Open Invitation for Reatta owners - Hallowe'en Bonfire

[manikmekanik]

We've decided on a date for our Bonfire!

Saturday, October 21, 2006 at sunset we will light-up the Bonfire.

This is an open invitation to all Reatta owners to meet and enjoy one another's company, and cars.

The latest of the late-season Meets, there will be NO judging, and NO reatta is too rough to attend.

This will be an extremely casual event, bring an hors d'ourve or dish if you like, we will provide Pizza, hot cocoa, coffee, soda, and homemade salsa from our veggie garden.

There are many motels within 10 minutes of the farm, and space here to pitch a tent, if you desire.

We have some parts cars, to pick-n-pull from while you're here, if you need parts - come early, or stay 'till Sunday.

Bring your Reatta, or a printed copy of this post as your pass/invitation to enter.

Please RSVP thru Private message center, or as a reply to this post, so we can plan for refreshments. NO alcohol will be served, so BYOB, and bear in mind this event's venue, nor hosts accept any liability for any damages, injuries, or anything which may, or may not, happen before, during nor after the event. You accept liability for your own actions at this event, and hold the venue and hosts harmless in any event. Bonfires can be dangerous, things get burnt!

Those of you who we've met, or had as our guests, know where we are, I'll send location info to those who don't thru Private message here, at the forum.

General location is SE WI USA, 10 miles west of I-94 and 5 miles north of WI/IL state line, near Lake Geneva, WI home of the Playboy Club in past years, now known as the Grand Geneva Resort.

We hope to meet a few old friends, and acquire some new ones.

[55chevy]

Randy,

Your PM box has exceeded it's quota.

I saw where you were asking $9,999 for the red/tan conv, I just had my 66 Mustang Fastback painted and am still putting trim back on, I have always loved Reatta convertibles, I should have picked up on a Katrina flooded one from Ebay last year. I would probably be better selling my Fastback and buying yours, my body shop guy said he saw a similar one go for $16,000 locally a year ago. A picture is on my yahoo profile, http://profiles.yahoo.com/chevy55_geo

I have a 88 Reatta coupe, dead in drive with 268,000 miles, also have a wrecked 98 Riv that I thought of swapping L67 into Reatta. Truck projects too, a 1956 Chevy shortbed, a 1970 longbed, and a 68 shortfleet driver.

[Guest tomt]

Randy:

Got your PM, but your box is filled. I'm travelling earlier that week, but should be home for the event. Keep me informed.

Tom T

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Errr, if only I was born 5 weeks earlier <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />, hope everyone has a good time

[Booreatta]

AAAA Yu guys are just having tooooo much fun and all of us folk south just cant play...Yall be carefull, the party in the woods here in Kansas is called a Woodsie and that is the fore runner of the watermellon roast. Ask if you dont know........

Boo

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I'm tempted to show up. I'll give it some good thought.

[89REATTAJIM]

Randy, looks like it will be a great time. Would really like to attend, but it's just a little too far to drive. Hope everyone has a good trip. Send pics. Maybe F14 will get to meet Nano..?? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Guest DTerry]

Uhhh...Watermelon roast? Is that sump'n like a Snipe hunt?

[Guest Reatta1]

All the fun things happen so blamed far away from the west coast. Hope all who attend have a fabulous time. Someday, maybe when my ship comes in, (it's not even on the horizon yet) I'll get to join the fun and meet in person some of the other wonderful Reatta owners I've met here.

Jim

[Booreatta]

ahhh here goes

1 gotta be out in the woods

2 gotta have a big fire

3 gotta have your best girl or

4 gotta have a big watermellon

Now build a big fire and throw on the watermellon and wait patiently

for it to explode the every body makes a dash to the bushes to get some

end of story

TRY IT YOU WILL LIKE IT

BOO

[RGILL]

Randy and Diane----April and I wish we could join you, but work calls in Tenn. Played too much this summer and now have to pay the piper. Hope you guys get a good turn out and have a fun weekend.

[manikmekanik]

I deleted a plethora of old PMs in my mailbox, there should be room now.

We hope to start a trend of Reatta owners' gatherings nationwide with this event.

Don't feel bad if you're too far, or too busy, someone will host another, in your area, or within your schedule soon, we hope. We don't expect many guests from more than an hour away, this is extremely local, yet everyone is invited-nationwide. We can ferry guests from MKE airport, @ 40 min. away, if needed, but you're on your own if you want a ride back the same evening! We gotta stay with the fire until it's extinguished!

