By now you may have heard some news about "Rock the Lake in 98".  Just
wanted to say it was a blast and it's a shame you couldn't come.  Check out
the web site: http://www.fahs.org  Lots of great pictures of the attendees.
We're already discussing the possibility of doing it again next year.

I haven't fully made up my my mind about Dallas in 99.  I'm worried that I'm
gonna spend a buttload of cash and get a package that is completely
choreographed with NO time to spend with people I cared about and haven't
seen for twenty plus years.  It appears to me that Dallas is going to wind
up being a glorified "business conference".  The Coast Guard already sends
me to a couple of these a year - free of charge (we'll actually the tax
payers pay for them).

I guess I need someone to convince me that I'm reading the event all wrong.
If you know someone with some strong feelings about why I should go to
Dallas - please pass this on to them - I'm trying to be open minded.

Rock the Lake was anything but choreographed.  Lots of time to catchup with
old friends with no pressure to be "on time" to any "functions".  I hope I'm
able to attend both Rock the Lake in 99 and Dallas, but right now if I had
to make a choice I'm leaning heavily toward the Lake.
 

A response,

 I am sorry, if you are looking to me for inspiration, wrong place.  I
agree with your reasoning.  My desire to attend the reunion in Dallas is
simply a Lemming reaction, following the crowd.  It was probably my only
chance to see people.  Your reasoning concerning the Dallas reunion as a
canned event is most likely right on target.  I too have been to 12 too many
of this type of event, however weighing my displeasure of stale group
gatherings with the chance to see everyone again, I was willing to put up with
the Dallas event.

     I am more than willing to sign up for a "Lets get together at the Lake in
99 many more times."  The peculiarities of my job kept from the gathering this
year, but it sounds like it was the kind of event that rekindled old
friendships and kindled new ones.  I think I would rather sign up for spending
money at the Lake then going to Dallas and contributing to a park that salutes
our special heritage.  Dennis has my vote and if at all possible I will go to
the lake, unless Dennis decides to have it someplace closer to Nebraska, then
we will go there.

     I hope I haven't disappointed you, but I think I will take a pass on
Dallas unless someone can inspire me, because a portion of my fee going to a
park that "salutes our special heritage" just doesn't make it.