VW Sunshine Treffen 2010 NY to FL Coastal VW cruise

[danfromsyr]

In collaboration with VWCCNY, Empire Vw camping club, Granny Grose's Busses, VW 4 life wild weekend, Everybus, and VW enthisiasts ALL down the Eastern Sea Shore

VW Sunshine Skyway Treffen 2010
April 23rd thru May 9th 2010 (Dates updated Per Sven the Florida host)

A 3000 mile coastal cruise of VWs, and fun in the sun
CLICK HERE FOR ROUTE MAP
for updates, maps, planning and trip collaboration check out the new group.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/sunshine_treffen_2010/

Imagine participating in the east coasts LARGEST VW Cruise. (3000 miles)
Over 250 VWs in 2007, and a destination for More VWs every year.
Started as a VW Bus cruise 10 years ago, and still primarily a Type-II cruise across the St. Petersburg Sunshine Skyway suspension bridge, Ending in a nature preserve VW show and swap meet.

Departing Upstate New York and growing as others join in from VW clubs and States along the east coast.
wether just for the day, night or the rest of the trip.

Participate in a VW show within the million dollar views of St Petersburg pier.

Take a casual pace along the US east coast with stays at Assateague Island, home of the Wild ponies. Crossing the 13 mile Chesapeake Bay bridge-tunnel.
Visit Kitty Hawk and the Wright Brother’s Museum of flight on the Scenic North Carolina Outer banks.
Along the coastal byways and ferry crossings in NC, SC, GA and cross FL to the Gulf coast. Easing down the Florida gulf coastal roads to Picturesque Fort De Soto State park, with ocean sided campsites in the mouth of Tampa Bay.
(Fort De Soto was voted best beach in America 2005 & 2006)
3 days of VW orientated cruises and fun in the St Petersburg region,

Set your Own pace, and daily routes. Work with Dan to set an alternative route along the cruise.
Knowing where and when the treffen will be cruising allows flexibility of creating your own schedule and route. Visit Family in nearby states or points of interest special to you.
Owning a VW Westfalia is not required, although recommended for the best experience and value.
VW owners willing to plot their own lodging may accompany the Sunshine treffen in their new or classic VW, either tent camping with the treffen, or arranging their own nightly motel accommodations

While in Florida there’ll be plenty of time to explore the space coast, visit Walt Disney World and stay in the Disney Fort Wilderness resort

Enjoy all of the benefits of staying in a Disney resort while camping @ fort Wilderness, with a nightly movie around the campfire and shuttles to the park and Downtown Disney shops and Restaurants.

3 full days 4 nights in Orlando culminated by loading your well traveled VW for some rest onboard the Amtrak Autotrain non-stop service from Orlando to Washington, DC. The 16hr train ride saves 850 weary miles from your beloved VW traveling companion. Then catch the Granny Grose’s VW campout in the woods of central Pennsylvania before heading home (*. no pets allowed on the autotrain, inquire about special itinerary considerations for those travelling with pets)

Dan Stevens
President www.vwccny.com
VW Club of Central New York
confounder
Empire State VW camping club

Arrival at the park after the cruise over the Skyway Bridge.


Link

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[danfromsyr]

The Sunshine Yahoo group is an online resource for the collaboration and planning for the VW Sunshine Treffen taking place in late April 2010. ( http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/sunshine_treffen_2010/ )
A VW cruise from Upstate New York along the easter coastal roads and State Parks to Florida. To participate in the 250+ VW cruise over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge crossing the opening of Tampa Bay.

With a My Way or the Highway approach to VW caravaning, participants can take the group routes or make their own day to day travel route knowing where the group will be at the beginning and end of each day. The day to day travel distances are broken into more manageable jaunts of 180-250 miles, allowing participants to linger and explore points of interest along the way..
With a focus of a week in central Florida for VW cruising and tourism.

Plans will be updated here as they are formed, and individuals will be resonsible for their own financials and bookings, with the rare exceptions of items that would benefit or require a 'group booking' coordination
Bookings will most likley need to begin in EARLY 2009 and dates and costs/fees will be listed well in advnace to allow that no one misses the opportunity to travel with family and VW friends.

If your better half, can't take 2 weeks of travel in your VW or the time away from work..look into Flights into FL on the middle Friday, and the return via Amtraks Autotrain takes 850miles out of the return trip fatigue.

Sunshine Treffen is also working with Everybus and Granny Grose's VW campouts along the routes & days planned.

If you have any questions Email this group. or Me Directly

Dan Stevens
President
VW Club of Central New York
http://www.vwccny.com
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[danfromsyr]

This week in 2010 those taking the VW drive of a lifetime will be
leaving upstate NY for the Florida sunshine (yes this year's NY weather
is uncommon).
I am in the process of finishing out the Itinerary, routes, destinations
and collaborations with State Parks, Ferry schedules, and chambers of
Tourism for additional points of interest.

