Mia - I would leave my LO at home too but if she finds out there were smores and I knew about it but left her at home anyway, well, she would never forgive me. LOL

I will bring GF graham crackers for smores. Rebecca, if you bring GF cookies I'll love you but hate myself later.

GardenDragon (Andria?) - I have you down for shastas.

Looks like my offerings will be less than I thought. After 2 decades of using those mini greenhouses without a problem, the wind caught it and dismantled it. I replanted what I could, gave everything a drink, and moved them to the pathway in the garden. I'll see tomorrow what rebounds and what else I have to bring.

Mia, Maybe Daddy knows best in this case, but tell him we'll miss seeing your three men and you know we'll love seeing you again. I am sort of dreading the weather, but we surely have no control over it.

Megan, Thanks for giving everyone coming from the Tulsa area a traffic update! I am sure that helps them plan their route and how long the drive might take.

I am getting excited about Smores. We don't have them often, so I can just imagine we'll act like 10 year old kids....not that there is anything wrong with that.

Jen, This is Oklahoma where crap like that happens. If all else fails, just bring yourself. You know that we always have 20 more times plants than we need.

I hope that after I check the garden tomorrow, I can post a list of all sorts of interesting things I can bring. We'll see. There sure are a lot of things popping up now, though some of them probably are weeds that neither I nor anyone else would want.

Look how close we're getting to the Spring Fling! It doesn't seem possible that it is just a couple of days away.

Dawn

According to the weather guys here, it very well might be too rainy for a bonfire. Might have to throw a slicker in the car.

Guess I should ask what time things get started?

so the BIG question is: where is the fire pit? Under the roof of the pavilion?

11-2? I was thinking of the fire pit. Realizing it may be raining, I said to Garry, "Maybe we could take our little charcoal grill and have a small campfire in it under the pavilion? We're going to bring it, and if it looks safe, like if the pavilion roof is really high. . . Maybe? Dawn, ask Tim and Chris, or you provide feedback directly.

So Bruce. . . 11-2? I swear, this year I will remember it takes 2.75 hrs to get there!!

We have been SO busy this week. I should have stuck with my job. It paid better. Haha!

You know what makes a good slicker if you don't have one? A sturdy trash bag.

OklaMoni. . . Bruce said near! Hence my idea of bringing a small charcoal griller.

We may need the bonfire to keep the tomatoes from getting too cold.

Another question. Is there a pavilion number or address to look for?

I think we're in trouble, weather-wise, but as we always do, we'll rise above it. Maybe someday in the future, we'll laughingly look back at Spring Fling 2019 as our first Winter Fling. I looked at the NWS forecast for the Lake Thunderbird area a few minutes ago and it looks like we have a 90% chance of rain, a forecast high of 48 degrees and wind. I suspect the area won't reach its forecast high until we all are on the way home, so I'm wearing my heavy winter coat.....which I hardly ever get to wear because we just do not often get very cold down here. Tomato plants should be safe though because the temperatures remain above freezing the night before, at least according to the forecast.

Nancy, Unless the pavilion roof is really low, having a small charcoal grill beneath it would not be a safety issue. We'll need to Google and find the park rules to see what they say, though.

Tim and I have a round, portable fire pit....the type you buy at Home Depot and set up in your yard. I could wash it today, removing all the soot or whatever, and we could put it in the back of the SUV and bring it with us if we find out the official fire ring sits out in the open where fire will be drowned out by rain. I believe we still would have room for all the plants we are bringing, the food, extra winter coats (we can start out with heavier coats and switch to lighter ones, or vice versa, lol), blankets, a sled, sled dogs, MREs in case we are stranded by a blizzard, thermos bottles filled with coffee and a case of Hot Hands hand warmers. I need to finalize this plan today so I can go on E-Bay or Amazon and buy a sled, sled dogs, MREs and a case of hand warmers because those are not items we keep handy here in southern OK in April. Usually at this time of the year, we are using mosquito repellent and Wasp & Hornet Spray, neither of which would be useful on Saturday.

