Due to popular demand... weekend is now October 17-19.

Many thanks to JScott who had spent much time planning for R-7, and the Reinke's and others who had assisted. At least you will be that much further ahead for R-8... given that you still want the Ruckus next year.

Looking at what Hurricane IKE dealt out this weekend, and that JScott requested there be an executive decision made...,
I think at this point, the infrastructure of Galveston might have been injured enough, not to mention that the last thing that our host and LSF/Golden Triangle Fiero's need to worry about is a show in their region. They will have enough on their plate just trying to get utilities back... much less worry about a cruise route on roads that may not be passable anymore, hotels that probably won't be ready for guests for months, or restuarants that were closed due to damage. I don't reckon anyone will be eating at the Galveston Hooter's anytime soon...
IKE thread: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/072599.html

Jon... if you and the regional clubs still want the Ruckus this year, It is certainly your priviledge.
Say the word and it's yours.

So many Texas and OK owners look forward to the Ruckus every October, that I can with full certainty promise that there WILL BE one. Many of us have already scheduled time off work and made arrangements to attend this event... And we can't break what has become a fine and proud Fiero show tradition.

IKE stole our plans, but not our spirit.

So... let's get some ideas going, and quick... we are T-minus less than 1 month at this point.

Everytime I travel... I always imagine a Ruckus based on my journey's. I plan a loose itenerary and wonder...
"How could I turn this adventure into a Ruckus?" "How would other people recieve this activity?" "Is this road Fiero worthy?" "Is this destination too far for our regulars?" "Why does everytime I go somewhere turn into a Fiero event in my head?"
The last one is easy... It is because I always imagine the fun I'd have with our Fiero community in the places I have visited in this great state.

I know that past Ruckus's (Ruckii?) have risen from adversity (not on the scale IKE deilvered, but nonetheless)... It was because Tim (CenTex) asked himself those same questions... that he had a Waco Ruckus ready to go on short notice, and it turned out exceptional. Fussell and I got the memorable Jefferson Ruckus planned with only about 5 weeks to spare and 1 visit when our local contact backed out... So R-7 can still be fantastic, especially with some help.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let me throw out some ideas, see what appeals to you, add to them, or offer other suggestions...
LMK what you think and whatever ideas seems to garner the most favor is what we will try to make happen.

(in no particular order... and no regard given to travel time since I love rolling in my Fiero...)

1) Gonzales & Shiner. The birthplace of Texas independence and a tour of the brewery...
--- cut by personal choice
2) Fredricksburg & Natural Bridge Caverns. Big Ole Granite Rock, Cool Caves, German Beer...
3) Amarillo and Palo Duro Canyon. If you have never been... WOW, you are missing out on a Texas treasure
---- cut due to distance constraints
4) Odessa & Monohans. Amazing oil field museum, a meteor crater, and sand dunes that rival the Sahara
... cut due to distance constraints
5) Granbury, Thorpe Springs, ghost town Thurber. Birthplace of TCU & enough coal to power the US for a century
... cut for possbile future NTFC activity
6) Lake Possum Kingdom. Beautiful setting, probably would wind up playing a lot of Fiero 'Rodeo Games'
... cut for possible future NTFC activity

All right... there's some ideas. Number 5 may turn into a NTFC Spring Fling at some point...
Ruckus 7 planning is Open to all suggestions... though you might get drafted to help!

[This message has been edited by blakeinspace (edited 09-18-2008).]

I am in for whatever the outcome is and where ever it is going to happen. Just let me know if the dates are going to change so I can jet them off from work.

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: Jon... if you and the regional clubs still want the Ruckus this year, It is certainly your priviledge. Say the word and it's yours.

Thanks for picking up the ball; I spent the night in the closet listening to the wind howl and stopped just short of camcording myself in night vision talking about hos scared I was and giving my last will and testament. I've just temporarily abandoned my house as I couldn't take sitting there in the dark and the heat. I don't think I'll be in any condition to plan R-7.

I can't make it on the weekend that the Ruckus is planned, but what about planning another weekend soon once some of the area gets better and a bunch of us go down there and help our friends with any work that they may need done?

