I am not solid on deciding on hosting it yet, but just want to throw out an idea for discussion. That idea is having the next SavageFest in Escanaba, MI. Escanaba is located in the beautiful Upper Peninsula. It is right on Lake Michigan by Little Bay De Noc. The area is known quite well for its walleye and smallmouth bass fishing. About 10 mins away is Gladstone, the home of Marbles. The Whitefish River has incredible trout fishing. There is a great public gun range here too. Millions of acres of public land to see wolf, moose, turkey, beaver and of course, monster bucks. It’s just north of the bridge and just south of heaven.
In short, it has a lot more going for it, activity wise, than just a place to host it. I am thinking spring when the fishing should be really good. Maybe a turkey hunt can be had to.
Thoughts?
"...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." - Paul to the church in Thessalonica.
Last time I was in Escanaba was in '05, just after I retired. Took the wife up to visit her relatives, very few left now. Her mother had half a dozen nieces and a nephew, all lived in Escanaba, Gladstone, and the Stonington Peninsula. Could possibly talk the wife into a trip up there, but she is getting out of three months of post stroke rehab on Wednesday, so I doubt if she will be up for a road trip any time soon.
In laws bought a farm up in Stonington in 1997; eighty acres with house, barn, sheds, tractor and furniture for $5500. Spent several deer seasons up there.
It's a great offer, and I would definitely try my best to make it anywhere there's a Fest. Won't really know until we get closer to it whether I could actually attend or not tho.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Hell, you put me on walleye like that, I might stay a week! Place here in CT where I fish for walleye, they average 20" maybe 3 lbs. Those babies look like they gotta be 8 or so. Largest I've gotten was 26", almost 7 lbs. Good eating!
Thanks for the consideration Jeff! We sure enjoyed yourself and Mason at the last one. Planning a year in advance is good too. It's not really hard to host a fest, but booking a hall, hotels & some logistics are best to occur way up front or they become unavailable. The rest falls into place.
If you are the host, you make the rules. The beauty and activities in the area are all positives, however, the focus is Savage Fest. All the other potential stuff is great but that's largely up to whoever commits to the travel trip and how much time they can afford. It's difficult for most to load the truck, travel a day or two, attend Savage Fest and then "sight see" knowing another day or two of travels homeward. Just something to keep in mind.
The Wisconsin Fest's pulled in forum members from Hawaii, Kalifornee, North Carolina & Wyoming and places in between as well as lots of regional MI, WI, MN & ILL members. Maybe maddog would even come across the International Bridge. ??
Thanks for getting the conversation started. I'd definitely come and provide answers to any questions you may have.
I misread the header; by next year maybe my wife will be ready for a road trip.
We’re all hoping for a quick and complete recovery for her. God Bless.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
Brushbuster: "Is this thread about the dear heard or there Jeans?" Plugger: "If you cant be safe at strip club in Detroit at 2am is anywhere safe?" Deer are somewhere all the time To report a post you disagree with, please push Alt + F4. Thank You.
Never been to the UP. Would like to see it. Might be able to do it. David
wyo1895 With Savage never say never. For a copy of my book on engraved Savage lever actions rifles send a check for $80 to; David Royal, p.o. box 1271, Pinedale, Wy., 82941. I will sign and inscribe the book for you. [email protected]
I'm in, it would be my first. I really wanted to go to last summer's Fest but the wife sprung a different plan on me for the following week so had to pivot. I've been up that way a couple times and going again would be fun.
If you have never been to the UP, you owe it to yourself to go at least once. The Porcupine Mountains, the Superior and Michigan lake shore, miles and miles of wilderness roads, trout, salmon, muskies, northerns, walleyes, bass. If your favorite season is winter, you would love it; it lasts seven months, then a month of tough sledding. Summer is the opportunity for fly fishing for mosquitoes ( a stout salmon rod is enough, you don't need muskie tackle) and the limit is three, or six pound aggregate, which ever comes first. Then the most glorious season of all, when Autumn dances out in all her majestic glory!
By the way, those walleyes in the picture are bait, used in Little Bay de Noc for the big ones.
One of the problems of going and enjoying the area and surroundings for those of us who are remote, is what to do with our inventory while we are playing tourist.
“The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com