Weather forecasts, so far, say it should be "Clear and Chilly" for the bonfire. So, dress warmly, and bring your favorite mug for hot drinks.

Please do not wear nylon-based outerwear, as it can become a firey envelope, when overheated by close proximity to a large bonfire. Nylon tents will be okay, as they will not be near the bonfire.

[cal55]

It sounds like a good time, I live in the Chicagland area so it's not to far. Are Chicago Bears fans welcome? Just kidding.

Joe

[Guest Tammy]

ONLY if you wear your CHEESEHEAD! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[cal55]

Tammy,

Are you going? I'll were a cheeshead if you do. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Tammy]

I'm hoping to make it, but I have to find a babysitter. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> :

I don't own a cheesehead, but it sounds like if we were to wear one, Randy is going to have the fire HOT enough that our cheeseheads will make a great nacho dip! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I love the Packers, not a big follower though. Only proud to have given birth to Holden on Super Bowl Sunday when the Packers won! People say it was Holden and I that made them win. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[cal55]

I hope you make it too, as do I. That's pretty cool that your son was born on Super Bowl Sunday and Green Bay won. I'm sure he's a Packers fan. I liked your cheesehead comment,pretty funny stuff!

Joe <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Durahansolo]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bear in mind this event's venue, nor hosts accept any liability for any damages, injuries, or anything which may, or may not, happen before, during nor after the event. You accept liability for your own actions at this event, and hold the venue and hosts harmless in any event. Bonfires can be dangerous, things get [color:"red"]burnt !

</div></div>

So plz dont get drunk and drive your reatta in on accident <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />. The Bonfire sounds like fun though, i wish i lived a little closer to WI. I'd probably come out. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[wellsguy77]

Man that sounds fun, to bad i am a little to far south. have fun guys/gals

[Jim]

It's about 400 miles for me so I doubt if I can make it but if I am in the area I will be there. Can I wear my Randy Moss shirt? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[manikmekanik]

...only if the Vikings lose to the Packers this time!

...or just wear a cheezehead!

Honestly, fans of any sport, or team are welcome to attend, (or get thrown into), our bonfire!

The gathering is about Reattae, and thier owners, so no one will be ostracised, unless they show up in a poor Japanese Reatta-knockoff (Miata).

[manikmekanik]

We will start accepting guests at Noon Saturday, then at 2pm, we will go for a cruise to Chocolate City, USA (Burlington, WI), to visit Adrian's Custard shop.

The drive will take us thru Dairyland, down some of the state's treasured "Rustic roads", with plenty of curves and sights, not to mention the sweet, fragrant aromas.

After the cruise, we'll come back to the farm, and waste some time looking over cars, etc. while we wait for the opportune time to light-up the bonfire, (and throw-in some Bear or Viking, maybe Lions fans!), have some pizza and snacks, and relax before the flames.

[Guest smith356]

Randy,

I'm going to come up for the "gathering". I just bought my 90 in April and have yet to be around others. It's around four hundred miles, but I lived in Milwaukee for a few years and am familiar with the Lake Geneva area. For those of you that haven't been there, it's a beautiful and scenic area well worth visiting. I'll also look forward to meeting everyone and their cars. Thanks for hosting this - it'll be a blast !

[manikmekanik]

I'll be pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Smith!

I hope you enjoy your trip from summer to fall on the way, some colors are starting to "pop" this week. in our neck of the woods. In a couple weeks, US-41 north of Waukegan/Gurnee IL will be ABLAZE in full fall colorization, and be a breathtaking drive. If you exit the tollroad, I-94/294N at Grand ave. east, you can avoid the last toll, and jump on US-41, just a mile or so east, to enjoy the view. It joins the tollroad at the WI state line, and merges as I-94N. Panikmekanik commutes thru there daily, it helps to inspire her artwork.

The host-farm was first settled by James K. Smith, in 1846, and is a pre-statehood homestead/dairy farm. The farm was operated as a hand-milked dairy operation, (no mechanical milking equipment), until 1988. Just thinking about over 140 years of hand-milking makes my hands achey and tired!

The colorful tree photos are from last fall, we're just beginning to see some colors here now. The green/yellow tree is now starting to turn, 1/4 yellow, with red leaves mixed in, and the rest still bright green.

I've cleared a bunch of old PMs from my message center, so should now be able to recieve Private Messages and RSVPs.

