2nd Annual IKE Retreat! Sept 29-30

[Mike]

Last year, we spent a weekend flying at the Indiana Dunes, spending Saturday night at a nearby hotel.
I'd like to do it again!

Last time it was the middle of October, but I'll be out of town the first two weeks of October, so here's two alternative weekends to consider: Sept 29-30 or Oct 20-21. (Edit: October is no good)

All sorts of kites are welcome and encouraged: dualies, quads and SLKs to fill the sky!

Whatcha y'all think?

________________________
edit: It's settled, Here are the final details:
For those staying overnight, we'll be staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Chesterton Indiana.
You can book online: http://www.chesterton.hgi.com/
Use Group Code KC2012 for the IKE discount. The hotel wants you to book by 9/7, but if you book after the discount expires you'll only spend a few bucks more--so don't let that stop you!

To find the beach, plug this address into your GPS:
Indiana Dunes State Park
1600 N 25 E
Chesterton, IN 46304

Here's the location on google maps: http://goo.gl/maps/bsvMX
And you can also find it by clicking on the MAPS link at the top of this page.

Tell everyone you're going by clicking on "Going" on our facebook events page!
https://www.facebook.com/events/518150978210886/

[goestoeleven]

I like the idea. A bit far out for me to plan, but the last weekend of September might be better for me. Plus KiteOberfest is at TI the weekend of Oct 20-21 in case anyone was going to Florida for that event (unlikely I will go, but it could be a conflict for some folks).

[Jynx]

Last year we discussed having it a bit earlier... doesn't matter to me, But if I had to choose... I'd pick September 29th-30th.

Be nice to get it on our calendar and get more members involved !

[Mike]

I forgot about the Florida mini-fest.
So let's make it the September date.

[Darkspark]

I like the sound of having it earlier. It was alot of fun last year, We just need to get more people.

[TMadz]

Sounds fun. My calendar is open.

[Darkspark]

Everyone should come. It is a fantastic place to fly, and Mike will bring cookies!

[Mike]

I will! I will bring actual cookies, whether or not you come over to the dark side.

It's all good fun. Playing on the beach, hanging out, and then doing it again the next day!
This could grow into a Midwest Kite Party some day...

[illescasd]

As it was my initiation event, I AM IN.

I prefer late Sept. Heck even Adventure Dog is ready to go again.

David

[Shari]

Yeah Cookies and Kites!!!! I am in!!!

[makatakam]

I'm in. All I need is a way to get there.

[prairierose]

I'm in as long as Dad brings a cheesecake too
(The 28th is my birthday)

[Jynx]

I'm in as long as Dad brings a cheesecake too
(The 28th is my birthday)

But the retreat is the 29th and 30th! ...Ever hear the saying... "Day late and a Cheesecake short"?

[Mike]

True, but birthdays in our family often last more than one day.
Cheesecake and cookies are on my packing list.

[Darkspark]

Ok as long as we are adding sweets to the packing list. Rose....I do believe you are fairly close to a certain place that sells really good popcorn!
We have the weekend marked off on the calendar.

[goestoeleven]

I added it to my calendar . . . .

[TMadz]

I've gotten first dibs on that weekend on my calendar. Will we have any issues with taking a large swath of the beach to fly? Not that it's too crowded that time of year. Any restrictions on flying time or does the beach close at dusk?

I'll be late on Saturday as my son will have a football game that morning.

[Darkspark]

It is late enough in the year for the beach to not be too crowded. Worst case is we will have to walk down the beach a little further. I have flown there many times with out a problem. Shari and I will occasionally go up in the afternoon to fly for a few hours. The swimming closes at 5, and after that the beach empties out. We had alot of room last year. It was a little later in the year, but there were only a few people out there.
Also FYI, they charge $10 a carload to get in. I think it is $10, may only be $7-8.

[Mike]

I did a check for the average weather for that weekend.
Basically, it should be warm and have good winds.
There has been rain 43% of the time in the past decade, but if you scroll down the page, you'll see that it mostly measured in 1/100ths of an inch. So statistically, it looks like a good weekend!

You can see the data here.

[Jynx]

Sounds like a "Plan"!

...Now to spread the word! (Been doing that here!)