09/09 - 09/10 - National Mississippi River Gathering

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
Hello from Iowa,

The idea of a “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” all started when, after a press release was sent to surrounding news papers, one added their comment that this gathering in Guttenberg was a “national event”.

After all, we did have C-Dory’s from Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas & Wisconsin at this C-Brat Gathering in Guttenberg, Iowa.

After some conversation after breakfast on Sunday morning (9-12-2010), the C-Brats in attendance, discussed and agreed, that the concept did seem logical and had merit, primarily because Guttenberg, Iowa is more or less located in the center of the USA”, so why not?

From the beginning, the idea or concept of a “National C-Brat Gathering” was not, in any way, meant to offend or enflame other C-Brats.

In fact, from the beginning, all C-Brats (from anywhere) were welcome to attend this gathering, from it’s “on line” inception and conversation/s started in early October 2009.

By quickly announcing the 2011 “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering”, does allow anyone interested, some amount of time to make plans. 

Be it known, all C-Brats from anywhere, nationally or internationally are “very welcome” to join in the festivities of the “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering on September 9 & 10, 2011.

Please note; Other areas of the country do have C-Brat Gatherings and this suggestion of a national event is in no way an effort to usurp, challenge or compete with those gatherings.

After all, C-Brats can travel to any gatherings anywhere of their choosing, however this is an opportunity to meet in a central USA location, on the upper Mississippi River at a wonderful time of year.

Thank you for allowing me to explain.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
 
Ron and Connie put on quite a show, and quite a feast. A great time was had by all. We just pulled Bixby's Cub out of the Mississippi River a few hours ago after going as far north as we could go. The Coon Rapids Dam north of Minneapolis got in the way. We went up through 3 locks today totaling 113' of lift. Quite a sight to pass through downtown St Paul and Minneapolis.
Headed west to Powell tomorrow.


Tex and Sharon
 
Ron & Connie,
Thank you for a great time the planning and work you guys performed that allowed us all one heck of a four day period of fellowship and fun! Please accept my reservation for next years "gathering".
 
Connie,

Rest assured that you did not offend or inflame any other C-Brats. You might however have made some of us jealous by 1) Organizing a great gathering and 2) Coming up with the brilliant "National" moniker prior to anyone else. My suggestion that we do a "International" CBGT out here on the left coast was merely a tongue in cheek attempt at one-ups-manship.
 
This has been placed on the books and a signup list has been made. The title is preceded by 2011 to get it to show in the right spot on the front page list. Also, the Signup is listed as Guttenberg because the "National Mississippi..." title was too long to use. But it's a long ways off so I have plenty of time to get it right. Plus, Patrick has plenty of time to get ready so he'll have no excuses next year!
 
This message is a “heads up” to all that plan to attend the 2011, “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” (September, 9 &10, 2011) In Guttenebrg, Iowa (always on the second week of September).

Make any reservations NOW” or as soon as possible.

I have called the City Of Guttenberg and reserved all nine transient boat slips in the new Marina for next years C-Brat Gathering (September 8, 9 & 10). If you want one of these slips, I suggest, you contact the city of Guttenberg immediately/now.

To reserve space for next years C-Brat Gathering call 563-252-1161 (ask for Julie), specifically identify yourself as a C-Brat and make your reservation (also see http://www.cityofguttenberg.com/ (click on Marina).

As a note; This year, the slip space was free, have no idea about charges for next year.

Spaces will be on a first come first served basis, after all spaces are reserved, C-Brats will have access to the free city docks (as available).

If there are too many boats and not enough slips, some may be allowed to park on the beach north of Landing 615 (I’ll be checking on this), also some can anchor across the channel.

For those who want to stay at “The Landing” (who also have slips available and are next door north to the Marina), I strongly suggest you make reservations now, 563-252-1615.(www.thelanding615.com).

Regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
 
Thanks, Ron and Connie for organizing this one more time and putting up with us. As I mentioned before, you guys are great hosts. I already signed up for next year and submitted my request to the marina for a slip.

We plan to arrive Wednesday night and would like to do an outing to the Effigy Mounds either Thursday or Friday. Hope some other C-Brats can join us, keeping in mind that this outing would be by foot as there is no landing at Effigy Mounds.

Thanks,

Ramon and Laura
Chiquitita Crew
 
Hello Ramon and Laura (Chiquitita Crew),

Look forward to seeing you again, we are delighted that you have chosen to come back again next year.

