Anybody interested in some sort of hike, float or bike hang in mid-late Sept in VA. I would like to do it somewhere with in 1 hours drive of Harrisonburg. You tell me what you want and I can plan something. Please be serious about attending if you post. Thanks
What about this?
font color="#cc0000">4th Annual Grayson Highlands Fall Festival
<font color="#008000">Mt. Rogers, Virginia
Grayson Highlands State Park
September 26-28, 2014
* <font color="#3300ff">Hammockers! Come join the fun again! Family-friendly event!
* <font color="#3300ff">Free camping and free parking at group campsite!
* <font color="#3300ff">Bonus for Hikers!! The Appalachian Trail runs through the park if you want to plan a backpacking trip or day hike before or after the festival.
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How sweet was last year! Photos courtesy of SquirrelGirl. Thank you!
The Annual Grayson Highlands Harvest Fall Festival is mountain music, crafts, old time living history activities, and LAST but not LEAST, the annual pony sale from the Grayson Highlands/ Mt. Rogers area.
Since 1976 the Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Inc. and Grayson Highlands State Park have entertained tens of thousands of people each year with their live exhibits of Appalachian culture. <font color="#B22222">We participate in the festival by manning a hammock demonstration area and in return the festival allows us to camp for free in the group campground.
Step back into a simple age when horses and mules ground cane into juice to be boiled into sorghum or molasses; when apple cider was the soft drink of the time; when fresh apples were cooked in a copper kettle over an open fire all day long to render apple butter; when Saturday night was reserved for fiddling; and making music with the neighbors. Such was the lifestyle of the early Appalachian pioneers.
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<font color="#0000FF">Free Registration: [URL="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w9Cx_9F23JR_k_3QAc8nKn4kIBZ_KLd2Fspx-8h0En0/edit?usp=sharing"]<font color="#0000FF">Google spreadsheet here. Please register on the spreadsheet. It helps greatly with planning. The sheet is setup so you can change your answers at any time if your plans change or if you need to add or delete information.
<font color="#B22222">IMPORTANT: Campers need to stop at the Park Entrance and tell the gate they are with the Hammock Forums group -- this way you can enter at no cost. If anyone arrives before Thursday or stays later than Monday, you will have to pay the parking fee for those days and park in the backpacker parking lot.
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Schedule for Hammockers! What goes on when.
•The Hammock Demo will take place on Saturday only, from 10 am until 5 pm.
•We have a group breakfast Saturday morning before time for the set-up crew to drive over to the festival area (about a 5 minute drive). Some stay and clean up from breakfast.
•Go to the https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w9Cx_9F23JR_k_3QAc8nKn4kIBZ_KLd2Fspx-8h0En0/edit#gid=0"]Google spreadsheet to see what is needed for breakfast and supper on Saturday.
•We usually have about 5-7 hammocks set up in our Hammock Demo area which is in a shaded wooded area with a short path between the music pavilion & the food area.
•Not everyone joining the group hang needs to be there. We usually like to have at least 5-7 (or more) hanging around to answer questions about hammock camping as people stop by. The same people don't need to stay at the Hammock Demo the whole time. We switch out while others do whatever they like (see other parts of the festival, the pony auction at 2pm, go for a day hike,etc).
•As 5 pm approaches, some will go back to camp to start preparing for the evening group meal which will be followed by the raffle.
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<font color="#0000FF">Hammock Forum Contacts for Hang: Private message Slowhike or Rockdawg69
<font color="#0000FF">General State Park Information
<font color="#006400">Grayson Highlands Fall Festival Website: http://www.ghfallfestival.50megs.com/index.html"]Here
<font color="#0000FF">Park Weather Link: <font color="#B22222">http://weather.graysonfriends.org"]Here
<font color="#3300ff">Park Link: <font color="#B22222">http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/grayson-highlands.shtml"]Here
<font color="#3300ff">Driving Directions: <font color="#006400">Use Grayson Highlands State Park, VA
<font color="#3300ff">Google Map: <font color="#B22222">https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grayson+Highlands+State+Park/@36.621249,-81.484484,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8851b511be125827:0xab5aa 209543e3e46?hl=en"]Here
<font color="#B22222">Address: 829 Grayson Highland Ln., Mouth of Wilson, VA, 24363
<font color="#B22222"><font color="#B22222">GPS: Latitude: 36.628322 Longitude: -81.496889
<font color="#B22222">Park Phone: 276-579-7092
<font color="#B22222">Email: [email protected]
<font color="#B22222">Emergency: Dial 911
<font color="#B22222">FAQ’s
<font color="#008000">Where are we hammock camping?
Group Hang Site: Anyone who wants to hang for free should go to the group campsite located near the Country Story, the Amphitheater and the Hickory Ridge Campground.
<font color="#008000">Free Parking
Available at edge of group camp site.
<font color="#008000">Group Camping Check-In: Can be as early as Thurs morning.
<font color="#008000">Group Camping Check-Out: Most leave by late morning or noon on Sunday and those that want to will drive to the Log Cabin restaurant for a group brunch.
Last year a few of us drove back to the group site & stayed Sunday night as well. They will probably let some stay an extra night if we ask.
<font color="#008000">Campground Quiet Time: 10 PM to 7 AM.
<font color="#008000">Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Dogs should be kept on leash at all times.
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Is there water for camping?
There are two fresh water spigots at the edge of the group site.
<font color="#008000">Are there picnic tables in the camping area?
Yes.
<font color="#008000">What about bathrooms? <font color="#008000"> I don’t poop good in the woods.
Group camping has flush toilets for both men and women.
<font color="#008000">Where can I get a showers?
There is a shower house a short walk or drive from our camp.
<font color="#008000">Will there be campfires? <font color="#008000"> It ain’t camping without a fire.
We will have a large fire area in the center of camp. We will look into having local firewood delivered.
<font color="#008000">Are there grills?
There are at least two permanent charcoal grills. You will need to bring charcoal if you want to use it.
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What happens if it rains?
We will have a 20' x 30' tarp strung high, under which we will assemble 6 picnic tables for food prep, eating & socializing. There is a large pavilion at the edge of group camp but we don't spend much time there during this event. They have a few park events at the pavilion during the weekend.
<font color="#008000">How can I find out about pre and post hikes?
We don’t keep track of them but feel free to start a separate hiking thread on HF.
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<font color="#008000">What are the rules on alcohol?
<font color="#000000">State Park rules say no alcohol in the park.
Last Year’s 2013 Trip Report: <font color="#B22222">https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?80631-VA-Grayson-Fall-Festival-Hang-27-30-Oct-Trip-Report&highlight=Fall+Festival"]Here
<font color="#0000FF">Don't forget to bring your camp chairs!
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<font color="#cc3333">Wild ponies! Did we mention there are wild ponies in this park?!
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Ya see what you get for reading all the way to the bottom . . . pony pictures!
Yup I thought about going to that, I just what something closer. It takes 3.5-4 hour to get there form where I live. I was just looking to do something a little more local. If anyone on the HF lived in the area and wasn't going to any of the many big hang during that time frame. BTW thats a lot of font color!
I'm in for another float trip. The one earlier this summer was awesome. The weekend of 18-20 Sep works for me.
Thats a Thurs, Fri, Sat. that wouldn't work for me and my buddy if it where a Friday and a Saturday possible. If the times work with my buddy we might be able to meet you on friday and paddle out on Saturday with you. I'm also kinda committed that weekend to Xtrekers hike.
Sorry, I had the dates wrong. I meant to write the 19-21. After I wrote the post, I noticed Xtrekers hike. I think I may go on that one as well. So these dates won't work, but I would still love to do a float if you guys are up for it.
I talked to Scott and he's up for another float would you be interested in just a one night trip?
Sure what dates are you guys up for? I can't do it until after 8 Sep.
Ill check with Scott on his schedule this weekend. So it looks like a float trip is in the works
Just make sure he doesn't invite any one with a full bladder into his campsite.
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