There is no commitment to your interests in this trip at this time,
consider it, explore the possibilities, ask me questions and concerns, I
am putting together a FAQ to help in the feasibility planning.
Commitments will be needed by winter 2008 so we can coordinate the early
bookings that will begin in early 2009 to accommodate the entire group
at destinations, campgrounds, ferry crossings and the Autotrain. Look
for Regular updates on the VWCCNY E-newsletter.
I will also be starting a Sunshine Treffen Yahoo group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunshine_treffen_2010

Today(thurs 2010) the trip Itinerary would have the group Departing
Jekyll Island S.P. in Georgia, Crossing Florida arriving to Manatee
Springs S.P. (approx 180~miles)

Day 0.5 Fri (200mi)Syr to Allentown,PA KOA for those who don't want to take the long 1st leg all in one day. depart friday afternoon and stay at the KOA just outside Allentown,PA then depart Saturday for (200mi) thru Philly to Ocean City, MD & Assateague National Seashore

Day 1 Sat (388mi) Syr to Assateague National Seashore

Day 2 Sun (233mi) Depart Assateague, MD to Outer banks, NC (Oregon Inlet) via the Chesapeak Bay-bridge_tunnel
Possibly have Everybus2010 caravan join on the NC OBX

Day 3 Mon (199mi) OBX to Carolina beach, NC

Day 4 Tues (224mi) Carolina Bch to Edisto Bch, SC

Day 5 Weds (192mi) Edisto Bch to Jekyll Isle, GA
More Jekyll Island camping info

Day 6 Thurs (180mi) Jekyll Isle to Manatee Springs, FL
Mantee Springs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwMl2Fvz2nY

Day 7 Fri (160mi) Manatee Springs S.P. to Fort De Soto, FL
Here's a Typical Fort DeSoto Campsite view
And another Fort DeSoto campsite from the same image author
Night Drag races as part of VW 4 Life wild weekend, Relax by the Ocean
Video log of the St Petersburg and Fort DeSoto area http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C3EGSADaKE

Day 8 Sat VWs on the St Petersburg Pier VW car show

Day 9 Sun VWs over the sunshine skyway cruise and VW show in Boyd Hill nature preserve
VWs over the skyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W_n4vt2m1A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3vO5dYegrU
Image Library of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2t3KJAXJ2s
depart (113mi) Ft De Soto to Orlando, FL (destination Fort Wilderness Disney)
Some may choose to stay an extra day and Visit Busch Gardens or Seaworld Tampa

Day 10 Mon Fort Wilderness resort Walt Disney World
2ndary activity options are explore the space coast & Orlando

Day 11 Tues Fort Wilderness resort Walt Disney World

Day 12 Weds Fort Wilderness resort Walt Disney World
participants with dogs depart for DC via I-95 (2 days 850mi)

Day 13 Thurs Autotrain Orlando, Fl to Washington, DC
Autotrain Loads @2pm, departs @ 4pm arrives in DC Fri @8am (dogs not allowed)

Day 14 Fri (85mi) DC to Gettysburg, PA
Explore Washington DC and head to Gettysburg, PA

Day 15 Sat (295mi) Depart Gettysburg for home,

Day 16 Sun MOTHER'S DAY Rest, Relax, Recover, Retell the adventure

2,200 miles of wonderful memories of places traveled, people met, VWs

Daniel Stevens
President VW Club Of Central NY
Empire Vw camping club - Confounder
Email: [email protected]
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[danfromsyr]

some FAQs

I'll expand these as I field more questions and considerations

FAQs:
Q) Do I have to drive my VW to participate?
A) Certainly not, but taking the adventure in a VW would certainly heighten
the experience and participation in events and stops along the route.

Q) I have family, friends or someplace along the route I would like to visit.
A) This Treffen is a TRIP; the route is a guideline, and the nightly stops
suggestive. Participants are welcome to take their own paths and pace.
While knowing the main caravan is not far off and where each nights stop is.

Q) This coincides with EveryBus 2010, do I have to Choose?
A) NO, There is a route and junction to allow EB participants to join the
caravan on Sunday after EB on the NC Outer Banks. In fact Sunshine
Treffen will try to coordinate with EB promoters to encourage South bound
EB participants to take a more leisurely route and join in our SST travels.

Q) Are my pets allowed?
A) Yes pets will be taken into planning considerations and will be informed
where they aren’t permitted; the biggest obstacle is the Autotrain does not
allow pets. Requiring the Pet owner to drive back north, this may be a smaller caravan of pet owners and a return route and camp location will be plotted shortly. by departing FL a little early would still be able to catch the main group in DC or enroute to Granny Grose's

Q) Amtrak AUTOTRAIN?
A) Yes Amtrak runs a passenger and automobile train from Sanford, FL a
suburb of Orlando to Lorton, VA a suburb of Washington, DC. The train
departs @ 4pm (load by 2pm) and arrives in DC @ 8am, traversing ~850mi of I95. VW campers fit in oversized rate on the train and passengers ride in comfort with dinner and breakfast served.
Auto train Rates info (these rates do not reflect a %10 AAA Discount)

[danfromsyr]

**This post is a holding spot for a Plans Itinary, costs breakdown and vehicle maintenace and service preparation checklist.

