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Location of 2023 USCA National Rally ?
Quote from FlyingMonkeys on January 7, 2023, 10:32 pmWell...I just reserved a room at the Rodeway Inn, in Okoboji, Iowa, for the nights of the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th....and not that I am happy about it, but those three nights came to $ 625.00.
The issue is, not that many of us want to "camp" anymore. And to try to find a "decent" room at a hotel, or motel, in a Summer Resort, during high season, is darn near improbable.
Well...I just reserved a room at the Rodeway Inn, in Okoboji, Iowa, for the nights of the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th....and not that I am happy about it, but those three nights came to $ 625.00.
The issue is, not that many of us want to "camp" anymore. And to try to find a "decent" room at a hotel, or motel, in a Summer Resort, during high season, is darn near improbable.
Quote from DirtyDR on January 8, 2023, 6:30 amVRBO has a few that are not too bad, they are constantly adding and deleting units so I have been checking occasionally.
https://www.vrbo.com/search/keywords:spirit-lake-iowa-united-states-of-america/arrival:2023-06-22/departure:2023-06-25/@43.27436670916682,-95.29080506664883,43.484474286080896,-94.97288819653164,11z/minNightlyPrice/0?petIncluded=false&CID=a_cj_100225472&CJEVENT=843484578f6311ed834e417f0a1c0e0b&affcid=VRBO-US.NETWORK.CJ.100225472&filterByTotalPrice=true&k_clickid=843484578f6311ed834e417f0a1c0e0b&ssr=true&utm_campaign=Skimlinks_100225472&utm_content=14002097_130832X1685020X89cd2d72fc8524fd8fa6c58c81d8a665&utm_medium=partner&utm_source=aff_cjThey do say that only %25 of properties are available for those dates. Popular place.
VRBO has a few that are not too bad, they are constantly adding and deleting units so I have been checking occasionally.
https://www.vrbo.com/search/keywords:spirit-lake-iowa-united-states-of-america/arrival:2023-06-22/departure:2023-06-25/@43.27436670916682,-95.29080506664883,43.484474286080896,-94.97288819653164,11z/minNightlyPrice/0?petIncluded=false&CID=a_cj_100225472&CJEVENT=843484578f6311ed834e417f0a1c0e0b&affcid=VRBO-US.NETWORK.CJ.100225472&filterByTotalPrice=true&k_clickid=843484578f6311ed834e417f0a1c0e0b&ssr=true&utm_campaign=Skimlinks_100225472&utm_content=14002097_130832X1685020X89cd2d72fc8524fd8fa6c58c81d8a665&utm_medium=partner&utm_source=aff_cj
They do say that only %25 of properties are available for those dates. Popular place.
Quote from Joe Norris on January 8, 2023, 10:38 amQuote from Thane Lewis on January 7, 2023, 5:40 pmMy initial searches for AirBNB and hotel/motel show very few but expensive options available on the Gull Point side of the lake complex for the rally weekend. In the “pocket” between West/East Okoboji are a number of options which begin at $175 per night and rapidly escalate due to it being high season in a highly desirable travel destination.
The pocket between the lakes seems like a cool place, but is several miles in RV/Boat trailer infested roads to the rally site. If I am mistaken about this assessment, I await correction.
We decided to stay at the Holiday Inn Express down in Spencer. It's not that far, and what the heck, we're there to ride anyway! Besides, I had points to burn up. We had hoped to stay at a friend's house in Okoboji, but that didn't work out.
Looking forward to meeting y'all!!
Quote from Thane Lewis on January 7, 2023, 5:40 pmMy initial searches for AirBNB and hotel/motel show very few but expensive options available on the Gull Point side of the lake complex for the rally weekend. In the “pocket” between West/East Okoboji are a number of options which begin at $175 per night and rapidly escalate due to it being high season in a highly desirable travel destination.
The pocket between the lakes seems like a cool place, but is several miles in RV/Boat trailer infested roads to the rally site. If I am mistaken about this assessment, I await correction.
We decided to stay at the Holiday Inn Express down in Spencer. It's not that far, and what the heck, we're there to ride anyway! Besides, I had points to burn up. We had hoped to stay at a friend's house in Okoboji, but that didn't work out.
Looking forward to meeting y'all!!
Quote from MGV8 on January 8, 2023, 1:43 pmDon't mind camping, actually look forward to it. So I think we have that part sorted. 🙂 Now, do I head out two weeks early and go North. Northern Quebec is calling. Or do I spend two weeks going home and see some USA that I haven't seen yet. I figure a week to get there on the slow meander. Hmmm decisions decisions. Family stuff happening in July so that might make it for me.
Don't mind camping, actually look forward to it. So I think we have that part sorted. 🙂 Now, do I head out two weeks early and go North. Northern Quebec is calling. Or do I spend two weeks going home and see some USA that I haven't seen yet. I figure a week to get there on the slow meander. Hmmm decisions decisions. Family stuff happening in July so that might make it for me.
