How about a contest - State/Nat'l Parks...

[Mellow]

Here's what I'm thinking...

Every year... the contest is reset.

You post a pic of a State or Nat'l Part you visit during the current year.

The winner is the person that visits the most State/Nat'l Parks during the year.

Might even break it up into 2 contests and since there are fewer Nat'l Parks, maybe the person that visits all of them first within the current year.

This would require a pic of you and/or your bike next to the State/Nat'l Park sign, kinda like this:
http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58235568-M.jpg

Each entry is worth 1 point...

Prizes... ah...er....well, if I have the t-shirt thing worked out,and I would hope to do that by the end of the year, a free shirt to the winner(s).

What do you think? Oh, I would also suggest Trailace and I are excluded from the contest but might still be shown in the numbers (trust me, you don't want to be in any contest w/Trailace, he'll wait 'til Dec 30th and ride all day just to win).

Now, since this isn't just a moto site but a MotoCampers site... we might even make this more difficult in that you have to show a pic of your tent at the beginning of the year w/bike in pic. Then, not only a pic of the sign w/bike but tent on the campgrounds... not sure how to prove that as some campgrounds look alike and you just wouldn't know... but I have no problem with that being on the honor system, but still w/pic.

That way, you don't just ride to a park and take a pic of the sign as you get back on the bike and head off.. but, actually have to camp there, making it a little more of an effort....

Again, any comments?

[mongo]

I'll get into it, doubt I can hit as many as some folks because of work (on call sucks) it will still be fun.

[Trekker]

Cool!

As for a prize, I may be able to help with that.
I will PM you.

[Trailace]

I like it Joe but don't forget the towel.

[Mellow]

I like it Joe but don't forget the towel.

Yeah.. have used that trick in the past with other contests to ensure the pics aren't just a pic from a past trip.... It's still early in the year so might throw that in the mix.

[Jedei]

sounds like fun.

[Mellow]

Okay... so here's what I'm thinking... uh oh...

Contest #1 - State Parks - as many in 2006 w/Park sign, red towel & bike in pic
Contest #2 - Nat'l Parks - as many in 2006 w/Park sign, red towel & bike in pic

Winner will be the one with most points, 1 per park or, with regards to Nat'l Parks, the one that does them all first, within 2006 :D

Contest #3 - State Park Camping - as many in 2006 w/red towel, set-up tent & bike in pic
Contest #4 - Nat'l Park Camping - as many in 2006 w/red towel, set-up tent & bike in pic

Again, the winner will be the one with most points, 1 per park or, with regards to Nat'l Parks, the one that does them all first, within 2006 :D

#3 and #4 are going to be judgement calls as it's not going to be easy to tell what park you are in but, odds are, you also submitted a corresponding pic for #1 or #2 so that pretty much proves you were there and the red towel also 'connects the dots'

The contests start immediately and any registered members are open to join. I'll set up a forum for Contests and separate them by State and Nat'l Parks so all you'll have to do is post in those and attach your pics and I'll keep a tally on the main page.

Let me know if you have any questions... I hope this doesn't turn into a management nightmare for me but ... as long as it's fun, who cares...

[Trekker]

What's with the red towel?? Or am I dense ........ :rolleyes:

[Mellow]

Just a sneaky way to prove the pic is for this contest and not an old pic.

Make sense.... or do we do away w/red towel bit?

[Trekker]

No... makes sense..... I was just being dense (as previously suggested).

[headdoc427]

Red Towel = Good idea. But no photoshopping a red towel hanging in the air somewhere.

[Mellow]

Yeah, I really thing that anyone truly into camping and riding will take the effort to actually go to the parks...I mean, if you didn't and you wanted to photoshop something.... why do you have a bike?

I don't care about the towel thing so much.. but just adds a little fun to the contest... not like I'm asking for gas receipts and mileage logs or anything that strict.

[Big Bandit]

The only problem I have with the red towel is that it adds to my camping gear. I do not normally carry a towel. I will drip dry, or use a t-shirt. Towels take up a lot of space and take a long time to dry. Can I use a red washcloth?

[Mellow]

The only problem I have with the red towel is that it adds to my camping gear. I do not normally carry a towel. I will drip dry, or use a t-shirt. Towels take up a lot of space and take a long time to dry. Can I use a red washcloth?

Oh sure... I don't mean a full sized bath towel... any red towel is fine, even those kinds mechanics use to clean their hands...I would NEVER want to be associated with something that adds to the bulk of camping gear... It just wouldn't be right... Hey, did you got to your friends camping area?

[Trailace]

Just use a red bandana.

[Big Bandit]

I did not go. When I first planned the trip I was going to go alone and was excited about that idea. Then I posted the trip on a couple of forums and people expressed some interest. I got kind of excited about having some company. Then no one decided to join me and by then I had a bad taste about going alone. Also, I had some responsibilities pop up that needed attention and by not going I got to see my kids go to the church easter egg hunt and see them sing in church on Easter morning. Hey, its all good.

[Mellow]

Sounds like a good time w/kids.

It's not easy to sched. something during holidays. I always like the non-holiday events as there aren't a ton of tourists driving around.

I've probably got some free time in the June/July time frame if you want to try again. I'll do my best to make it.