Rebecca, Maybe the first person there (Bruce?) could put up some brightly colored balloons marking the spot....or something like that. Honestly, at this point I'm thinking there may not be anyone else out at Lake Thunderbird so probably ours will be the only pavilion with human beings in sight. Won't all the smarter people who are not die-hard gardeners be at home, in a heated house, all nice and warm and snug as a bug in a rug? Yep....all the pansies (pun intended) will be at home and we'll be out in the cold exchanging plants. It is what we do in April, in any weather short of a blizzard or tornado.

Dawn

Bruce said the fire ring is outside the pavilion. He'll stop by there today so he can look at it and see if we can rig up a rain/wind screen with tarps or something. Regardless, we'll all have a great time, I am sure. I am serious about bringing coffee though. I will bring hot coffee in the pump thermos bottles we use for fires, and all the extras....coffee cups with lids, stirring sticks, creamer, sugar and artificial sweeteners, etc. I also am going to change the food I'm bringing from a big bowl of fresh fruit to something hot---maybe Sweet Bacon Chicken Bites or possibly taco soup. Maybe both. I can keep them hot by transporting them in a crock pot inside our Yeti cooler. Been there. Done that. I think we can defeat the rain and cold with good planning and our usual, cheerful, irrepressible gardeners' attitudes. A little cold rain never has stopped us before and it will not stop us now! I'm telling y'all though that if sleet or snow starts falling on us while we're driving up there (it won't!), we're turning around and heading home.

We're having a cold and rainy plant-tailgate... #becauseOKWX. I noted on my Facebook status last night that before bed, when it was still 80* out, I had switched my thermostat to heat because I knew it would be cold in the morning and used that hashtag.

I tried to nudge mini-me into staying home on Saturday, but she's gung-ho and I didn't even mention smores! Because it will be chilly out, I think I'll bring rotel dip. Does the pavilion have electricity for a crock pot?

I drove the I-44/I-235 junction today. I forgot how wonky it is, but the construction hasn't affected it. It's similar to the old I-44/Hwy 75 junction in Tulsa - so just follow the signs and feel free to cuss - under your breath if you're not comfortable doing it aloud. ;)

Do we know how many people are coming on Saturday?

Dawn, I cackled out loud at your description of your supplies.

Do we have enough main dishes? I may bring some baked potato soup or something hot as well.

Looks like I'm half an hour away, so I can attempt to get there early if you need help, Bruce. And I'm sure I have balloons or streamers, something to catch people's attention.

Copying/Paraphrasing (I hope acurrately) from Bruce's post:

Lake Thunderbird, South Dam. Saturday, April 13 We have full use of the facility from 8AM-11PM. There are plenty of tables, water, electric and the restrooms are as nice as any I’ve seen at a state park. It’s far enough from the lake there’s room for littles to play and have fun.

How to get to Lake

Map of Lake The south dam is on the SE part of the lake. It is labeled to the SE of HWY 9 o the map.

I am not sure what the general time . I think Nancy mentioned 11-2. In the past 11 or noon has been the start. Sounds like we can stay until we can't stand the cold.

Since it will be cold, I will bring a warm side dish, probably baked beans.

Ohh! Has anyone talked to Paula? I hope she and Ken can make it.

See you there!

Andria aka mrsfrodo aka gardendragonok

Again from Bruce:

For those coming in on I-35, take the Hwy 9 exit and go 19 miles east. When you see the sign for Clear Bay, keep driving. It’s the next one that says South Dam.

For those coming in on I-40, exit at Firelake Grand Casino. Go south to Hwy 9. Turn right or west and drive 10 miles or so. You’ll go through a short section of road construction. About the time you clear it, turn right at the big South Dam sign.

Ok, I dug, and found pictures I had taken of the yellow Iris (not currently blooming,

and took some today of the purple.

My comfrey has been dug up, and divided, some given away and I have three starts to bring.Here is a before digging picture, of the comfrey in the mulch piles

Can't find an official time for the Fling, Nancy asked a couple times... 1-3? but I haven's seen an answer.

Lets hope, we can put up a tarp to curb cold wind, and hover under the pavilion and have a good time.

:)

Moni

PS, was I supposed to bring any other plants/starts for anyone?

Just a quick note. I’ll add more later.

I stopped by the pavilion to to see what our options are.

I’ll bring enough tarps to wrap about a third of the northeast end to provide protection from the wind. I’ll also be bringing propane heaters to provide heat.

We can run extension cords to power crockpots. I‘ll bring a few.

There are a couple of grills we can build a fire in that should be on the lee side of the building, so firewood or charcoal will come in handy.

You rock!

As far as official time? 11:00 to 2:00 is what I remember at every one I’ve attended? I’ll be there earlier trying to set up protection from the weather and we’ll stay as long as we can stand it?

I bought the stuff today to make Sweet Bacon Chicken Bites, so I'll be bringing them in a crockpot. We are bringing the stuff to make S'mores and will bring the charcoal to roast the marshmallows. We're bringing coffee, though I've only found one thermos so far. It does hold about 12 cups of coffee I think. I'm still trying to find the other one. We're dressing in layers and wearing waterproof boots. Let it rain---it can't spoil our party!

I still need to pot up plants. Every day this week has conspired against me---today it was Tim and the Insurance Claims Adjuster, allergies and mowing. I don't even know why I have a To Do list because I never get to touch it. Well, tomorrow is my day to do my stuff that needs to get done for the Spring Fling and everyone else can just deal with it. (grin)

Dawn

It is finally going to let me post tonight. Al and I drove from Yukon to Arkansas and return, the first week of March and I-44 was in good shape. There is still construction but I can only remember one place where we had to slow down to 60mph. There is still construction but it is not in the way of the traffic flow unless something has changed recently. It is nothing like it was a year ago.

I don't have plants to bring but Al and I will be there with food, door prizes, and a contribution to the costs. We have been attending for a lot of years and have only missed one year. We are anxious to see everyone.

I'm planning on bringing deviled eggs, possibly a dessert, and my door prize. My plants are pretty puny and the temporary uprooting when the greenhouse fell over didn't help, but I managed to salvage some. I'll dig up a few more things tonight. Anyone want mint or sage?

Okay everyone, listen up.

It is my understanding that Jed Castles has put a 20% chance of snow in tomorrow's forecast. Is it freak-out time? I love you all and want to see you all, but this is getting kinda dicey. The prospect of cold rain all day accompanied by strong wind was already making me nervous, and now even just this slight chance of snow worries me....more for the tender plants like tomatoes and peppers....but also for all of us people. Rain I can handle, but cold rain with a slim chance of snow is more concerning.

How bad would it be for each of you if we were to reschedule this for the last weekend of April or even the first weekend in May? Would this be extremely upsetting? Could everyone still make it?

I just cannot help thinking a weather disaster looms for tomorrow and we need to be willing to be flexible if we can. I think we'd have a lot more fun on a warmer day when we could stand, chat, laugh, etc. and not worry that our plants are freezing while we do so.

Please provide feedback and I'll keep talking to Bruce to get his ideas. I feel terrible about the prospect of a last-minute postponement, but think tomorrow's weather is all but demanding we do so.

Our get-togethers mean so much to us all and I'd rather we wait and do it right. If I am wrong, say so!

Dawn

Dawn, I agree I hate the thought of postponing, but even if we fashion wind protection out of tarps, it is going to be a mess. I've dealt with trying to tarp off in high winds and it's exhausting. The chances of them holding if the wind blows as they are predicting are slim.

As a backup, I'm calling the park office and see what our options are. They open at 8:00.

Sounds good. Keep us posted on what they say. Tim and I will do our best to make it to the Spring Fling, whether it is tomorrow or on some future weekend.

Guess what I just found out is in my forecast for tomorrow and tomorrow evening? At least is isn't snow....but it is severe thunderstorms, hail and a slim chance of tornadoes. Well, at least it isn't snow-nadoes, so there is that. Of course they are going to throw tornadoes and hail into the mix---it is April, but it seems ludicrous that the forecast in OK ranges from snow in the NW, and possibly as deeply into central OK as Lake Thunderbird to possible tornadoes, hail and tstorms in south central and southeastern OK.

Have I mentioned once or twice or a million times that I hate this week's weather?

My personal opinion is: we are in Oklahoma, and any other weekend could be better, as well as worse! We could have severe thunderstorms with hail and tornados.

That said, I had two planned events on my calendar for tomorrow, where I was going to have to choose before the SF date was set. At that time, I marked the others out and used a sharpie and wrote SPRING FLING over all.

Next Saturday a dear friend of mine turns 75, and I will be there for her, the following is the Easter weekend, and I am going to a party, and the first weekend in May is my grandsons first communion.

I dug up plants and I am ready. Fleece lined pants, down coat, wool socks... are at my disposal. :) I will be there, if we will stick with tomorrow.

Moni

PS, I just looked at the 10 day forecast. Yes, it looks way better. but I still haven't figured out how to be in two places at once... and there are lots of others that can and should make the decision.

I'll be there whenever. If we wait until next week that's fine with me. Probably be more enjoyable if the weather wasn't so crummy, but this is Oklahoma and you never know what's going to happen.

While we all should provide input, I think ultimately it has to be Bruce's decision. He is the one who has done the planning, paid the deposit, and who is stuck hauling tarps (for a windscreen) and a propane outdoor heater and propane tank to the pavilion if we decide to have it, and that is a lot for us to expect of one person. It likely would take him 2 or 3 hours to unload everything and set it up in an effort to try to provide us with a little warmth. I'm fairly sure he'll lose the $75 paid to rent the pavilion if we postpone, but some of us surely would be willing to chip in so he doesn't have to absorb that cost alone---this weather is not his fault.

There's never any guarantee with the weather here in OK in April, of course, but it seems like tomorrow's weather is flat out trying to be the worst SF weather ever. I just hate this whole mess. Why couldn't the weather give us one good Saturday?

I would come, even in cold and nasty weather :) But I do think postponing it is a good idea. Some of ya'll are coming longer distances, and I worry about you being on the roads in even rainy weather. Sharon would be excited if it was the 27th...She's in Nashville this weekend, and was bummed she couldn't make it.

plus, maybe I could get my hiney in gear and dig up a few more plants to bring :)

Plus, Lisa, maybe you could take my Iris and Comfrey with you?

Whatever . . . I'm fine with any time. Oops. . . I just remembered we're supposed to have a party at our house next Saturday, the 20th! LOLOL I don't think we can change it. . .

I've messaged with Bruce even though I'm just now posting here....

I probably will not be able to come next week or the week after (although I could sneak away from my in-laws for a bit maybe on the 27th) BUT, I am in favor of postponing regardless. We don't want people traveling in hail and snow and ice and whatever else tomorrow is throwing at us.

AND, we've "been there, done that" with tarps in high winds at band functions. It doesn't work well if the wind is extreme.

I'm very disappointed because I want to see you all so badly tomorrow. Thanks, weather.

Sure, Moni! I would be happy to throw your plants in with mine

Dawn, I would be happy to help Bruce offset the cost of a lost deposit. I agree with the other sentiments of thinking about safety traveling making it a better decision to postpone. But, regardless of when we have it, I vote for S'mores! LOL

In addition to Sharon possibly being able to make it, I wonder if Kim could make it if we moved it to the 27th. I seem to remember her mentioning something about expecting it to be the last weekend in April. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too short of notice.

Anywho. Tell me where to be and when and I'll do my absolute best to make it. :)

Spring Fling is officially postponed!

Many of you already are aware since we've been FB messaging and texting since early this morning. Please contact anyone who may have planned on attending!

Please understand, this decision wasn't an easy one and I apologize if it is an inconvenience. The possibility of snow and bad roads are the reason I feel this is for the best. I cringe at the thought of someone having an accident returning home.

Once I get off here, I'll be driving over to check out the other facilities and weigh all of our options. I'll need to swing by the park office and do the paperwork if I find something I feel will work.

Right now, I'm looking at the 27th as the next best choice. The 4th seems to be the next best after that? South Dam is the newest and nicest according to Misty at the park office, but the next available date is May 11th.

I forgot to mention! The park has agreed to let us change the location and date without losing the $75.

wow, I am glad, they will let you change the date without loosing any money. Sorry to miss the SF, but it would be cold...

can we start a new thread, once the alternate date has been set?

Moni

Moni, no, Easter isn't the 27th, but next weekend. (The 21st) So since Easter is the same weekend as your friend's birthday. . . does that change anything for ya? I hope so. 27th works splendidly for us, and besides, all my little seedling won't be tiny anymore! I hate the change of plans for folks who can't make it the 27th. I'm happy we CAN make it then. And we could make it the 4th or the 11th, too. We'll stay tuned.

