What?
Nothing fancy! Just a chance to meet other geocachers from the Arkansas River Valley area (and elsewhere!) and discuss geocaching while enjoying a meal. And then grab your auger, ice saw, and fishing pole for some ice fishing on nearby Lake Dardanelle!
Where?
Pavilion 5, Old Post Park, in Russellville (See the coordinates above). But be flexible! If this pavilion has been taken, we will have to move to one of the other pavilions in the park! After we eat, we will relocate to nearby Lake Dardanelle to go out on the ice and do some fishing!
When?
Tuesday, August 9, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM or so.
Your host:
Old River Runner
OK, this will be an "el cheapo" event. To keep the costs down for this event, I have NOT reserved this pavilion. I am hoping that it will not already bereserved by others and we can just use it, free of charge. The Corps of Engineers is OK with this, as long as it hasn't been reserved by someone else. But, if the pavilion has been reserved OR if someone is already there (it's on a first come, first serve basis), then we will have to find another pavilion to use. Hopefully, that will not be a problem. But be prepared and be flexible!
Also, regarding the food, this will be a pot-luck style weenie cookout on the grill at the pavilion. (I hope you like your weenies burnt!) For this to be a success and have no one go hungry, we all need to pitch in and bring something. Here is a list of some things that we might or will need. Feel free to suggest other items. Also, please note in your "Will Attend" log what you are volunteering to bring.
Items Needed:
1. Hot dogs -- ORR
2. Buns
3. Mustard and catsup
4. Chopped onions
5. Hot dog chili
6. Relish
7. Slaw
8. Charcoal
9. Charcoal lighter fluid -- ORR
10. Baked beans
11. Chips
12. Desserts
13. Paper plates, cups, eating utensils, napkins, paper towels
14. Ice
Please note that each attendee will be responsible for providing his or her own drink. Also, bringing food or any of the items listed above is not a requirement for attending. It is all voluntary.
Regarding the ice fishing, the long range weather forecast for August 9 predicts unseasonably cold weather for several days, with temperatures expected to be in the low 20's. Ideal conditions for ice fishing! To help us out, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has agreed to activate their water chillers to lower the temperature of Lake Dardanelle to get it to freeze over for us. They say they can get at least 10" of ice thickness for us, which will be enough for everyone to drive their vehicles out onto the Lake to get to their favorite fishing hole!
Please note that you must provide your own fishing equipment and cold weather gear. The event host will not be responsible for anyone getting frostbite. Also, everyone who will be fishing on the ice must provide proof of life insurance for the amount of $50,000, with Old River Runner as the beneficiary, before being allowed out on the lake. Although the USACE is confident the ice will be think enough in all places to support any loads we will put on it, you never know! Especially with that darn nuclear plant so close by!
It should be noted that since this is the 16th year of this annual event (with the first event occurring on May 2nd, 2000, with Dave Ulmer and Bill Clinton in attendance), Gruntspank has officially declared this event to be the longest running geocaching event in Arkansas! (NOT that event held each January about 40 miles west of here!) Woo hoo! Come and be part of this great tradition!