[JWC]

Randy we are thinking about coming to your bonfire, but we may have the in-laws here that weekend. How long of a drive was it for you to come to Lansing for the Homecoming? We are about another 2 1/2 to 3 hours north of that yet.

[manikmekanik]

Phil, you're more than welcome to join us "Old Farts" at the bonfire!

We won't pour alchohol down your throat. And we will try NOT to negatively influence your young mind with our "Older adult" or "Dated" behavior, but I can't place any guarantees on the behavior part. You're a fine young man, and I don't want to be held responsible for spoiling that.

[Guest HessLakeGuy]

Randy:

Hopefully, someone will take and post some pictures (both before the fire and maybe during).

We cannot make it, but sounds like fun. Thanks for the invite.

Tom

[manikmekanik]

Sorry you can't come, Tom.

We'll be sure to post some pix, after the fire.

[olbuickman]

Randy, Iam looking forward to going to your bonfire(are you burning the mortgage to one of your houses). I would enjoy showing you my old high mileage black convertible. Frank

[manikmekanik]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> (are you burning the mortgage to one of your houses </div></div>

I could do that, but they'd just send me another copy!

Does anyone know someone who needs a brick home on an acre in New Munster, WI?

...or Silver/Camp Lake, WI - with 3.5 acres & 2 out buildings, pool & Jacuzzi?

...or maybe Libertyville, IL legacy (93+years old) home in exec. neighborhood?

All 3 are under $450k, ready to move-in with equity, near major metro corridor.

My bride insists I sell one before buying any more... houses or cars. BUMMER!

[manikmekanik]

Hi, John!

Sorry for the late response, our trip took 6 hrs. mainly due to construction/rush hour traffic.

Depending upon your location, you may make it in less than 4hrs. if you take the high-speed ferry, (which can be romantic, since your honeymoon still has a few years left), or in 7.5 if you follow the lake around the bottom, to see the range of fall colors along the way.

[JWC]

Randy thanks for the info, but my plans have changed for the weekend, my inlaws are here thru Sunday and since they are going to Fla. for the winter in a couple of weeks we are doing the whole holiday thing this weekend. We wish we could make it but can't, so post lots of pic's for those of us who can't be there.

As far as the colors we are long past that and the trees are almost bare now, we did wake up to snow on the ground 3 days in a row already, time to get the snowmobiles ready.

[manikmekanik]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Randy thanks for the info, but my plans have changed for the weekend </div></div>

Don't feel bad, John!

Mother Nature has changed plans for the weekend as well, deciding to ring-in winter a couple weeks early!

Weather reports have flip=flopped all week, but the most recent says "HI-40, LO-23, rain/snow thru sunday"

We got rain when you got snow, and more thru this week!

The bonfire is surrounded by 2" of mud, looks like all we could do is freeze to death out there!

I've sent PMs to all 5 RSVPs, asking for a collective decision to cancel 'till spring. I don't want anyone to drive thier favorite car thru the snow to get home Sunday. Our closest guest(S) are over 1 hour away, with others 2+ hrs., and one guest willing to drive 400 miles to attend.

Others may not have sent PM for RSVP, and plan to show-up.

Please reply to this thread with your thoughts, I'll post results this afternoon, after I get word from RSVPs

"The best plans of mice and men are often laid to waste"

[Guest Tammy]

Randy, I sent you a pm.

It is cold, cloudy with flakes! Here some 2 hours 43 minutes away from you.

If F14 was to make the trip...probably a 2 hour trip <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[manikmekanik]

I've heard from others the wish to re-schedule the bonfire, due to the rapid onset of winter, and the eminent rain/sleet/snow conditions which have been forecast for the weekend.

So, with great remorse, I must cancel the gathering scheduled for tomorrow. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

We'll hold it for spring, and post a new date, once we're sure winter won't last 'till June!

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Brrrrrr, just looking at the picture's make me cold, and reminds me of the fun in the winter.....not

[89REATTAJIM]

Really sorry you had to cancel. Looked like it would have been a great time for all. I was envious, but it was so far away that we couldn't attend. Hope all goes well for your reschedule.... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Tammy]

BOO <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />on Mother Nature!

[JWC]

Now in the spring we may be able to make it, and you may get more people to show up as well, keep us posted and we will look forward to it.

[Vincent Vega]

Good call. The weather has been pretty bad this week. Saturday is supposed to be the worst day of the week. It was so windy last week it blew all the leaves off the trees. We did not have the usual fall colors.