C-Dory Meet Up in Midwest

Historically there has been a gathering on the Mississippi in the Alton Ill area. The last gathering was in Lake Barkley/Lake Kentucky. The main person sponsoring these, unfortunately has passed on, and no one has stepped up to the plate to do these.

I am too old to travel to them any more. Tex of Bixby Club had also been involved. I am sure you would get good attendance if you were to organize and hold one of these. There is not much involved. Reserve slips in a marina, put out the notices, and organize one to two presentations, maybe some local entertainment. I know that the Marina at DUBUQUE, IOWA, where the National Museum of the Mississippi and Aquarium are located would love to have another C Dory gathering, as well as the other marina in Dubuque, and the Marina at Alton, Ill has done a good job in hosting the C brats in prior years. There are good restaurants close by all of these, plus the historic Mississippi River to cruise. The Mark Twain country!

We have cruised most of the Great Rivers in the Eastern US, and these gatherings are great points to start or end a cruise on the Mississippi, Cumberland, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers.
 
It was a newby that did the gathering at Land Between the Lakes in Lake Barkley at Prizer Point KOA and Marina. He ended up selling his C-Dory before the gathering, but still hosted it and came with his 5th wheel trailer instead. Alton is a beautiful marina, and enjoyed having the C-Brats. The Dubuque marina at the Museum is a nice spot but no covered slips. The other marina there that has been used some in the past for gatherings, has covered slips, however has become more of a party marina. Prizer Point was pretty nice as well, with covered slips, a pool and some other nice amenities, and I think they'd love to have us back. The Mississippi offers some great cruising, as long as you are aware of and keep clear of the wing dams. Prizer Point on Lake Barkley offers you the Cumberland River, and with a little backtracking, the Tennessee River. Both Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake have a lower winter pool that draws down in October, which is a nice month to do a gathering due to the colors changing, but with the drawdown, you need to stay in the main channel alas you learn about grounding. Colby
 
The other issue was with the river rising rapidly. We were told we had to leave the Dubuque River Museum Marina--because the flood gates were going to closed, and might be closed for some time. Any time of the year might bring this complication.

Lots of gatherings don't have slips under roofs. As I recollect, the place on the other marina in Dubuque did not have roofs in the part we were tried up at. There were a handfull of other C Dorys.

Colby--why don't you organize a gathering there?
 
And yet you are the most prolific gathering attendee that I know!!! 😁
At a minimum I bet you trailer more miles per year than anyone else.
Good job on FindPenguins for the Powell trip and the Friday gathering 👍

James
 
What is the significance of the covered marina slips? I always thought they were leftover from the By-gone era of varnished boats. The Chesapeake has a lot of of them. Are they really that much worthwhile?

I bought my dog in Dubuque, Iowa and watched the tugboats work some barges around. That looks like such a gorgeous area to explore.
 
Conan2324":1dljz4jp said:
Clinton Iowa would be a great place for reunion
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Conan, it sounds like you are volunteering to host a gathering there. Looks like a great place to me.

Does the marina have open slips for the 20 or so boats you would have? Is there a campground nearby (not essential), Where is the nearest launch ramp? Is rig parking secure there, or is there parking at the marina for the rigs? Could be trailer and tow vehicle be parked separately (some marina have a parking lot just for trailers.

Thank you--and I'll bet there will be good attendance!
 
Wow, lots of responses!!! We would love to meet up with the team in Iowa. Would anyone have interest in meeting up in Bayfeild Wisconsin next year?
 
RRThompson":2tedj9vm said:
Wow, lots of responses!!! We would love to meet up with the team in Iowa. Would anyone have interest in meeting up in Bayfeild Wisconsin next year?
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Definitely. I have friends in Cornucopia, near Bayfield.
 
Basically yes to all . Nice marina, great river ride to Dubuque
about 60 miles north or about a day.
restaurants within easy walking distance.
A very nice lagoon to anchor out in if you didn't want to pay dock fees
Large boat ramp.
Any idea what time of year would work ?
September generally not as hot but not sure how late in year is gas dock open.
 
We observed that the end of Sept gas docks were being shut down, although we were able to obtain fuel, some marinas had run out of gas and were not refilling their storage tank. Only one place did we have to back track a few miles to get fuel.
 
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