While I know we can't see or do everything along the Treffen Route, here is a great place for information of what there is along the way. and if you know of something I haven't listed, please send me a PM or Email

Expected Travel Costs (tolls, Ferries, etc) these are REQUIRED COSTS
$12/vehicle Chesapeak Bay Bridge-Tunnel is $12/vehicle (Class1)

$FREE OBX Hatteras to Ocracoke Ferry (ferry ride is 40 minutes)
Hatteras Island ferry terminal phone number: 252.986.2353 or 800.368.8949

$15/vehicle (under 20ft) Leaving OBX, Ocracoke to Cedar Island, NC (the ferry ride is 2hours 15 minutes)
Ocracoke Island ferry terminal phone number: 252-928-3841 or 800-345-1665

$5/vehicle (under 20ft) Leaving Carolina Beach, Southport to Fort Fisher, NC






Here are PoI (Points of Interest) THESE ARE OPTIONAL COSTS

OBX: Wright Brothers National Memorial ($4/adult) Part of the National Parks Service

OBX: Bodie Island Lighthouse

OBX: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, tallest in the nation, was nearly claimed by the Atlantic Ocean but was rescued in the nick of time in 1999 by moving the entire structure away from the sea

OBX: Ocracoke Island, NC
OBX: Lost Colony Dramatic plays Under the clear sky in an open Ampetheater a few miles North of Manteo, NC


Aquariums

Roanoke Island Aquarium OBX: $8/adult *stop day 3 enroute to Oregon inlet


Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium $8/adult *Stop Day 4 after OBX ferry enroute to Carolina Beach

Fort Fisher Aquarium Mainland NC near Carolina Beach campground $8/adult *Stop Day 5 departing Carolina Beach enroute for Jekyll Island, GA

Ripley's Aquarium Myrtle Beach, NC $19/adult

South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston *$16/adult while touring HISTORIC Charleston, just before Edisto Beach S.P



Lighthouses of the east coast
Mid-Atlantic
South Atlantic

Historic Forts of the eastern seashore

Fort Norfolk
Fort Norfolk is the last remaining of 19 harbor front forts authorized in 1794 by President George Washington. Virtual Tour

USS Wisconsin, Battleship on display at the Nauticus in Norfolk,VA $11/adult
Also on premises is the Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Fort Raleigh England's 1st home in the New World.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site protects and preserves known portions of England's first New World settlements from 1584 to 1590.
This site also preserves the cultural heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americans who have lived on Roanoke Island.


Fort Sumter Charleston, SC harbor
reachable via FERRY SERVICE $15/adult

Fort Moultrie $3/adult

Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum $16/adult
Tour USS Yorktown aircraft carrier, USS Laffey Destroyer, USS Clamagore submarine, CC cutter Ingham, along with warplanes from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm

Fort Clinch, FL
Fort Clinch is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country. Although no battles were fought here, it was garrisoned during both the Civil and Spanish-American wars

Fort Cooper
The sparkling waters of Lake Holathlikaha were a welcome sight to sick and wounded soldiers during the Second Seminole War. In 1836, the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers built a stockade for the soldiers resting here, enabling the Volunteers to hold their own through several skirmishes with the Seminole Indians.


Fun and Sun activities

Chrysler Museum of Art Norfolk, VA ... $5~7/adult ... Exhibitions
Virginia Zoo @ Norfolk
Norfolk,VA Botanical Gardens $7/adult 155 acres, 12 miles of paved trails, Boat tours, trams tours, Terrace Cafe.
“Azaleas in Bloom,” April 12–May 2, 2009 when more than a quarter of a million blooming azaleas make the Garden a “must see.”

OBX: Elizabethan Gardens

Charleston Harbor Dinner Cruises $48/per person

Crystal River Archaeological park
A National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre, pre-Columbian, Native American site has burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area, and a substantial midden. The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600 years the site served as an imposing ceremonial center for Native Americans. People traveled to the complex from great distances to bury their dead and conduct trade. It is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native Americans may have visited the complex every year

Kennedy Space Center
Space Coast, Kennedy Space center Launch Schedule

Dunedin Brewery ... Dunedin, FL area locator map Just off the main caravan route and within the region we're staying in for several days in Fort De Soto campground in Florida
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[danfromsyr]

See this latest (sept 0 issue of HOT VWS for new images of the 2008 Sunshine skyway cruise and VW 4life wild weekend.

I'll have more information posted here shortly for the 2010 sunshine treffen after I'm done with theplanning, and hosting our 5th annual VW show in Central Upstate NY.

look for
day to day stops, routes and attractions
alternative accomodations, toll (ferry & bridge) fees
Treffen specific campgrounds

I'm also looking for local input to areas along the route as well as regional VW friendly repair shops in the event of a breakdown amongst the cars participating.

also local VW related clubs that would like to catch us for the day as we pass thru and possibly join along for 1 day or the rest of the trip.

Dan Stevens
VW club of CNY
www.vwccny.com
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[danfromsyr]

Just as we are approx 18months out.. and getting near rdy for the 12month out bookings..

Here's the rough planned route from NY to FL & back

http://tinyurl.com/sunshine-treffen2010-map
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[danfromsyr]

Nearly 1 year out and some details have been updated,
eagerly looking for images from the VW 4 life 2009 event, in anticipation of 2010.
More info to come very soon on bookings and costs for this trip.

