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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2005Toad Suck Arkansas
For those who joined our merry little band of the feline owned since last July, let me briefly tell you the history of this upcoming event. Last spring, Sherry R. mentioned that she and her husband were driving down I-40 in Arkansas and saw an exit sign for a place called Toad Suck Arkansas. Sherry wanted to check the place out, as the name had caught her imagination, but her hubby said no and kept on driving. Toad Suck jokes abounded on the group and by June, Sherry wasn't the only curious person in the group. June 2004: My family starts it's epic journey across country from Fayetteville North Carolina to Idaho and into Washington State then British Columbia Canada then back to North Carolina again. I have posted requests to meet up with anyone willing to tolerate us, and received replies from various places. Our route will take us down I-40 to Flagstaff Arizona and then north to Idaho, giving us a chance to see the Grand Canyon on this trip. Sherry is one of the people we are going to connect with. With Sherry in mind, we visit Toad Suck Arkansas. When we meet Sherry and Steve Touchstone (awesome people BTW) we find out that our trip has caught the group's imagination. I start cooking up ideas to meet more of the most wonderful people in the world. By the time we meet Christine Burel and her family in Albuquerque New Mexico, Rob and I are discussing ways to get us together. It is brought up to Christine, and she adds some great ideas of her own to the mix. We meet Dave Yehuddah and his brother in law in Flagstaff and become determined to find a place for us to meet as many others as we can. I first bring up the idea of Kansas City Missouri, as it is both centrally located and out in the middle of no where. Dave Y is interested but noncommittal. We met Sam and Ramona Nash at Grand Coulee Dam Washington and find that you can talk to someone for hours and still want to talk for days. This is just a confirmation of the earlier meetings we've had. By now both Rob and I are addicted to meeting group members. We're thrilled when we get to meet KLC and Loen in Penticton Canada. They are so totally wonderful it isn't funny. We're discussing all sorts of possibilities for meetings and I bring up Kansas City Missouri as a possible meeting place. Rob suggests Toad Suck Arkansas instead, as it matches the strangeness of our group. We all agree that Rob is a genius and we have to try to gather us together. We get home and the idea of the Toad Suck gathering is born. So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, or is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? How many of us are interested in getting together. How many of us are going to be there. I'm planning on the 7th through 10th of July. Yes, I know it's hot, but it will be hot just about every where in the USA at that time. What activities are we interested in? Are there people interested in having a real troll-be-que? If there are people who can't get there under their own steam, are there others who are willing to transport them? Come on people, I want to get together and stay up all night munching snacks and yakking. Pam S. > If there are people who can't > get there under their own steam, are there others who are > willing to transport them? Come on people, I want to get > together and stay up all night munching snacks and yakking. Thanks for the recap. lol I loved reading the progression of your trip last year. As much as I'd love to meet some of you guys, and I don't even have vacation plans this year due to some of the folks I go to Myrtle Beach with each year planning other things for the summer, my cat sitter (my mom) said she isn't comfortable now that there are new additions. Too afraid they're too rambunctious and will get out when she comes in. Can't blame her. I worry about that too, since they are fearless hoolikittens. I hope to see a play-by- play this summer!!!  SignatureCheryl > For those who joined our merry little band of the feline owned since last > July, let me briefly tell you the history of this upcoming event. > We get home and the idea of the Toad Suck gathering is born. > Pam S. I think the Toad Suck campground has a picnic area we can rent for a troll-be-que. I don't know how much it would cost, but we could chip in if it's not too bad. Jim & I would like to come, but probably would only get to be there one day, unless we're both not working. We'd have to stay at a motel, but don't mind getting mosquito bit for a campground meeting. Of course, a motel would be air-conditioned, and we wouldn't object to that, either. Annie > I think the Toad Suck campground has a picnic area we can rent for a > troll-be-que. I don't know how much it would cost, but we could chip in if [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > air-conditioned, and we wouldn't object to that, either. > Annie I dunno about the campground, but the park on the other side of the river has picnic areas. It's very beautiful. I'm thinking about using a motel room as well as I have this thing about dying from heat exhaustion. I just have to get it past the hubster.... Pam S. who would love to find a motel with a meeting room >> I think the Toad Suck campground has a picnic area we can rent for a >> troll-be-que. I don't know how much it would cost, but we could chip [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Pam S. who would love to find a motel with a meeting room Pam, keep in mind that if you get enough people committed to come that most major motel/hotel chains have group departments that will help you get a block of rooms at a nice discount and can probably set you up with a free or low cost events meeting room if the motel has one. For instance I see there is a Holiday Inn Express not too far from Toad Suck and we've had good success with them booking rooms for large family gatherings. Unfortunately we will not be able to attend as we will be in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan trying not to freeze our tootsies off in Lake Superior (and loving every minute of it). SignatureMargaret Fine mefine@mindspring.com ... > I dunno about