Even though the 2011 Gathering dates are shown for Friday & Saturday (September 9/10), we will arrive in Guttenberg on Wednesday evening, help folks “land” on Thursday, with an early arrivals “get together” Thursday evening.

As a note; The second week of September is also/always the St. Mary's Fall Festival w/ Music, polka Mass, chicken and ham dinner, country store, Christmas corner, crafts and children's activities.

The “Family Reunion” theme worked so well that we have no plans to make any changes unless the group that attended the last gathering agree.

The attendance list is pretty well cleaned up and complete, however I still need to clarify the e-mail addresses for Richard & Judy Morrison and Dick & Bunny Bohlman.

If you have contact with them, please advise their e-mail address or have then drop me a e-mail note to ron@ronfisher.com or kingfish@maisp.com.

Once the attendance list is complete, I will be sending you the list and updates as we go along.

As always your input is very important, so any ideas or comments are welcome.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
 
Thank you for asking; Effigy Mounds National Monument (U.S. National Park Service), high on towering bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, north of McGregor, Iowa (15/17 miles north of Guttenberg).

An “Effigy Mound” American Indian culture developed over 1000 years ago placing thousands of earthen mounds across the landscape of what (today) includes parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

Over 200 mounds are preserved intact within the Monument; 31 are effigies in the shape of bears and birds - commemorating the passing of loved ones and the sacred beliefs of these ancient peoples.

 
Sacred Space: The mounds preserved here are considered ceremonial and sacred sites by many Americans, especially the Monument's 12 affiliated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings of the mounds, the peoples who built them and the relationships to their modern descendants. The 2,526 acre Monument includes 206 American Indian mounds situated in a natural setting, and located within the one of the most picturesque sections within Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area and along the "Great River Road" of the Mississippi River - a National Scenic Byway. See http://www.nps.gov/efmo/

Best regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
 
There is much to see when you come to visit. One day Jim & Julie headed downstream to the Mississippi River Museum (www.mississippirivermuseum.com/).

Parked their C-Dory (Dutch Treat) in the Dubuque Ice Harbour and spent the day, reportable had a great time and recommended the museum and would make the trip again.

Nice day trip, 30/32 miles down river, one lock through at Dubuque, and back in time for the evening get together.

Best regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
 
The following comments from El & Bill in 2009, seem timely and appropriate to add to this years thread.

Regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher


Posted: Wed Oct. 14, 2009 11:32 am    Post subject:

The Upper Mississippi is one of the fine cruises in America. Holding a Gathering at Guttenberg, Iowa is a marvelous idea. It would focus attention on the Mississippi and give folks with access and an interest in the River a chance to meet and share experiences and friendship.

For those contemplating attending such a Gathering, we would suggest a perusal of the following threads about cruising the Upper Mississippi:

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/towns.htm - This is a tale about the history of towns along the Upper Mississippi.

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/missgeo.htm - And this is a tale of the geology that is the reason for the Mississippi River.

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/mwgath.htm - and this is an account of the First MidWest C-Dory Gathering. A little history.

Keep up the idea of another Mississippi Gathering - it will be a great shared time together in a wonderful part of the country.
_________________
El and Bill on Halcyon
Halcyon 2000 CD 22


http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/
 
Earlier, I had commented that Guttenberg, Iowa is a tourist town, which Connie says I should clarify.

Like the Forbes article commented about being “laid back”, Guttenberg, Iowa is where folks come to do nothing else but hide out/hang out, walk, wander and to enjoy this gorgeous upper Mississippi River valley.

See: www.forbes.com/2010/04/15/americas-pret ... de_11.html

Guttenberg, Iowa does not have a McDonnell's, water slides or fudge factories.

Guttenberg, Iowa is an old river town with businesses that support the local community.

Some how, this 50’s/60’s way of going is very appealing to outsiders, with a crunch of tourist that make Guttenberg, Iowa their destination from May to late October.

To get some idea about this area, Google “Driftless area”, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driftless_Area#Iowa

The Driftless Area or Paleozoic Plateau is a region in the American Midwest noted mainly for its deeply carved river valleys. While primarily in southwest Wisconsin, it includes areas of southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and northwest Illinois. This region includes elevations ranging from 603 to 1,719 feet and covers an area of 16,203 square miles. This region's peculiar terrain is due to its having escaped glaciation in the last glacial period.

