There seems to be enough interest to definitely make this event happen!
Details are as follows:

Ft. De Soto Park ( Click here for directions ) ( Click here for map of the park )
Tierra Verde, Florida 33715-2528
Shelter #12

October 13th 2012

If you are coming from out of town, many of us will be camping overnight. Campsites are filling up quickly so reserve yours ASAP. Here is the phone number to reserve your campsite...(727) 893-9185.

Something else to note is that there is a $5 parking/entrance fee to the park so be prepared.

 

I'm in........

seems like a long enough lead time to get a decent number of people together.

Plus its central (ish) location

Have you made sure that the park is available? I recall last time it had to be reserved for the event......

*mind you, I wasn't able to go to the last one....... but my car made it there! LOL

 

im in. ft. desoto would be an awesome place for a gathering. best of luck with your wedding and new home.

 

Awesome Jay, hope you and your car both can make it this time.
I will give them a call and ask. Hopefully they aren't against the idea of having a car gathering there again.

Joe, thank you. Hope to meet you out there.

 

hey jim,

let me know if i can help up here on this end. I should have both verts ready by then.

Good luck with the wedding you guys.

 

im in. not sure where ft. desoto is but idk. ill drive there.

 

This is the map of the park. I will try to reserve shelter/grill number 3 or 4 because it isn't too far from the restrooms. Hopefully it isn't too busy and they will allow us to reserve parking.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/m...FORTDESOTO.pdf

Here is a map of the park in satellite view from google...zoom out so you can see where it is.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=FT+De+...33715&t=h&z=15

And here is a picture of my car at the 2004 event. Glad it doesn't look the same. Too bad I can't find a picture of all the cars lined up.

 

it should make for some awesome pictures and a great time. im looking forward to it. is there a cost to rent the area we will be at? i think there is camping available too, if im not mistaken?

 

Look forward to seeing them both. You just had one painted right? Civil Wedding went much better than expected yesterday, thanks.

Yes, camping is available. I talked to another member on here and she suggested camping as well. This would be good for anyone coming from far.

 

I am so going! And yes, I would love to camp out! October might be good enough weather to sleep outdoors....

Congratulations Mr.& Mrs. Charcoalbird. Can't wait to see you at the wedding...
Sorry I missed Saturday's.

 

camping can be fun.... campfires and stories... lol

 

Should be in town on those dates and will be there

 

Too bad you got rid of your Facebook, she posted up some pictures of it. She looked BEAUTIFUL! And doing it all under this Tiki we built turned out awesome. I got a lot of questions about the Tiki. A LOT of "Can you build a tiki at my house????!" I just built a pavillion for her parents...I know they are wishing I had built them a Tiki instead. It's all good, how did K's game go?

Anyway, I have been trying to think of the best way to advertise this event. I really hate to categorize it any other way than just a Firebird/Camaro event. All gens welcome. One thing I didn't care for at the last one was that it was segregated into gens or clubs. Would really like to keep it at the individual level. Also would like to push the camping idea to make it even more of a family event. Need to post this up on other boards too(Camaro5.com, LS1tech.com, The Z28 boards, etc....) Ideas??

 

I'm down if the IROC is still in one piece by that date.

 

I'm IN! that is plenty far enough away to get vehicles on the road and get camping and work figured out. I love ft. desoto. And it is dog friendly so everyone can bring their mutts. lol

 

I agree, I do not like being separated between classes or groups. That is not the intent really, the intent is to meet new people and be social. I can help with anything other than cross posting. I can call them and try to get something set up if you'd like.

Set up some games maybe? Corn toss, Kan Jam, Kuub....

I think with enough preparation, it can turn out pretty kick ***!

 

I think it could be kick *** too. And instead of worrying about car #'s, i'll be more focused on the cars that are there, kicking your *** at corn toss, and camping stuff.
If you'de like to call them up you are more than welcome. I was going to do that on tuesday. I was thinking Saturday October 13th, camping over night and then leaving sunday.

 

That sounds like a good goal for me to fix both my rides.

 

...I was there and I remember the drama.....Good idea.....I will keep my eye on this, and will plan to attend...car won't even be close to being ready(god I wish, its been way to long) I have a long list of to do's......

 

Adam, way to long is an understatement. I have never seen your car before.

 

Maybe this is the kind of motivation I need to get my car back on the road!

 

....It has been quit the mystery hasn't it......I assure you that I do have a 3rdgen, it's go'n on 21 yrs that I've owned it, and im not about to give up now.......

 

I'm booking the shelter today. Wanted to get some feedback. There is not a shelter near the camping area. Everyone would be responsible for securing their campsite on their own. I was thinking shelter #12 would be ideal for us. It is near the dog park/dog beach since someone mentioned bringing pets. This one has a pier too, and with the bait shop right there, fishing could be an option for family members not into the cars. I have a corn hole game, a Kan Jam game, and a Kuub game that I will be bringing for anyone that wants to play. Maybe some friendly wagers??

Here is a pic of the layout. Let me know what ya think...

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/p...ochure-Map.pdf

 

Thanks Mijan! Shelter #12 has been reserved for us. That is one thing out of the way. I will make sure it is okay to block off part of the parking lot for us.

I have let a local group here in the Tampa area know of the event. For those of you in other parts of Florida, SPREAD THE WORD.

 

thank you for setting this up. i havent been down there in a few years. it should be an awesome fun time! im really looking forward to this!

 

x2

and spreading the word down here in SWFL

 

Yes, it has been reserved. Mark your calendars. October 13th Shelter #12 from 8am to sunset. Bring your fishing poles, canine family members, games and FBody!

