Lake Clinton, IL Reunion

RainDog wrote: . The only positive about Shelbyville is they had a camper/RV rental joint near by. .

Steve,

Thats a plus and one could argue there is better skiing at Shelbyville if you know the lake but everything else makes Clinton a great place for this large a get together.

As for having to lodge away from the lake don't worry about missing too much as you can hang at the campground for a while. This is the type of get together where everyone pitches in and takes care of those that don't have lake houses and have learned to rough it all summer.

Now seriously, to everybody coming out especialy first timers(Quinner, RJ, nautique Hunter, Groovin,etc, just stock your cooler with your burgers or steaks or whatever and show up at the campground after a day in the water. All I charge is one beer per person and I'll cook all night. Heck, last year we had ton's of food and feed a whole bunch of weary(half in the bag) and hungry boaters. Anything in our motorhome except my bed is there for sharing. We also have a 3 room tent from the good old days I can bring along if anyone needs it.

You won't miss much by having to drive back to the hotel because I think we were all dead by 10pm after 12 hours of sun and fun.

4 hours for me.

Friday AM, most likely. I might not rule out a Thursday run though. I'll need to see how things go. I've been pushing the family pretty hard by squeezing in a extra day here and there.

Wife and kids - yes.
Camping - don't know. Might come down to the weather. The only positive about Shelbyville is they had a camper/RV rental joint near by. I pop-up would be great if it starts to rain.

quinner wrote: Joel, How long of a drive is it from our area? RJ and Steve, You guy's planning on a Thursday PM or Friday AM departure? Bringing your kids?? Camping???

Super easy drive. About a 2 hour run down to Bloomington (which I've done a million times going to ISU), then about a 35 minute jaunt over on 74 to Clinton. Piece of cake.

Sorry my friends... Looks like that is a bad weekend for us. Carrie is running a half marathon downtown that Sat. Staying down there for the night in support... Looks like my record will stay in tact. GL-4, Labor day Il Reunion-0

Moj'

So we're pretty set on the dates then? That might be a CCF record.

Rob

Count the Hunters in Clinton is one of my favorite lakes

Unfortunately these central IL trips are tough on those of us who have toddlers or infants because hotels are sparse/crappy/far away. Maybe we can have the grandparents babysit this weekend. If not, we'll have to get a haz mat team into that Days Inn.

October is not much of a option for me/us. Even these dates in September will be hit and miss. Harvest is gearing up and there are a few squirrely farmers who will be running in the fields. I will be on call the whole weekend. So lets stick to raindogs dates and just stick to them. The morning skiing will be spectacular until 11 or so. Brew sippin' the rest of the day.

As for hotels, you will need to go back to either Bloomington or Champaign. It is a 30 mile drive but that is where the hotels are. LeRoy doesn't have anything. Mahomet does have a older hotel, but don't know what the accomodations are like. Clinton does have hotels but I have not idea what they are. Lovely thing about the web!

I know we will be camping. The grounds are nice and the facilities are very good. There is no RV rentals in the area so that isn't a option as far as I know.

We will be leaving for Minnesota tonight, but hopefully this answers some questions. Just give a shout if you want to talk on the phone. 217-202-5946.

Later!

I could do labor day weekend, that makes sense, but I'm in for either date. I've never been to this lake but the heated water sounds crazy. (I'm thinking radiation or no radiation, who cares its 80 degree water)

It is nearly the only weekend I have free, so I thought I'd throw it out there and see if it works for others. I'll get it on the calendar, in ink, ASAP. Yr right though, a hex is certain.

Skiing all day...you saying I ain't got leg? Didn't you hear of the marathon set I laid down behind Alan's boat last Monday?

Ok, ok...fair enough. But I'm sure Nutty and I will find something to do in 80 degree water as I recover.

Dang, 100°! That's hot tub water. Way too hot to be refreshing though. But that's really nice for those later months when other lakes start getting too cold.

Skicat, I often wonder why I haven't moved down to Tennessee yet. Probably has to do with being that far away from the rest of the family, but the wife and I sure love it down that way.

C-Bass,

The Nuke dump hot water into the lake. During the summer, the section of the lake where the water is dumped will exceed 100 degrees. From the outlet to the dam, the temperature will gradually decrease, but we are still talking water that is usually over 80 degrees.

Sam B. It is Mascoutin Campground Scroll down the link and there's info about camping. very nice showers and like HW said no need to worry about a spot after labor day.



Edit...Looks like we're all posting the same info within minutes

The campground is called the Mascoutin Recreational Area and is managed by the Il DNR. Here is a link for information. Yes, it does have showers. They used to not accept reservations, but I have heard that has changed.

http://dnr.state.il.us/LANDS/landmgt/PARKS/R3/Clinton.htm

After Labor Day you can pretty much drive in and pick your spot, no worries.