Hope it all went well and you're well on the road to full recovery!

Not much happening here - still looking for a location - one hopes it's not that hard to find - there has to be somewhere suitable in that huge state for a first California HU Meeting.

Everyone riding in the area please keep your eyes peeled!

Great camping and of course riding, and a room large enough to hold 100 or so people for seminars and tech talks is all we need.

all the best, Grant

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

For riding this is a great place. Not only do I think so, but here are a couple of ride reports on the area.

Beautiful. A Pashnit Tour of Coastal California. - Pashnit

California Highways 299, 3, and 36 - Pashnit

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John

Some shots from the North Bay dual sport ride last July. The Moose Lodge near the Mattole camp ground was very receptive to the idea of renting out the facility for a rally. And very very cheap. Big open field for camping and big auditorium with stage, kitchen and more. Near Petrolia.

Lost Coast - Usal Road

Mattole road near Honeydew

Near Kettenpom

Mendocino Nat. Forest - Hull mtn. road

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Looks great Patrick, how far away is the camping? Seems the Moose Lodge website is gone, (at least it is if it's the one I think it is) so not much detail available from here.

If it's the right spot, lets get it sorted for 09!

thanks! and have a great Christmas Holiday!

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

It's probably not actually a "Moose Lodge", I only used that as a reference as it reminded me of one

But it is some sort of "lodge" for some organization or other. Next time I'm in the area I will gather details and talk to the lady in charge ... again ... who was very interested in having us.

The Private Mattole river campground (Expensive!) is within walking distance of the "Lodge" but there is a huge, flat field on the Lodge property as well. Would suit for camping for about 50 people. They also have out door BBQ's, picnic tables all under cover but outdoors. Nice set-up.

They said they have a few small B&B's in the neighborhood as well and Petrolia may have more accommodation. Petrolia has a small store and Gas, and is about 10 minutes ride away, IIRC. Ferndale is an hour away and Highway 101 is an hour away the other direction. (east)

Nearest real towns are over an hour in any direction. This is a very remote area, great riding but not much support. Ferndale, Fortuna or Garberville could also work for an HU rally.

Eka photo lives in the area and could probably find a suitable local for an event. I don't know these areas intimately, only ever just passed through over the years.

I Have stayed over in Fortuna and Garberville. Expensive everything, IMO. The dual sport ride staged in Fortuna on our 2nd day. Motels started at $70 up to $130. They do have some open land here and there but tacky malls have eaten up most of the open space near town. They were holding a big Civil War re-enactment there in August. Hundreds of campers there. Not sure where they all were staying. Ekaphoto may know more on this.


Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

You are talking about the Grange hall. Yes it is big. It has cooking facilties inside etc, but the remoteness is the problem there. There are other camping spots in the area as well. Look earlier in the thread and there are some links with suggestions including a place you can reserve with the California state parks.

I can also get some other ideas as well, but having never been to a meeting I am not sure how many people etc you are looking at having. The problem here isn't finding a place, but picking a place.

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John

I think we could end up having quite a few people attending. More than 50 I would guess. If we have something out at the Lost Coast we will probably be limited in how many people can be reasonably accommodated. It would be nice to have a campground that had some overflow capacity. I am guessing that this may limit us to a private campground?

Here is a place near Garberville I pulled out of my camping book:
DEAN CREEK RESORT - Motel/RV Park/Campground located in the Redwoods of Northern California on the Eel River at Redway

Don't know anything about this place, but I would imagine this is the kind of place we may want to look into?

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Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/

Garberville area is a good spot. Every year it has the Redwood Run, a harley rally in June. Also Reggie on the River is held every year. Lots of good adventure riding in the area. I don't know about Dean Creek resort in particular however.

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John

Thanks for the interest guys!

Perhaps this will help: (from http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/mee...wToHostMeeting)

What we need is quite simple:

Camping for 100+ people - (we can squeeze in tighter than normal if need be), a presentation room / dining area, and in a good riding area.

The US meetings tend to be around 125 people, but neither are close to a large population, so I'd expect a California meeting to be bigger. Perhaps not the first year, but we should plan on up to 175 or so. Ideally we'd take up the whole place - but that's very difficult - so the next best is a group area where we can do our thing without disturbing - or being disturbed by - other campers and their dogs and generators etc.

We find that the presentations and food need to be in the SAME spot as the camping, or it's a hassle and ends up in a much less satisfactory experience for all.

If the hosts are catering the food, as well as getting the income from camping, then it's a big win for them, and we can get a decent price for the package. If they want big money for the presentation room then it's a no-go.

I can look at websites until my eyes cross and still not be sure it's perfect - but someone on the ground can look at a couple of contenders and talk to the hosts and make a decision pretty quickly if it's a winner or not.

So here's a plan of attack - let's have some suggestions, look at a few websites that are promising, then whoever is closest, (and anyone else who wants to) go and look and give a quick report and let us know whether it's a contender, and we can then make a decision.

thanks!

Grant

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Dean Creek is close, loots of amenities, but a look at the map of the site shows that the tent area is completely surrounded by RV's - not exactly my idea of good ambience for a motorcycle travel event!

I'm also unsure about their facilities for presentations. They say meeting room and outdoor amphitheatre, but nothing on capacity or photos of them. Regardless I'd say it's a no, but the area sure looks great!

The Mattole River area also looks good, but I'm not finding enough info on resorts in the area. Anyone?

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Buck Meadows, just outside of Yosemite is a great location. Lots of riding options, camping and motels, historic gold towns, and centrally located in California.

resors or even houses are few and far between in the Mattole valley. Go to google eatth and look up Petrolia CA and you will see how remote it is. On the other hand the grange hall might be a good option. Lots of room and i can find out where to rent port a potties for you. as for catering i know of a couple of places that do that as well. Let me look around if you want. and I will get back to you.

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John

Patricks point state park has large 3 large areas for group camping. Here is a link.

Camping & Picnicking

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John

Yes please!

Remember - food, presentation room and camping in one place, one way or another. Portapotties and catering is fine if needed.

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Sounds great - can you get us some details on a few potential locations?

thanks!

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com