Quote from hdgypsyman on January 22, 2023, 7:53 amIf the lodging close to the rally is over budget for you and you don't mind a short ride, Estherville Iowa is about 25 miles away and show a Super 8 and a Estherville Hotel and suites which both showed availability at the time of this post in the $100-$125 range.
Personally, room reservations made and registered for the rally and looking forward to it!
If the lodging close to the rally is over budget for you and you don't mind a short ride, Estherville Iowa is about 25 miles away and show a Super 8 and a Estherville Hotel and suites which both showed availability at the time of this post in the $100-$125 range.
Personally, room reservations made and registered for the rally and looking forward to it!
Quote from 1bmwmc on February 3, 2023, 9:28 pmWould suggest a visit here while you are riding around Iowa. They are permanently closing the doors in September 2023
https://nationalmcmuseum.org/plan-a-visit/
Would suggest a visit here while you are riding around Iowa. They are permanently closing the doors in September 2023
Quote from CCjon on February 16, 2023, 5:56 pmHere is a link to the article about closing of the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa next September. Last time to see it on your way to or from the National USCA Rally in June.
Here is a link to the article about closing of the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa next September. Last time to see it on your way to or from the National USCA Rally in June.
Quote from FlyingMonkeys on February 19, 2023, 9:27 amQuestion for the Leaders That Be:
Since the Rally T-Shirt is not included with the entrance cost of attending the rally this year (and I am okay with that, and understand)....has a new Rally T-shirt been designed, and has a decision been made as to whether Long Sleeve or Short Sleeve, colors, image design, etc?
It may still be in the design process, so what I am really asking is.....when decisions have been made, will you folks inform us HERE of the details of the Rally T-Shirts, so we can know in advance as to whether to order one in advance, or take the chance of waiting to get to the National Rally, seeing the Rally T-shirt in person, and making a decision at that point as to whether to buy one, or not (gulp).
Yes, I know, some people will just order a Rally T-Shirt in advance, sight unseen, because they love the idea of a Rally T-Shirt.
But....when some of us (me) has more rally t-shirts in their closet than any other type or form of shirts, and we are at the point that we start giving away 30 to 40 year old rally t-shirts to the Goodwill......decisions have to be made as to whether or not to add a new rally shirt to the borg collective.
TIP: if you have anyone in your family that makes quilts.....hand them 20 rally t-shirts, and ask them to take a 12" x 12" square of the t-shirt off the front or back of the shirt, and use those squares of material to form a two-sided quilt, that you can use as a wall hanging, or a bed covering, or....as a lap blanket for the monkey in your sidecar.
Question for the Leaders That Be:
Since the Rally T-Shirt is not included with the entrance cost of attending the rally this year (and I am okay with that, and understand)....has a new Rally T-shirt been designed, and has a decision been made as to whether Long Sleeve or Short Sleeve, colors, image design, etc?
It may still be in the design process, so what I am really asking is.....when decisions have been made, will you folks inform us HERE of the details of the Rally T-Shirts, so we can know in advance as to whether to order one in advance, or take the chance of waiting to get to the National Rally, seeing the Rally T-shirt in person, and making a decision at that point as to whether to buy one, or not (gulp).
Yes, I know, some people will just order a Rally T-Shirt in advance, sight unseen, because they love the idea of a Rally T-Shirt.
But....when some of us (me) has more rally t-shirts in their closet than any other type or form of shirts, and we are at the point that we start giving away 30 to 40 year old rally t-shirts to the Goodwill......decisions have to be made as to whether or not to add a new rally shirt to the borg collective.
TIP: if you have anyone in your family that makes quilts.....hand them 20 rally t-shirts, and ask them to take a 12" x 12" square of the t-shirt off the front or back of the shirt, and use those squares of material to form a two-sided quilt, that you can use as a wall hanging, or a bed covering, or....as a lap blanket for the monkey in your sidecar.
Quote from DirtyDR on February 28, 2023, 6:55 amAn unofficial note about camping.
According to Iowa State Parks;
" Camp in the popular campground, which is well shaded and features paved roads, playground equipment, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. A variety of campsites are available, including electrical hookups. Advance campsite reservations can be made online through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis."
Reservations via https://www.reserveamerica.com reservations cannot be made until 90 days prior to the camping date. That means that if you want to reserve one of the reservable sites you need to wait until March 24th to make a reservation for June 22nd.
This is just what I have dug up and not official by any means. Official Iowa State Parks map of the Gull Point campground showing the reservable and non-reservable sites.
An unofficial note about camping.
According to Iowa State Parks;
" Camp in the popular campground, which is well shaded and features paved roads, playground equipment, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. A variety of campsites are available, including electrical hookups. Advance campsite reservations can be made online through the park reservation system. Half of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis."