the campground, but the park on the other side of the river > has picnic areas. It's very beautiful. I'm thinking about using a motel > room as well as I have this thing about dying from heat exhaustion. I > just have to get it past the hubster.... > > Pam S. who would love to find a motel with a meeting room Have you been able to reach the contact I gave you? I'm sure she'd be able to recommend a place. Generally, if a group goes the same motel and rents a meeting room, the motel will give a special group rate to people who stay there. Annie > For those who joined our merry little band of the feline owned since > last July, let me briefly tell you the history of this upcoming event. LOL...well, as much as I'd love to meet the old timers I know (including Sherry!) I'm afraid my travel is booked for this year! Hope you have fun! -L. Phil, Molly and I are interested. It would be nice to meet the people who make us laugh on a regular basis. Diane > So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, > or is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Pam S. Pam S. wrote: ---------------------<snip>---------------------- >We get home and the idea of the Toad Suck gathering is born. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >transport them? Come on people, I want to get together and stay up all >night munching snacks and yakking. Much as it sounds like a fun place to meet, and probably as convenient as most places we all could meet, I was under the impression that the idea was to meet there at the time they held the festival. We might even get some local press coverage or discount deals. The thing is, the festival is held the first weekend in May. Here's a quote about the festival from one of the official sources. =============================== -----------<quoted material follows>---------- =============================== Toad Suck Daze Fun for the entire family!!! Conway Arkansas is home to Toad Suck Daze! Toad Suck Daze was started over 20 years ago. Long ago, steamboats traveled the Arkansas River when the water was at the right depth. When it wasn't, the captains and their crew tied up to wait where the Toad Suck Lock and Dam now spans the river. While they waited, they refreshed themselves at the local tavern there, to the dismay of the folks living nearby, who said: "They suck on the bottle 'til they swell up like toads." Hence, the name Toad Suck. The tavern is long gone, but the legend and fun live on at Toad Suck Daze. Toad Suck Daze was awarded the 2001 Heritage Award at the Governor's Conference on Tourism. Toad Suck Daze was named the 1998 Festival of the Year by the Arkansas Festival Association Toad Suck Daze was selected to represent the state of Arkansas in the Library of Congress 2000 exhibit "Local Legacies: A National Project to Document American Community Traditions." As part of the celebration of the 200th birthday of the Library of Congress, "Local Legacies" will provide future generations with "snapshots" of everyday life in America at the turn of the century. Toad Suck Daze was voted as one of the Top 100 Events by the American Bus Association in 1997. Toad Suck Daze is held the first weekend of May each year. Come out and enjoy the fun. Judy Gerber · Coldwell Banker Advantage · 222 Industrial Blvd. · Conway, AR 72032 Office: 501-329-5555 · Toll Free: 1-888-329-7555 · Fax: 501-329-5550 · E-Mail: Judy@JudyGerber.com =============================== -----------<quoted material ends>---------- =============================== > Much as it sounds like a fun place to meet, and probably as > convenient as most places we all could meet, I was under the > impression that the idea was to meet there at the time they held the > festival. We might even get some local press coverage or discount > deals. The thing is, the festival is held the first weekend in May. The problem, unfortunately, is real life. My job won't be done for the year until the end of May/first of June. Mandy will be getting out of school at the same time. Of course we cannot travel too much during school as the bratling has to put in an appearance. Not only that, but Conway would be pretty full at that time and the ferry site would be way too crowded. If others want to meet there at that time, that would be fine, but I'm quite sure we couldn't be there then. I know that Sam and Ramona have to be in the area around that time, a few others have indicated interest at around that time, and we have a potential surprise guest who indicated that they may be able to be there at about that time. Lets see if we can work something out. Pam S. > For those who joined our merry little band of the feline owned since > last July, let me briefly tell you the history of this upcoming event. <snip> As much as I'd love to be there, we can't be. That doesn't mean we can *never* come, but not this year, nor next, and probably not the year after either. But sometime before I'm dead, I'm planning to come and visit y'all and the Toad Suck meeting is a good as an excuse as any. Yowie (but will be going to an Aussie RPCA meet on April 30th) "Yowie" <yowie9644.DIESPAMDIE@yahoo.com.au> had some very interesting things to say about Re: Toad Suck Arkansas: >> For those who joined our merry little band of the feline owned since >> last July, let me briefly tell you the history of this upcoming event. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >either. But sometime before I'm dead, I'm planning to come and visit y'all >and the Toad Suck meeting is a good as an excuse as any. I won't be able to make it, either, as much as I'd like to (my checkbook's being bratty about such things). Signature"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL > "Yowie" <yowie9644.DIESPAMDIE@yahoo.com.au> had some very interesting > things to say about Re: Toad Suck Arkansas: [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > I won't be able to make it, either, as much as I'd like to (my > checkbook's being bratty about such things). Hmm, I think our checkbooks must be related :-) Yowie > So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, > or is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > transport them? Come on people, I want to get together and stay up all > night munching snacks and yakking. Talked to Rob and we're thinking about doing a wonderjahr (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) around the Toad Suck date. We can arrange to pick some one up and deliver them to the gathering if they don't have transportation, and don't mind riding with the wild bunch. We have a huge tent and can fit a couple more (five or six if they're friends) people in with us. Pam S. who's getting out her guide books again > > So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, > > or is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Talked to Rob and we're thinking about doing a wonderjahr (I'm sure I > spelled that wrong) around the Toad Suck date. Ok, whats a wonderjahr? > We can arrange to pick > some one up and deliver them to the gathering if they don't have > transportation, and don't mind riding with the wild bunch. We have a > huge tent and can fit a couple more (five or six if they're friends) > people in with us. I really appreciate the offer. Just turn left at Hawaii, and left again at Indonesia, and you'll be at my place in no time :-) Yowie >> > So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, >> > or is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >Ok, whats a wonderjahr? A typo for wanderjahr, German for "year of travel". It refers to the old custom of having young people take a year to travel and see the world before settling down and getting a job. Hence, a vacation, particularly one that involves seeing lots of different places. SignatureJohn F. Eldredge -- john@jfeldredge.com PGP key available from http://pgp.mit.edu "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria > A typo for wanderjahr, German for "year of travel". It refers to the > old custom of having young people take a year to travel and see the > world before settling down and getting a job. Hence, a vacation, > particularly one that involves seeing lots of different places. Ok, I tried, right? We're still playing with places to travel to. Mobile Bay and the Florida Panhandle are possibilities (though hot) and I'm interested in West Virginia. So opportunities abound. I wish I could take that trip to Australia and kidnap Vicky, though. Pam S. As you probably recall from my adventure trying to get to the midwest to adopt Harri, it's kind of difficult for me to get out of the western US. But Harri Roadcat and I will do our best to get out to Toad Suck. > As you probably recall from my adventure trying to get to the midwest to > adopt Harri, it's kind of difficult for me to get out of the western US. > But Harri Roadcat and I will do our best to get out to Toad Suck. That would be totally AWESOME, Dan. Pam S. getting excited again. >> A typo for wanderjahr, German for "year of travel". It refers to the >> old custom of having young people take a year to travel and see the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >I'm interested in West Virginia. So opportunities abound. I wish I >could take that trip to Australia and kidnap Vicky, though. No problem. I don't speak German, except for a few loan-words that I have picked up; that happened to be one of the ones that I know. SignatureJohn F. Eldredge -- john@jfeldredge.com PGP key available from http://pgp.mit.edu "Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all." -- Hypatia of Alexandria > >> > So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, > >> > or is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > world before settling down and getting a job. Hence, a vacation, > particularly one that involves seeing lots of different places. Oh, do you mean *walkabout*? The point of the excercise is not to get anywhere in particular, but simply enjoy the travelling wherever it takes you. Pick a direction South, west or North (east would just get us very very wet) and see where we end up after 3 hours travel down "I wonder where this goes?" roads. We've been discovering places less than 100km away from our place that we never knew existed, and I've lived in this area all my life (bar the first 4). Its great fun. Yowie > Oh, do you mean *walkabout*? The point of the excercise is not to get > anywhere in particular, but simply enjoy the travelling wherever it takes [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Yowie Exactly. Our family calls it "Road trip." We're planning on one Saturday. We're supposed to pay for and collect a second hand fireplace insert from a town north of Carthage North Carolina. Carthage is an awesome little town. Most of the houses are gingerbread Victorian, restored to their full glory. I wouldn't mind living in one of them, if I could afford it. Pam S. eager for this weekend's road trip <snipped> > So why am I posting this now? Well now is the time to plan this puppy, or > is that kitty, out. Do we want to meet at a campsite or at a motel? How [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Pam S. Ramona was asking me earlier this week about my vacation plans. Got a family reunion in NE Mississippy 7/1-7/4 (not staying for the whole thing - other family in Alabama to see. Then 7/7-7/10 in Toad Suck. Unless my vacation gets screwed over again, we'll be there, but we gotta have a motel room. Since we'll be coming from NE AL, we could pick up a passenger or two along the way. Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe > Ramona was asking me earlier this week about my vacation plans. Got a > family reunion in NE Mississippy 7/1-7/4 (not staying for the whole thing - [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > along the way. > Sam, closely supervised by Mistletoe Ok, so one of us picks up Jill in Memphis (your choice as to which of us kidnaps her) and that gets us up to three for Toadsuck. Pam S. >> Ramona was asking me earlier this week about my vacation plans. Got >> a family reunion in NE Mississippy 7/1-7/4 (not staying for the [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Pam S. LOL! Wish someone could, dear! But I can't afford a motel, don't have camping equipment, can't afford to board the pets, yada yada yada. (sigh) When I travel with John he pays for everything. Those dates will also be right at the height of "show season". Jill |
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