Hello Grateful Campers!!

The Pranksters and I went to scope out the campground, and we decided to encourage people to camp in the 300s sites (if you want to be part of a closer community-type camping experience), the 30s (if you want to be close, but not in the midst of it all), and anywhere else if you don't really care. Head'sup: although we looked at it in the snow, it looks like #304 is the least-level site. Although central to all the 300 sites, we couldn't tell whether there was a nice flat area for a tent--we think so, but no guarantees.

Here's the link to the reservation site: http://www.reserveamerica.com/campgroundMap.do
In the left column, under "Find Campsite," select from the "Loop" drop-down menu: "sites 24-38, 102-111, etc." and this will take you to the map of the area w/the 300s and 30s.

Some "official" info:
Sites are $12 per night for MA residents; $14 per night for non-residents --> there is no minimum stay (i.e., you can reserve just one night)

* Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in Massachusetts State campgrounds.
* Pets are welcome in most campgrounds, but please keep them restrained, clean up after them and prevent them from disturbing others.Dump stations are available now. Also, please bring proof of rabies vaccination when camping with your pet.
* Respect the 14-day camping limit. To ensure that many campers enjoy our parks, campers and camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days occupancy in any one park between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
* Don't overcrowd your campsite. Site occupancy is limited to four people or one family (parents and children 17 or under). Please limit site equipment to two tents or one trailer (or RV) and one tent. Also, no more than two vehicles per campsite.
* Massachusetts law requires that children age 16 and under wear a helmet when bicycling. The MA DCR encourages all cyclists to wear a helmet and cycle safely.
* Check-in time is 1:00 PM; Check out time is 11:00 AM.

blah-dah, blah-dah, blah-dah :-)

I'm so excited!! Camping was so much fun last year...looking forward to some more grateful campfires and night boxing! :-)

~zess~

WooHoooo!!!!

...... Let the games begin! If any of you campers have questions about the site, campgrounds, trails or the main event on Saturday, just post here!!! Stay "Tuned" for additional fun festivities too - perhaps some night boxing and/or a special Prankster Party for those who are staying all weekend! ;o)

The Merry Pranksters

Looks like that reservation link doesn't work. Try this one: http://www.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MA&parkId=32608

Also, there are lots of campsites nearby, so you don't need to limit to 300s and 30s. Those are just the ones we thought most convenient & nice. None of them in that loop are really *far* anyway.

~zess~

And just so everyone knows, the group site has been reserved by some other party on Friday night. That's why we picked the 300 & 30 area. We don't know if the 200 area around the group site (G-01) will be busy or not. If anyone people are interested in just staying Saturday night, the group site IS still available for that one night - $25 for a big batch of campers. Whatever you decide, we'd recommend making your reservations sooner than later!

........ proud-walking jingle in the midnight sun!!! ;o)

The Merry Pranksters

Ok... the Muddy Paws crew has secured our camping reservation. We're in site #306. Not sure who the riffraff camping around us could be.

After reading all those long and rather tedious rules and regs, I have one very important question... just how are we going to disguise the Southern Comfort?

~Muddy Paws

Not sure who the riffraff camping around us could be.

Well, I know some of them, but I'm not telling you. [Note that I can be bribed...which brings us to...]

just how are we going to disguise the Southern Comfort?

We could use large lock-n-locks (so the golden beverage doesn't spill en route), and then pass out straws.

You need to know, Mrs. Paws, that our SoCo mule, the infamous jackbear, will not be hoofin' it for us this time. Something about a baby and a wedding. Apparently he expects the baby will come first......right, jackbear? :-)

~zess~

Something about a baby and a wedding.

Hmmm - sounds like even more reason for SoCo to me!

Speaking of Southern Comfort have you seen the ad for it on TV? Lots of young trendy looking kids living it up while drinking SoCo at the local trendy bar. I laughed so hard the first time I saw it. None of them look anything like Janis. Oh, the misguided youth of today.

~Muddy Paws

Ok... the Muddy Paws crew has secured our camping reservation. We're in site #306. Not sure who the riffraff camping around us could be.

After reading all those long and rather tedious rules and regs, I have one very important question... just how are we going to disguise the Southern Comfort?

~Muddy Paws

Since it's "Tune in & Toon out", look for this Riff Raff to be camping around you:
Riff Raff

You can hide the SC at the Pranksters House - just notch the label at the current level {if you don't mind it a little watered down a bit}! Otherwise, a quick VT Maple Syrup Label will work just fine!!! ;o)

TMP

I'm having sudden fond memories of my college days, drinking Alabama Slammers at 50¢ shot night :-)
They'd probably go very nicely in a Hawaiian Punch bottle!

:-)
Kit Kat
still undecided, but delighted to see how things are shaping up!!

Oh good.... I was worried it might be this guy.
http://www.rockymusic.org/img/rhpsphotoscolor/RHPS-CRH46-RiffRaffPortrait.jpg

Otherwise, a quick VT Maple Syrup Label will work just fine!!!

