Well it is official...

[Tony Anders]

They came today.

My boys and I now have our membership cards

Mine is 58346
Austin's is 58347
Shawn's is 58348

and we got a nice membership book too.

Now we a few steps closer to getting a recognized Grotto organized.

[Sharon Faulkner]

Yea Tony.....Congrats to you and the boys! I'm very happy to see more folks joining the NSS, especially the youngsters, who will some day be the ones left to carry the torch. I hope the experience exceeds your expectations and gives you the opportunity to meet cavers from all over the United States.

[Tony Anders]

Thanks Sharon, I hope so too...I think the boy are tickled about it.

[L Roebuck]

Hey Great! Congratulations Tony, Austin and Shawn!



Cavers.....The Next Generations

[Brian Roebuck]

Excellent! Welcome to being an official NSS number holder! I hope you enjoy being a member and find more NSS friends in yoru caving area to share with. Since you are interested in forming an NSS Grotto you shurely will find more NSS members nearby that may want to join.

Have fun!

[SearchN]

Hey Tony, It's a good feeling to get those cards isn't it! I have to ask about the membership book you mentioned. What is it? I renewed and my son got his first card and we only got the cards with the personal info. No book? Be sure to check your info over good. They had my birthday for my son and as for me, I would rank as one of the oldest cavers alive. Birthdate 01-01-1922 I haven't a clue where that date came from.
David

[Tony Anders]

I got the NSS News 2006 Members Manual with my membership. I am going to double check the card info now. And we are going to have a laminating party this afternoon. Ha Ha Ha.

[Azurerana]

Welcome aboard, Tony. Learn what you can (lots of stuff) from many good people, but don't become an NSS 'groupie' and let the society do your thinking for you. Hope you get the opportunity to come to the Convention...it is close to you--(it isn't always) cheap (your newbie discount) and they do have lots and lots of very informative sessions, (cave radio --speleonics, NCRC folks getting together, geology, history, biology, speleo art, photography, and a whole night of Awards and visual and audio art salons--just about any cave related topic you can imagine, as as well as a chance to see some local caves. We usually take a day away to tour local show caves, and/or see the sights. I will warn you though-- the nights are full of alcohol-- beer flows like water, though you are under no obligation or censure if you don't partake--usually doesn't cause anything disastrous, which is fairly amazing for a group of 800-1500 people together for a week. Don't expect a drunken orgy, but don't expect a Baptist church camp, either.

Most of the important things happen in passing: just people standing around talking...most big name cavers are approachable, so introduce yourself as a newbie and chat a few minutes.

Bring some spending money for you and the kids-- Vendor's row has one of the best assemblages of cave gear, books, and paraphenalia all year. The NSS bookstore, and all the national speleovendors usually attend. They close up by noon on Friday...so shop early! I recommend stopping by Speleobooks with the kids-- Emily brings more bat stuff than you thought existed, and usually a decent supply of kid's books. Inner Realm Books is another vendor I recommend for book stuff.

Some evening activities (sauna, speleospa, ramen noodle wrestling) are not appropriate for children (these are usually located in discreet places, and easy to avoid entirely if you look over the activity map , and put the kids on a leash around them. (Don't have kids myself, but don't do the sauna/spa thing, either). Not that you should be neglectful, (there are no guarantees in life) but cavers tend to watch out for badged caver children on the loose. (In the same sense that cadres of moms used to watch out for all the neighborhood kids, not just their own. ) JSS is a good idea for at least a day or two-- gets the kids in some pretty cool activities, and introduced to their peers.

If you come, people tend to camp in groups near their friends. Bring the brothers-- and let the rest of the US Cavers crowd know where you are. www.nss2007.com/

Azurerana
27624Fe

[L Roebuck]

Let me be the first to wish one of the newer Cavers a ....

Happy Birthday Tony!

[madratdan]

Happy Birthday Tony!!

[Sharon Faulkner]

Morning Tony, and a very Happy Birthday to you!

I agree with Azurerana....if it is feasible for you, you should try to attend Convention this year. Here is a thread on the 2007 Indiana Convention. There will likely be a large number of attendees from Kentucky giving you an opportunity to meet cavers from all over the state and perhaps make future caving plans with them. Convention offers a great all around experience regardless of your particular caving interest.

[Clint Neill]

Hey Tony,

Happy 38th with many more to follow!

Hope you get lots of cool new cave toys!

[Tony Anders]

Thank you all for the Birthday Wishes.

I appreciate my new cave friends...

God Bless you all...