Grayson Highlands Fall Festival; Sept 23-25, 2011

**slowhike** · 09-01-2011, 10:32

Originally Posted by Crawldaddy

did someone delete my name? : (

Opps... not intentionally. It's in the latest list now

Originally Posted by Crawldaddy

Im a little confused. Is the campsite near where we park our cars or do we backpack in a ways?

The group site has parking. The mention of hiking to a camp site was only for those that would rather camp somewhere quieter & more private than the group site.

The group site is surrounded by forest on one side & the main campground on the other side. Our group members using the group site can either be very near the center of camp (& their cars) or they can spread out into the surrounding wooded area.
Those wanting to be even further away from the campground could actually hike down one of several trails (even to the AT) & find a more secluded spot.

Note; The group site shares a paved parking area w/ the campgrounds General Store, so parking spaces will be limited.
If we have over a certain number of cars, they will probably ask us to park some of them in other parking spaces & have someone from our group drive you into camp. Of course, you could drive to the group site to unload your stuff before parking elsewhere if you like.

More to come on this, along w/ a park map.

**Swamp Donkey** · 09-01-2011, 11:53

I will be backpacking in the park that weekend. I hope it is alright to stop by and meet you guys.

**Rockdawg69** · 09-01-2011, 13:51

Originally Posted by Swamp Donkey

I will be backpacking in the park that weekend. I hope it is alright to stop by and meet you guys.

Come on in. Depending on what time you arrive, some of us will be doing a hammock camping display near the festival site. Just look for teh hammocks at the Group camping area near the park store.

**slowhike** · 09-01-2011, 17:36

We should probably talk a little more about any specifics of what we want to do for the "Hammock Camping Demo", as well as confirm which meals we will plan to do "Group Style".
I'll make a few general suggestions but I'm wide open, so feel free to suggest other wise.

My impression is that on Friday some of our folks will be getting there all through out the day. Also, I've not been to the Festival on Friday, and I'm not sure how busy it is that day.
So I'm wondering if we want to plan on doing our "Hammock Camping Demo" through most of the day Sat only.
We would need to get up, finish breakfast early Sat morn, & go set up at the festival.
Hopefully a good number from our group will volunteer to spend some time answering questions at the demo. Not everyone will need to of course, but if we have several willing to help, we can be free to switch off for bathroom breaks, to eat, or just wander around the festival. Some may want to spend some time day hiking on Sat.
I plan to be at the festival & taking part in the demo most all day.

HF Banners are being worked on but I'm not sure if we will have them ready by then or not.

I'm thinking maybe we have talked about having some of the group foods (Gumbo, etc) on Fri eve, right?
And maybe a group breakfast Sat???
I'll try to get details about the foods they will be serving with-in smelling distance of our hammock demo. I'll probably eat Sat lunch there, & maybe Sat Supper too unless y'all want to do a group meal Sat eve.

I know that some folks tend to take off early on Sunday morn. I'm usually in no hurry to rush off. One thing that has been a number of times when camping/backpacking from GHSP is to go to the Log Cabin Restaurant for lunch on Sunday. It's about a 20 minute drive from the State Park.

Just a few suggestions for starters.
Of course some will wander off here & there & do their own thing, but it would be good to decide on at least a couple group meals & the hammock demo plans for all those that want to take part.

**slowhike** · 09-01-2011, 17:40

Park map...
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_pa...nhighlands.pdf
You can see the main park road listed as Grayson Highland Lane.
The first road to the right is were the festival will be, seen as Wayne C. Henderson Stage, Homestead Area.
The second road to the right is the road leading to the campground.

**Gumbo** · 09-01-2011, 17:53

Originally Posted by slowhike

My impression is that on Friday some of our folks will be getting there all through out the day. Also, I've not been to the Festival on Friday, and I'm not sure how busy it is that day.

I'm thinking maybe we have talked about having some of the group foods (Gumbo, etc) on Fri eve, right?
And maybe a group breakfast Sat???
I'll try to get details about the foods they will be serving with-in smelling distance of our hammock demo. I'll probably eat Sat lunch there, & maybe Sat Supper too unless y'all want to do a group meal Sat eve.

I can make Gumbo on Friday or Saturday. My family should be there early Friday. We are going to be heading that way Thursday late afternoon/early evening.

**2Questions** · 09-01-2011, 19:22

I wish I could make the trip. Sounds like its going to be a fun time.

In your planning, set some time for a group picture so we can see all that attended. I recommend right after a group meal when most everyone is there. The raffle keeps them hanging around too. ZQ and I will send something down for the raffle in our absence.

Hopefully someone will be documenting the event with video ?? I'm looking forward to see what I missed.
Ya'll have a great time!
2Q

**gunner76** · 09-01-2011, 19:29

I can bring a 10x10ft pop up canopy and a 4ft folding table that we can use at the group hang and or for the Hammock demo.

Counting down the days...

**L.D. Cakes** · 09-01-2011, 19:32

So what's for Breakfast?

**slowhike** · 09-01-2011, 22:07

Originally Posted by Gumbo

I can make Gumbo on Friday or Saturday. My family should be there early Friday. We are going to be heading that way Thursday late afternoon/early evening.

I'm good w/ which ever night you guys decide for the Gumbo. It has been nice at previous group hangs were there was a prepared meal like that on Fri eve, especially for late arrivals.
But... a group meal of some kind would be good for Sat eve as well, considering that's when I think that's when we will be having the raffle. Everyone will want to be there for that

Of course that meal could be brats or whatever.
Come to think of it, you will probably need more prep time for the Gumbo & might have to leave the festival sooner than you want to get it started. Simple might be better Sat eve.

Looking forward to meeting you & yours.
I'm hoping to be there by around noon Fri.