What is your favorite memory of GF and why?

[ducky]

Since there are so many new people that haven't been to a GF before...post your favorite memory of a previous GF.

Maybe it will help give people some insight to the history of GF?

[Robofuzz]

I'd have to say my favorite memory was Will getting a basket full of bubble bath, bath beads, and candles as a door prize.

[peeps]

My first year at GF, I donated a Holden jacket I had picked up in Hong Kong. It was an XL and "fit" me, but was a bit tight. So I figured I would donate it. During the award of door prizes, it was awarded to Jason (Corndog) who is a tad bit bigger than me! Go figure! However, he was able to trade with Dave (TXRaider) for a Gatorpod. Watching Dave strut his stuff in that Holden Jacket with that big ol' grin was a hoot! I don't think he took it off that whole day!

From that GF on, I have been better friends with quite a few of the GTO owners.

Despite the fun had at GF, I think one of the better parts of it is the drive down from DFW. The hill country has so many fun driving roads, it doesn't really matter what route you take, you can find some good ones! The first year I went, it was only 2 cars in our caravan and it rained some, but we made the best of our drive. Last year, we had ~12 cars and I think made a really fun time out of our ~5 hour drive down.

Since the actual event focuses on the people aspect of our community, it is good to get some good car time in there as well! :) It is 10 hours of driving round trip, why spend it all on I35 and 290 ;)

[BLYGOAT]

Since there are so many new people that haven't been to a GF before...post your favorite memory of a previous GF.

Maybe it will help give people some insight to the history of GF?

Goodness Girl, you know my favorite memory...it was the foodfight! I can still see Ray with that wet pile of sourdough bread on his head!!! Brings a smile everytime I think of that dinner!
BLYGOAT

[MsRomper]

I am not ignoring this thread I am thinking long and hard about it before I post because I have so many awesome memories :)

[Robofuzz]

I am not ignoring this thread I am thinking long and hard about it before I post because I have so many awesome memories :)
Alright, Paula... we're on pins and needles here. Either you're stalling, or your memory is getting bad. :popcorn:

[ducky]

I am not ignoring this thread I am thinking long and hard about it before I post because I have so many awesome memories :)


IDK I think my favorite memory was the last morning Robert and I were together...so many of our friends were downstairs to see us off...we had left the group early to put Nate to bed and had an awesome evening together.

In retrospect, somethings are eerie...like Ray telling Robert..."If you run inta any trouble I'll be right behind ya buddy" kinda weird how Robert died not 2 hours later, and Ray just a few short months after that.

There are so memories though...filling the goodie bags for all of them. The caravan up with Bill & Karon, Joe and Michelle, Todd and Sandy and Juice and Caryn. We always had so much fun helping Karon with everything getting ready. I always helped with the Check in process and I loved meeting everyone.

But then again last year you were so sweet to include Robert's memory in GF and there were so many people who came up to me to tell me stories about him...that really meant a lot to me.

[Poolshark1321]

IDK I think my favorite memory was the last morning Robert and I were together...so many of our friends were downstairs to see us off...we had left the group early to put Nate to bed and had an awesome evening together.

In retrospect, somethings are eerie...like Ray telling Robert..."If you run inta any trouble I'll be right behind ya buddy" kinda weird how Robert died not 2 hours later, and Ray just a few short months after that.

There are so memories though...filling the goodie bags for all of them. The caravan up with Bill & Karon, Joe and Michelle, Todd and Sandy and Juice and Caryn. We always had so much fun helping Karon with everything getting ready. I always helped with the Check in process and I loved meeting everyone.

But then again last year you were so sweet to include Robert's memory in GF and there were so many people who came up to me to tell me stories about him...that really meant a lot to me.


I am rather new to the GTO scene as most know and only recently I found out about the tragic accidents of Robert and Ray. Despite not knowing either of them, it really saddens me :(.

It really puts things in perspective and opens my eyes to the possibilities we may encounter any day at any time. As sad as it sounds, there is usually very little anyone can do to alter the course of tragic events like these. The only thing that I believe we can do is learn and educate people to try and prevent such things from occurring again.

I rarely think about the danger involved just driving around town or on a road trip. Its hard to accept that at any moment it could all be ripped away. I know I take it for granted and just live in the moment not thinking that it could all end in a flash. Because I am so young its something that almost seems impossible or very unlikely to happen to me. Its too easy to shrug it off and not worry about it, thinking that it couldn't happen. The older I get and the more I think about mortality, the more I realize how blinded I am to think it could never happen to me. It puts things in perspective and really makes me appreciate life more and more everyday.

[ducky]

Just to clarify, Ray died of cancer. Robert was involved in a head on collision that also killed a child Martha. Robert was not speeding and it was ruled an accident. Nathan and I were following him and my car was totalled with debris from the crash. I just wanted this clear.

[Kingsize]

I can't wait to actually MAKE some GF memories. :D

I've tried many times, but I have never actually made it to GF yet. Work kept getting in the way.

