When I toured the Grange Hall over a year ago the lady in charge said they had contact with caterers ... and as I mentioned, the kitchen looked good and was in regular use for the regular events held there. (Tri-Tip Cook off ecetera). And don't forget the big outdoor BBQ area. Fire Pit too IIRC.

As I mentioned, there is a big field next to the main building. I can't recall exact dimensions but it was pretty good, maybe football field size? and they may have more land there to camp on?? I'm guessing 50 to 100 could camp there. The main building has a couple bathrooms but for sure porta-potties would be needed. I think they have showers in the bathrooms there as well.

The lady there was very helpful and interested but best of all was the low rental for the week ... like around $300 to $400 total. As mentioned also, the pay campground is right next door ... about a five minute walk, IIRC. Perhaps some sort of group rate could be struck with this guy? This place has potties and showers. The Matole river is right there, so perfect swimming in Summer/Fall.

If you live near there, please have a look. I'm sure the Lady in charge will remember me and my friend Bob.

Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Buck Meadows is on Hwy 120 in the Stanislaus National Forest and about 13 miles from Yosemite National Forest. It is very centrally located in California.

Summer days are hot, evens cool. No threat of rain - late May-June-July-August- September are almost guaranteed 100% dry.

Sonora, Columbia, Coulterville, Groveland are nearby historic gold towns.

There are unlimited off road and paved road day trips and loops, big and small. Those who want wish can ride over Tioga Pass and back over Sonora Pass - an incrediable day ride. Really spectacular, not to mention Yosemite.

Several mountain lakes, swimming holes, caves, mines, giant sequioa trees, fly fishing, and old western drinking establishments to explore.

Yosemite Pines Campground offers all amenities - cabins, camping, pool, meeting room, etc.

Here is the link: Yosemite area Lodging, Camping, Cabin Rentals, Campground near Yosemite National Park

There are also several hotels and B&B in the area.

I have not read all the post. But I would suggest that whoever is in the lead of a HUBB meeting set a date, then nail down a location.

If you can get a spot set I can help out. I even have the hat!

Most campgrounds are by the spot and by that its the car load. It may say 100 people but its the camping spots that mater. If they have 100 camping spots they may well let 2 bikes have one spot.

Just try to get an area away from RVs if your doing this in the summer they will run there generators all night to run there AC.

Other options may be Fairgrounds, colleges, and the like. (dont know if colleges allow camping on the campus) but it may worth a look.

Then all we need are a few people to place adds in some bike shops. Hope we can pull it off California is a grate place to ride.

October would be a wonderful month but keep in mind that HU travelers will be heading to South America and may miss the meeting being so late in the year. Also the travelers from the east will have to be careful returning over the Rockies.

October would be a bit late here. It could be raining hard. Early Sept is usually the best time of year here. I can check further next week on some places. with the new year and all it has been a bad time to check and get a hold of people.

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John

Here is a link to the Mattole Grange in Petrolia. It has photo's rental info etc etc.

Home

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John

Thanks for posting that. I should have looked for a web site before.
The pics only show a couple shots of the property where camping would be.
One is the old photo from the 30's, the other the Tug 'o War shot.

It's bigger than I remember it. I'm guessing a 100 bikes could camp there.
The inside of the hall I do remember and am sure it's big enough for everything we need. It's got a stage too and plenty of chairs. Maybe even a PA system .... what a concept!

We could eat inside or out really. And as you can see .... a full kitchen. With a couple volunteer cooks, breakfasts could be done. Dinners could be catered. The Grange lady did mention they had folks there who were used to doing big feeds, as you can see by the shots of the big BBQ. So probably something could be worked out.

Anyway, it looks OK to me and the price is unbelievable. Try getting that price in Eureka, Fortuna or anywhere in the Sierra.

I hope Grant has time to take a look.

Thanks again for posting the link!

Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

The Mattole Grange looks great to me! Good find!

If you lot think it's a good area, I'm good to go.

Questions re the facility in no particular order:

1. Someone needs to contact them and clarify
   1. Fees are 200 for the day, and a 150 cleaning deposit - how about they just keep the deposit and clean up after us? We will of course - won't we? - do a general clean of the grounds etc, prob just need bathrooms and such cleaned up after us.
   2. We want it for Thursday after noon to Sunday noon - is that 3 days or 4? I count 3... x 200 = $600
   3. Room Capacity. Dance hall – 218 for assembly; 467 for dancing. Meeting Room – 56 for assembly.
      • Does that mean 56 for slide shows etc? OR?
2. Once that's sorted and acceptable, apparently we need to sort a liquor licence - assuming everyone wants a drink or two? Again, contact them and get details.
3. Insurance - they require insurance - again I assume they can point us in the right direction.

