Chattanooga Gathering 2012

[mmarcum6]

I have everything packed and will be heading out in the morning. I was going to go this evening, but by the time I finished everything up it was just getting to late. Every one be safe and I will see you there.

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[fish]

Yesterday was a great day at Harrison Bay, it wasn't too crowded and it wasn't hot. The wind was blowing just right all day, got a sprinkle or two but nothing to hurt anything.

Mr Veets, and Mr Recon made it fine and Mr Veets new camper is just fantastic, they seemed to be refreshed after their 14 hour drive from up younder, it is always good to see Mr Veets and his smiling face.

Uncle Bob, Joanne, Bryan made it fine and were already there when we got there yesterday. Mark already had his site set up just across from Pete and Marilyn, and Willard and Donna had dug in for the long haul. We sure do miss Punkin and Hershell being there with us, we miss Bam also but he called to say howdy.

Willard caught a cat out there so big, the hole he pulled him out of the water ran backwards for 5 minutes, hey, this is my story, I can tell it as big as I want to. LOL

Well, got to hit the shower and head on back out there for another fantastic day with fantastic friends. We miss y'all Punkin and Hershell and all the rest of y'all.

[fish]

Here it is Friday night already and it was another great day camping with great friends. when we got to the camp grounds today almost everyone was out fishing. Guess who showed up today, yep Punkin and Hershell what a surprise that was, we were really happy to see our friends. Fixin to hit the sack and head back out in the morning.

[craddock1]

My Wife and I stopped by the gathering for a visit today. Met several members I had not seen in person. Enjoyed swapping stories with Shilo Red for a while. And got to meet Jim Marshall. Been wanting to meet him for a long time. I met several others but just can't remember names. It is a great bunch of people. Anyone who is thinking of going there are still 2 days to make it. I guarantee You will enjoy it.

[fish]

Frank, I am so sorry we didn't get to visit with you more, we really do hope you get to make it back next year and stay longer. I have waited for a long time to meet you, and it was great to finally meet you and shake your hand, when you are going to be down this way let us know and we can have lunch or at least a cup of coffee somewhere.

Well the Chattanooga gathering sadly is coming to a close once again. For all the newbies who have not made a gathering close by, you really really need to go to one, you just can't imagine the fun and new friends you will make. The food, fun, fishing and fellowship is second to none.

It was so very very wonderful to be with our fantastic friends again for a brief time and fly it does. There is not a more fantastic and close nit group of friends anywhere than met at Harrison Bay this weekend. Words can not describe how much we value each and everyone of your friendship, we love everyone of you. Lord willing we will meet again next year. We each thank Mark for the great job he did and always does hosting the gathering. Thank you all for being our friends.

Dean, it was our great pleasure to meet you, you are now officially one of the close friends who meet at Harrison Bay, we appreciate you and thank you for taking the 14 hour trip with Mr. Veets for us all to be together, you certainly had the best riding next to you, they just don't come finer.

We hope everyone has a safe trip home and will get a bunch of good rest tomorrow. Until next time.

[foodsaver]

sorry this surgery got the best of me. i will make it next time!

[fish]

Craig, we were thinking of you, I was really surprised that you might try to come by to visit, that is one painful recovery. All of us hope you mend fast and can get back on the river catching the big ones really soon. Take care buddy.

[punkin570]

We Are Home!!!!!!

I want to say we had a AMAZIN time.

After arriving unexpected and getting to see the utter surpized look on everyone's faces, it didn't take long for everyone to jump in and help set up our camp. Can't say THANK YOU enough. Can't find any better friends than that I assure you.

We were so sure we weren't gonna get to be there but low and behold at the last moment we got the news of havin a work free Saturday so we made a last ditch of pitchin stuff in the truck and took off....Thank God for a free weekend to play.

Jim and Judy, we adore yall, and am so glad we got the chance to see you once again. It had been far too long in the making.
Veets and Dean, LOL, I'm proud of y'all. Never let it be said a secret can't be kept by either of ya. Hope you had a safe trip home and lookin for you both to be at Pickwick this fall.
Bryan and Joanne, Bob, it was wonderful gettin to be with yall this weekend, hope ya make it home with the camper in tact. I am hopin to see yall at Pickwick this fall too (WITH JOANNE AS WELL). I will be sendin you (Bryan) my computer before long, PM me an address when ya get a chance.
Jim and Deb, it was great seeing you both. Hate that the coons raided yall, sure makes for a memorable trip, dont it. Hope ya hadda safe trip home and we will see ya this fall.
Mark... it was wonderful as always, you did a great job pulling this together and I thank you for all your efforts. We will be prayin for things to work out with work so you get to come hang with us this fall too. Pencil me in for sure.
Ohh lordy, Willard and Donna..... y'all are awesome!! Had a wonderful time out fishin on the toon, Willard didn't scare me a bit, lol. We will be up to see y'all fore long, you can count on that... just gotta save up the $$ to make the trip.
Pete, Pete, Pete, I don't know how Marilyn puts up with you, lol. Just where did y'all go site seeing on the way home? Did you go where we went? Ohhh the mysteries of life, lol. All I know is I couldn't let you have all the fun this weekend without me, just wouldn't be right, ya know. Glad yall made it home ok. (((hugs)))
John, Dawn and Allison...we had a thrilling time out on the boat, thank you so much for joy riding us around the lake.. like I said, this is the 2nd gathering I have ever been to that I actually TOOK the time to get out on the water instead of hangin in camp to socialize. Love the boat, great choice, hope yall catch lots of fish over the years out of it. We meant what we said bout this fall.... yall show up and there will be a tent set up waitin for ya. Thats just what friends do for one another, ya know. PS, Dawn, I would love to have your recipe for that broccoli bacon slaw dish, it was wonderful.

