Camp Wingnut? « POWIP

12Feb/1122

Camp Wingnut?

Since I, like so many others, couldn't be at CPAC11, I'm considering organizing the first annual Camp Wingnut up here in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. The place that I'm currently looking at is Jackson's Lodge and Lake Cabins, and the dates would be Monday, August 1, to Sunday, August 7.

The Northeast Kingdom is Vermont's most remote area, and this location is just beneath Quebec Province. So, if you want to plan a day trip to Canada to pick strawberries, or visit Quebec City or Montreal, you can bring your passport and pick up some duty free liquor on your way back. I'm thinking of making this a family friendly affair, but I'll leave it to everyone interested whether that's their preference or not.

Cabins, with WiFi, run $800/week for either 6 or 4 (I believe there is a Vermont 9% accommodations tax on top of that). They include kitchenettes, though there is a lodge that serves meals and a tavern. Activities include fishing (there's nice trout in these parts), canoeing and other boating, bicycling (there are some wonderful trails in the area), hiking, and golf within a half hour's drive. It's probably easiest, if you are going to fly, to go to Burlington, VT (BTV Airport), but you could fly into Montreal, particularly if you're coming from elsewhere in Canada or from overseas.

I know some of the countryside, and there are some wonderful opportunities for swimming in waterfall sink holes and the like. If you're a kayaker, this presents some excellent opportunities as well. I haven't investigated bike rentals, but I know of some locations nearer to Jay Peak, though the terrain there is . . . challenging.

Right now, I'm interested in gauging the interest. Please let me know what you think, because it's never too early to get a jump on this kind of thing.

Dan Collins

Dan Collins is a dude who blogs. He used to blog elsewhere. Now he blogs here.

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Comments (22) Trackbacks (2) ( subscribe to comments on this post )

Snarky_Basterd
February 12th, 2011 - 08:57

If @suziplasse and I can cobbled together some scratch, we’d definitely be interested in getting up there towards the end of that week for a few days.

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- Dan Collins
  February 12th, 2011 - 08:59
  
  That’d be great.
  
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- Suziplasse
  February 12th, 2011 - 09:11
  
  This. Yes, this.
  
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  - Dan Collins
    February 12th, 2011 - 09:17
    
    Thanks. The way I see it, a whole family, depending on mode of transportation, can have a vacation for what Jerry estimates it would cost one person to go to the whole of CPAC.
    
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Bob Reed
February 12th, 2011 - 12:52

“Camp Wingnut”; I love it.

Vermont sounds like a fabulous place to meet up in August. I’d be interested, but will have to see how fluid the situation is at that time with regards to my summer teaching gig, family obligations, and the sort.

I’ll know better in a couple of months.

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KillTruck
February 12th, 2011 - 23:07

I wouldn’t be able to come this summer, but after we’re moved and settled I’ll be able to travel once in awhile.

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- Dan Collins
  February 13th, 2011 - 10:38
  
  Understood. Enoch’s seriously looking to move his family as well, though for other reasons. That’s why I’m styling this as the first annual.
  
  But for transportation related reasons, it might be best to clone Camp Wingnut to another 2 locations: one, maybe, in Crested Butte-Gunnison, CO (love Jackson Hole, but it’s kinda pricey) and one in Wisconsin (maybe near Dodgeville) or Minnesota.
  
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  - Tari
    February 15th, 2011 - 15:46
    
    Some friends of mine on Twitter who are from Wisconsin are having a min-meet up in June (10th) in Madison. I’m going to go.
    
    Attending so far are @Michael_Haz, @RuthAnneAdams and @chickelit. Great people! Would love to see any of you at that time.
    
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Meep
February 13th, 2011 - 16:21

i am seriously unable to plan any travel right now

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cwking
February 13th, 2011 - 22:12

It would be AWESOME! And despite how liberal Vermont is on the whole, they actually believe WHOLE-HEARTEDLY in the 2nd Amendment! No restrictions on carry, concealed or openly! Unfortunately, the dates don’t work for us. :(

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Harbqll
February 13th, 2011 - 22:25

This sounds awesome. Maybe in a year or two, when I’m an upper level resident, I’ll actually be able to take some time off and go.

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KillTruck
February 13th, 2011 - 22:50

Mr. KT is showing signs of interest.

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- Dan Collins
  February 13th, 2011 - 22:57
  
  Cool. Hope you can do it.
  
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Slublog
February 13th, 2011 - 22:54

Hm. Great idea. Location is only about 4 hours away via car. Not sure if it will work this year, though, as Kid #3 is due in late June. I will ask my wife, though.

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- Dan Collins
  February 13th, 2011 - 22:58
  
  That would be great, man.
  
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ef
February 13th, 2011 - 23:41

Landed here from Ace’s:

Great idea, but why in the state that gives us Ben and Jerry and Bernie Sanders?

Take a little vacation somewhere that’s worked for your tax dollars.

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- Dan Collins
  February 13th, 2011 - 23:55
  
  Yeah, I know. Well, it’s cool at night, even in August. It’s beautiful and inexpensive. I know the area some.
  
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- KillTruck
  February 14th, 2011 - 00:01
  
  Vermont is the mother ship.
  
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jjamess
February 14th, 2011 - 00:06

here c/o ace-o-spades, and the idea sounds awesome, I love camping and fishing and all that, and I definitely love the area, even with uncle Bernie running around. I will keep an eye out for updates on this.

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- Dan Collins
  February 14th, 2011 - 00:08
  
  Thanks. Doesn’t have to be a lot of folks to make it happen.
  
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datechguy
February 15th, 2011 - 13:06

It would all depend on finance and if it was possible to do the show from there.

Other than the basic fun stuff what would the agenda be? Candidates? Organization? Or would it simply be an R & R smooze thing?

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- Dan Collins
  February 15th, 2011 - 13:21
  
  More an R and R thing. Think of it as an un-conference.
  
  But if anyone has ideas for opt-in or -out seminars, I’m fine with that.
  
  I can do one on mushroom picking, since we’ll all probably talk some about politics, anyway.
  
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