: I've spent some time on the phone with Ft. Worden this afternoon.

: For a future Rendezvous, we could potentially reserve campsites outside of
: the 5 month booking window, but we would need to commit to 20 campsites,
: and also 1 or 2 meals per day. In this case, they could be reserved up to
: 2 years in advance

: It would be very valuable to discuss these things now or at R2K3 for R2K4 and
: R2K5. The danger is that "last-minute" schedule conflicts, like
: Joe's 3rd weekend conflict this year could arise in February, and we'd
: have a hard time changing the weekend.

: Maybe we could change venues to find a location more accommodating of our
: group; maybe we could become a "conference group" to get longer
: scheduling power.

: The showers are nice. The proximity of the beach to the campsites is nice.
: But day parking, night parking, reservations, campsite restrictions, and
: sporadic availability of the kitchen shelter are all hassles.

: I'm also a Montana boy, and am not used to dealing with the problems
: encountered in more densely populated and heavily used areas, so what do I
: know?!?!

: Ultimately, it is Joe's show, and the event is sponsored by Redfish Kayaks,
: so I would want him to weigh in on this before I or anyone suggest
: pursuing any radical changes.

: Shawn

O.K., so this didn't work out for R2K3, but I think it is still a viable plan.
However... I think that it is/was a mistake, possibly, leaving it all to chance and one person. Not intended as a slam on you Shawn as I think you did a fantastic job in researching this and making the attempt, even though you weren't going to be able to make the show.

But:
When you asked about the "10 site" Possibility, did they say that it was either one or 10, or is it "up-to" 10 sites.
10 sites out of 30(?) sites at the beach is/was maybe asking quite a bit from them.
It may be ( for future reference ) a tad easier to get 4 of us to ask for 2 or 3 sites together in the same location, if that is in fact an option. And, have a few others or the same few ask for single sites in that same area. All at the stroke of 12:01 on April 1. They take the times as they come in and answer them in the order they came.. ( first come, first served )
There may have been 10 sites available when your order went through, but if there were just one or two singles from others that got ahead of you, then your 10-sites-together was then nul and void.
If there are broken up areas where we could get 2 together, and 3 next to that, even though in smaller groups, we can still put them all together and divie up the costs.
At the same time, some of those doubles or triples could be 2 night or 3 night spaces for those that wish to come early and stay late.

If a non-kayaker happens to slip in a request between some of our sites.... we may have another convert by the end of the weekend...

As for the kitchen, I'm not sure that should even be a concern.. If we can get it, we get it, but if we don't, we can set up some sort of large canopy/tent or cover and gather in there...
If Joe or someone else close had some room to store such a tent or temporary shelter, then I'd not have a problem helping out with the cost of making/purchasing it.

I think you had the perfect idea, just not enough help to get all the options covered. I have only been to one, but have read and viewed enough articles and images that I think it's a Really Super and Growing Event, and I thoroughly enjoyed the site as well. I think with enough organization, and communications with the park this can all be worked out.

But, as was mentioned, if another site with similar put-in, parking and camping/lodging space can be found, then we should discuss the options with Joe and then see how it washes with the regular/annual participants.

Just a passing thought.....

Rehd