Thanks for the congrats Sean and everybody!
Brian- I would guess based on the success of this event and how relatively smooth everything went, we'll probably have BDIII sometime in the summer next year. Also, McLean was right, it was a sellout at about 175.
The Yammer will likely be posting tons of pics from the event when he returns to Pleasanton from dropping off "the Gimmer" in WA in a day or two. I only took a few with Kimmy's camera Friday night (I'll post tonight or tomorrow) and it seems that Tom's dilligence about always being camera-prepared & ready has spoiled many of us who don't bother bringing cameras to many places anymore when he's going to be there
Before giving everyone a rough detailing of the weekend from my perspective, I first wanted to thank my brother-in-squatch, Tom Yamarone (bigfootdad), good friends, Michael Rugg (Museum founder) and museum member Lance McVeigh who really put this whole thing together and made it happen. Also special thanks to McLean (tirademan), Mark Stenberg, Ralph Jack & several others who really helped with both the setting up of the hall & audio/visual of the presentations. The only way these things work with the logistics & time contraints is if everybody chips in a little and certainly everybody did. On behalf of Michael Rugg & all museum members & participants, WE THANK YOU!!
Also speical thanks to Michael Rugg's wife Paula and her daughter Jenn (who did most of the cooking). Paula- if only all spouses, girlfriend/boyfriend's to bigfooter's could be as tolerant & participatory as you, your the best, baby!
Here's a rundown through my eyes-
Fortunately my weekend started early (Thursday night) as good friends both Terry Smith (Trinity) & Stephanie (TreeGirl) from SoCal stayed at my house and I joined them & Kim at my restaurant "the Sardine Factory" in Monterey after another MRI (surgery tomorrow & was in noticeable pain all weekend, but I'll be fine after tomorrow).
Friday I grabbed C Woolheater & one of my best buds in the whole world, Monica Rawlins of the TBRC at San Jose airport and we headed back to Monterey to pick up Kim & our Jack Russell Minnie and also kill some time before meeting everyone at Michael Rugg's house in Felton for shish-kabob's and beer. At the same time, Terry grabbed Cliff B at the airport & the Yammer, Bo & Gimlin (how's that for a threesome?) were arriving from Arcata. Soon we were also joined by Kathy & Bob Strain & several others as the now traditional pre-conference party had begun. Regretfully Kim, Minnie and I had to depart around midnight as I was in too bad a shape backpain-wise to stay the night, but I heard the festivities didn't die down until about 3am.
Saturday I got back up to Felton around 11:30AM just in time to meet everyone for the huge barbeque at the museum. Everyone and their mother was here at this point, including all 4 speakers, almost all of my "CA boys" (accept for MM, Jamie J & Ranger Leiterman, none of whom could make the event), many friends, members, spouses etc.... Also, everyone, including myself were lining up to buy copies of two highly anticipated books ("Giants, Cannibals & Monsters" by Kathy Moskowitz-Strain & "The Hoopa Project" by David Paulides) as both were signing purchased copies as well as Prof. Meldrum for those who didn't have his recent book, "Legend Meets Science." Because of my current condition I almost had to retreat home and miss the actual conference but luckily Craig, Monica & R Noll persuaded me to come with them for coffee and a quick bite before setting up the hall. We were also joined by author Lee Murphy & his bro (great guys!)
Around 5PM, all of us helped chip in in setting up the hall, while eager attendees lined up around the corner.
My good friend, Kathy Strain, who's always a solid speaker, really, really shined in her presentation as she discussed both her book (it's a must buy, trust me she did a great job!) and several Native American stories from CA tribes possibly correlating with the subject matter we all love. Way to make us all proud honey-with both your presentation and new book!
