Petit Jean 2017 .... The Gathering is ON! Nov 3,4 & 5 (10/30/17 2 rooms left)
UPDATE 1/9/2018 ... :--) Pictures and albums at the end of this thread in post #46
UPDATE 11/6/2017 ... It's a wrap! :--) Pictures and albums in post #46 Check out the comments starting with Post #30 and then the update and pictures in Post #39! It was another great weekend on the Mountain. Already looking forward to 2018!
UPDATE 10/30/2017 :--) 2 Rooms just opened up ..... We were completely sold out but it looks like we might have 2 only of the single queen rooms open at the RCC for Friday and Saturday. Preference given to two night stays but we'll work hard to get anyone in that wants in. PM or EM if you need rooms.
UPDATE 10/13/2017 20 days out and counting down! We've started to cut 5 acres of grass, trimming trees, and spiffing up the Campground! Working out schedules and transport logistics. Tonight, we have 123 RV's registered and confirmed and we're looking for a few more. We still need a RV3 to fill out the dance card! The Conference Center is completely booked but we still have camping available. The runway has been resurfaced and looks shiny new! It's going to be a great weekend on the RV Mountain! Here is what the mix looked like a couple of nights ago.
There is an unofficial wait list for rooms at the Rockefeller Conference Center. They can't keep one but we do! If you're interested, contact me by PM or email!
Stay tuned for more updates
C U on D'Mountain![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Original Post >> Hard to believe it but it's Petit Jean time again.
The leaves will be turning, the air will be brisk, and the trails will be perfect
This year the Gathering is on for Nov. 3, 4, & 5 and the Petit Jean RV'ator group(s) are planning on making this years RV Gathering one of the very best! Always big thanks to the Rockefeller Conference Center and Arkansas State Parks & Tourism. Couldn't do it without them. :--) Lots of news so don't expect short ![Roll eyes :rolleyes: :rolleyes:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Last years event started with 300 OVC and ended with maybe the most successful and satisfying Gathering ever! When the OVC lifted on Saturday, we had 71 airplanes arrive between 11:30 and 1:30. ATC said we were the busiest airport in Arkansas .... for a day
Do yourself a favor .... Turn up the sound and check our this video by Kent & Lana Officer http://petitjeanflyin.com/videos/ or search the VAF Forums for Petit Jean 2016 and see for yourself .
.
Now here is the hard to believe news,... apparently last years coverage in KitPlanes and on the VAF coupled with last years WX adversity has pushed the bar higher for those that have been to the Mountain before. As usual, we publish an early bird notice to 1) volunteer workers and 2) previous attendees and contributors because the Gathering is about friends who met on the Mountain and friends who will met on the Mountain in the future. It's about friendship, fellowship, and RVs....not much else other than a hundred RVs, easy camping, hiking on beautiful trails, great Rockefeller Center accommodations, and too much food!
This year was no different and that notice went out about 10 days ago. We always book 30-40 rooms in the first week and 10 to 20 so campsites as well. Then we release on the VAF (and NOWHERE ELSE because it's all RV) and over the next 4 or 5 weeks all of the available rooms on the Mountain will book out. The accommodations are great but limited in number and the airport parking is also limited.... the available facilities set the limits not us. If you've been to Petit Jean before, then you know what we mean.
Now the crazy part..... we emailed the notice out at 7:00 AM Tuesday and by 1:00 PM the Rockefeller Center was completely booked out. All 75 rooms booked out in 6 hours flat! It's never happened before so we were caught completely by surprise.
The good news is that we have room for 30 campers and still have plenty of room. As of yesterday, there were also 5 rooms left at Mather Lodge which is also a very very cool place to stay. http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/accommodations/mather-lodge.aspx We worked out a transport program with them so that's not an issue.
We are also checking on another local older motel called the Cedar Falls Hotel. Be aware, it is a 60 year old circle court and shows it's age but the FB reviews seem positive. I went and checked it out. It has 16 rooms and a nice 3 bedroom house and a cottage. Here is a link to pictures I took and brochures. https://kvisit.com/a4Lcg Feel free to email or call me for the whole story on CFH.
Please please .... understand that the Rockefeller Conference Center is not a hotel and doesn't wait list so it won't do much good to call them at this point. They are working with us but full is full. But yes.... there will be cancellations and we(me) are keeping an active wait list to place cancelled rooms.
That's really better than folks calling every night and just hoping
IF you're serious about coming and want us to see if we can scramble up a room for you, please email me with your info, names and nights, tail number, and cell number and we'll put you on the unofficial wait list. We can't promise anything but know that we will do our best to find and place cancelled rooms based on order of request and availability.
Please ... This is very important! On Line Registration! If you're planning on camping or have confirmed lodging, please be sure to register on line as soon as possible. That lets us plan for aircraft parking and have you covered for food, drinks, transport to trails., etc. It's easy and just takes a minute. 2017 On line registration link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LW8Y2HH All we ask is that if you decide not to come, please email and let us know so we can adjust the logistics accordingly.
Thanks from all the Petit Jean Indians!
