Trail Days 2011

**MedicineMan** · 04-27-2011, 20:56

It is this saturday right? just making sure.

**Gimpy** · 04-29-2011, 03:06

The main portion of Trail Days 2011 is from Thursday 5/12/11 to Sunday 5/15/11. See the schedule at http://www.traildays.us/schedule.html
It is the weekend after Mother's Day each year.

**Ewker** · 05-04-2011, 10:10

are you guys planning on camping together or just meeting up? We will be getting down there on Thursday afternoon

**PapaSmurf** · 05-04-2011, 12:20

Just got an email notice that my reservation at Grindstone was cancelled. I called and the lady said that the entire campground was closed due to tornado damage. I've got 3 adults and 4 young folks in my group.

Options -
1. Stay at the TD campground and try to snag a spot away from most of the hoopla?
2. Find a parking spot and hike up the AT a mile or two for a place to camp?
3. Head over to Mt.Rogers or Grayson & see if I can find a place for everybody to hang?

Any other suggestions?

**Big Papi** · 05-04-2011, 15:12

FYI, also those who were expecting to stay in abingdon, the entire place was destroyed by a tornado a couple of days ago. The exit you get off to go to damascus was like what was shown in tuscaloosa, it was creeeeeepy. I was just there this past weekend.

**southmark** · 05-04-2011, 19:35

Hey Hooch, I was planning on being there this year but after the big tornado here last Wednesday I feel guilty about taking a pleasure trip when there is so much sorrow here and work to be done.

**L.D. Cakes** · 05-04-2011, 19:42

Originally Posted by Big Papi

FYI, also those who were expecting to stay in abingdon, the entire place was destroyed by a tornado a couple of days ago. The exit you get off to go to damascus was like what was shown in tuscaloosa, it was creeeeeepy. I was just there this past weekend.

Not quite dude. I live near Abingdon and it's OK. Just made a run to Sam's Club last night. Damascus is OK too. What you probably saw was a swath of damage the tornado took just off exit 19 on Hwy 58 that got hit pretty hard. But the whole place is not destroyed. Now Glad Springs is a wreck! And you can see that from the interstate.
And that's not far from Abingdon going North on 81.

**Nest** · 05-04-2011, 19:53

Originally Posted by ldcakes

Not quite dude. I live near Abingdon and it's OK. Just made a run to Sam's Club last night. Damascus is OK too. What you probably saw was a swath of damage the tornado took just off exit 19 on Hwy 58 that got hit pretty hard. But the whole place is not destroyed. Now Glad Springs is a wreck! And you can see that from the interstate.
And that's not far from Abingdon going North on 81.

Yeah, Abingdon and Damascus are fine. Just be aware that the creeper trail is shut down at tressle #7 I believe because it was destroyed in the tornado. You can still go form White Top to Damascus, and a little ways on each side of tressle 7, but you can't go from one end to the other until it is fixed which may be a while. Driving from I81 to Damascus you won't have any problems other than rubberneckers. The road to there is fine, and the damaged area is only a half mile stretch that was in a 35mph construction zone anyways.

I think the damage that was right off the interstate in Abingdon was just the car wash had it's roof torn off. It looked to be more wind damage than an actual tornado though. Not too sure, but that's only 2 miles from where I live and we have no damage whatsoever on exit 17 and anywhere around me.

**vitamaltz** · 05-10-2011, 05:42

Everybody bring your foul weather gear. It looks like rain from Thursday to Tuesday, which is coincidentally the span of time I am planning on camping at TD and elsewhere.

**MacEntyre** · 05-10-2011, 06:14

Looking forward to meeting you, Vitamaltz, as well as others! I'll be wearing me Black Watch kilt and holding me green GoLite 'brolly. You'll find me at Tree to Tree Trail Gear, unless I am visiting Four Dog Stoves.