I could maybe even do a short-scheduled "mission trip" for my youth group to come down and help - they all really like my car and it would be fun to get them to be able to see more Fieros.

[This message has been edited by CenTexIndy (edited 09-14-2008).]

quote Originally posted by CenTexIndy: I can't make it on the weekend that the Ruckus is planned, but what about planning another weekend soon once some of the area gets better and a bunch of us go down there and help our friends with any work that they may need done? I could maybe even do a short-scheduled "mission trip" for my youth group to come down and help - they all really like my car and it would be fun to get them to be able to see more Fieros.

So it would be the "RRR" - Rescue, Repair and Recovery?

In the theme of the Galveston Ruckus, Padre Island out side of Corpus and Port Aransas just north of Corpus (has ferry boat crossings) offer similar amenities.
This year has been a struggle for me on many fronts. I may not be able to make it even if I am off. However, if I can help in any way, let me know.

I'll start by saying I'll go where ever is chosen. However, I would prefer it not to be around the DFW area because I would like to save our nice areas for Spring Flings and a future Ruckus. I would also prefer it not to be in the Austin/San Antonio area because we have gone there many times (not that it isn't great, just looking for something new, especially since this will be a thrown together event). I would also, for personal reasons, prefer if we went south or south east rather than west because I have to go to Houston on Sunday or Monday following the event and can't really afford to drive from Dallas to Amarillo to Houston to Dallas.

That being said, I took a look at a map and was thinking Lufkin might be interesting... it's not too far from anyone, there is a lake, cheap accomodations, and a drag strip (not sure if that could fit into our plans, but it's an idea). We drove through that area last year after our roundabout return from the Kerrville Ruckus and it's got alot of nice scenery and tons of great (and cop free!) roads. My dad also just returned from a camping trip there last week and said he felt there was plenty to do to keep everyone entertained. Again, it's just an idea, I'll go where ever is chosen.

Final note, it is too close to time to get screen printed shirts made, will we use the Galveston shirts or should I talk to Jed about making us some simple vinyl iron on shirts? These could be made quickly and cheaply at his shop, if need be.

Edit to add: Padre or elsewhere still existant along the coast would be fine by me, if JScott wouldn't mind it being similar.

[This message has been edited by pumpkincarriage (edited 09-14-2008).]

quote Originally posted by pumpkincarriage: Final note, it is too close to time to get screen printed shirts made, will we use the Galveston shirts or should I talk to Jed about making us some simple vinyl iron on shirts? These could be made quickly and cheaply at his shop, if need be.

Maybe not. I believe that I turned in my order on the 8th of October and they were ready by the 14th. I will be home tomorrow. I can get a time frame estimate. My thinking is that the event shirt is the trophy that everyone gets.

PC...

I agree very much about the DFW settings... So let's scratch Thurber and Lake PK.
Scratching Palo Duro and Odessa are fine with me... but we REALLY need to have a Ruckus up in the 'Grand Canyon of Texas'... it is fantastic... and well worth the drive. Seriously.
(I edited my first post)

I too had thought about Lufkin/Big Thicket area... possibly even a side trip over to Huntsville to see the Prison Museum and 'Old Sparky'... but I dismissed it knowing that IKE was still a weak cat2 at thaat point and went right there. What do you think?

The GP club just did a drag event in Lufkin, and posted some of the fastest times for GP's in Texas, so that would be promising. I know Lake Sam Rayburn is very pretty, unsure about facilities near there... or if they took any storm damage or if people that took storm damage/lost homes in Galveston/Beaumont would be filling up hotels still in areas North of Houston.

Brenham is about 50 miles outside of Houston. It has the creamery (Yum!) and Washington on the Brazos closeby. It is quaint city, but it might suffer from evacuee's in their hotels too. I am just guessing on this point... I don't know how many people got long term displaced by IKE.

