|
Gathering
Of
Circles |
 Donna Dawn Morning Song Kirby |
GOC First Timers Tips |
1. DON'T GIVE UP.
Follow the directions, EXACTLY using the mileage up the
mountain and your car's odometer. (Men, do not be proud -- be
"smart".) USE THE DIRECTIONS!!
2. At the top of the
mountain, (check your odometer -- there are several false "tops of the
mountain") there is a sharp turn back after you see the GOC Banner -- go
slowly -- do not miss it! The sharp turn is the road just before the banner. (if
you come in from Cloudcroft)
3. Try to bring all you will need on the first trip up. You will see why
you don't want to make a second trip after you make the first. The "road"is
narrow and very rock filled. Usually, a veteran GOCer will make a run to town
for supplies, and will take your money for things you may have forgotten to
bring with you. Ask around for this person.
4. Remember to take
warm clothing for the nights, as it will likely drop into the forties during the
dark hours. You will need a warm sleeping bag!
5. You are closer to the sun on top of the 9,000 ft mountain, and the UV
rays are much stronger. Bring a hat or head scarf to protect your scalp
from burning. Bring light, loose clothing with ample sleeves or legs to protect
your untanned skin from burning. This can happen almost without your awareness
during the mild daytime. Watch your kids for sun exposure. Sun block
helps.
6. Ladies, use a "Fannie pack" in lieu of a purse. Fannie packs
are harder to leave behind.
In your Fannie pack, be sure to carry some baby wipes to wash your hands with
after visiting the port-a-potty. (These can be sealed in a small ZipLock bag.)
There is no water in there -- running, or otherwise!
7. Bring plenty of Reverse Osmosis bottled water to drink and/or wash
with.
Remember to bring enough water for any dog you
might bring. There is absolutely NO
RUNNING WATER for miles.
8. Be sure to bring several large drawstring trash bags to hang in the
trees for your trash, so that your sleeping facilities will remain more insect
free.
9. The campsite is
located within a National Forest, and there may be some wildlife you don't want
foraging through your tent, so try to keep all food out of the tent,
perhaps in your vehicle.
10. Family dogs are welcome, but please keep the following in mind:
A. Dogs must be on leash within the camp, as
others may also have dogs.
B. When leaving you dog at your campsite, they
must be constrained so that they cannot
come closer than six feet
to the road where your fellow campers will be walking.
C. You are responsible for injury your
overprotective dog may inflict on others.
D. If you are walking through another's
campsite, be alert for their dog. Do not try to
pet another person's
dog without their permission!
E. Occasionally you may see a dog off leash
in the quiet times (early morning or late
evening). Most of
these dogs have been trained and have been coming to the GOC for
years. Remember, do
not try to approach any dog you don't know.
F. Down the sides of the mountain are ample
off-leash exercise areas, but always be
aware of what might be in
the trees. Many species of wildlife (some quite large and
dangerous) see a dog as a
threat, and many dogs will not answer to a "come" call if
their protective instincts
are in overdrive.
G. Feel free to talk with Brett or Cliff if you
have questions that have not been
addressed here.
11. There may be a
burn ban in effect, so keep that in mind as you pack your food supplies.
A small charcoal or propane grill kit should
serve as a back up in the case that open
fires are not permitted.
12. If you have the room, please bring a log (one and a half to two feet
long) to add to the
Sweet Medicine Dance Fire Pit. We will light
the fire Saturday Night, if the burn ban
has been lifted. Park rules allow gathering
of deadfall wood, but not the cutting of live
trees.
13. Sharing of meals with neighboring campsites is a tradition in which
you may want to
participate, though this is optional.
However, there is a potluck luncheon after the Give-A-Way, on Sunday, before
departure.
14. The site GOC uses is what's called "primitive," There are no
man-made objects short of what we bring in. Bring a folding chair, and be sure
to place a nametag on each chair, so you will know which is yours.
15. Cliff
traditionally cooks his "World Famous Pancakes" ($3.00 per eater) for
the whole Gathering, Saturday morning. However, He does not provide plates,
cups, forks, chairs, napkins, etc. Bring your own. If you wish to
help with food supplies in lieu of the $3.00, contact Cliff before the
GOC.(However, bacon or sausage is usually accepted)
16. Do not forget your cameras, binoculars, hiking boots, hats, raincoats,
and rainfly for your tent. Bring a gift wrapped in plain paper for the Sunday
morning Give-A-Way. (a paper sack is OK)
17. This campground high above the rest of the world is a special gift for
us each year, and if we want to return here in the years to come, we must care
for it. Please return the ground to as near the state in which you found it.
Refill fire pits. pick up anything that did not grow there on your way out.
If you have any questions, Please E-mail me at Mannatea3DK@WMConnect.com
I know you will all
have a wonderful time at Cloudcroft -- I always do!
This is my fourth year at the Gathering.
Donna
Kirby
Donna Dawn Morning Song
Chair of the 2004 "Gathering of the Circles" Welcoming Committee