Dan
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[danfromsyr]

April Marks our 12month countdown to the VW Sunshine Treffen I am planning for End of April 2010, 2,200 Miles of VW sun & Fun
I will have some information with me at the meeting and be able to answer some Q&A, or Feel free to Email me any questions, concerns or Tips for the VW Journey of the year. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=292652

Starting from NY to the Atlantic coast in Assateague MD, Home of the Wild Horses of Chincoteague.
Following along the Coastal Highways, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-tunnel to the great Outer Banks of North Carolina
Riding the Ferry crossings onto coastal NC, to Carolina Beach near Wilmington,NC then to Edisto beach outside of Charleston, SC.
Then thru Myrtle beach and past Savannah to Jekyll Island Georgia, across the top of Florida to Manatee Springs Florida
along the Gulf coast to Fort DeSoto looking out on the Gulf of Mexico in the mouth of Tamp Bay.

Participating in an annual 250+ VW cruise across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and a Top honors VW show on the St Petersburg pier.
with 7 days in central Florida and the possibility of upto 3 days for Walt Disney World. before returning to the North via the Amtrak Auto train. and arriving in Central PA for a 2 day rest while recanting your adventures with other VW campers at Granny Grose VW campout.

Fort DeSoto campsite images
http://www.benplace.com/florida2009/IMG_3113.jpg
http://www.benplace.com/fl2005/fl23.jpg
This is a loosely formatted VW adventure, more of a Driving rally then a parade or caravan. the only constant is each days destination.
truly a make it your way kind of adventure, participants are encouraged to set their own pace, and see as much along the way as possible. with each day broken into ~200mile driving days, in a southerly linear fashion, it takes the rush out of the long route from NY to FL.
More info please send me an Email [email protected]
Route map: http://tinyurl.com/sunshine-treffen2010-map
_________________

[danfromsyr]

Consider this an excitement builder and anticipation feeder for our NY to FL coastal cruise in 2010.



VW4LIFE/WILD WEEKEND; ST. PETERSBURG, FL

Friday May 1st, Eurotreffen 3 ....DRAG racing/night event....Bradenton Motorsports Park drag strip...$15 entry gets you in the gate to enjoy the car show and watch the racing....$10 more and your on the 1/4 mile racing YOUR VW (or ANY Euro car) all nite long!...they have food vendors or bring yer own BBQ & cooler...oh yea track side camping is FREE as long as yer out by 8AM the next morning!

Saturday May 2nd "Buses on the Pier 11"...NEW this year its just BUSES! around the pier!...ANYTHING type 2! anything else will park in SPA BAECHor day of show parking lot! Pier doesnt want people walking around the street looking @ the VWS

So its either you PRE register your bus for $15 each and recieve a "Golden Ticket" which will guarantee your spot!...until 9AM-11AM ONLY!...after that it becomes VOID and I fill your spot with a bus that was on time!...everyspot will be filled!! and any Open spots will be made avalible day of show AFTER 11 AM-noon...then we shut the pier gates and you'll have to park @ the beach which will cost only $7....Spa beach is a city park and DOGS YES(on a leash), BBQ grills YES....NO VENDING OF ANY KIND ALLOWED (maybe next year)...check out all the cars and take the FREE trolley up to the pier and experience the "Bus Show"!... 1 of the largest ALL bus events on the east coast!

While on the pier checkout food court and way cool shops and restaurants...feed the Pelicans or rent a bike and go downtown (can you say Dali museum!)...the whole pier experience is FREE to spectators and tourists...NO open fires on the Pier! (fire marshal rules)....RAIN OR SHINE!....come early stay late!

VW tatoo contest,VW toy raffle & VW die-cast racing for $ an VW parts vendors....

to pre-register your bus email Sven @ [email protected] or call for more info @ 727-548-1459 SPACES ARE ALREADY FILLING UP!

Sunday May 3rd VWs Over the Skyway 13!... WOW where has the time gone?.....This ALL VW convoy starts at a Publix parkinglot on SR64 about 1.5 miles east of I75(exit#220) and we will leave sharply @ noon!

NEW this year we will break the convoy into 3 smaller groups with the 1st group leaving out the BUSES!...then 15 min or so out the gates will be the bugs(type 1)followed behind the type3s,things,trikes and anything else left....then last out will be the watercooled crowd...the sheer number of Volkswagens have grown to becoming a safety hazzard!...

last years 250 or more VWs caused QUITE a scene! for 15 minutes or so we OWN that bridge!...VOLKSWAGENS as far as the eyes can see! NOW we will own it for 3xs as long right?....the convoy will end at the same place as last year BOYDHILL NATURE PRESERVE!...there you will be able to find TREES! & GRASS and several turn of the century local homes! Picnic or BBQ grills welcomed and coolers are a must!...NO DOGS OR ALCOHOL ALLOWED (leave fido @ home and keep it in a CUP!)

the swapmeet is back ($25preregister $30day of show)...NEW parts vendors welcomed!....need more info visit www.airspace1.com

Boydhill is FREE to spectators opens @ 9AM-6PM convoy should start to arrive by 1pm....come-out & help keep the dream alive!...HOT VW magazine coverage

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[danfromsyr]

It's NEARLY that time, Trip bookings and final preparation planning.

