Today, Defconw, Cibco, Meyer, AZLiberty, and I had the Q thread meet-up at a somewhat upscale biker bar in Sturgis. We all had a good time and got along well.
We didn’t spend much time discussing Q, as we talked about our life histories, travel plans, and birds. We also had to leave time for people to get some sight-seeing in.
We all agreed we’d like to do this again and that Branson, Missouri, which was the runner-up in our voting last year, was a good location for next year.
Hoping more people can come. Branson is a lot closer for many people, especially all the Q thread people from Ohio, which might be the biggest state in terms of thread participants. And it is closer for people in other states, such as Florida and Texas.
I realize a lot of people couldn’t make it this year, not only due to distance, but also to the general state of affairs in the world. There are many things going on that we weren’t expecting when we first started discussing the meet-up idea.
We want to hear more. I’m so sorry I’ve missed it. Safe travels!
Freeangel
I tried. My van broke down 17 miles from my house. Had to call triple a. Was so ready. Transmission issues.
It was a great pleasure meeting y’all, C-Cat, Defconw, Cibco, AZLiberty and the wonderful non-freeper (so far) aunt. I enjoyed the meal, and most definitely enjoyed the company.
A very interesting array of people with some, I’m sure, compelling life stories among the group. We all have our own histories, our own way of arriving here, but we all share the common goals of maintaining freedom, seeing TRUE justice being served, and mostly just getting the government out of the way to the greatest extent possible.
I have to speak about the area - if you haven’t been to southwest South Dakota, put it on your list of good things to do. I arrived a couple of days prior to anybody else and just toured free-style. In my travels, I visited a couple of sites that I highly recommend. Badlands National Park is just amazing. After I get home, I’ll find my picture hosting site and put up a couple of photographs of the wonderful natural beauty that exists there.
One note about Badlands, and just about any attraction really - crowds are very, very small in the very early hours. We were blessed (cursed?) with an extremely early sunrise, something like 05:15 Mountain Daylight Savings Time, and that allowed me to get to the park at 6:30 AM, long before it started getting crowded. It also allows some photography when the sun was low in the sky, the coveted “golden hour” as the real photogs like to call it.
Mount Rushmore is, of course, a man-made “facelift” on a great natural site. It is worth seeing, though I recommend a couple of different time frames for the ideal visit. Early morning, prior to 9 or 10 AM or so gives you very good light on the faces. Too early and Lincoln’s shadow hides Roosevelt, but late in the afternoon, you get the sun working its way around to the left side and eventually behind the monument. Morning also affords the smallest crowds.
The other time to visit Mount Rushmore is near nightfall when they do the lighting ceremony and then turn on the lighting that highlights the 4 presidents against a dark background. This is quite picturesque and really stands out when viewed between the also-lit state flags on the walkway leading to the monument viewing area and amphitheater. The ceremony was very positive, patriotic, and uplifting, and included singing of the national anthem, and the recognition of people in the audience from all branches of the military.
I didn’t have time to stop, but the drive through Deadwood, where C-Cat was staying, showed a very, very vibrant tourist town. The small town atmosphere was coupled with an enormous number of visitors. Sidewalks were crowded with people. They really ought to consider renaming the town “Livewood” because the place is definitely alive.
Today’s my last day in town - I’ll be packing, doing a little important shopping (picking up some local beers that I want to take home), and dining one more time with AZLiberty (who himself has a fascinating background). To say that I’ve enjoyed this trip is an understatement. Even with a smaller group of FreeQs, it was worthwhile.
If we decide to do another meetup in the future, as C-Cat suggests, I would say that it would be a very positive experience.
Freegards,
Meyer
Thank you, CTC, for organizing the event and finding a place for us to meet. I also appreciate the ride to the airport on the way back.
I was very pleased to meet — face-to-face — Q Forum regulars CheshireTheCat, meyer, and defconw, as well as defcon’s real-life spouse, Freeper cibco. Let me assure the FReeQs who didn’t make it that these people are as fun and impressive in real life as they are in the forum. Don’t miss the next event!