Page 1 of 56 1231151 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 554
  1. #1
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319

    Grayson Highlands Fall Festival; Sept 23-25, 2011

    NOTE: See links for Spreadsheets at the bottom of this post.
    In addition to this 1st post, you will find most of your questions answered in these posts...
    336, 339, 372, 422, 435, 413, 449


    This annual event the Fall Festival) takes place in the Grayson County State Park, VA (GHSP), which is located with in the much larger Mount Rogers Recreation Area.
    GHSP has also been the location for the annual HF "Mt Rogers Winter Hang", the first established & longest running "HF Annual Hang".
    It's a beautiful section of the south east US, with high elevations, boulder covered balds & wild ponies.

    As we worked in making a slight change to our actual camping site this year, the rangers at GHSP proved to be good folks & very helpful w/ the details of our "Mt Rogers Annual Winter Hang". They were also interested in our hammock set ups.

    As a couple of the rangers visited & chatted with us in our winter camp at GHSP I mentioned the possibility of having another HF "group hang" during the active camp ground season.
    In addition to our HF members just having a good time in the park & surrounding hills, the weather & additional people activity in the park would be an even better opportunity for those interested to see how hammocks are being used.

    At least one of the rangers we were talking to in camp (maybe both) immediately suggested we might even go so far as to promote it as an educational program. We talked about HF reserving the same group site for that purpose.
    We learned that both of the Rangers visiting with us, Kevin & Marceia, have experience with using hammocks for camping as well.

    I have been part of two different groups in years past that used the same (& only) group campsite at GHSP on the weekend of the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival & it proved to be a great weekend.
    Not only do you have all the day hiking you want, but the Fall Festival is pretty neat too! It includes all the typical things you would expect, including crafts, making of apple butter, molasses, apple cider, good food & live music.
    The park will be at full capacity that week end.
    The festival is held in the picnic area (a road you pass before the camp ground road) so you don't deal w/ that crowd unless you drive around to were it's at.

    Also on the same weekend, they do the annual round up of all the wild ponies. They are checked out by veterinarians, & some of the young ones are auctioned off. That all so takes place in an area off the picnic road.

    Here is a little about the festival.
    http://www.ghfallfestival.50megs.com/
    And a like to GHSP
    http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/gra.shtml

    I see that as an exciting opportunity. Not only can we educate a few campers visiting the campground, but the rangers at GHSP will have opportunity to see the latest in back country hammock use as well.
    It also has potential to spread a positive good word about hammock use to other state parks.

    In another thread I suggested this as a possibility & Rockdawg69 was kind enough to go ahead & make the reservations for the GHSP group site.
    So it's ours!

    I spoke by phone today with the head ranger, Kevin. For a man with such responsibility, he's a great guy to talk to.
    We have plenty of time to work out the details but one possibility suggested Kevin made was having a hammock education area (or what ever we want to call it) in the wooded strip between the open field were the food is (BBQ sandwiches, BBQ chicken, hot dogs, etc) & the open field were the music stage is.
    He does a program for kids in that basic area as well.
    I'll plan on myself & another hammocker (or several) riding up at a time when we can look & talk things over with Kevin. He suggested that May might be a good time.

    I don't know if it would be of interest but it could be possible that one or more of our hammock vendors would want to reserve a site in the "Vendors Area".
    I'm sure it would not come close to something like Trail Days in sales, but it could do OK, especially if promoted.

    I personally find this an exciting idea & hope each of you will give it consideration. There is plenty of time for preparation so I envision an attractive Hammock Education program!

    One other note of interest... I did learn that there are trails that can be walked between the camp ground & the Festival area (Picnic Area) for those that would rather walk.

    Here are Spreadsheet links for...
    Group Meals... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...hl=en_US#gid=0
    Attendees https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...hl=en_US#gid=0
    Hammock Education Event ... https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...hl=en_US#gid=0
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  2. #2
    Senior Member Gumbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Orlando, Fl
    Hammock
    Ridge Runner
    Insulation
    UGQ down goodness
    Suspension
    straps and buckles
    Posts
    1,604
    Images
    10
    This sounds like a great trip! I'm really looking forward to it!

