Okay I know we haven't even made it to February yet but as hard as it may seem to beleive summer will be here. I have noticed over the past few months the growing contingent of Minnesota members. Some have been here several years and some just a few months.
It's always great to share recipes, techniques and methods, advice and laughs online but putting faces with names and handshakes in person is always much better.
So with that in mind I would like to propose and take the lead in organizing the first of (hopefully many) annual event of the Great Minnesota Camp Out and BBQ Smoke Event.
This event would take place at a campground owned and operated by a friend of mine located in Barnum, Minnesota about 45 minutes south of Duluth. Bent Trout Lake Campground. Perhaps some of you locals have been there. If so you know what a great place it is. This campground is one of the better kept Minnesota secrets. It is located on a beautiful private lake. No state fishing license is required. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout as well as bass, panfish and northern pike. No motor boats are allowed electric trolling motors only. The lake covers only about 40 acres but is 90ft deep.
Rather than getting into lengthy detail about all this camground has to offer here is the link to their web site for all those interested to check out.
http://www.benttroutlake.com/index.html
First let me be clear this get together is not limited to Minnesota members only any one that is a member of the forum would be most welcome and encouraged to attend.
I have picked two dates that we can choose from. The weekend of July 9th (Friday) thru the 11th (Sunday) This is the week just following the 4th. or July 23rd (Friday) thru July 25th Sunday. I understand neither of these weekends may work for everyone. Other suggestions will be considered but I do not want to get caught up in spending alot of time choosing dates.
Of course everyone will be required to bring a smoker of their choice. Everything from a trailer unit to bullet smokers, whatever you have. There is room for everything. And of course bring your menu for the weekend.
This is not designed to be a competition. Just a friendly greet and eat get together.
I would like to get at least 8 to 10 committed members and families to sign on to make this event. Kids of all ages are welcome. The camground is very well set up for kids with plenty to do.
Depending upon the number of members we can get signed on will depend on how we get set up at the campground. It most likely will be difficult to get us all camping in the same area as I am sure some of you who own travel trailers or motorhomes will want sites with hookups while others will be wanting tent sites.
I beleive I can get us set up in a group area where we can set up all of our smokers so we can be in the same area for smoking.
At this point I am gauging interest and this is not a definite event. To make this an event we need membership commitment.
I am confident we can make this happen and it will be a great memorable event with lots of laughs, fun a few beers and most of all some great smokes and eating!!
So what I need you to do now is if you are interested in making this an event is to drop me a pm. Include in your pm which of the two dates would work best for you. What type of campsite you would need (hook ups or tent) how many people will be in your group. Also include your name and mailing address and a email if it is not listed in your profile.
I understand things come up and plans change so this is not a hard and fast commitment on your part as of right now.
I am hoping that in a few weeks I should have an idea from your responses which direction will need to be taken next. Once I know this is a go I will begin organizing things with Scott the campground owner as far as reserving sites and getting us set up.
In May I will be asking for a small deposit from those that are still planning to attend to firm things up.
By all means please offer up any suggestions you can think of to add to the fun of this event. Nothing is off limits and anything can be done and organized.
For those of you not from Minnesota but would consider attending let me encourage you by saying if you have never been to northern Minnesota in the summertime you need to make this event. Stay an extra day and take the drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. Consistently rated as one of the top 25 most scenic drives in the US.
So what are we waiting for lets make this happen!!
It's always great to share recipes, techniques and methods, advice and laughs online but putting faces with names and handshakes in person is always much better.
So with that in mind I would like to propose and take the lead in organizing the first of (hopefully many) annual event of the Great Minnesota Camp Out and BBQ Smoke Event.
This event would take place at a campground owned and operated by a friend of mine located in Barnum, Minnesota about 45 minutes south of Duluth. Bent Trout Lake Campground. Perhaps some of you locals have been there. If so you know what a great place it is. This campground is one of the better kept Minnesota secrets. It is located on a beautiful private lake. No state fishing license is required. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout as well as bass, panfish and northern pike. No motor boats are allowed electric trolling motors only. The lake covers only about 40 acres but is 90ft deep.
Rather than getting into lengthy detail about all this camground has to offer here is the link to their web site for all those interested to check out.
http://www.benttroutlake.com/index.html
First let me be clear this get together is not limited to Minnesota members only any one that is a member of the forum would be most welcome and encouraged to attend.
I have picked two dates that we can choose from. The weekend of July 9th (Friday) thru the 11th (Sunday) This is the week just following the 4th. or July 23rd (Friday) thru July 25th Sunday. I understand neither of these weekends may work for everyone. Other suggestions will be considered but I do not want to get caught up in spending alot of time choosing dates.
Of course everyone will be required to bring a smoker of their choice. Everything from a trailer unit to bullet smokers, whatever you have. There is room for everything. And of course bring your menu for the weekend.
This is not designed to be a competition. Just a friendly greet and eat get together.
I would like to get at least 8 to 10 committed members and families to sign on to make this event. Kids of all ages are welcome. The camground is very well set up for kids with plenty to do.
Depending upon the number of members we can get signed on will depend on how we get set up at the campground. It most likely will be difficult to get us all camping in the same area as I am sure some of you who own travel trailers or motorhomes will want sites with hookups while others will be wanting tent sites.
I beleive I can get us set up in a group area where we can set up all of our smokers so we can be in the same area for smoking.
At this point I am gauging interest and this is not a definite event. To make this an event we need membership commitment.
I am confident we can make this happen and it will be a great memorable event with lots of laughs, fun a few beers and most of all some great smokes and eating!!
So what I need you to do now is if you are interested in making this an event is to drop me a pm. Include in your pm which of the two dates would work best for you. What type of campsite you would need (hook ups or tent) how many people will be in your group. Also include your name and mailing address and a email if it is not listed in your profile.
I understand things come up and plans change so this is not a hard and fast commitment on your part as of right now.
I am hoping that in a few weeks I should have an idea from your responses which direction will need to be taken next. Once I know this is a go I will begin organizing things with Scott the campground owner as far as reserving sites and getting us set up.
In May I will be asking for a small deposit from those that are still planning to attend to firm things up.
By all means please offer up any suggestions you can think of to add to the fun of this event. Nothing is off limits and anything can be done and organized.
For those of you not from Minnesota but would consider attending let me encourage you by saying if you have never been to northern Minnesota in the summertime you need to make this event. Stay an extra day and take the drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior. Consistently rated as one of the top 25 most scenic drives in the US.
So what are we waiting for lets make this happen!!