Cliff, I avoided mentioning Port A, Padre, and Corpus, mainly because I felt that beach/ferry settings & events would be unique to a Galveston Ruckus, and did not want to steal something that would have been a first for a Ruckus. I think J wanted it to be special to his event, I feel the same way. I think we should save his shirt and beach envirnonment/surprises for another (hopefully next!) year Ruckus. Those are just my thoughts, I defer to Jonathan on what he thinks about back-to-back beach events.

Tim, your idea is very noble and meritous... not to mention character building. I will join any trip that is organized to help PFF'ers in the affected area, Though I think the idea is better regarded as mission work, not so much as a dedicated Ruckus event.

Keep the ideas coming, Unless someone just steps up and says "I want the Ruckus..." then we are still in brainstorming mode.

So we far we've got---
Poe: Doesn't care, just give him a place
PC: Lufkin
Blake: Lufkin or Texoma
Is3: closer to Oklahoma
Reinke: closer to Houston
htexans: Arbuckle range
CliffW: Victoria

[This message has been edited by blakeinspace (edited 09-16-2008).]

Just read the thread. I want to go, the closer to Oklahoma the better for me.

[This message has been edited by ls3mach (edited 09-14-2008).]

How about a drive from the Arbuckle Mountains (Ardmore, OK) to somewhere in Texas, Lake Texoma perhaps? just a thought.

that would save the other places for future activities.

Lisa is going to be very disappointed we arent having the Galveston Ruckus. May I suggest the Huntsville area? Lisa and I will be spending alot of time and money cleaning up so we wont be able to go far for a Ruckus if we go at all.

Well Lufkin is not too far from OK or Houston, it's a fairly central location which is one of the main reasons I thought it might be a good option (like Waco, which worked out really well). There are a few places along the TX/OK border I would love to have a Ruckus but I don't feel this is the year for it. Huntsville could be doable, but I'm not sure it would be worth the drive for some of the people coming from north of the Metroplex. Shiner/Gonzales area would be fine by me, I was just looking forward to visiting a different area of Texas.

I don't think in 4 weeks that hotels outside of Galveston and maybe Houston will be an issue, I think by then everyone will ave at least relocated closer to their homes... but no one can say for sure at this point really I don't guess.

Folks, let me give you a little info, from personal experience yesterday. Virtually all of east Texas is without power anywhere south of Jacksonville--including Lufkin--and is apt to remain so for 2-3 weeks.

How about El Paso--Heard it's a very scenic place to visit this time of the year.

quote Odessa & Monahan’s. Amazing oil field museum, a meteor crater, and sand dunes that rival the Sahara

Hey that’s my neck of the woods. Fredericksburg is pretty central.. It's 4hrs from here, 4hrs from Houston & 4hrs from Dallas.

Okay well I talked to Jed and he said we can not go west (it's a money issue and he's paying, so I can't argue that). So with Lufkin being damaged as well (which I did not realise) I will place my votes either for Gonzales (as far West as I can go) or Huntsville. Huntsville is near a forest and lake, so that could be fun, but Blake, if you really want Gonzales that will be fine also.

Well, to clarify--I left Cleveland Tex, Sunday at 1:30 pm, drove north on 59 to Lufkin, caught 69 going north toward Tyler. I occassionally saw an open store, but they had no electricity until I reached Jacksonville, about 25 miles south of Tyler. It is no exageration when I say there are thousands of trees down on powerlines thruout East Texas. On a good note, I did meet hundreds of electical utility trucks headed south, with lic plates from a lot of different states, but their job is going to be tremendous. I personally don't even know if we will have electric power at our residence, by mid Oct--certainly will not out at my rural property. Don't think Jane & I will make any kind of event this fall. I have 4 trees on the powerline just on our property alone, very extensive damage elsewhere on my property, both my sister's have damage on their property, so we will all be pretty busy for the next few months, just trying to get back to where we were 3 days ago.

And, I have it good, compared to those who live in Beaumont, and Houston proper. Living in a city, with no power, no gasoline, no grocery stores is really not something I would wish on my worst enemy.

quote Originally posted by MstangsBware: How about El Paso--Heard it's a very scenic place to visit this time of the year.