  3. #3
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    Looking forward to meeting you Gumbo. I'm excited about this adventure already!
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  4. #4
    Senior Member L.D. Cakes's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Holston Mtn. Foothills
    Hammock
    Custom Gathered End
    Tarp
    Macat Ultra,UGQ WD
    Insulation
    Incubator/Pea Pod
    Suspension
    Whoopies/Dutchware
    Posts
    3,696
    Images
    81
    Thats near my Birthday! Love to come!
    Hootenanny Hang June 11-13, 2021
    Love many, trust few & always paddle your own canoe. American Proverb

    Adventure is Calling... nolilearn.org



  5. #5
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    Hope so. It would be good to meet ya. We can even tell you Happy Birth Day in person
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  6. #6
    Rockdawg69's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    South Central TN, Southeast GA
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.1 dbl + TTTG Switchback
    Tarp
    OES SpinnUL 11x10
    Insulation
    Nest, Hudson River
    Suspension
    Whoopies/Stingerz
    Posts
    1,597
    Thanks Slowhike for getting the ball moving with the rangers. I'm in for the fall unless my other action comes about. Also, I'm thinking about doing Trail Days, so a side trip to Grayson might be another good idea. Could camp there and drive into Damascus for a day instead of fighting for camping spots in Damascus with the crowd - kill two birds with one rock - so to speak.
    Rockdawg69

    It's a long way to the top if you want to Rock and Roll ----- those hills!!!

    Professional Prevaricator: Part-time dealer in Yarns, Tales, Half-Truths, & Outright Lies -1st half-hour session at no cost (Lawyers and Doctors excepted).

  7. #7
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    Quote Originally Posted by Rockdawg69 View Post
    Thanks Slowhike for getting the ball moving with the rangers. I'm in for the fall unless my other action comes about. Also, I'm thinking about doing Trail Days, so a side trip to Grayson might be another good idea. Could camp there and drive into Damascus for a day instead of fighting for camping spots in Damascus with the crowd - kill two birds with one rock - so to speak.
    I hear ya. Driving to GHSP to camp would be a much more peaceful night than staying in Damascus.
    And thank you for putting cash on the group site.
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  8. #8
    Senior Member Timberrr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    On the road - fulltime RVing
    Hammock
    WBRR
    Tarp
    UGQ Winter Dream
    Insulation
    UGQ TQ and UQ
    Suspension
    Straps, D. Buckles
    Posts
    1,687
    Images
    13

    I'm in!

    Now what sort of new gear will I need? There must be something. Hmmmm...
    HangCon Sign Up:
    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

    So many trees, so little time...


  9. #9
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    Quote Originally Posted by Timberrr View Post
    Now what sort of new gear will I need? There must be something. Hmmmm...
    Weather will likely be cool but not to cold that time of year, so coming up w/ the right insulation should be no problem.
    But if you're looking for an excuse to buy new gear... well it's always good to be prepared for the worst possible case
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  10. #10
    Senior Member Home Run's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Alexandria, Ky
    Hammock
    DIY, BB, Snipe
    Tarp
    HG
    Insulation
    HG
    Suspension
    Dutch n whoops
    Posts
    530
    Images
    30
    Hey Timberrr, thanks for the tip on the HH Scout for my daughter. I have to tell you, she's so anxious. She's ready for the Festival to start NOW! She told my wife she's going to sleep in the trees and bring home a pony! Everything was fine until the pony thing registered...NO PONY!

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 56 1231151 ... LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Replies: 236
      Last Post: 09-29-2014, 15:58
    2. Replies: 219
      Last Post: 09-30-2013, 15:43
    3. Replies: 104
      Last Post: 12-02-2011, 17:03
    4. Brainstorming; Grayson Highlands Fall Festival; Sept 23-25, 2011
      By slowhike in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 26
      Last Post: 02-11-2011, 22:25

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •