This was their first ride. It was the first ride in that location in a
long time so there was a lot of care and feeding of the forest service
that had to go on before and after the ride. They were expecting
between 80 and 100, 180 people showed up - many just showed up. Of
course when twice as many people show up than you expect most
unannounced - you are screw as far as awards go. There was significant
trail marker vandalism and management was spending much time all day
Saturday trying to fix what had been screwed up. The trail marking was
very good and although there was vandalism it was still easy to follow
if you a) had listened at the ride meeting and b) paid attention. On
Sund and Monday they had to go out and take down all the markers
including the ones that were thrown on the ground by the vandals. Being
there were a lot of ribbons on the ground, it would take a lot longer -
getting and getting back on the horse.
The caterer was told to bring food for 180, but they under estimated
the food needed and they ran out of food. We got up to the pavilion too
late to get any food - no problem Ken refunded us our ticket on the
spot and we went down the road and ate. Just about every management
nightmare that could happen - happened except maybe for the fact the
weather was absolutely wonderful. With all that happened - the fact Ken
didn't have a nervous breakdown on the spot is a mircle.
So give the guy a break. The best way to see rides disappear is to wail
away at ride managers. I'm sure refunds will come. As far as cards go,
they are property of the ride manager and if they chose to give them
back fine, if not fine. At most SE rides the timer staff is so good
that the ride cards are not needed to generate the reports to the AERC
so they are normally retuned at the ride - but that is not a
requirement and that is not standard.
Truman
-- "It is necessary to be noble, and yet take humility as a basis
"It
is necessary to be noble, and yet
take humility as a basis.
It is necessary
to be exalted, and yet take modesty as a foundation."
