Regarding International Participants

Thanks so much for organizing us, Alan!

We talked up the WISP rally with folks at the Netherlands rally (and countering a bit Ralph Roberts statement that the UK “allotment” was already filled up). Two folks — John Kelly and Mike Higgins — are quite keen on coming with their wives and staying in some of the cabins rather than camping. I think they’ve been in touch with Uncle Al who has had luck snagging a cabin in the past; and I think some of us could potentially help reserve extra such spots.

Kit and Bill and I did a tiny bit of brainstorming about what we might organize for the internationals coming to WISP in addition to the regular great events such as the pavilion pot luck. Possibly excursions to FineTown and Bolt Castle as well as the museum in Clayton by water (ideally getting some advance permission for tying up since the town dock is so limited). A few ideas for the committee!

Margie McKelvey and Bill Harkins

Campsite experience

Brian Laux wrote on July 7,2016

…I remember the campsites at the Eagle Loop pretty well, and I thought it might be helpful for me to summarize my recollections:

# 60 (where Eric & I stayed in 2015) plenty big, not waterfront but that’s nearby, and the closest to the bathroom

# 61, 62, & 63: the “premium” sites of all, on their own short driveway, right on the water, beautiful

# 64, 66, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78:  all on the water, but if I recall correctly with variable degrees of ease of access (i.e., for some the water is only slightly below ground level so you can walk in, others there is a short rocky cliff keeping you from easily going for a swim)

#68: You would think it’s waterfront, but it’s not since a small but steep hill blocks your access.  Also the smallest of the campsites.  In my opinion the least desirable of all the Eagle Loop sites that are available to us.  At least you are not charged for waterfront.

#57, 59, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73: the ones on the “dry side” (South side) of the road.  In general roomier and flatter than the waterfront ones, but not on the water, but also cheaper.

Perhaps those that actually stayed in some of the above sites can add their two cents.

The latest from WISP: reservation deadline extended? In which case, there’s still time for you to sign on!

Pat Kuntz wrote June 29, 2016

Good morning, Alan,
I have noticed the flurry of e-mail activity surrounding campsite assignments. I spoke with Jen, at WISP, regarding an update on payment for sites. At this time the subject of payment and fees is not on their “radar”, and may not be required until the 2017 calendar year. She has requested that I just wait to hear from them, which is fine by me, so I’ll not pester you with any more messages until  I actually have some information.
BTW, any site for me is fine. I will host a guest and have a small tent, small car.
Pat W3140

Campsite choices

Alan Asseltine wrote on June 29, 2016

As you are aware, the 2017 International Rally is scheduled from July 15 to July 22 at Wellesley Island State Park,  We have 18 people committed to book and pay for a site by July 10.  So we have the numbers ( more than 15) in order to book as a group a year ahead of time.  We do not have the details from the park on how to do the advanced booking and the 2017 prices.  The 2016 prices for New York State residents are $24/day for waterfront and $18/day for non-waterfront plus $4/day for Friday and Saturdaynights.  Non NYS residents add $5/day.  However, the park staff have set aside our preferred campsites in the Eagle Loop, sites 60 to 78.   I am sending this to  the 18 ( and those sharing the site) who committed to book a site and asking them to email me back with their 3 preferred sites as Brian did in 2015.  You can view the campsite map athttp://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/campgroundMap.do   .  By the time we determine who is on what site, I hope that we have the 2017 rates and the booking procedures sorted out.

Henry Rose is on the email list as he is yet to decide if he wants to book with the group.

Alan Asselstine W7346

Tom Goldsmith wrote on June 29, 2016

Hi Alan,

If possible, Tom Goldsmith and AnnMarie Covington would like to be on Eagle Loop site number 75.

Thank you,

Tom

The McKelveys wrote on June 28, 2016

Thanks for organizing things, Alan!  We would love to have number 66 where we were before.  63 and 62 would be 2nd and 3rd choices.  — Margie and Bill

Uwe and Nancy Heine wrote on June 29, 2016

Hello,

Having not seen the area, we are guessing that  76,74, or 64 look good.  We have a hybrid hammock/tent that ties onto trees that we might bring, so we are looking for a site with trees if possible.

