Well, I typed this up this morning before leaving the hotel but, the connection timed out . . . so hear I go again with my experience.
RangerStL and I flew in around Friday at lunchtime. So we caught a bite to eat and then headed to the New England Air Museum adjacent to the airport, on Al's suggestions. Man, what a great Museum! The had a little smattering of everything, from balloons, to commercial, to WWII (F4U, B-25, etc.), to F-105, 100, civil, and my favorite the restored B-29. First time I've ever seen one of those puppies and it was fantastic!
Around 4:00pm on Friday we headed over to Wethersfield HS and helped Al and crew bring in some tables; along with helping Bill from BMS with his stuff.
After that we headed to the restaurant for dinner, but found out that a lot of people got held up. So it ended up being us two and SCEAUX. We had a good time nonetheless and by the end people in the restaurant were singing folks songs about us, dancing on the tables, and we even had a drink named after us (in addition to the folk songs of course).
While we were leaving Gary Rosenfield (AT) showed up so RangerStL and I went back in and had dessert while Gary ate. Had a good conversation about a variety of rocketry related topics.
The next morning we showed up at 8:45am to see everyone set up: Semroc, Fliskits, Hot Rod Lincoln, NARTS, BMS, bmiCAD, standardrockets, Heavenly Hobbies, CATO Chutes, Pyramid Rockets, and Rocket Girl Jewlrey.
At 9:00am started the conventioned with Al welcoming everyone and the vendors forum. You're going to have to check out all of their web sites because there were quite a few, great, new releases.
I gave my presentation for two hours. I gave a few door-prizes to those attending my seminars, but the funniest thing happend. Totally random, for both hours, two boys pulled their own families names. Even I thought I had rigged the prizes but, was glad to see the boys take something home.
On return from lunch it was time to pick up some products. Yippie!
I picked up my Nantucket Sound from Jim and Kathy. I am not into odd-rocs, and only have one other, the Corn-roc, but this Nantucket Sound is awesome. If you haven't checked out Jim's site, pick up the kit and download the blue/white spiral wrap. It's a beauty!!! So much so, even those of who are completely landlocked should have a lighthouse in their collection. Also managed to pick up another Frick-n-Frack (wore out my first one) and an Avalear. I think Jim's being quite modest because rumour has it it sold out completely of his Nanites very quick!
Oh, I forgot to mention, the one thing I love about NSL and NARCON's is of the new "catalogs" that come out from vendors such as Semroc and Fliskits. I carefully roll this up, tuck them away, beat off flight attendants from taking my bags away, and come home and post them up on my magnetic boards for the next year.
Next was Semroc. It's always great to see Carl, Sheryl, and Bruce. It's like seeing relatives you haven't seen in months. I picked up my Launch rocket from them and also managed to pick up a Magnum Hornet, a Hydra-One, and a Hawk glider (on top of their catalog). Outstanding!!!
Pyramid Rocketry announced that he was going out of business, as his son (the creator) has grown up and moved on. So he had a self-imposed "fire sale" of his pyramids. I ended up picking up his 29mm one for a steal of a price!
I visited Heavenly Hobbies and met Jose and his wife. He introducted his Washigei Camera Rocket. Man that's a neat and practical kit. I was debating about the price for an all inclusive kit, but in the end realized I couldn't get it home on the plane anyhow.
At NARTS the whole line of NAR products were there, including Peters Always book Rocket of the Worlds!
From BMS, I was able to snag an Astron Invader - that I missed on Bill's first go around.
Lyle from StandardRockets has come up with a sheet-metal fin-jig that is both reasonably priced and well though out. He sold out of all that he brought, and even made the comment that he must be on a good thing because Trip Barber even bought one.
Saturday night saw us a a mexican restaurant called Puerto Vallarta, where we had over 20 people in two groups. Dinner went so well, that Trip had to delay the start of the Town Meeting that night. I had something for the first time ever, called Mole (mo-lea). At first I thought mole would taste like chicken but, it was a spicy-chocolate sauce that was pretty darn good.
The Town Meeting that night started off with Trip talking about the recent court decision. If I took anything away from that meeting, and the plethora of questons that followed, was the fact that NAR needs volunteers to help fill out the committees.
Sunday saw a smaller crowd. After I gave my last session it was time to say goodbye to all the friends both known and newly made. It was great to meet our own TRFers there and took their constructive thoughts to heart.
RangerStl and I filled out the rest of the day by visiting New England's largest hobby shop there in Manchester and MAN WAS IT HUGE!!! Even that store managed to stock, Sunward, Fliskits, Custom, AT, Estes, Quest, etc. The only suggestion I'd have in the future is for each event (regardless of where it's held) to contact the local hobby stores to let them know we're in the area. While RangerStL and I were there, we saw four different families pick up and look at rocketry stuff. None of those families were at NARCON, so lesson learned.
We finished off the evening by eating some fantastic sushi and then caught our plane home this afternoon.
All-in-all an absolutely fantastic experience!!!
Thanks again to Al, his wife Karen, and the rest of the CATO staff!!!!!!
If I was a betting man, I'd lay odds that we'll be back in New England next year but, that's just me looking in my crystal ball.
I didn't have time to attend any of the sessions, but heard good things, so...
