After having a few days to think about it, I can post this.
It is my sincerest hope that everyone who came not only enjoyed themselves, but felt it was worth their time and fuel to come down. Many of you drove long distances to be with us and I can not tell you how much I appreciate it. Someone ought to give Westech, Catlett, Kenny and Devilman a big toast, as they drove all the way from Wisconsin, Michigan and South Florida. Almost anyone that wasn't from Georgia had a minimum of a 4 or 5 hour drive (heck, Poppop is from Ga and his ride was at least 5 hours).
I thought we had a very good turnout, with a neat collection of vehicles (but not a single Jeep? whose gonna' bring a Jeep next year?).
Westy, my Dad, my buddy David (with the Land Rover) and my g/f were all instrumental in putting out small fires that came up and I couldn't have made anything happen without their assistance. Special thanks to Poppop for running interference with the Park ranger when some folks parked on the grass (that's a no-no in State Parks). And extra special thanks to BFR for finding our trailride and to OD Iron for sponsoring the event (OD Iron paid for our pavillions).
I do not know if next year's event will be in the same place. The park offered some great advantages, but also some significant disadvantages. It is very difficult to find a way to meet the desires and needs of a large group of people.
I hope the trail ride wasn't too bumpy for everyone's tastes. When we did the cookout at my house in '06, it seemed everyone really enjoyed the trailride and there was significant interest in having some kind of an off-road event at this year's Rally. It is extremely difficult to find a good place to go off-roading in Georgia that isn't an axle-busting rock crawling venue.
If I am the one who puts together next years events,I have learned much from this year's exercise and will apply it to the '08 event. I will definitely need a couple of assistants to put out fires as they crop up................ and providing food may be an easier way of getting all the troops fed so as to make time for special interest events, like trailrides.
Again, thank you all for your attendance and if you have suggestions, complaints or whatever, feel free to post or private message me.
Clinto