2014 South Florida Gathering (November 7-9)

[dougmays]

Howdy everyone! As always i like to get this post up early to get as many people as possible to participate. @Rubbin Butts@JckDanls 07@Rob63@jtstitzel@Roadkill Cafe@OrlandoSmoKing@jarjarchef@boykjo

Last year we had a great time with about 10 forum members and friends and family. This will be our 4th year and i'd love to see those numbers grow!

Currently our location is Highlands Hammock State Park for those of you who haven't been here before. 

Highlands Hammock Park
5931 Hammock Road
Sebring, Florida 33872
(863) 386-6094

I wanted to pose a question to the group (both previous attendees and potential newcomers)...This event was originally organized by myself and SmokinAl who both lives in South Florida (fort lauderdale area). Al is no longer on the forum and in the past year i have moved back up to central florida. Highlands Hammock is a great location but I wanted to see if anyone would be interested in moving it a little further north to make the drive easier on everyone. The South Florida Gathering name will still remain no matter where we chose to have it.

Any suggestions in possibly the Pinellis, Hillsborough, Orange County area? Or do we want to stick with Highlands Hammock in Sebring?

Information

When: November 7th-9th (feel free to spend a few more days and arrive earlier or stay later)

Who: Anyone!!! :)

Attendees

Name	# of Guests	Arrival Day	Competitions	Site	Notes
Doug (dougmays)		Thursday AM		80/88	Smoker Trailer, 10x12 Fixed frame canopy, EZ Up Tent, 1-2 Tables,m Cornhole boards
Jeramy (jarjarchef)		Friday AM		89
Keith(jckdanls07)	1	Thursday AM		87	Mini WSM, MES, Smokehouse, EZ Up Tent, Firewood, Cornhole boards
BallplayerIc		Thursday		79
Craig (Nimrod)	1	Friday		78	firewood, casings, hi-temp cheese
TikiGuy	1	Saturday (Day Trip)
Van Holten	1	Saturday (Day Trip)
Don (OrlandoSmoKing)					6 Stacking Chairs, Table, Firewood
Zack	2

Competitions

Ribs - Doug, Keith, Jeramy, ?who else

Something Special - Doug, Jeramy, ?who else

Foods to be made

Ham - Keith

Smoked Mojo Chicken with black beans and rice (Saturday Afternoon)

Sausage, Snack Stick, Jerky, and Cheese Project

Grinder - Keith, Jeramy

Stuffer - Keith, Don

Casings - Nimrod

Seasonings - Jeramy 

Slicer - Doug (if we need it, might just do with a few nice knives)

Butts (please Cube Up before coming) - Keith (2), Don (2), Nimrod

Beef - Doug (either EOR or Bottom Round), Don (EOR)

Cheese - Doug (for smoking), Craig (hi-temp for sausage)

Dehydrators - Doug, Keith, Jeramy

Curing Stuff - Doug (Morton Tender Quick)

Jerky Marinade - Doug (ill pre-make)

Smokehouse - Keith

 

[dougmays]

Just did some looking around on Florida State Parks website...has anyone Camped Little Manatee River or Wekiwa State Park?

 

[africanmeat]

Is that Wekiwa  Springs  State  Park ?

 

[dougmays]

 
Is that Wekiwa  Springs  State  Park ?

Yes it is

 

[rubbin butts]

Hey

 

[dougmays]

Looks like a nice area! Do you know if tent camping is allowed in RV sites because according to the booking map tents and rvs are separate. There is a nice tent site right next to the fishing river that would probably be a nice view.

if tents are allowed in RV spots this might be a good set up for us (far left of the campground map)

Screen Shot 2014-04-09 at 4.31.42 PM.png

• dougmays
• Apr 9, 2014

 

[JckDanls 07]

Myself.. I prefer not to go any further north than Hillsborough County....

 

[boykjo]

Myself.. I prefer not to go any further north than Hillsborough County....

Don't worry all. I'll bring the a$$ whoopin competition as far south as you want to go........... you wont have to travel too far north to find me..........................

 

[JckDanls 07]

HA HAAAAAA.. that's to funny Joe.....

 

[dougmays]

Keith any suggestions for campgrounds around that area? I'm ok with keeping it at Highlands Hammock again also, this was just to see if there was any interest in relocating. 

 

[sushitampa]

Just saw someone post this on the Tampa Reddit...thought it was relevant...