There is a SUNSHINE TREFFEN 2010 BOOKING party date set for Wednesday November 11th (veteran’s Day)
6~7pm+ @ Denny’s on South Bay road (same place the VWCCNY monthly meeting is held
This doesn’t require anyone to make ALL of the bookings, but we WILL BE BOOKING the Campgrounds on the route.
Fort DeSoto,FL is the PRIMARY concern for consecutive spaces. I had called Fort DeSoto and they have the same rule against 2 camping units on one site. Though it is OK to have 1 VW & 1 tent, same rules as NYS parks. I will call 1 more time prior to 11/11 bookings. Andy & Susan will have Ubu with them so we will be REQUIRED to book in the pet loop, AREA2 Sites 86~164, with a focus at all possible for sites ON THE WATER side.
(http://pubtitlet.co.pinellas.fl.us/parkspub/images/ftdesoto/PK_DESOTO_AREA2.jpg )
Info RE: bookings & cancellations http://pubtitlet.co.pinellas.fl.us/parkspub/pksfaq.jsp

(If you can’t make bookings at this time (11/11/09) it doesn’t mean you can’t attend the trip, the daily stops will have spaces into around January.
So you can make bookings after the holiday spending sprees, but there wouldn’t be a guarantee of an adjacent site to the other VWs. That’s all.
If you make any bookings separate from the 11/11 date, Please let me know so I can log your accommodations into the travel documents to help in planning)

I’ll add you to the {Interested and planning to go] group and get to you some information regarding the trip
You can start to get an idea for the route & timeline on this post at the samba.

I am hoping to have the SUNSHINE TREFFEN informational CD-rom available and delivered to interested parties by around Halloween
SO SEND ME an EMAIL with an address if you are interested in the information. [email protected]

There is A LOT of information there, so you’ll want to book mark & print for reference
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=292652

Here is the Route on Google Maps you can zoom in to the street level.
Using Google Street view you can take a virtual drive down the Outer banks, along the coastline and usually up to the entrance’s of the state parks themselves.
http://tinyurl.com/sunshine-treffen2010-map

Again ANY questions, Concerns or Ideas
Don’t hesitate to contact me, I’ll try to get back to you asap.
[email protected]
Remember, this is MY Vacation, YOUR Vacation, OUR vacation.
The information I’ve provided is only a guide and individuals should explore the possibilities and preferences that interest YOU the most.


We are nearly 6 months out.. Lets get those vehicles all FIXED UP for 2,200 miles of VW travel & Fun.
(Tires, Brakes, Axles, Steering & alignment, tune ups, interior amenities)
_________________

[danfromsyr]

video link for 2009 skyway treffen video
http://current.com/items/90026236_vw4life-wild-wee...d-2009.htm

and a 2nd point of view (shows the above camera man)
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=58112636
_________________

[danfromsyr]

There have been some scheduling adjustments on my Itinerary as it's posted above, but I can not update or even edit the original post..
so this is the latest updates and information to assist in your consideration & planning of the upcoming Sunshine Skyway VW Treffen.

*Scroll to the top here for great images and info about this awesome VW event..

Sunshine Treffen 2010
Day by Day. A baseline itinerary .

Each Stop along the Sunshine Treffen has its own unique and special features and qualities. With points of interest as varied as the treffen participants themselves. Maybe plan on visiting the Wright Bros memorial in Kitty Hawke, or maybe the Botanical Gardens or Navel history in Norfolk & New Port News, VA. The route travels past 2 grand NC aquariums and many Civil & Revolutionary war memorials.

Day 1: Friday April 23rd 2010 ----------Allentown KOA, Pennsylvania
The 1st day of a 2200 mile adventure, perhaps the most difficult day’s drive. From Syracuse to Allentown, PA thru the Pennsylvania hills & mountains. This portion of the trip is all highway, departing Friday afternoon after work for the 1st 200 mile leg. Traveling thru the Endless mountains and the LeHeigh tunnel. With the potential of cold nights the KOA has electric campsites.

Confirmed bookings

Dan & Michelle
The Dixons
Mary-Jo
Bob
Scott & Pati

Day 2: Saturday April 24th 2010 ------------- Assateague national Seashore, Maryland
On the Atlantic coastal beaches & marshes where once a Spanish galleon crashed and it’s cargo of horses escaped onto the barrier island’s beach. Centuries later you can still see many wild horses of Assateague, right in your campsite, or along the beaches & waterways of the dunes. The night’s campground is Assateague national park. (Yes dogs permitted) …..*NOTE: An extra $15 entrance fee per vehicle into the Assateague National Park is additional to the camping fee. Booking campsites in the Ocean Sided Tent loop sites #002-#018

Confirmed bookings

Loop#1
Site #6 Byran Belman & family (NJ)
Site #7 Mary-Jo
Site #8 Bob, Aaron, Kim & Jackson
Site #9 Dan & Michelle
Site #10 Charles & Jill Ray
Site #10?? Scott & Pati
Site# 13 The Dixons
Susan & Andy?
Roger Layne?
John LeFever?