To be honest I think I'd rather drink the maple syrup.

~MP

Oh good.... I was worried it might be this guy.
http://www.rockymusic.org/img/rhpsphotoscolor/RHPS-CRH46-RiffRaffPortrait.jpg

It's astounding
time is fleeting
madness takes its toll...

I'd rather drink the maple syrup.

I miss real maple syrup--haven't been able to afford it for ages!!

Kit Kat

Yeah, that maple syrup is pretty expensive these days. Probably cheaper to pour Southern Comfort on your pancakes. Yum!

~MP

To be honest I think I'd rather drink the maple syrup.

Ms. Janis Paws,

I am deeply disturbed by this comment.

~Janis Zess~

still undecided,

Ms. Kit Kat,

I am deeply disturbed by this comment as well. :-)

~zess~

Yeah, that maple syrup is pretty expensive these days. Probably cheaper to pour Southern Comfort on your pancakes. Yum!

that's better.

~zess~

Speaking of Southern Comfort have you seen the ad for it on TV? Lots of young trendy looking kids living it up while drinking SoCo at the local trendy bar. I laughed so hard the first time I saw it. None of them look anything like Janis. Oh, the misguided youth of today.

haven't seen that commercial, but, it's all good, baby!

~zess~

Oceanwytch is all set! I reserved site #301.....yay!

Oceanwytch is all set! I reserved site #301.....yay!

Awesome - We're glad to see you're joining the party, Oceanwytch! With over 70 people signed up for camping so far, it should be LOTS of fun, Fun, FUN!!!! ;o)

To everyone else - If you intend to camp but haven't already booked a site, now's the time to do it!

The Merry Pranksters

Hello all you Grateful campers!!!!

Looks like we've filled up Grateful Row(the 300's)! With over 70 campers signed up, I think some of you haven't booked a site yet. If you're interested in hanging close to the group, I'd recommend grabbing site 29 or one of the 30's. Sites #212 - 201 (descending in that order) are also close by. As I recall, 208 is a low-lying site and could have water issues, so you might want to avoid that one. Some folks are camping closer to the pond at the front of the campgrounds too, so whatever your preference is, book it now and we'll see you there!

............. Whatever you do, just make sure you "Tune In & Toon Out!!!" ;o)

TMP

I finally got around to making a reservation -- Kit Kat and I booked site #203.
I'm really looking forward to the weekend and meeting everyone!

Leilani's Aunt

Woohoo! Me too!!

:-)
Kit Kat

Alas, alcohol is not allowed at Harold Parker State Forest campground. Ah, Puritan blue laws.. I'd forgotten.. Are the stores all still closed on Sundays?

Are the stores all still closed on Sundays?

No--some are now open on Sundays, which is great! When I first moved to MA from NY in 1993 I was so confused. I just wanted to bring a bottle of wine to dinner at a friend's--but would always forget that you could not get wine on Sunday's.

NEknitter

I guess I am so old I remember when NY had those laws too. It used to really tick off my dad that on a hot summer Sunday, when we wanted to leave early to go out sailing/waterskiing, he could not stop and get a six pack of beer before noon.

Because, you know, everyone was supposed to be in church until noon every Sunday! But you get get totally drunk until 2 Am on Saturday night.

But when I moved NY to MA I was excited to find no tax on clothes- one of the necessities of life! NY taxes clothing like crazy, and to a college girl.. well, I liked MA laws then.

could not stop and get a six pack of beer before noon

Yes, when I lived in NY you could not buy alcohol before noon on Sunday, but since I was rarely awake before noon on a Sunday this did not particularly affect my planning for the day. I don' t know if that is still the case in NY?

when I moved NY to MA I was excited to find no tax on clothes

Still no tax on clothes here in MA (unless you buy a very expensive luxury item). Where I grew up sales tax was 8.25%--pretty steep. As I understand it, the state has a base sales tax and the county can add what it wants. I think it was only 6.5% where I went to college.
I was also excited to find that clothing was not taxed in MA. I never understood why MA was called taxachussetts--I found the taxes in NY to be much higher for nearly everything.

NEknitter

Where in NY? (me: Oyster Bay area) 1960-1978 . What part of MA? (me: Boston) 1978-1985 =seven cold winters!

I grew up in Island Park (between Long Beach and Oceanside). Lived in Ithaca for 4 years before moving to MA in 1993. I've lived all over MA, but currently live on the north shore, where I plan to stay.
NEknitter

the north shore

Ah, so you were south shore- I was north shore (LI) Now you're north shore, that is funny!My sister is in Beverley.. have been trying to get her into letterboxing as she has an eight year old boy.. they just went once, with my dad in VA..he appears to be too overscheduled wiwth karate, swimming lessons, Boy Scouts etc..
FaethFinders told me there was a nice park in Beverely beggin' for boxes?