Man that sounds like an awesome time at the Gathering!  I wish I could make my way there sometime, but coming all the way across the country (I'm from OR) would be pretty expensive.

Props to Richie and Chuck for making the appearance and for the generosity in helping make the event a success.

Glad to you see you back on here, JPR; it's been pretty dead around here lately.
--------------------
-SawFreak

~Predicting my next opponent runs into a BUZZSAW!

~Proud original member-  F.O.S.

Hopefully there will be one closer to Florida !!!!  I would like to attend one of these.
--------------------

 Enjoy the people on the ballreview.com forum. Like to help when I can.

keep updating us on that solid cobalt man..

i might be looking to get one.
--------------------
Track Mean Machine (Heavy)
Lane #1 Dirty Bomb (Med-Heavy)
Dyno-Thane Vendetta Particle Pearl (Med-Heavy)
Track Machine (Medium)
Brunswick Original Inferno (Light-Med)
Track Desert Heat (Light)
Brunswick Ambush (Spare)

Slight correction for Jesse & TP.  Visionary donated a ball and a shirt.  Dynothane donated a ball also.

It was awesome that a small company like Lane#1 would bring the president, a ball rep, and a case of balls to give away.  Chuck and Ritchie were very friendly and helpful.  Ritchie gave us an informal demonstration of the role of static weights and the relationship between core/drilling/roll of different equipment.

The new clear XXXL looked really cool.  I think Ritchie hads 14 in a row at one point with it.
--------------------
Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive

LOL so do I
--------------------
"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean

Hey pnj1967!  Florida too far away to attend?  Not for us!  Really, it wasn't a bad drive, except for the flat tire.  Took about 13 hours of driving from home.  I have to echo the sentiments in this thread about how great the Gathering was, and how cool it was to meet Richie and Chuck and hear about the company and their history and philosophy.  If we can swing it we'll be back next year.
--------------------
the 3 is silent

Why that son of a gun...Frank The Tank.

NO way he should win two balls!  I was going to go to that dinner to sit next to him!

Just a quick note.  Tried to get out of creekside lanes with my balls and get over to dinner.  But it took 30 minutes to get packed up and in the car with the vicious storm going on.

30 minutes to get to the restaurant(1.5 miles), then sat there in my car for 15 minutes while lightning and thunder crashed all around me!  Dinner was not worth DEATH!
But maybe a Visionary free ball would have been.

So sadly decided to drive home!  The storm only lasted for over 200 miles...it turned a 3 1/2 hour pleasant drive into a 5 1/2 hour scary nightmare.  (and I could have stayed and bowled more).  When my car turned sideways in a water hydroplane 50 miles from my house while I was racing past some slow poke at a blazing 42 miles an hour...I realized...I would have been much safer drinking and then bowling!

I had a great time seeing old friends...meeting new friends and missing those who could not make it!  I apologize for not being able to say "asta la vista baby" to Ron, the assembled gatherers and his great staff that make it all good! I learned new tricks!  New drillings, new ideas for me(no thumb occassionally) and leading with my ring finger when conditions call for it! And maybe made a new business association.  NOt so bad!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS special kudos to Cindy(Andy's wife), Sue, and Carl who went out of their way
to make our trip another great adventure!
PPS  To name some of the really nice people new people...I met there, Louise and Don were a real treat for me!, Kev and his wife from my old stomping grounds, Frank the Tank...liked him but I want a ball, CrazyYankee can bowl and talk!, JJWEB and I had a good time, Nice to finally meet the fantastic Ric Wunder, Steve? gave us a thorough education on time shares and can really throw it, and I enjoyed the southern gentleman Jessn...!and AK57...Andy...in real life I felt he and I would get along better than over web and he throws a ton of ball!
PPPS To many who were not completely sure...YES that really is Robert Smith that was there, if you have questions...ask the alleged JPRlane1!
PPPPS Ron, I have a bone to pick with you...I don't know what the primary industry in Winston Salem is but I was not real pleased that my hotel seemed to be surrounded on all sides by gentleman's clubs!  Luckily I brought a large amount of serious reading material!  Is it customary to put family hotels in the middle of 5 gentleman's clubs?  Or are there just that many!?
Turned to
--------------------
Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

Edited on 7/26/2006 10:43 AM

Edited on 7/26/2006 11:14 AM