Folks, don't let nobody tell ya there are hungry coons and squirrels at Harrison Bay St. Park. Nite times were never dull for sure. Heck fire, those critters are so durn brave, they don't hesitate to rummage thru camp in plain daylight. I think pretty much everyone had a thief at one point... they sure got their fill of peppers, cornmeal, and buns. But, ya know, doesn't matter how many times things were raided, we still had more than enough food to feed the crowd. Fish, BBQ, eclair pies, smoked chicken wings and all the other trimmings... truly a meal fit for kings and queens.

I can't wait to see everyone again this fall. As for this gathering, if ya missed it, you missed out on an amazin weekend. I hope these graphic reports whets your appitites and entices each and everyone to consider and try your hardest to make it to atleast one of the gatherings somewhere soon. You just do not know what a wonderful experience you are missing out on.

Craig.... I hope you have a speedy recovery and maybe next time we will get to see ya again.

I wish everyone has a safe trip home and I LOVE YOU ALL BUNCHES!!! (((((hugs))))))

[canebreaker]

Just home, watch following Pete's directions. It was scenic, but long. It maybe a good way home for him, but long for us.
Great to see everyone that was there. Hopefully we can fill the park one day.

[Nanny_cat]

We Are Home!!!!!!

I want to say we had a AMAZIN time.

After arriving unexpected and getting to see the utter surpized look on everyone's faces, it didn't take long for everyone to jump in and help set up our camp. Can't say THANK YOU enough. Can't find any better friends than that I assure you.

We were so sure we weren't gonna get to be there but low and behold at the last moment we got the news of havin a work free Saturday so we made a last ditch of pitchin stuff in the truck and took off....Thank God for a free weekend to play.

Jim and Judy, we adore yall, and am so glad we got the chance to see you once again. It had been far too long in the making.
Veets and Dean, LOL, I'm proud of y'all. Never let it be said a secret can't be kept by either of ya. Hope you had a safe trip home and lookin for you both to be at Pickwick this fall.
Bryan and Joanne, Bob, it was wonderful gettin to be with yall this weekend, hope ya make it home with the camper in tact. I am hopin to see yall at Pickwick this fall too (WITH JOANNE AS WELL). I will be sendin you (Bryan) my computer before long, PM me an address when ya get a chance.
Jim and Deb, it was great seeing you both. Hate that the coons raided yall, sure makes for a memorable trip, dont it. Hope ya hadda safe trip home and we will see ya this fall.
Mark... it was wonderful as always, you did a great job pulling this together and I thank you for all your efforts. We will be prayin for things to work out with work so you get to come hang with us this fall too. Pencil me in for sure.
Ohh lordy, Willard and Donna..... y'all are awesome!! Had a wonderful time out fishin on the toon, Willard didn't scare me a bit, lol. We will be up to see y'all fore long, you can count on that... just gotta save up the $$ to make the trip.
Pete, Pete, Pete, I don't know how Marilyn puts up with you, lol. Just where did y'all go site seeing on the way home? Did you go where we went? Ohhh the mysteries of life, lol. All I know is I couldn't let you have all the fun this weekend without me, just wouldn't be right, ya know. Glad yall made it home ok. (((hugs)))
John, Dawn and Allison...we had a thrilling time out on the boat, thank you so much for joy riding us around the lake.. like I said, this is the 2nd gathering I have ever been to that I actually TOOK the time to get out on the water instead of hangin in camp to socialize. Love the boat, great choice, hope yall catch lots of fish over the years out of it. We meant what we said bout this fall.... yall show up and there will be a tent set up waitin for ya. Thats just what friends do for one another, ya know. PS, Dawn, I would love to have your recipe for that broccoli bacon slaw dish, it was wonderful.

Folks, don't let nobody tell ya there are hungry coons and squirrels at Harrison Bay St. Park. Nite times were never dull for sure. Heck fire, those critters are so durn brave, they don't hesitate to rummage thru camp in plain daylight. I think pretty much everyone had a thief at one point... they sure got their fill of peppers, cornmeal, and buns. But, ya know, doesn't matter how many times things were raided, we still had more than enough food to feed the crowd. Fish, BBQ, eclair pies, smoked chicken wings and all the other trimmings... truly a meal fit for kings and queens.

I can't wait to see everyone again this fall. As for this gathering, if ya missed it, you missed out on an amazin weekend. I hope these graphic reports whets your appitites and entices each and everyone to consider and try your hardest to make it to atleast one of the gatherings somewhere soon. You just do not know what a wonderful experience you are missing out on.

Craig.... I hope you have a speedy recovery and maybe next time we will get to see ya again.

I wish everyone has a safe trip home and I LOVE YOU ALL BUNCHES!!! (((((hugs))))))

Punkin and Hershell, we are tickled pink that ya'll got to come to be with us after all!!! Jim and I love you two to pieces and we're also glad you made it back home safely. It was sooooo good to see all of our friends once again and we treasure all the memories, past and present. Can't wait until next year!