Monroe County INGO Meet & Eat: Location Ideas?

[techres]

I want to set up an afternoon picnic gathering for Ingo folks to meet and eat before the weather turns too cold. I have wanted to do this just as a chance to have fun and eat some good food, but also to talk over ideas like:

Monroe Co. "10/22 Hiking Club"

Monroe Co. Disaster Mutual Support Group

I want to get a place that a little bit off of the soccermom path. I could rent the picnic area at the Martinsville Conservation Club:

It would be a good spot with parking and all we need, the only down side is that it is 30 minutes north of Bloomington. Each of the surrounding state parks would be an option, but they are also outside of Bloomington by 30 minutes. Anyone know of a good place at Hoosier National Forest or some other accessible but slightly private place in Bloomington?

Thanks!

 

[indyjoe]

I think it is a good location. While it is 30 minutes from Bloomington, it is also 30 minutes from the south side of Indy. This would allow Monroe Co. neighbors to also attend.

 

[Caleb]

and you didn't invite me?

 

[indyjoe]

One other thing that would be good for that location is we could have a 10/22 hike in Morgan-Monroe forest before the meeting. Although I might bring a Marlin 39 lever action to the hike.

 

[techres]

One other thing that would be good for that location is we could have a 10/22 hike in Morgan-Monroe forest before the meeting. Although I might bring a Marlin 39 lever action to the hike.

Squirrel Shishkabobs? How far is MM forest from the club?

 

[indyjoe]

Squirrel Shishkabobs? How far is MM forest from the club?

4-6 miles is the start. Depending on where we go in the forest, 5-10 miles. It would be easy to make a morning hunt and afternoon picnic. Although I like to soak my squirrel in a brine for at least 4 hours before eating. So eating squirrel might not be best. I've learned that the only sure way to make sure you can't catch/shoot anything is to look at eating the fish/animal that day.

 

[Scutter01]

I'm up for hunting the elusive hotdog.

 

[indyjoe]

I'm up for hunting the elusive hotdog.

I'm sure they can set some up on the pistol range.

 

[Soundslikejosh]

If the idea is for the initial get-together to be strictly meet and greet, etc, why not try something like Bryan Park? Its central to Bloomington, open enough that we can talk guns, and give us a chance to get to know each other before we all show up with guns. I like to get to know a person before we orchestrate a shooting or hunting get together.

 

[techres]

If the idea is for the initial get-together to be strictly meet and greet, etc, why not try something like Bryan Park? Its central to Bloomington, open enough that we can talk guns, and give us a chance to get to know each other before we all show up with guns. I like to get to know a person before we orchestrate a shooting or hunting get together.

OK, I did not want to say this too openly, but my only concern is that I do not want to do an open carry picnic in Bloomington proper (especially at the park that had the multiple gun shootout a few years go). At the same time, I want those who open carry to do so easily.

Now someone else wants to do an open carry picnic, that is fine, but not what I wanted to do at the start. I wanted to have something a little more private for the open carry people to be open carrying, the concealed carry people who are more comfortable with with concealed carry to be more comfortable at, etc.

And I did not want this to turn into THAT debate yet again!

So, take that for what it is and see if that helps find something that will work for all.

 

[techres]

Oh, and the meet at the range would not be a shooting meet at all, just an eating talking one. Even though it is a range, only members and one guest each could shoot and that would be a bit to manage. I was thinking meat and eat only.

 

[techres]

Last thought: If we just want to do a simple meet and eat, we could just do a restaurant some time as well.

I like picnics better though.

 

[Soundslikejosh]

Another possibility:

Cutright SRA- right off 446 at Lake Monroe. There is a little place that can be used, reservations are available. There is a large grill, and a fire ring with another grill surface. Its right by the pier where you can fish. Restrooms available also. No park fee to get in. If you going during the week, there are not as many people there, so its fairly secluded. The weekends get a little busier, and a reservation would be advised.

If we are doing a restaurant I vote for Cracker barrel on 37 by MC Sports. Right off the highway, tasty food, and we could get one of the big family tables. A little loud, but then again aren't they all.

 

[NateIU10]

just let me know when and where guys

 

[techres]

Another possibility:

Cutright SRA- right off 446 at Lake Monroe. There is a little place that can be used, reservations are available. There is a large grill, and a fire ring with another grill surface. Its right by the pier where you can fish. Restrooms available also. No park fee to get in. If you going during the week, there are not as many people there, so its fairly secluded. The weekends get a little busier, and a reservation would be advised.

If we are doing a restaurant I vote for Cracker barrel on 37 by MC Sports. Right off the highway, tasty food, and we could get one of the big family tables. A little loud, but then again aren't they all.

Ooooh, dinner and a trip to MC Sports!

That might work well for a first dinner... What is the schedule like for students this semester? Is there a time that is better or worse in mid/late November?

 

[techres]

just let me know when and where guys

Would you need a ride? That would be easy to arrange.

 

[NateIU10]

Ooooh, dinner and a trip to MC Sports!

That might work well for a first dinner... What is the schedule like for students this semester? Is there a time that is better or worse in mid/late November?

I'm free past 3 every week day. Now mid-late November I have a project and finals that may conflict. This week is also midterms and such, so not so good for a dinner, but not out of the question.

ETA: Yeah, a ride from someone would be greatly appreciated

 

[oldschoolmuscle]

when is this goin down ?

 

[Soundslikejosh]

Whats wrong with October?

I am down with Cracker Barrel and MC Sports. I eat dinner every evening, so it doesn't really matter which one you pick. Is this a sausage fest or do others plan to bring their wives/girlfriends/Russian mail order brides? Of course that becomes a babysitter issue for some... oh well, whatever.

I like the sounds of this.

 

[techres]

Whats wrong with October?

I am down with Cracker Barrel and MC Sports. I eat dinner every evening, so it doesn't really matter which one you pick. Is this a sausage fest or do others plan to bring their wives/girlfriends/Russian mail order brides? Of course that becomes a babysitter issue for some... oh well, whatever.

I like the sounds of this.

I am coming alone for the first time. Best to scout out before bringing my wife along (she is more sensitive than I).

As for October, I think that is gonna be better for Nate, so let's try for that. I have small kids so my week nights are broken into two phases: 6:30-8:30 and 9:30 till whenever I please. I pay marital equity on the first, none on the latter. But I am happy for either.

BTW: Doing a dinner this month sets us up nicely for a picnic in martinsville next month!

Also: Why the brine & squirrels thing?