I thought I might have had trouble convincing the husband do drive through storms. I think this is best.

Oh, Nancy, I got the dates backward... Easter is next weekend, and Iris's birthday the following weekend..., and Nathans 1st communion the first Saturday in May... but it isn't all about me... and there will be another chance next year. :)

Moni

Bruce, I'm so glad the park was so nice about the money issue. The 27th is fine with us, the 4th is fine with us. Just pick a date and watch as many of us as possible scramble to make it work! It is unfortunate that there isn't a date that works for everyone, but that always has been an issue with such a diverse and far-flung group. In case I haven't said it here lately, THANK YOU for all you have done to plan and schedule and now reschedule the Spring Fling. Mother Nature is doing her best to make this a challenging task, but you've risen to the challenge.

Nancy, Oh wow. Easter is sneaking up on me. I think I had blinders on and wasn't looking beyond Spring Fling weekend. Guess I'd better talk with the family and formulate Easter plans.

Moni, I think a new thread is a great idea. This one is getting really long.

Megan, S'mores? They're on....they're on like Donkey Kong, to quote Penny from the Big Bang Theory. We bought the ingredients yesterday, including the big square S'more marshmallows, and I solemnly promise I will not eat all of them here at home myself. I'll save them to have with y'all. I think a new tradition will be born this year.....the Spring Fling S'more Thing.

I think that Kim also will be able to make it the last weekend. Has anyone sent her a message about the postpone yet? Sorry, I'm behind....been out uncovering plants.

Jennifer, I hope you can sneak away from the in-laws for a little while on the 27th if that is when it is rescheduled. Just tell them you need to go see your outlaws (your gardening family).

I was behind on potting up and planning to spend today doing it. Now I have a little breathing space. The kids are finalizing their move and hope to be sleeping in their house tonight, although they still likely will have clothing (and maybe tropical birds) at our house that they'll come back and get tomorrow. I told them that since the SF was postponed, I'd help them with the last of the moving and unpacking tomorrow.

I do believe the postponement was in the best interest of the group. I think the forecast just kept deteriorating a little too much. Between the wind, the rain, the cold and then the new possibility of snow, it just seemed like Ma Nature was trying to send us a message.

I still am excited about seeing everyone, or everyone who is able to make it, at Spring Fling 2019, whenever we have it. The outlooks (when I checked yesterday) show continued below average temperatures for the rest of April. It is just one of those years. I usually like cool Springs, but I'd like this one more if it would stop throwing 85+ degree days into the middle of an otherwise cool roller coaster ride. I'll post the 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks over on the weekly thread so we can keep an eye on them.

Dawn

Hey all!!! I haven't posted because things have been in an ever-changing state but looks like things are working out!!! We were going to only be able to stop for a few because my BIL was scheduled for double bypass that day....family needs to be together at these times but God had other plans! He's having it done today and so far, so good!!!

The 11th will be a much better option for us. We're moving furniture to our new home the weekend of May 4th!!!! Even if we don't move until the 11th, we'll carve out a few hours!!!

Now I can finally be excited about the Spring Fling too!!! I'll have a new garden to give homes to some of the offerings!!!!!

Paula

27th works better for me. We just got a client for the 4th which means I need to be home when they get there to help wrangle pups. But don't make me the deciding vote; there's always a chance we get another booking between now and whenever we plan SF, which could possibly prevent my attending.

I've reached out to Kim to let her know also. =)

Bruce, I think you made the right decision rescheduling. I will show up regardless of the new date. Thank you for all your hard work. I know what you have posted only reflects a little of that work. Thank you.

The advantage to a later date is seedlings which haven't matured due to cool weather might be ready with a few more weeks.

I can make the 27th or 4th work but the sooner I know the better. I was planning to call today during my lunch break to book Keegan's birthday party for May 4th but I can wait until Monday to do that. Whichever weekend is not picked for SF, I will pick for her birthday.

I can make May 11th work but I do want to point out that it is the day before Mother's Day so people might be traveling to visit family or may have family in town to visit them.

As others have pointed out - on the upside, this buys time for more potting up and for tiny plants to be a little less tiny. :)

I have the paperwork in hand with the date and location. I‘ll start new thread shortly.

Good decision Bruce.

I started a new thread. Should be easy to spot!