[ducky]

Hmmm....then there was the time Eric wore a Cubs thong :P

I have picture of that :)

[Poolshark1321]

Just to clarify, Ray died of cancer. Robert was involved in a head on collision that also killed a child Martha. Robert was not speeding and it was ruled an accident. Nathan and I were following him and my car was totalled with debris from the crash. I just wanted this clear.


I knew Robert died in a head on collision and I thought Ray had an accident later on. Apparently I heard wrong about Ray though and I appreciate you clarifying that.

[MsRomper]

Ok....My first awesome memory of GF was the 1st year we went...our car was in a wreck Feb before GF in March so our car was in shop, so we pulled up in the pickup and Bill walked over to us and said you must be James W...instant friends! We didn't know anyone, for the most part GF crowd was almost all the HGH group, and we felt out of place had it not been for Bill, Karon, Ducky and Robert...they are what brought us back the next year. That is when we met what I call family now and has turned into the ETG'S....GF has become a family gathering to me, a family reunion! Having beer with friends, laughing and talking about previous GF'S...sitting out by the pool (and yes a few too many shots) and for those that know the story, the he/she video :D ...I have a whole book on my memories, but the one that really stands out is last year when I saw Nate and Becky at the hotel for the 1st time since Roberts funeral, love filled my heart to see Nate again, so full of life, Robert I know is so proud of him!
Thank you all for the memories and for the ones to come!

[Queenie]

This is a hard one but I favor some than others.

I will forever cherish the last Goatfest that my parents put on (Bill & Karon) because I met my future hubby (alptbird) through that process. A 7 hour car ride never meant so much to me. Getting closer to certain ETGs (you know who you are ;) ) was also a blessing.

BLYGOAT, I will also always remember Ray with tea running down his face after Robert put that roll under his hat. I've never laughed that hard in my life. That was the best foodfight ever. LOL! Very bittersweet.

[Fat_Nick]

Well since GoatFe5t was my first year to attend, I would have to say watching Nana, Blanca & Phoenix Dancing together giving everyone the Shocker (at this Redneck Industrial Bar) was greatness.

Longhorn betting me a beer that I couldn't get someone to take a bite of one of my muffins stuck on my viking helmet was another classic moment (those who sat with us at Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant (http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/Auslander-Biergarten-Restaurant) know how fast I won that bet).

Oh Timmay, Blanca (and his fiance) and myself drinking the night before GoatFe5t with the Aussie Couple (Who freaked out when they found out that we all drove "Monaro's") at Silver Creek Beer Garden & Grille.

Finally and the bestest memory I have from GoatFe5t was Phoenix coming outside on the hotel walk way/smoking area just outside the breakfast nook, walk straight up to Corndog start stroking Corndogs goatee and ask him if "He had seen his wallet "(it was in his room the whole time btw). I have never laughed so hard in my entire life as I did after Phoenix walked back into the hotel after violating Corny's goatee.

[Blk_Betty]

One of my favorites was GF3 and seeing Ray goofing off at the restaurant with the big Cat In The Hat purple and white hat. He was such a hoot to hang with.

[Pontiac Princess]

Hmmm....then there was the time Eric wore a Cubs thong :P

I have picture of that :)The Cub's speedo was my favorite memory because I bet Eric $20.00 to put them on and model for us. He snickered and said, "twenty-dollars is twently-dollars". To my amazement he put those Cub speedo's right over his jeans and walked up Karen while she was announcing prizes. Of course, Karen's look was "priceless"!!!! I will spare everyone the trauma and will not post the picture! LOL

[ducky]

Hmmm....I don't know the candle basket for Will ranks really really high too :)

[Jeffemac]

Tough to say...

The walk back from the beer garden to the hotel listening to WRP and Corndog spin some stories like only they can.

[GTO_Greg]

I only made it to GF3, but was privileged to be the videographer for the Goatf3st Caravan Arrival Video that HRJ put together. Seeing all those GTOs come over the rise and roll in was pretty amazing! The video doesn't seem to be online anymore, but Joe had done some editing and put some excellent music over it (SRV) and turned it into something great.

[wrp]

Every single one of you I've met has been a sincere pleasure. That is my best memory. I do also enjoy the hugs though. First met Robert and Ray at HPE in December 2005. Loved seeing them at GF.

First memory was HRJ guiding us in at the first one I went to. Many great ones afterward.

[69GOAT]

At Goatfest 4 I met a bunch of people that had posted on the forums. It was cool to see that many had the same passions and some were in my age group( older rather than younger). My memories were awsome cars, with each persons own fingerprint on them, fun people, and sponsors who participate even though we are not one of their big money making groups.
It was hard to go to GF 5 after the loss of Robert and then Ray, even though I didn't know them well, they seemed close, they were those kind of guys.

I hope to make GF 6 we'll see.

[dantheman]

last year at Goatfest 5 i had a blast. hanging out with everyone, selling the 50/50 tickets with emily, it was a blast.

especially heckling corndog doing the raffle drawings.

[oh6 6oh]

Watching Dantheman lead the Houston caravan with his nissan....lol. For what it is worth, it had an ls in it ( block in the trunk) if I remember correctly??