Day 3: Sunday April 25th 2010 -----------Oregon Inlet Outer Banks (OBX), North Carolina
After travel down the Del-Mar-Va peninsula and the 13mile crossing of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-tunnel. Your trip takes you thru the hustle & bustle of Norfolk, Virginia beach & new port news, Virginia. Then the pace slows as you pass under the canopy of trees growing in the Great Dismal Swamp, Followed by a turn towards the coast once again and onto North Carolina’s largest barrier island chain. The OUTER BANKS, NC. Remote and less hectic then the tourist trap of Virginia Beach. Kitty Hawk, where the Wright brothers made history with the 1st sustained flight. To the pirate towns of Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head. Where land based pirates would tie a lantern to an old horse’s neck to lure coastal ships too close to land to shipwreck and be helpless from pillaging. The night’s campground is Oregon Inlet national park campground, which does not accept pre-reservations.

Day 4: Monday April 26th 2010 ---- Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Starting the day continuing from Oregon inlet to Cape Hatteras light house and the 2.5hr ferry back to the NC mainland. A fine time to take a break for lunch and watch out for dolphins. Once on the mainland the route continues along the coastal roads and one of North Carolina’s great aquariums, Pine Knoll Shores. In the barrier islands of the Emerald Crescent. Then the route continues on along the islands coastline, Mainland past the Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, and the historically preserved pre-civil war city of Wilmington, NC. The night’s campground is Carolina Beach State Park along the Cape Fear river

Site #19 The Dixons
Site #20 Scott & Pati
Site #21 Bob, Aaron, Kim & Jackson
Site #22 Dan & Michelle
Site #23 Mary-jo
Site #24 Charles & Jill

Day 5: Tuesday April 27th 2010 ---- Edisto Beach, South Carolina
On the banks of Cape Fear river, near the civil war fortification of Fort Fisher, the 1st stop is another NC aquarium @ Fort Fisher. Followed by a ferry crossing across the Cape Fear river and headed down the NC coast to South Carolina. Stopping for the tourist dazzle of Myrtle beach or bypassing it for the tranquility of Brookgreen Gardens, SC America’s 1st sculpture garden. Don’t forget to allow time for a stop in historic Charleston, SC. With southern History, Art, Culture, and Military & National monuments surrounding Fort Sumter.
The night’s campground is at Edisto Beach State Park *call 1-843-869-2156 for single day booking
Beach Loop

Site #6 Mary-jo
Site #8 Bob, Aaron, Kim & Jackson
Site #10 Dan & Michelle
Site #32 The Dixons
Site #34 Charles & Jill
Site #61 Belman Family
Site #63 Scott & Pati

Day 6: Wednesday April 28th 2010 ------ Jekyll Island, Georgia
Departing the oceanfront campsites and headed south to Savanna, GA. For those with a haunting history bone, the city of Beaufort was once home to Black beard the pirate. A historic gem of a small southern town. Crossing over the border into Georgia at the city of Savannah, built around planned city parks “squares”. Originally there were four, eventually grown to 24 and are currently 21 small ‘central parks’ with benches, gardens, fountains, and old growth oaks draped in Spanish moss. The night’s campground is Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Specify TENT/PRIMATIVE

No site #'s provided yet
Dan & Michelle
Bob, Aaron, Kim & Jackson
The Dixons
Charles & Jill Ray
Mary-Jo

Day 7: Thursday April 29th 2010 ---------Manatee Springs, Florida
Finally Florida! The day’s route cuts across the upper NE portion of the state, circumnavigating Jacksonville the state capital & Gainesville. Arriving at the coastal marshes and waterways of the Gulf of Mexico, Manatee Springs in Chiefland, Florida. Crystal clear rivers fed from natural Floridian springs, the water temperature is a constant in the mid 70’s. What the Manatees require for survival. The night’s campground is at Manatee Springs, FL

Hick Loop (how appropriate?)

Site #89 The Dixons
Site #90 Charles & Jill
Site #93 Dan & Michelle
Site #94 Scott & Pati
Site #95 Mary-Jo
Site #96 Bob, Aaron, Kim & Jackson

Day 8: Friday April 30th 2010 -------- Sunshine Coast to Fort DeSoto, Florida
The route heads south along Florida’s Gulf coast thru Homosassa Springs. Home to a nature preserve where you can see Manatees underwater. Among other wildlife in the preserve, watch out from the behind of the hippo.. Tarpon Springs with a large Greek population, offers the ‘sponge docks’ where ships return with fresh seas sponges or you can just dine on a authentic Greek cuisine while watching the ships come & go. Friday is the beginning of the VW Wild Weekend, with drag racing happening on thru the night. This is also the 1st day of the trip for a few who can’t take a full 2weeks of and travel by air to Tampa. The night’s campground is Fort DeSoto campground in Pinellas County Park.
*note, this park boks up fast, and does not issue refunds, an Alternate campground near the Skyway events is Lake Manatee S.P where sites can be canceled with a minimal fee, and will more likely have sites available in February/march. There have been groups of VWs here in previous years

Loop 2 Pet loop, but there'll be VWs in #1 the Tent loop to.

