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BLACKSBURG
'71 |
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We were knee-deep in mud, drenched
to the skin, bailing-out tents (those still standing), wringing-out sleeping bags & BVD's, giving serious thought to re-building the Ark.. .and having one hell of a good time. |
Well, it has finally come and gone. The week of June 12 through 20, that is, when the VPI Grotto hosted the NSS Convention at Blacksburg. What was it like, you ask? Read on possibly you'll get a hint or a notion.
Like many who arrived Friday night at the campground, we found a muddy, slippery road, a revival meeting disguised as a song fest, and bunches of inebriated celebrants. Before delving further into the deep recesses of the campground, we decided to ask about the best place to camp and were directed to the trucks and tents near a green canopy. Shortly thereafter, with the assistance of several tipsy drunks, our tent was set up upon a ground covering of hay and we happily joined the song fest.
Wow! This is sure a big tent! Registration headquarters, you say? And where we sign up for caving trips, leave important notices, and have a good time? Wow! So who's here? Ah yes, lots of VPI people - Dale Parrott, Bill Douty, Mike Frieders, Mike Conefrey, Pam Mohr, Karl Hamm, Jan Davis, Janet Queisser, Randy Stoutenburgh, Dennis McCleevey, and Guy Turenne, masquerading as Cournoyer's bastard son.
There were many Virginia Region people too Bill Corley, Moose and Tarla Dawson, Tom Vigour, Mal Hightower, Tom Roehr, Jim Hixson, Linda and the puppies, Rick Peterson, Kim Smith, Bruce Bannerman, Steve Gates, Jim Beck and the Powers boys from Tennessee. Also Sue Bush (Missouri), Squire and Nancy Lewis (Texas), Jim Wolff (Oregon), Bill Torode (Alabama), and Jay Herbein (Pennsylvania) and Derek Ford (Canada).
Just a few rumors whisking about; Ackie Loyd was expected momentarily in his new inner tube; no fires allowed in the campground; sunny skies for the remainder of the week and tales of three bods running in and out of tents dressed in lewd attire.
Saturday morning, arising to an overcast sky, I headed down to the registration table where I'd promised to sit from 10 a.m. to midnight. I found Craig Ellenfield stuck to one chair
continued
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