Thats about an 8 hour drive I think? And I have been to El Paso before and I don't recall seeing ANYTHING scenic but Catus!!!
JMT.... Steve

quote Originally posted by Custom84cp: Thats about an 8 hour drive I think? JMT.... Steve

At least.

Victoria Texas would be nice this time of year, but I doubt we have anyone in that area to host on a short notice--long drive for N Tex and Okla people too.

quote Originally posted by Custom84cp: Thats about an 8 hour drive I think? And I have been to El Paso before and I don't recall seeing ANYTHING scenic but Catus!!! JMT.... Steve

But the cactus are so pretty this time of the year. And the sand starts to change color with the fall colors.

(grabs map)... Gonzales under 2 hours from Houston...
Lufkin is about that same distance away.

I think Gonzales may be less likely to have IKE long term issues than Lufkin.. but like PC mentioned... that may be a moot point in a few weeks. The Galveston mayor right now wants everyone off the Island... Refugees to not come back... so who knows how big a circle of affect these displaced souls affect?

For Oklahoma adventures... I am not well versed in the state. We need some of our northern neighbor members to step up and say they want it! If you host it... we will come.

So we have (at this point) (mostly)... Lufkin area or Gonzales/Shiner
Since I have no experience in the greater Lufkin metropolis... do I have any takers willing to make a scouting run with me to plan it?

If no... I will call the mayor of Gonzales who was positevely gushing for us to grace her square (a few years ago anyways!)...

50/50 here guys... someone(s) tilt the scales for me... and lets roll on it!

Have you checked out hotel/motel prices in Gonzales? I Googled it and it looks like two to choose from, both at $70+ Lufkin had alot more choices, albeit at similar prices. Huntsville was actually cheaper, but that area seems much more likely to be filled with Ike's victims. All of that is just what I could gather from a quick search though, so who knows what the case may actually be. If you want to do a day jaunt to check out a site I'm free to do that with you Blake, just let me know when.

Anyone care to call this?

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: I think Gonzales may be less likely to have IKE long term issues than Lufkin.. but like PC mentioned... that may be a moot point in a few weeks. The Galveston mayor right now wants everyone off the Island... Refugees to not come back... so who knows how big a circle of affect these displaced souls affect?

Don't know if I can support Ruckus 7 after having blown my wad on an impromptu trip to Austin to get groceries, but like Don I can tell you from personal experience there are PLENTY of evacuees from the coast that are all over central Texas and it probably will still be an issue in 4 weeks. There is no gas within a 100 mile radius of Houston. Huntsville should definitely be avoided.

I got a laugh out of the signs in Austin that say "Do Not Go to Houston" The farther you plan Ruckus 7 away from Houston and central Texas the easier you will have it.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Victoria Texas would be nice this time of year, but I doubt we have anyone in that area to host on a short notice--long drive for N Tex and Okla people too.

Raises hand.
I am working 20 miles from Victoria. I have worked around Victoria quite a bit. I know the town and it's amenities. Victoria has your quality budget hotels such as Hotel 6 and others. The Guadelupe River runs through it, somewhat. Victoria has a very nice park (on the Guadelupe). The San Antonio river runs 20 miles south of Victoria. I recently noticed a sign directing to the San Antonio River Recreation area but I have not explored it yet. Shiner Tx is only 50 miles away but I have been through there. Not much to see except maybe the Shiner Bock Brewery. I have not been there but hear that people do go. Goliad is only 26 miles from Victoria. The battle cry was "[i]Remember the Alamo, remember Goliad!"[i] There is a mission there, like the Alamo. Other historical attractions also. I know the roads around Victoria well and could put together a cruise route.

Just a thought - seeing as I won't be making it, but here is a thought anyway (maybe the Oklahoma guys will speak up) --

The Arbuckles and Turners Falls area of Oklahoma is BEAUTIFUL! There is camping, swimming (if it is still warm enough) and plenty of wonderful scenery in the area for a great cruise. There is a also a wildlife park that may be willing to give a group discount to the attendees. It is not far up I-35 and I would think that having the Ruckus in Oklahoma this time is a good idea considering all that has happened here in Texas. I really wish that I had the date open as I would be willing to help plan it but there is no way.