Site#49 Tomasz (from FL)
Site#54 Brad (from FL)
Site#91 Addie (from FL)
Site#111 Andy & Susan & Ubu (NY)
Site#107 The Dixons (canada)
Site#115 Charles & Jill Ray (NY)
Site#142 Bryan Belman & family (NJ)
Site#143 Scott & pati (NY)
Site#146 Dan & Michelle (NY)
Site#147 Mary-jo (NY)
Site#146 Bob, Aaron, Kim & Jackson (NY)
Site#237 Kevin&Fran (Alaska)

Day 9: Saturday May 1st 2010 ------ VW Show on the Pier St Petersburg, FL
Annual VW show on the St Pete pier overlooking Tampa bay, last year they split the VWs up with Type-IIs on the Pier (limited parking, they sell/award golden tickets) and all other VWs on the grass at the beach by the pier, there are trams that run from the beach up the pier. The night’s campground is Fort DeSoto for a 2nd night.

Day 10: Sunday May 2nd 2010 ----------VW Skyway VW Cruise & show @ Boyd Hill nature preserve (no pets in preserve)
Gathering on the south side of the skyway bridge will be 250+ VWs of all makes, colors and styles. For the annual VW cruise, participant’s pre purchase their toll voucher and depart for the pinnacle of the Sunshine Treffen. As traffic arrives at the historic town in Boyd hill preserve VWs will be broken up loosely into groups by model. Type-Is, Type-IIs, Type-IIIs. For a casual no awards, no judging VW show (some swap) under the old growth trees and historic town buildings in the park. The night's campground is Fort DeSoto or other destinations in Florida for those looking to explore or travel independantly.
VWs over the skyway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W_n4vt2m1A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3vO5dYegrU
Image Library of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2t3KJAXJ2s

Day 11: Monday May 3rd 2010 ----------Busch Gardens Tampa (Animal Kingdom)
Many times I’ve been near and haven’t been there once. A full day visit to Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa bay or Sea world. Afterwards make the 90 minute drive to that night’s campground @ Fort Wilderness in Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World Fort Wilderness campground
Partial/tent sites
The process for calling in and linking the campsites via the "Grand Gathering" reservation desk
(yes when you call 407-939-7675 , ASK for the Grand Gathering Reservation Desk)
Grand Gathering # 996074 "VW Family"

Dan & Michelle
Charles & Jill Ray
Mary-Jo
Bob
AAron, Kim & Jackson

Day 12: Tuesday May 4th 2010 ------ Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Planning
May 201 WDW Park hours use this to schedule the limited showing of Fantasmic in the Hollywood Studios park (preview Fantasmic on Youtube
Parade & Firework schedules
Epcot Flower & garden Festival
Fort Wilderness campfire schedule
Extra Magic hours schedule Available to those staying in WDW resorts (Fort Wilderness)


Staying in WDW Fort Wilderness campground & resort is a treat all in itself. With dining, bike/blade paths, horse/carriage rides & shuttles to Downtown Disney and theme parks. All the while maintaining the ambiance of camping in the woods. Fort Wilderness even has a nightly campfire sing-along and boat taxis directly from the park to the Magic Kingdom.

Day 13: Wednesday May 5th 2010 ----- Walt Disney World Camping in Fort Wilderness campground

Day 14: Thursday May 6th 2010 ----- Walt Disney World Camping in Fort Wilderness campground

Day 15: Amtrak Autotrain from Sanford, Fl to Lorton, VA (Washington DC) Friday may 7th 2010
Load onto the Amtrak Autotrain at noon-2 and depart around 4pm to arrive in Washington DC the next morning about 8~9am. Dinner is served on the train in 2 sessions, there is a movie car and a lounge car with a cash bar as well as a smoking car. Pets cannot ride on the autotrain and VWs with pets must seek alternate route back north.
*Note: Autotrain does NOT accomodate PETS, this is a ~14hour trip where your vehicle is locked into a freight car away from your ability to get to it. Those traveling with pets need to plan an driving route back north. this may adjust your schedule while in Florida for the week.
There are mixed reviews of the Autotrain, but my personal experiance was great and travel was as expected for our trip.
autotrain Good Reviews and Bad reviews

Group seating is assigned @ check in, if we arrive together we can sit together. we may be able to have the desk group a late arrival with us.

Dan & Michelle
Bob
Mary-jo
Charles & Jill Ray

Day 16 Washington, DC to Gettysburg, PA Saturday May 8th 2010
Spend a day exploring the national monuments in DC and travel thru to the scenic western hills to Harper’s ferry, and ultimately Gettysburg, PA.

Day 17 RETURN HOME (Mother’s Day) Sunday May 9th 2010
Depart Gettysburg, PA for the return to central NY and destination home.

