory.

- We welcome any followers of c-brats.com that do not own a C-Dory (yet), to join us for the festivities and camaraderie.

- Parking for tow vehicle/s and trailers is provided (in a specific location) by the Dubuque Yacht Basin Marina management (directions will be provided upon arrival).

Stay tuned.

Regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher

[Connie Fisher]

We do not plan to produce another event T-Shirt for this or future gatherings (too expensive and everyone probably have enough T-Shirts already).

So this year we have produced a 3” “event button”, see http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Lil-Sis&id=button_3_ps&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

When Tyboo Mike gave permission to use part of the C-Brat logo, he said “Your button idea sounds pretty cool”, hope you agree.

Regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher

[k-p pelican]

FYI Some of the happenings going on in Dubuque during the Gathering will be:

Thursday Sep. 6th:
Dueling Pianos at Diamond Joe casino, Port of Dubuque

Friday Sep. 7th:
Dubuque And All That Jazz, Town Clock Plaza (Downtown) Main street is blocked of for this event, live music and food & beverage vendors

Saturday Sep. 8th:
Dragon Boat Festival at Miller Riverview Park, Schmidt Island Teams from around the US and some Internationally compete.

The museum is always a must see.

Plenty to do and we hope to see everyone there.

Ken and Pat (Pelican)

[Ramon Sr]

I just booked our slip. Thanks, Ron and Connie for hosting this event again. Ken and Pat: thanks for the info on events. Looking forward to see everyone again.

[jlsparks]

Called in for our slip on Thursday and so looking forward to the trip, see you all there.
Jim and Julie

[colbysmith]

I just purchased the C-22 Midnight Flyer, and I hope to make it. How necessary is it to make slip reservations if my schedule is uncertain? Colby

[Connie Fisher]

Hello Colby,

Congratulations on the purchase of “Midnight Flyer”, we hope you and yours can attend the “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” in September, we have a great time.

Thank you for this question which allows some needed clarification about slip/dock space at the American Marine Yacht Basin Facility.

One of the reasons the gathering was moved to the American Marine Yacht Basin Facility in Dubuque, Iowa was because of the facilities size, accommodations and availability of slips that could accommodate an ever expanding group.

The American Marine Yacht Basin Facility management have made it clear that they “very much” want the “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” to be held at their facility and have been a real pleasure to work with.

The gathering will actually be held at/on the transient slips which are directly in front of the Catfish Charlie’s Restaurant (where we will have breakfast each morning and the banquet Saturday evening).

Of course we would like to have all or as many of these transient slips reserved for C-Dory’s, because other boaters besides C-Brats could reserve space there also.

However, another reason we moved to the American Marine Yacht Basin Facility in Dubuque was that when the transient slips are all occupied, there are many other (near by) slips that management will make available to the C-Brats at the same rate/s.

Of course “the great photo” would be if all the transient docks in front of Catfish Charlie’s Restaurant were filled with C-Dory’s, Tom Cats and Ranger tug’s.

So, if you want to be sure to have your boat at the transient slips, please reserve a slip right away (full knowing that you can cancel if you have to) or wait, which means maybe a slip in the transient slips or close by.

Be assured there is plenty of dock/slip spaces available for everyone that attends even if arriving at the last minute.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie, Bear & Dolly Fisher