C U on the Mountain![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
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UPDATE 1/9/2018 ... :--) Pictures and albums at the end of this thread in post #46
UPDATE 11/6/2017 ... It's a wrap! :--) Pictures and albums in post #46 Check out the comments starting with Post #30 and then the update and pictures in Post #39! It was another great weekend on the Mountain. Already looking forward to 2018!
UPDATE 10/30/2017 :--) 2 Rooms just opened up ..... We were completely sold out but it looks like we might have 2 only of the single queen rooms open at the RCC for Friday and Saturday. Preference given to two night stays but we'll work hard to get anyone in that wants in. PM or EM if you need rooms.
UPDATE 10/13/2017 20 days out and counting down! We've started to cut 5 acres of grass, trimming trees, and spiffing up the Campground! Working out schedules and transport logistics. Tonight, we have 123 RV's registered and confirmed and we're looking for a few more. We still need a RV3 to fill out the dance card! The Conference Center is completely booked but we still have camping available. The runway has been resurfaced and looks shiny new! It's going to be a great weekend on the RV Mountain! Here is what the mix looked like a couple of nights ago.
![img_2017_10_12_212507_02-79327981.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepandshare.com%2Fuserpics%2Fb%2Fi%2Fl%2Fl%2Fschlatterer%2F2017-10%2Fsm%2Fimg_2017_10_12_212507_02-79327981.jpg&hash=c767acb2fb15b3fe0b9470439d2b7436)
There is an unofficial wait list for rooms at the Rockefeller Conference Center. They can't keep one but we do! If you're interested, contact me by PM or email!
Stay tuned for more updates
C U on D'Mountain
Original Post >> Hard to believe it but it's Petit Jean time again.
Last years event started with 300 OVC and ended with maybe the most successful and satisfying Gathering ever! When the OVC lifted on Saturday, we had 71 airplanes arrive between 11:30 and 1:30. ATC said we were the busiest airport in Arkansas .... for a day
Do yourself a favor .... Turn up the sound and check our this video by Kent & Lana Officer http://petitjeanflyin.com/videos/ or search the VAF Forums for Petit Jean 2016 and see for yourself .
![petit_jean_2016_group-45870173.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepandshare.com%2Fuserpics%2Fb%2Fi%2Fl%2Fl%2Fschlatterer%2F2016-10%2Fsm%2Fpetit_jean_2016_group-45870173.jpg&hash=3560ae0eb1345449fb6baa64288534e3)
.
![img_2017_09_01_190909_01-27584620.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepandshare.com%2Fuserpics%2Fb%2Fi%2Fl%2Fl%2Fschlatterer%2F2017-09%2Fsm%2Fimg_2017_09_01_190909_01-27584620.jpg&hash=2467ed7109b8c36ba8c9679cee4a9af2)
Now here is the hard to believe news,... apparently last years coverage in KitPlanes and on the VAF coupled with last years WX adversity has pushed the bar higher for those that have been to the Mountain before. As usual, we publish an early bird notice to 1) volunteer workers and 2) previous attendees and contributors because the Gathering is about friends who met on the Mountain and friends who will met on the Mountain in the future. It's about friendship, fellowship, and RVs....not much else other than a hundred RVs, easy camping, hiking on beautiful trails, great Rockefeller Center accommodations, and too much food!
This year was no different and that notice went out about 10 days ago. We always book 30-40 rooms in the first week and 10 to 20 so campsites as well. Then we release on the VAF (and NOWHERE ELSE because it's all RV) and over the next 4 or 5 weeks all of the available rooms on the Mountain will book out. The accommodations are great but limited in number and the airport parking is also limited.... the available facilities set the limits not us. If you've been to Petit Jean before, then you know what we mean.
Now the crazy part..... we emailed the notice out at 7:00 AM Tuesday and by 1:00 PM the Rockefeller Center was completely booked out. All 75 rooms booked out in 6 hours flat! It's never happened before so we were caught completely by surprise.
The good news is that we have room for 30 campers and still have plenty of room. As of yesterday, there were also 5 rooms left at Mather Lodge which is also a very very cool place to stay. http://www.petitjeanstatepark.com/accommodations/mather-lodge.aspx We worked out a transport program with them so that's not an issue.
We are also checking on another local older motel called the Cedar Falls Hotel. Be aware, it is a 60 year old circle court and shows it's age but the FB reviews seem positive. I went and checked it out. It has 16 rooms and a nice 3 bedroom house and a cottage. Here is a link to pictures I took and brochures. https://kvisit.com/a4Lcg Feel free to email or call me for the whole story on CFH.
Please please .... understand that the Rockefeller Conference Center is not a hotel and doesn't wait list so it won't do much good to call them at this point. They are working with us but full is full. But yes.... there will be cancellations and we(me) are keeping an active wait list to place cancelled rooms.
That's really better than folks calling every night and just hoping
Please ... This is very important! On Line Registration! If you're planning on camping or have confirmed lodging, please be sure to register on line as soon as possible. That lets us plan for aircraft parking and have you covered for food, drinks, transport to trails., etc. It's easy and just takes a minute. 2017 On line registration link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LW8Y2HH All we ask is that if you decide not to come, please email and let us know so we can adjust the logistics accordingly.
Thanks from all the Petit Jean Indians!
C U on the Mountain
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.
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