Former police investigator, & someone I've been talking with alot lately because we both research here locally (Monterey & Santa Cruz counties) David Paulides, followed with his presentation highlighting & summarizing his new book "The Hoopa Project." Myself & my closest research partners, Bobo, Cliff, Tom etc... were particularly interested in the data David has gathered & shared mostly because his investigative work & interviews cover NorCal regions we typically frequent in the field. I think David's a great guy and did a great job, though there was a bit of detected arrogance among the general consensus of researchers attending. Having gotten to know David a bit the last few months however, I don't think it's intentional.
Rick Noll was next and kindly shared with us many things that don't work in the field based on his experiences and detailed some of the things he believes do work. He also shared with us the general location of his research area in northern WA state and how he focuses and details that immediete enviroment. Although I've been out with and know the majority of persons Rick has researched with in his lengthy career in this field, this was the first time I met him in person and really enjoyed getting to know him a bit. I knew he knew a thing or two about a thing or two, but I was particularly impressed by how detailed he is in his research. I look forward to getting out with him sometime as he's definitely someone I could learn a lot from. I think everyone there enjoyed and appreciated both Rick's efforts over the years and his presentation.
Last but certainly not least, was Professor Meldrum who's always full of class, humor and detailed information- this time about his last visit to China in search of the Yeren. Meldrum shared with us many details of the visit, including a topic all you guys know I'm very interested and familiar with - the similiarities between infighting here in the bigfoot community and the infighting between Chinese Yeren researchers. Yes folks, it's not just us, LOL.
Prof. Meldrum also talked about some of his upcoming work deconstructing some common thoughts on both the diet and distribution of gigantopithecus in Asia. For instance, Dr. Meldrum argues that gigantopithecus may've been an omnivore with teeth closer to chimpanzees and not a vegetarian bamboo eater like previously thought. Furthermore, the preserved bones we have of giganto consist of course of a few mandibles and several thousand teeth that have all been found in limestone caves in/around southeast Asia. Meldrum believes of course that they (gigantos) occupied/ may occupy (if squatches are linked from the giganto line) much higher in the northern hemisphere and was encouraged to learn from chinese peers that there are no limestone caves in northern China-hence possibly no preserved remains of the species in the north.
I was also happy to share with the Prof. my thermal sighting last August in WA state which happened since we last saw each other and based on my interpretations from that experience and for what's it's worth (it's only my word & visual interpretations from the event), I now firmly believe he may be onto something as I'm convinced I witnessed a bipedal more animal-like ape of some sort that night.
After the conference, we all retreated to Michael Rugg's house yet again for an after-party that included many who attended, the Professor, B Gimlin, Daniel Perez & many others. Again I had to head back to Monterey around midnight because my painkiller quota wore off and I couldn't buy any more time with my back, but not before I had a great time with all friends there. This time I was told the party lasted until about 4AM with a campfire in Mike's backyard and the Yammer shredding on the Gey Tar!
On Sunday, I Picked up Craig and we met Kathy, Bob, Monica, Mike, Paula, Meldrum & Daniel and we headed for some mexican food before I dropped Monica & Craig off at the San Jose airport (it was great spending quality time with both of them this trip). I was hoping to catch dinner with the Professor & Mikey, but I found out I had cousins from Spain in town back home and I didn't have much left in the tank at that point.
So overall, the conference was a huge success and delivered even much bigger then last year imo. It also should be mentioned that as great of a time as it was for all of us, the distressing news about Tim Cullen's current condition did put a damper on many of us as we all continue to pray for Tim and his family that he can pull through
Lessons learned from this weekend- There's no greater couple of days then spending it with all your bigfoot friends from around the country, but while your enjoying yourself so much- it's a poor-time to delegate wedding ring-shopping to your own mother & soon-to-be wife, as they just may be tempted to go severely over-budget while your tied up enjoying yourself and then they likely will bombard you with ludicrous excuses & justifications after. You women, I tell ya
Congrats on the little one, Bet it took alot of hard work 
Sorry to hear about your back, Gotta take it easy even though it is hard for ya, Maybe cutting down on the rafting or mountain climbing might help