Thank you,

Nancy & Uwe Heine

W10978

Phil Leonard wrote on June 29, 2016

Alan

We are unfamiliar with the sites and would like a wooded lot since we have 2 hammock tents and a large tent for sponsoring someone. I guess initially we would pick site 62 with 64 and 61 being our second and third choice but we cannot tell if they are wooded or not.

We don’t have to use the hammock tents. We do need a 10 x 10 spot for the larger tent.

Thanks for your efforts in organizing everything.

Phil and Cathy Leonard

Kit Wallace wrote on June 29, 2016

Alan,

Here are my three campsite preferences:

1. #63
2. #62
3. #101

Thanks,

Kit & Patsy

Bill Harkins wrote on June 29, 2016

Hello all,

Have a look at the link below to see a photo of each campsite.

Bill

http://www.campadk.com/campsitephotos.html?campground=Wellesley+Island&choosesite=yes

 

WISP cost details

Pat Kuntz, June 17, 2016

Hi Alan,
I have not been able to connect with her this week and have been informed she’ll be there Monday, so I’ll try again then.
PatOn Jun 17, 2016, at 7:20 AM, Alan Asselstine wrote:

Pat,
Have you heard from WISP staff on camp site costs ( NY residents/ non-residents; waterfront/ non-waterfront) and booking procedures.  Once I have the information, I will survey participants on preferred sites.
Alan

Pat Kuntz, June 20, 2016

Hi Alan,
I just spoke to Jennifer at WISP. She has not pinned down her boss regarding the payment schedule for our campsites, however she has guaranteed the reservation of sites #60-78 for the International Rally. She’ll get back to me as soon as she has fee information, and I’ll pass it on.
Pat W3240

Alan Asselstine Jun 18, 2016, wrote:

thanks Ralph for your note.  Mary, I and family are all doing well.  Not a lot of sailing as it goes from wet and very windy to dead calm, with little in between on the days that I plan to sail.  We have 17 people families willing to book in advance for the prime locations.  We are now working on the logistics of how to do this.  Our contact at WISP has been off on holidays.  Once I get things sorted out a little more, I will get back to you and others in Europe.
Alan

Ralph Roberts, Sat, Jun 18, 2016 wrote:

Hi Alan,
I trust you both are keeping well and have been able to get out sailing with the onset of summer. I just thought I would enquire how things were going for the rally next year, and whether you had sufficient bookings to be able to pre-book the prime area for sailing at the campsite.
Best wishes, Ralph

 

A group campsite needs to be reserved one year in advance

Brian Laux

Feb 2, 2016

[I have been] researching another group campsite in 2017 for an international Wayfarer rally.  I just got off the phone with Jennifer, the reservations coordinator for WISP.  The short answer is – YES, they can do that again.

The longer answer is that as a result of what we did, other groups have asked for the same treatment.  They have created a policy to deal with such requests.  We have to reserve a minimum of 15 campsites (should be no problem for us), and we have to set it up a year in advance, instead of the usual 9 months in advance if you were making your own personal reservation.

I will, to a certain extent, be willing to be the point person for this if that is the group’s decision.  But we will need reasonable commitments from everyone by this July, 2016 given the “year-in-advance” policy.

Accommodating overseas participants

This is an interesting comment from Ralph Roberts, the overseas contact person:

Apr 12, 2016

Thank you for including me in your list of interested parties with details of the USWA Cruising events. I note that you mention that there could be problems with regarding finding boats/spaces for overseas participants for next year’s proposed International Rally at Wellesley Island.

I don’t really see this as too much of a problem, since overseas places can easily be limited to the number of spaces that are available. There is also no need for all the overseas visitors to sail every day, so say half could fill whatever places where available, with the other half going sightseeing – eg. Niagara Falls, etc, etc.

Most, if not all overseas people will need to hire cars to get from the airport to the campsite, so transport for sightseeing trips wouldn’t be a problem for them.

Any places made available for overseas entrants would obviously be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so having emphasised in the advertising material that places will be severely limited, it would be relatively easy to make the cut at whatever number was decided. I would propose to share the places available equitably between the UK, Danish, and Dutch Wayfarer members, as I have little doubt that the event is going to be way over-subscribed.