Reservations via https://www.reserveamerica.com reservations cannot be made until 90 days prior to the camping date. That means that if you want to reserve one of the reservable sites you need to wait until March 24th to make a reservation for June 22nd.
This is just what I have dug up and not official by any means. Official Iowa State Parks map of the Gull Point campground showing the reservable and non-reservable sites.
Uploaded files:
Quote from DirtyDR on March 9, 2023, 6:55 amTen days out on making reservations for camp and RV sites at Gull Point. I check every day so keep an eye on this spot, as soon as I can make a reservation I will let everyone know.Dana
Quote from AceinSav on March 19, 2023, 4:29 pmWell we made our reservations for the rally today, we are going to be in camp site 52, we will be arriving that Sunday before so if there is anything we can do to help with the before the rally and maybe signing in process let us know.
Well we made our reservations for the rally today, we are going to be in camp site 52, we will be arriving that Sunday before so if there is anything we can do to help with the before the rally and maybe signing in process let us know.
Quote from DirtyDR on March 19, 2023, 5:14 pmGood to hear. I am arriving Tuesday and hopefully I will get my reservations in the morning.
Dana
Good to hear. I am arriving Tuesday and hopefully I will get my reservations in the morning.
Dana
Quote from DirtyDR on March 20, 2023, 3:07 amI now have my reservations made for sites 39 and 40 at Gull Point Campground. We will be there from Tuesday, June 20 leaving Monday, June 26. Reservations can now be made starting on Tuesday, March 21, tomorrow, for June 21, you can make a reservation starting on Wednesday, for June 22. If you are wanting a site I would advise making them as soon as possible because I think they will book fast. Remember that half of the sites at Gull Point are non-reservable so first come first serve. Happy hunting.Dana
Quote from Thane Lewis on March 29, 2023, 5:00 pmHaving a think about camping at the Rally Site and wondering if there is a way to share reserved sites for a couple of small campers. We are likely to be bringing an Aspen camper trailer and it should work to have a couple of those on one spot, especially if they are being towed by a rig.
Thoughts? Offers?
Having a think about camping at the Rally Site and wondering if there is a way to share reserved sites for a couple of small campers. We are likely to be bringing an Aspen camper trailer and it should work to have a couple of those on one spot, especially if they are being towed by a rig.
Thoughts? Offers?
Quote from DirtyDR on March 29, 2023, 6:50 pmHere are the rules of the campground;
Number of Camping Units One basic camping unit is allowed per site except that a small tent or hammock may be placed on a site with the basic unit. The area occupied by the small tent shall be no more than eight feet by ten feet and the tent shall hold no more than four people.We have two tents and two rigs per site with 3 people in one site and 4 people in the other. The sites are all dirt with no paved camper site.
Here are the rules of the campground;
Quote from Tax Man on April 3, 2023, 8:18 amI learned of a possible location very near Gull Point State Park for those who would prefer rooms or cabins over camping. My source of information lives at Milford, IA. He said Lakeshore Center at Okoboji has a lodge with motel-type rooms and also has cabins for rent. They have many repeat guests so I don't know how many units are available, but if you are looking for a place like this it would be worth checking out.
Prices appear to be reasonable.
I learned of a possible location very near Gull Point State Park for those who would prefer rooms or cabins over camping. My source of information lives at Milford, IA. He said Lakeshore Center at Okoboji has a lodge with motel-type rooms and also has cabins for rent. They have many repeat guests so I don't know how many units are available, but if you are looking for a place like this it would be worth checking out.
Prices appear to be reasonable.
Quote from Tax Man on April 3, 2023, 8:24 amThe address for Lakeshore Center of Okoboji's address is 1864 Highway 86, Milford, IA 51351, phone (712) 337-3313, and URL is www.lakeshorecenterof Okoboji.org
The address for Lakeshore Center of Okoboji's address is 1864 Highway 86, Milford, IA 51351, phone (712) 337-3313, and URL is http://www.lakeshorecenterof Okoboji.org
Quote from Thane Lewis on April 3, 2023, 5:55 pmHere’s the URL for the above site.
https://www.lakeshorecenteratokoboji.org/cabins-and-lodge-rooms.htmlunfortunately the entire camp is reserved for the weekend of the rally.
Here’s the URL for the above site.
https://www.lakeshorecenteratokoboji.org/cabins-and-lodge-rooms.html
unfortunately the entire camp is reserved for the weekend of the rally.
Quote from Thane Lewis on April 7, 2023, 3:10 pmRegistered today. Reserved a studio AirBNB in Jackson, MN. 20 or so miles, but just couldn’t bring myself to attempting to camp at the rally site.
Hey - what facility is there at the rally site as HQ? Do we have a private building or…?
Registered today. Reserved a studio AirBNB in Jackson, MN. 20 or so miles, but just couldn’t bring myself to attempting to camp at the rally site.
Hey - what facility is there at the rally site as HQ? Do we have a private building or…?