Dates: Looks like their calendar is pretty open - perhaps we can organize dates so that I do USA East, Colorado and California in one sweep? Currently USA East is locked in for August 21-23. Colorado is not yet set. So how does August or September dates work for the area? Make sense? October DOES seem late!

Do we have a volunteer to contact the Grange and sort things out with them? I can do it if need be, but it's slow from here with the time zone nonsense. Once sorted and agreed, I can send deposits etc to deal with the money part easily enough.

thanks!

Let's make this happen - it's time for an HU Meeting in California!

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

Looking at the Grange's calendar on their web site I see that they have a pancake breakfast on Sunday Aug 16 and Sunday Sept 20. If we make the last day of the meeting on one of those days we can join them for breakfast before we all head out.

__________________

Our Favorite Roads, until the next trip!
Bob & Kathy
The adventures of Lemonade

I'd prefer the August one but either would work. Either way it'll be hot when I leave but it'll cool down as I get closer to the coast.

__________________
Not Ted Simon since 1970!
http://nokilli.com/rtw

any one send them a email? Grange Facilities I did hope they post back.
no overnight parking (camping) in the clean up part of there hall rental notices. Is this at clean up, lock up or at all times. The dining room holds 56, meeting hall holds much much more. So 56 inside eating 200 for the slide show.

I haven't heard anything, thought someone WAS contacting them directly? DLBiten, maybe you'd like to take point on contact and getting the answers to basic questions, then we can go from there?

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

Ok im on it. Sent a email with a few questions. Will send them one in a few days looking for other information like showers, , food and the like. may need a ride down there and do the final bits neer the end. I have not gotten a email back from them but will bug them till I do.

Thanks! Your help is MUCH appreciated!

We all owe you

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

MATTOLE GRANGE NO. 569 RENTAL AGREEMENT

This rental agreement is between the Mattole Grange #569, hereafter referred to as the “Grange”, and the undersigned party, hereafter referred to as the “Renter”, and is entered into for the Renter’s use of Grange property and facilities for the period of time and under the conditions specified herein. Advertising of this event must not state or imply that the event is sponsored by or affiliated with the Mattole Grange.

IT IS AGREED THAT:

During the rental period, the Renter shall be responsible for loss of or damage to Grange property. Retention of the Clean Up/Damage deposit shall not be considered a settlement or waiver of that responsibility for any claim the Grange may have against the renter for the amount of such damage. If the amount of damage exceeds the amount of the damage deposit, the Renter shall pay the Grange the amount of such excess promptly upon demand by the Grange.
Children are to be under DIRECT supervision and control by a responsible adult at all times. Bathrooms should be checked on a regular basis. Children are not to play in or around the BBQ pit or on top of the picnic tables, propane tank, water tank or in the gazebo for any reason, at any time. Children should also be kept out of the kitchen.
The Grange phone is for EMERGENCY use only. Please monitor its use. A $5.00 usage fee for long distance calls will be subtracted from the Clean Up/Damage deposit after a review of the phone bill covering the rental period.
All fees to be paid at least two weeks in advance.
This function is not a “Grange-sponsored” event, so the serving of alcohol during this private function may occur and is incidental to official Grange operations. If alcohol is to be sold, a one-day liquor license must be obtained and a copy submitted with this rental agreement.
The Renter shall be responsible for cleaning up within twenty-four hours after the event.
After the event has ended, the Renter will be responsible for locking up the facility.
Return of all, a portion of, or none of the Clean Up/Damage deposit shall be determined by the Grange according to the Renter’s ability to satisfactorily meet the obligations outlined within the scope of this Agreement.
Picnic tables are not to be relocated. Costs to repair damaged tables will be charged to Renter.
No overnight parking or camping.
Room Capacity. Dance hall – 218 for assembly; 467 for dancing. Meeting Room – 56 for assembly.
Renter shall defend, indemnify, and hold the Grange harmless from any and all claims, losses, liability, demands, suits or judgments, including attorney’s fees, legal costs, and personal costs, brought against the Grange by any person or entity for deaths or injuries to persons or for loss or damage to property arising out of or in connection with the use and occupancy of the Grange Hall and its premises by Renter, its agent, servants, employees, or invitees whether or not caused by the Grange’s negligence.
Renter shall provide the Grange with properly executed Certificate of Liability Insurance on which the Grange has been named as the Certificate Holder for the duration of the rental period.
Heaters other than those located in the building are strictly prohibited.
If the dancehall heating system is used, a propane reading will be taken before/after the event and there will be a usage charge based on the current per gallon price.

Are we OK with all this?