"Even most locals don't know this, but SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) offers free camping on various properties that they control. Some of them don't have any facilities (toilets, etc), but it's hard to beat free!

https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/camping.php

I learned about it recently, but haven't had an opportunity to take advantage of it yet, so I can't give you an opinion on them, but it's worth checking out."

If you click the link and scroll down to Green Swamp - West Trac it says "This campground is also referred to as the "McNeil Group Campground" because some sites are large enough for group camping. Groups are welcome at this primitive campground"

Just something i wanted to throw out there. I've honestly never been camping LOL I'd love to make it out to one of these, but not sure if i could convince the wife to come with the kids.

 

[rubbin butts]

HEY

 

[JckDanls 07]

oops

 

[rubbin butts]

Hey

 

[JckDanls 07]

:grilling_smilie:

 

[orlandosmoking]

                      

 

 

[jarjarchef]

Ill put in for the weekend when I go back to work on Sunday.

As for where..... well I will leave that up to you all......I am game for staying or moving..... I just need a place that we can bring the furry one......I will most likely be on the same time frame as last year.....arriving Friday night and leaving Sunday around noon.......the only way that will change is if the girls want to go......then I would do similar to what Don did and have them drive up separately..........

 

[dougmays]

Sheesh....ok guys lets all take a step back.  We've never had any drama amoungst our group and i dont want it to start with me suggesting a new location. In all honestly Highlands Hammock was a great location....the large dish washing area by the bathrooms was great, the large space ron rented for the tent was a perfect gathering place, and having waater and electricity at each spot was awesome!  So lets keep it out Highlands.

My original intent wasn't for a drastic move...i was thinking somewhere like the Lakeland area would have saved most people 30-60 mins of driving time but in all honestly that's not much of a difference.

So if nobody is opposed lets keep it as is! And i really hope everyone who has come in the past comes back again this year! I like all you guys and we have a great time!

With that being said...lets move onto the next topic...

In the past we've kind of done everything on Saturday...the "big dinner", Rib comp, chicken comp, and side item comp, along with everything else...to me it kind of feels rushed and we dont get to really enjoy just hanging around with each other. I wanted to see what you guys though about maybe scaling back the competitions and just doing the Ribs and Side item, no chicken. Maybe we can throw in a bean bag toss tournament? :)

I was also thinking we could do a big dinner friday night as people trickle in. I know some people come after work, so i was thinking some of us who do get there early on Friday can plan and cook a meal for everyone who gets there by Friday night.

So...thoughts on:

- Scaling down comps on saturday and having more hang out time

- Friday night dinner addition?

PS: I really do enjoy all of your company so let's please brush the last 7 posts or so under the rug and carry on:)

 

[boykjo]

Sheesh....ok guys lets all take a step back.  We've never had any drama amoungst our group and i dont want it to start with me suggesting a new location. In all honestly Highlands Hammock was a great location....the large dish washing area by the bathrooms was great, the large space ron rented for the tent was a perfect gathering place, and having waater and electricity at each spot was awesome!  So lets keep it out Highlands.





My original intent wasn't for a drastic move...i was thinking somewhere like the Lakeland area would have saved most people 30-60 mins of driving time but in all honestly that's not much of a difference.





So if nobody is opposed lets keep it as is! And i really hope everyone who has come in the past comes back again this year! I like all you guys and we have a great time!







With that being said...lets move onto the next topic...





In the past we've kind of done everything on Saturday...the "big dinner", Rib comp, chicken comp, and side item comp, along with everything else...to me it kind of feels rushed and we dont get to really enjoy just hanging around with each other. I wanted to see what you guys though about maybe scaling back the competitions and just doing the Ribs and Side item, no chicken. Maybe we can throw in a bean bag toss tournament? :)





I was also thinking we could do a big dinner friday night as people trickle in. I know some people come after work, so i was thinking some of us who do get there early on Friday can plan and cook a meal for everyone who gets there by Friday night.





So...thoughts on:



- Scaling down comps on saturday and having more hang out time



- Friday night dinner addition?





PS: I really do enjoy all of your company so let's please brush the last 7 posts or so under the rug and carry on:)

Sounds good to me. I really liked the park we stayed in and they were nice people. Dont forget to mention the wifi they also had. I would guess the only down side to that park was all the trees in the way. It takes some manuvering to get a camper in there.... So are the dates set in stone? I will put in for vacation for that weekend......

 

[dougmays]

Yes Sir! Dates are set.