Sorry to hear about your split up PM me your number again, I had it on my desk, and now its gone. If you could see my desk, you understand, hehe. I'll give you a ring if we don't here from yah for awhile.

 

Garrett- I have your number.

Skyline drive is going to be the weekend of my <b>GRADUATION!</b> May 19th, I walk and get my blank piece of paper. My actual degree comes in August after I finish my last two summer classes. Then I'll finally have finished my applied mathematics degree.

 

I assume by the above post by BigBlue88 that he isn't going??? Too bad, the more, the merrier.


Well, I just broke the news to the wife that I wanted to go and she gave me the nod. She may even come with me, as well as my step-son, if he doesn't have a game that day. So, I guess we'll meet the South Hampton Roads crew at the Waffle House on Indian River Rd Saturday morning 0730-0800...

 

When you "assume", you make an <b>a**</b> out of <b>u</b> and <b>me</b>. Quote from Mitch the coworker, aka "Booger". You better believe I'm coming! Finals over on the 17th, walk on the 19th, and I'm gonna be ready for some hard-core relaxation! Shennandoah here I come!

 

Note to TurboMonkey:


BigBlue88 is coming...
and I, apparently, made an *** out of him and me. This part was unintentional.

(I'll let you know what I can bring later)

Stu

ps: Congrats to BigBlue88 for making the grade. good on ya!!

 

OH! GOD BigBlue88 is coming just playing

bigblue need to change name to littlered


Still not sure if I will be able to come but will keep posted.

P.S. congrats bigblue (littlered )

 

Actually, check my sig. It's Big Blue again, sorta. Except now it's a 1984 Mercedes Benz 300TD. A turbo-diesel STATION WAGON! Two tons of Autobahn cruiser.

 

Actually, check my sig. It's Big Blue again, sorta. Except now it's a 1984 Mercedes Benz 300TD. A turbo-diesel STATION WAGON! CHROME! Two tons of Autobahn cruiser. Navy blue, palomino (tan) leather interior. The turbo whistle is very prominent. Rear seats fold completely flat- don't need a tent! The central locks are vacuum operated and totally silent.

3.0L, 5 cylinder, with a Garrett turbo pushing around 10PSI. 0-60 in 12 sec. Makes boost at 1750RPM, revs out to 5000. 120HP, 180LBS. Loves to be floored- the harder you run 'em, the happier they get. Easy to work on. Last tank: ~27mpg in mixed driving, including stop 'n go and some accelerator/floorboard love (it's a beautiful thing). Looking forward to the drive out to Skyline.

See similar machines at:
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300td832.htm
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/300td851.htm

I had the sedan version of this car (aka "Puddles", "Black Death", "Turbo-Benz", the "Freight Train") for 3 years before Big Blue. Good car, but needed too much work (repaired wreck, lotsa rust). The wagon is in really good shape. Not a spec of rust on it.

Lil' red is for sale.

Much thanks for the congrats on the degree. Still have two courses to go, but then I'll have my applied mathematics degree.

Clatter clatter clatter... Skyline here I come!

 

RING-RING-RING-

"Hello. . .?"

". . .7 days. . ."



Congrats on graduating Our little boy is growing up so fast

 

UPDATES INCLUDED PLEASE VIEW ENTIRE POST

**I STILL HAVE MAPS If anyone would like or needs one, PM me with your address and I can get one in the mail, I grabbed a bunch of them last weekend when we went to figure out the travel route/plan for the "North" group.**


Date, time and place are all set up. Although this may not accomodate everyone, it's nearly impossible to do that... so we went with the popular vote. See bottom of post for camping information.


Date: SATURDAY: MAY 21, 2005


Time: LUNCH STARTS @ 1:00 PM

**please note: the times posted are the times we will leave the meet spot, please leave yourself plenty of time to get there BEFORE the posted time!**



NORTH GROUP
10:30: Caravan 1 meet before Front Royal North entrance
station (take 66 to 340s, entrance to park will be on left
and well marked, We'll meet off on the right shoulder at
the corner of Skyline Drive and 340)

12:00: Caravan 2 meet up at Panorama Station/Rest/Overlook
(enter at Thorton Gap Entrance Station, drive south over 211, meet
spot on right, Caravan 1 will stop to pick you up)

1:00: MEET UP AT LEWIS PARK (approx. 55 miles into park)




SOUTH GROUP
10:30: Caravan A meet at Rockfish Gap South Entrance
Station(anyone who's entered here before, if you know if
a good spot to have the group gather, I'd really
appreciate it, I've never been that far south)

12:15: Caravan B meet up at Swiftrun Gap Entrance (anyone
who's entered here before, if you know if a good spot to
have the group gather, I'd really appreciate it, I've never
been that far south) Caravan A will stop to pick you up.

1:00: MEET UP AT LEWIS PARK (approx. 50 miles into park)



Place: LEWIS PARK
on Skyline Drive (in Shenandoah National Park)
Look for BLUE TABLECLOTHS... and a lot of Ford trucks.

http://www.nps.gov/shen/PDF%20documents/Maps/Campgrounds/Lewis_Mtn_campground.pdf


Who: All FTE Va chapter members and their friends and families


Just for the sake of organization, I'll keep a running list of what we'll need. Please reply to this thread if you can come or plan on coming and what you could contribute, I'll add those who reply with a yes and what they plan on bringing so we can plan enough for everyone. Those who have a number specific item (like hamburgers or hotdogs) will be able to reference this post and the current head count to plan on how much to bring.

A link to the park map is below.

http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/shen/ppMaps/ACF91F9%2Epdf



APPROXIMATE MILAGE FROM MAJOR CITIES:

D.C. to Front Royal Ent. = ~72 miles (come across on 66/55)
Winchester to Front Royal Ent. = ~24 miles (come across 66/340)
Fredricksburg to Swift Run Gap Ent. = ~75 miles (come across on 33)
Harrisonburg to Swift Run Gap Ent. = ~24 miles (come across on 33)
Richmond to Rockfish Gap Ent. = ~91 miles (come across 64)
Staunton to Rockfish Gap Ent. = ~18 miles (come across 64)
Chesapeake to Rockfish Gap Ent. = ~ 190 miles
Blacksburg to Rockfish Gap Ent. = ~ 124 miles

_____________________________________

WHAT WE STILL NEED:

Condiments (1-ketchup, 1-mustard, 1-onion, unknown-cheese)
Side dishes (3)
Charcoal
Lighterfluid/matches or a lighter

_____________________________________

WHO'S COMING: CURRENT TOTAL ~15

Fraken-Truck - (hamburgers/hotdogs: 10 person worth of each)
TurboMonkey (+3) - (Grill, possible picnic table, ice, hotdogs/hamburger)
65vamonster - (Soda/Beer and hamburger/hotdog buns: 16-24 of each)
Cavalryman - (two types of chips and dip)
MonsterBroncoKid - (Beer, hotdog and hamburger buns)
Stu37d (tentitive +2) - (sodas, plastic cups (~20))
BigBlue88 - (plates, forks, napkins, condiments [ketchup, mustard, relish])
Fordguy21- (tentitive)
Violjohn78 - (water, 24 bottles)
Kista20 - (hot dogs/hamburger buns, 16-24 of each)
Oldredtruck - (tentitive)

_____________________________________


Alcohol policy: The National Park posts signs asking for no alcoholic beverages to be brought into the park, however, at one of the shops/grills we stopped at, they sell beer and wine. If you want to bring it in, we are doing so at our own risk (groups have done it before and as long as you trasfer it to a cup, no ones ever hassled them). Just a heads up for those who'd like to partake. It's BYOB... of course sharing is always appreciated.

Overnight Camping: IF YOU ARE LISTED BELOW AND ARE INTENDING ON CAMPING, you will need to get your own site when you show up for the picnic, first come first served. My group will be staying at Lewis Park (same area we are having the picnic) Saturday night only.


OVERNIGHT CAMPERS:
TurboMonkey (+3)
Cavalryman (maybe)
BigBlue88 (maybe)
Oldredtruck (maybe)

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This crept up fast!

Please review your status (coming or not) and what I've asked you to bring (if you didn't specify something specifically) to be sure that everything is correct.

If you see something else on the 'needed' list you'd rather bring or can also bring, please post or PM me with that or any changes on whether you'll be coming out.

Those who are still tentitive have not been asked to bring anything as I don't want to depend on you bringing something for the group if you are still undecided. If you decide to come, please PM me before Thursday and I can adjust the numbers, otherwise feel free to come out and bring some things to throw on the grill!

If anyone is planning on camping, you'll need to rent your site in the camp ground (Lewis is where I'll be staying, same as the picnic area) when you arrive, there is no reservation system for this campsite.

Only a few more days!! I won't be driving with any of the groups coming into the park as I'll have to be there early to reserve our spot. So look for me when you arrive, or my truck at least. See you all on Saturday!

 

Confirmation:
1. I will be attending.
2. I will be bringing (plates, forks, napkins, condiments [ketchup, mustard, relish])
3. I will also be bringing: firestarting equiptment (lighter fluid, matches) and wood-cutting equiptment (axe, machete).
4. I will be camping, hopefully at Lewis park.

Are we guaranteed a good supply of firewood (IE, fallen trees or Hondas)?

 

Can't wait to help you and relax this weekend!!

1.
2.
3. Awesome... I didn't think about that. =)
4. Not guaranteed... although in MN you have to pack your own firewood (burning stuff from the park is illegal there, apparently not in VA?)... but we can find something I'm sure.

 

Campfires are probably legit. Usually, anything that's fallen on the ground is fair game for firewood. No cutting live trees. The Boy Scout campgrounds at Goshen were usually picked clean, however I came up with an incredible supply by pushing over small (30') dead trees. Once the roots have rotted for a few years, they topple right over. It's fun, too. Then you can build the kind of bonfires that attract campground aids from a quarter mile away.

 

A pyro's calling . . .


I can bring more than just ten peoples worth. Don't know whos grilling, but I was planning regular hot dogs (8, 1 package), 2 kinds of seasoned burgers(8), Bratwursts(6, 1 package), and a couple steaks if anybody wants them. Same with chicken breast's. Don't know if anybody is as big on Brat's as I am

Who all plans on caravaning with us from the Waffle House on Indian River rd. . . uh, Tidewater folks?