This is just another idea to put out there. I have not seen many Okies posting in this thread so maybe it is not a good idea after all.

What's the date on the Ruckus? I am shipping my car to Colorado sometime within the next week. Hopefully the Ruckus is after the 15th of next month. I've depleted my spending cash funds on a Fiero and an engine until then and don't want to dip into savings for a trip.

We would agree to any where you choose. Gonzales is a great place , and is close to lots of great places to visit. Even the Alamo is not very far away. We can not sa ef we will be able to go as the situation here is dreary. I am out of work till fuel becomes available again. No diesel, no mowing. And the holidays are just down the road.
Joe & Cathy Crawford
Texas

Turner Falls is a great area, I just don't feel it's a good idea to move the event on such short notice from all the way south to all the way north.
Victoria is... really far.

If no one decides soon I'm going to call it and say Bryan... I don't think there is anything interesting there, but it's an even distance from pretty much everyone.

quote Originally posted by pumpkincarriage: If no one decides soon I'm going to call it and say Bryan...

Gig'em

quote Originally posted by pumpkincarriage: If no one decides soon I'm going to call it and say Bryan... I don't think there is anything interesting there, but it's an even distance from pretty much everyone.

Raises hand, .
I have also worked a lot around Bryan/College Station. One of my favorite areas to work.

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: Gig'em

isn't Nathan at A&M?

fyi the aggies have a home game that weekend, not sure if that will matter.

quote Originally posted by Tom Slick: isn't Nathan at A&M? fyi the aggies have a home game that weekend, not sure if that will matter.

Yes--He is down there.

You guys want to do Bryan? I was just kidding...

Okay so we got Gonzales, Lufkin, or Bryan... someone choose one.

quote Originally posted by pumpkincarriage: You guys want to do Bryan? I was just kidding... Okay so we got Gonzales, Lufkin, or Bryan... someone choose one.

El Paso!!!!

Del Rio

Not wise to do a Ruckus in Bryan on a game weekend.

Let me call Lufkin Chamber of Commerce...

The more I think about it... the more I want to save Gonzales until I can make a bitchin' shirt.
(Yes, you read that right Amber... I actually WANT to make a shirt...) ((Already got ideas for 'Fiero Bock'...))

I'll also call that lodge at Texoma... maybe they got their act together.

Guys the more I hear/read about the refugee affected radius... I think that anything closer than San Antonio might be pushing it.
Victoria would be fun... but it is what...? like 60 miles away from Houston?...

(editing my first post to scratch Gonzales)

quote Originally posted by blakeinspace: Victoria would be fun... but it is what...? like 60 miles away from Houston?...

More than that fer sure. But, very few, if anyone evacuated toward the south. I'm guessing 100 miles down to Victoria from Houston. --not so far for Hou folks--which is the way it would have been if Galveston were still viable--just a lot further for DFW--Okla folks--but then too, the northern ppl are probably better able to financially manage a longer drive than the folks currently affected by the hurricane...
Preparing for a hurricane--then getting thru the aftermath is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination.

130 miles

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 09-17-2008).]

quote Originally posted by MstangsBware: How about El Paso--Heard it's a very scenic place to visit this time of the year.

Right now everything is green from all the rain. And the weather is cool and dry. I know it is a long way for most of you guys but it would be cool to see a Fiero event here! I'd bring my yellow 88 GT 5-speed if you guys come! Hey Mstangs, you wouldn't happen to be from El Paso?

[This message has been edited by Rick 88 (edited 09-17-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Rick 88: Right now everything is green from all the rain. And the weather is cool and dry. I know it is a long way for most of you guys but it would be cool to see a Fiero event here! I'd bring my yellow 88 GT 5-speed if you guys come! Hey Mstangs, you wouldn't happen to be from El Paso?

Not from El Paso--I was just really joking about having it in El Paso. I have only been thru there once and it was at night. I have been out that way though and not alot around to look at. I do like the speed limit once you get out that way far enough though.