For river navigation maps (Guttenberg, Iowa is river mile 615) see;

http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/NIC2/mrc ... fm?index=2

http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/NIC2/Doc ... 13-620.pdf

Hope this gives everyone interested some idea why this part of the Mississippi River is so special.

Regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
 
To set matters straight, the following messages were exchanged.

Regards,

Ron Fisher

------------------------------

patrick and linda

State or Province: Other
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 27 Cruiser
Vessel Name: "Fan-A-Sea"
Photos: Misty Seas

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 3:03 pm    Post subject:


how could this be a national c-brat gathering when we ohio c-brats never received our invitation? had we been included, we would have supplied all the beer, wine and food!
so, i think you should fire your head administrator and replace him with someone dependable. as you can see this mistake has cost you guys a lot of money. i spoke to the honorable byrdman, and he agrees, had he been invited he would have raffled off a new boat! my good friend charlie, concurs, he too was willing to pay the monthly payments for one year on a c-brats boat loan. big bucks lost here.
best regards from disgruntle c-brats
pat

----------------------------------
patrick and linda
Posted:
Wed Sep 29, 2010 2:47 pm
Subject:
2011 “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering”

Hello From Guttenberg, Iowa

This is a personal invitation to you and yours to join us at the upcoming “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” in Guttenberg, Iowa on September 9 & 10, 2011 (always on the second week of September).

Yes, we know, some may wonder why they are receiving this invitation eleven months ahead of time. Considering that most of those attending this years Gathering, traveled long distances, we want to make sure everyone interested has adequate time to make plans for the 2011 Gathering.

The 2011 “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering” is already shown on the www.c-brat.com with a few already signed up.

This year, we had 16 boats show up from Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas & Wisconsin to attend this C-Brat gathering in Guttenberg.

This message is also “heads up” to all that plan to attend next years Gathering, please, “make any reservations NOW” because space can be limited.

I have called the City Of Guttenberg (563-252-1161) and reserved all nine transient boat slips in the new Marina for next years gathering (September 8, 9 & 10). If you want one of these slips, I suggest, you contact the city of Guttenberg immediately/now.

When reserving space for next years Gathering call 563-252-1161 (Julie), specifically identify yourself as a C-Brat and make your reservation.

As a note; This year, the slip space was free (since the Marina was just completed in July), have no idea about charges for next year.

Spaces will be on a first come first served basis, after all spaces are reserved, C-Brats will have access to the free city docks and then if there are too many some can anchor across the channel.

For those who want to stay at “The Landing” I strongly suggest you make reservations now, 563-252-1615.(www.thelanding615.com).

We, Connie, Bear and myself, had an absolute blast at this year’s Gathering, one of our greatest pleasures is to welcome visitors to our home and community.

Of course, we will have a informal, get aquatinted at our house on Thursday evening (September with the official evening gathering on the 9th and another B-B-Q banquet/dinner the evening of 10th.

Please advise me with any questions or additional details needed.


Best regards,

Ron, Connie & Bear Fisher
------------------------------------


From:
patrick and linda
To:
Connie Fisher
Posted:
Wed Sep 29, 2010 4:03 pm
Subject:
Re: 2011 “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering”

hello ron and connie,
linda and i would love to attend your get together for the 2011 national mississippi river festivities! more than likely we would reserve facilities for a week rather than 3 days. while we are loyal c-brats we are not c-dory owners. have sold our c-dory and purchased a different boat. with your permission, we will trailer our new boat and enjoy meeting new c-brat friends.
best regards
pat and linda campbell
Fan-A-Sea

---------------------------------------------------
patrick and linda
Posted:
Wed Sep 29, 2010 4:22 pm
Subject:
Re: 2011 “National Mississippi River C-Brat Gathering”

Patrick and Linda,

Everyone is welcome, to the gathering and festivities.

This year the cost was $25.00 per person which included a T-shirt and catered banquet.

Being on the Mississippi River that time of year is very pleasant.

Go ahead and sign up, hope to see you next September.

Regards,

Ron Fisher
 
Marty, Thanks for posting that article. That is a pretty nice write-up about some pretty nice folks.

Gotta Love this place

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

Halcyon,first in the line up
3_Bellingham_Line_of_C_D_s_2009_917.thumb.jpg
 
does anyone know the size of the cockpit lazarette hatch covers (the better ones!) from Imtra, & the part number that fits a C-Dory 22. We are needing them as soon as possible. Thanks, Tonka (Cape BReton)
 
Back
Top