Please be sure to book your campsite now if you are staying over. I found they are limited already on prime spots. I was able to get the last waterfront that allows dogs, that's how quickly they book ahead. For only $40 you can sleep over and have up to 6 people and 2 dogs per campsite and not have to drive home.

Feel free to suggest any other ideas, such as cooking out or organizing any events during the day.

It's just right around the corner....

 

Where are the Pensacola/Panama City, Miami, Jacksonville people? I will have to post on those threads as well. I'm really looking forward to this. Especially camping. It's been probably 15 years since i've gone camping.

 

Where is this again? Tampa? That is a 3.5 hour drive from JAX.

Someone put this on a mapquest map of Florida or something?

 

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

It's in St Pete, about 4 hours for Jax. That is the point of the location, so that people coming from 4 hours away can spend the day and not worry about the drive home. Camping is available for a decent rate, much better than a hotel, so long as you can handle roughing it. They have facilities and it's well maintained.

Not being biased, but I think Jim came up with a perfect location. Pretty centralized to everyone interested and nice amenities, and good time of year weather wise.

 

hey guys,

Is there anyone familiar with the area? I wont camping but i might be syaing over in the immediate area. Is there any decent hotels, with well lit lots and security?

 

Oh man, that park looks like an awesome place. I'm so looking forward to it. I've gotta work hard to get my car on the road. I'll be busy over the summer. Thanks guys for putting this together.

 

^^^what local group r u talking about!!!!!!!

 

Not sure, but I was thinking of asking a few people if they wanted to be overnight security. Maybe like 1-2 hour shifts. I don't mind doing it for a couple hours.

 

Might make it. Looks like a nice park. .
95% probability not with the vert. Need to put the Th400 in it still and retune.

 

If not in the vert, still come out!

 

I'm in, w/ wife and kids. Dogs stay w/ Grammy... I don't need to be paying all the post blood-bath vet bills for my fellow dogfowners (Harley isn't exactly a social butterfly w/ other dogs, which is too bad because he's a big goof w/ people especially kids).

Gonna spread the word around Orlando best I can.

 

Looks like we're getting a good turnout!!


Loneroad..there is a hotel not too far by the Skyway bridge that I have been to many times for Christmas parties. We park our work vans loaded with equipment and all and never had a problem. It's the Holiday Inn Sunspree. We would stay an entire 3day weekend and no trouble.

 

Camaro should be back on the road before this. I'll probably show up.

 

Show up? No camping?

 

Sounds good, Probably book rhe room next weekend. Ill post up what the room details are annd website info in case anyone else is interested.

 

If you'd like to leave one or both of your cars to be watched over you are more than welcome to do so. I will be staying up 2-3 hours overnight to keep guard of the cars. I'm hoping to have a couple more people to help keep a watchful eye on the rides as well. I would hate for something to happen to them while at the hotel. I know how that feels. I lived in an apartment and someone tried stealing the hood twice...then tried breaking into the car the last time when I finally got an alarm with a pager. They were suprised enough with the alarm. Then at a christmas party at a different apartment someone finally broke in and stole my stereo and radar detector...very frustrating.
The All GM-Show is the weekend before this, I plan on attending both events. I made a different thread for the All-GM show for those who are up north and don't wish to drive down to this Florida Gathering.

-Jim

 

I might take you up on that. Domenica wont be able to get both sats off. Ill hsve to see which one she wants to go to. If she dont make this one then ill camp.Ill be able to help out with the watch.

 

Honestly, I rather more people showed up on this event than the All-GM show. However, the all GM show is well organized and trophied and includes silver springs. For you and your family, I say plan for whichever you think would be a better trip for the family. For the All-GM show I think my wife and I will attend solo...but for this event we may take additional family as well to camp.

-Jim

 

Hey guys. I just found this thread. Man, I need to get out more. I've been so focused on my LS1 swap that I haven't been going anywhere else on the forum. Going to G16 last weekend got me interested in being more involved though. So count me in. I'm hoping my '89 with the new LS1 will be ready by then, but I can bring my '88 beater if nothing else. Assuming my son doesn't wreck it before then. haha

Congrats CB on the recent marriage & new house! It sounds like you have been a busy guy. I was kind of curious what exactly a "civil wedding" is though. Is that kind of like a "shotgun wedding"? lol

This event should be a blast. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you. Do you know if there are any camp sites left? I haven't been camping in... oh man, 25 years! I ran out of fingers and toes! Man, showing my age!

 

Thank you very much D. Ha, no not a shotgun wedding. Civil wedding is basically by law. Her and her family are very traditional and although we are married by law, we aren't "officially" married till it has been done by church. We had this small early wedding just for name and paperwork changes so we didn't run into any problems with out of country travel on our honeymoon.

Hopefully you will be able to finish the swap by then. I'd love to see it. I'm not sure if there are campsites still available...I would definitely call and ask though.

 

I go to fort desoto just about every weekend for some kayak fishing, ill defiantly be there

 

Count me in!

 

I edited the first post and included all the event info.

I haven't been posting this up on the other boards like I initially wanted. I am still debating whether to do that or not. One thing to consider is if we did have a huge turnout with all gens...how would food/drinks and such be handled. I certainly don't have the $$ to provide for a large number of people. I'm thinking just this first time keeping it on a smaller scale. Everyone is still welcome to come out though so invite all your friends and family. I just don't want to get slammed and be short with supplies.

On the other hand I could just start a thread on other boards and communicate with a representative of their boards. That would make it easier for me too.
Thoughts anyone??

 

I will have 135# Lulu watching the cars too....!! She won't let anyone within 50ft of our campsite