Trip Report: BOG and other delights

Submitted by Margot Geisler

Rich has the interesting story of our arrival at camp for the Huntsville convention. After registration
we set up camp on high ground - given the rain that conventions are likely to have. The Biggers clan,
Kristen, Rhiann, and Marlon camped with us seeing that we had the 10' x 20' tarp. It was a terrific
gathering place.

Rich and I both worked registration, as usual, both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday night we were able to
tour the new NSS Headquarters Building. Our tour was conducted by Dave Luckins who is the
Operations Vice President for the NSS. The work has been completed mostly on a volunteer basis and
the transformation has been remarkable. Wine and snacks were served.

Monday was the first BOG (Board of Governors) session. One of the first orders of new business was
the confirmation of the nominating committee. Nathan Farrar, a former director, was confirmed as
chairman. Both Ted Kayes and I are on the nominating committee - so if anyone wants to run for the
NSS Board of Directors, let me know. I plan to run again in the spring of 2015.

As you may or may not know, the NSS now owns the New River Cave Nature Preserve. Wil Orndorff of
Blacksburg, a VPI caver, was appointed as manager of the property. This is quite a lovely cave. It will
be great having access to it again.

A committee to establish a Cave Biological Response Committee was created. The committee will be
responsible for coordinating the NSS's response to biological threats to caves and karst. It will also
deal with our response to White Nose Syndrome.

Aaron Atz, a new board member was confirmed as Chairman of the Vandalism Deterrence Reward
Committee.

The Howdy Party was interesting. Everyone needed a wrist band to partake of alcoholic beverages.
There was wine available but the beer, supplied by "Straight to Ale" was the biggest hit. Their milk
stout was to die for The brewery offered tours and several of us took advantage. I won a raffle item
which I gave to Rhiann. It was a framed copy of the Milk Stout poster that many of us "coveted". (See
Below) The band for the evening was terrific. The singer in Cosmic Momma was very talented.








Lily Flagg Milk Stout is named for Huntsvilles most famous quadruped. A prize cow owned by local plantation
owner Samuel B. Moore, Lily Flagg was honored as one of the worlds best butterfat producers in 1892 at an
exposition in Chicago. This dark, rich beer contains tons of roasted malt goodness, hints of chocolate and
coffee and a creamy mouth feel from the addition of milk sugars during the brewing process.
Unobtanium is a barrel-aged English-style Old Ale that ages for six months in a bourbon barrel, soaking up all sorts of amazing
whiskey character as well as hints of oak and vanilla. The name was taken from an old aerospace/engineering term for a specific
material or object (often imaginary, impossible or highly improbable to obtain) needed to complete any given project.
The band for the evening was terrific. The singer in Cosmic Momma was very talented.

Beer was available every night of the week. We were treated to the "Terminal Syphons" band on
Wednesday evening - this was their 30th year performing at NSS conventions. Considering these
cavers only rehearse for a short time the music is fantastic.

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent attending talks for U.S. Exploration and International Exploration.
Ill let Rich talk about these. Thursday I spent all day at the Geology Section talks. They were quite
interesting but nothing really popped for me this year.

The .slide salon was again the highlight of the week. It was held in the theater at the Von Braun.
Friday nights banquet was held in a different building at the V.B. center. The food was terrific much
better than some banquets weve attended. The best part of the night was Ted Kayes receiving the
William H. Stephenson award for Outstanding Service to the Society.