RE: More info on COTOC... please

[DBGCAMP]

 
Could any one give me some more info on COTOC...
 Is there a Web site?
 
 
 

[DiW]

 DBGCAMP
Hi David and Diane,
 We don t have a web page or anything. We re just an informal group of PUT members from mostly the NY/NJ/PA/DE/MA/CT areas that occasionally camps together.  We didn t want to limit anyone from joining in, hence the name " Original Colonies."  Although we re from NJ, we traveled to the VA group outing and the TN outing last yr.
 
 There are no dues or anything, just a willingness to camp with others. Some people just like camping with others or want to meet their fellow PUT members. Some with children are looking for playmates. Some without children might be looking for other couples to hang with. Who knows? You aren t required to do anything in this group, just have fun hopefully.
 
 Some history. A bunch of us got to " know"  each other through chatting on the PUT message board and/or chat room over the past few years. Eventually, we took a chance (being " strangers" ) and began meeting in person. I proposed a weekend get together last June and together we settled on Hickory Run SP in eastern PA. A bunch of us went and had a great time. Tracy (thldoc) then organized a return trip to Hickory Run and got quite a crowd. This trip enticed different PUT members to join in. I was sorry to miss this outing as I missed a chance to meet some great people.
 
 Dave (PUT) ran a trip to Eagles Peak (Amish country PA) in Sept and a bunch of us from the COTOC group went - and we met other PUT members. On this trip, I got to meet a guy that lives one town away and gave me some helpful advice years ago when I was selecting a popup. The more outings you go on, the more opportunities to meet PUT members. Personally, I attended the VA Westmorelend trip last April and the PUT rally in TN in Aug.  Amazing how easy it is to form friendships.
 
 It was hard going on that first trip since we had some concerns about meeting people over the internet.  Turns out they were just like us. People who enjoy camping. Most are outgoing or they wouldn t subject themselves to spending time with others - or they get dragged along with their wives (right Paula?). To each their own. There s no pressure. Some of us have popups, others hybrids. In TN, we even had a tenter or two.
 
 Our trips are casually planned, generally whatever gets suggested. The group plans are strictly OPTIONAL. On the HR trip, we went to the boulder field and attended a nature talk. 2nd HR trip may have had a potluck dinner or dessert (not sure). EP trip we had catered dinner Sat night and catered breakfast Sun morn. The cg provided a band Sat night at the pavilion for those interested. Coming up in May at North-South Lake, copcarguy proposed a hike to find a downed airplane. Since 7 families are going, maybe we ll do a dinner or dessert potluck. At night, the group usually hangs out at someone s campfire. Generally we just ask what those attending want to do and go from there.
 
 We don t have an official leader but Tracy (thldoc) offered to monitor this forum for us. Usually someone from the group takes the lead and proposes a trip and others horn in on it []. Copcarguy planned a trip to North-South Lake and before he knew it, he had a rally going. Not sure we asked him if he wanted company or not, not that it matters (hehe). Another ex.  thldoc and HersheyGirl mentioned they were going to RB Winter SP Memorial Day and before they blinked, I booked a reservation too[]  The lesson here is if you want privacy, " shush, don t tell"  until you get back.
 
 Di

[DBGCAMP]

 DBGCAMP
Thanks Di!
 Sounds like this is a great group
 We just got our camper in the Fall of  02... and have not yet ventured out of NY!
 Maybe we will be able to join one of the COTOC outings this summer[]
 

[DiW]

 DBGCAMP
Look forward to meeting you. Is North-South Lake too far? It s in Haines Falls, NY. From your signature, I presume you do actual camp cooking. I ve yet to attempt a DO, but did buy a double pie iron this year [] . Love those cherry pies.
 Di
 

[PI]

 DBGCAMP
DiW,
 We got our DO this past summer. So far we have made a few things in it. We did a peach cobbler that was pretty good even though I brought 1 can of peaches and 1 can of pears instead of 2 cans peaches. Hey, It happens. We also did a Strogonoff . We only have 1 and need to purchase another one.
 
 Diane and Dave,
 Sure hope you can make some of the rallies. We went to Eagles Peak. It was the first one we ever went to. It was a long drive about 8 hours for the weekend but it was worth it. We are also going to North-South Lake with the group. We are looking forward to meeting more new campers. Coming from Mass., that one will only be 5 hours. For EP, we met up with copcarguy in NY and convoyed the rest of the way. We both had our CB s. It was a lot of fun.
 We enjoyed a nice time around the woodless campfire at copcarguy s site. We were not allowed a wood fire so we had to use charcoal. I m sure there is more fun to be had by all.
 
 PI

[tlhdoc]

 DBGCAMP
Hi David and Diane,
 
 I hope you will come camping with us sometime.  COTOC (campers of the original colonies) is a very informal group.  If you want to camp with us, you are a memeber.  DiW gave you a run down on how we started the group and some of our trips.  We had a total of 3 trips last year, plus the Rally at Eagles Peak in September.  June and Fall at Hickory Run SP, PA and a fall trip to RB Winter SP, PA where a bobcat was heard several times.  []  We had some of the old people and some new people on each of the trips.  On the last trip we had T-shirts made and we had a pot luck dinner.  It was the most fun of any trip I have been on.  If you want to come please feel free to join us.  You can spend as much time with us or without us as you want.  If you have any more questions just ask away.[]

[DBGCAMP]

 DBGCAMP

Look forward to meeting you. Is North-South Lake too far? It s in Haines Falls, NY. From your signature, I presume you do actual camp cooking. I ve yet to attempt a DO, but did buy a double pie iron this year  . Love those cherry pies.
 Di

 North-South Lake would be about 5 hours from us... not too for, but we going to the " Paddlefest"  in Old Forge N.Y. that weekend!  If the weather looks good we will be camping[]
 
 If you like the pie iron? get a DO.  There is something satisfying about cooking over hot coals[/i]. Make sure you buy a Lodge Camp Oven [/color] (3 legs, and raised lip on the cover) Best price I have seen is around $29.00 for a 12? oven at Walmart.
 
 You can cook ANYTHING! in a DO? casseroles, pizza, cinnamon rolls, jambalaya, pineapple upside down cake, biscuits, cornbread, chicken and dumplings, etc.
 
 My favorite size is the 14?? it is large enough to cook for a crowd, and I can cook food in baking dishes for smaller groups (saves time in clean up!!!)[&:]
 
 

[copcarguy]

 DBGCAMP
Hello all!
 
 Welcome DBGCAMP!!!
 
 Boy, reading our little COTOC section of PUT sure makes me miss you all!  I can t wait for May to arrive...  Did I let you all know that Stephie & I got the ENTIRE week of the North Lake trip off for vacation??  We re thinking of maybe heading up a day or two earlier.  Looking forward to it!  []

[Trlrboy]

 DBGCAMP
Great name for your club.  I used to live in Jersey and since I ve been living in TX I ve had to continually remind them that their state is not one of the original 13 and is based on theft of land from Mexico.  
 
 Here s a suggestion for a logo:  Washington crossing the Delaware in a popup.