*notes
The dates, activities and timelines after the Sunshine Skyway cruise are entirely flexible and up to the interests and discretion of the participant and their families. Those traveling with pets or those who wish to return home prior to Sunday may wish to depart Florida a day early. Those not attending the central Florida theme parks are free to make whatever other reservations or plans as they desire. Possibly visit the space coast and NASA, or other points of interest in Florida.
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[danfromsyr]

I've added a Day by Day Route Travel and Planning Guide to the Sunshine Treffen Yahoo group files section.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunshine_treffen_2010/files/multi-day%20travel%20planner.pdf
and also a Booking calendar to help with making reservations along with the Group coming down the coast.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunshine_treffen_2010/files/Treffen%20calendar%20planner.pdf

Dan Stevens
VW club of CNY
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[danfromsyr]

Stresses: Some Stresses I as well as other participants have encountered to look out for.

• My partner can't take 2 weeks from work, but I REALLY want to participate on the full trip.
 Think of having them Fly down, the treffen arrives in Florida on the middle Friday, booking now airfare to (or from) FL is ~100 oneway.
 so they can either travel the coastal byways and fly back, or you/we can pick them up at one of the nearby FL airports friday night.
 Walt Disney World resorts has the Magical Express feature which will take them & baggage right to Fort Wilderness.

• Fort DeSoto [urgent]
o Campground books quickly with the best water access sites 1st, as of 11/11/09 there are 105 sites available, but this park will likely be booked to capacity 2months out.
 *RULES: Ft DeSoto does NOT issue refunds, only credit for cancellations.
 Treffen Group is booking in loop2 (pet loop) $40/day
 For Late bookers, Lake Manatee State Park in Bradenton, FL will have sites.
 But may still book up in the last weeks before the trip
 There will be some local VWs in the TENT (loop #1) $36/day
 Website navigation isn’t smooth as others we’re used to. Goto: http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/default.htm
 Select in Middle Left Nav-panel [FT De Soto Camping]  Reservations - Reserve by Date
 Site Registration will be required, process sends a [Purchase confirmation] from “Cybersource” then a 2nd email with [Site RSVP info] from “supportctr” at Pinellas county.

• Amtrak Autotrain [urgent] (runs about $400 1vehicle + 2 adults AAA discount)
o 1 way fare for vehicle & passengers is pricey, but this train saves 850miles of I-95. The cut off for regular vs oversized vehicles is 182” (15ft2in) and when I measure a regular van w/o any hitch it comes in @ ~180”, but oversized may carry a smaller $$ vehicle charge if booked quickly. As of 11/11/2010 the train has 85% availability. (877) 754-7495
 Seating is assigned at check in, arrive as a group sit as a group, AAA discount applies to seating charges.
 There is a dinner provided, the train travels through the night. (Depart 4pm -- Arrive 9:30am)

• Fort Wilderness campsites [fairly urgent] (Partial hookup tent/van camper)
o Get RSVP soon, only 2 “Partial” loops (2000,&1500) they are not near each other.
o Call (407) 939-7675 and request to “LINK” with Grand Gathering “VW Family” #996074
o Request AAA discount, they have them in limited allotments. (Save $10/nt)
o Sign up for new volunteering promo alerts and then on 1/1/2010 log in and select WDW Volunteering selection.
 Questions? Here: http://tinyurl.com/WDW-give-a-day-FAQ
o *Purchase your WDW tickets separate from your site reservation to assure volunteer program works.

• Edisto Beach campground
o MUST call (843)869-2156 to RSVP site For [1] day booking (4/27 to 4/2 (Beach loop)

• Jekyll Island campground
o Booking is via call or website, website process is a little clunky. But does work thru.

• Allentown KOA
o Closed till April 1st 2010, but can still book site online or by phone.
o This is NOT a busy season for the KOA and sites should be available in April 2010.

• Gettysburg campgrounds
o Many private campground options, but none chosen at this point.
o Some VWs may wish to push on home instead of another day on the road.

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[Miamitype2]

Sounds cool!

[danfromsyr]

Ok the Stevens family is booked for all the stops including Fort Wilderness in Walt Disney World.
For travel plan & dates refer to the planner calendar file
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sunshine_treffen_2010/files/Treffen%20calendar%20planner.pdf

The process for calling in and linking the campsites via the “Grand Gathering” reservation desk
(yes when you call 407-939-7675 , ASK for the Grand Gathering Reservation Desk)
Grand Gathering # 996074 “VW Family”

Allow yourself plenty of time, and a fully charged phone.
Also don’t drink a big gulp just before.
A quiet atmosphere w/o distractions would be good too.
The process will take a few minutes, as the Disney Cast member goes thru all the steps on the site booking

• Fort Wilderness campsites (Walt Disney World)
o No I don’t want a premium site, I want to book a TENT/PARTIAL site (so the GG can camp together ya’knoe)
o There are 2 partial loops, and they are on different ends of the campground,
o so let’s hope the GG keeps us in 1loop. But I/we haven’t specified which,
o so they’ll hopefully put us where we fit, not where we request then split

• ASK if you can get a AAA discount They have a limited qty of allotted AAA discounts
o You could not get one if they’ve already given away all for the day,
o yes even if you are a current AAA member. So book early and ask.
o Rate w/AAA $241 for 4_days ------- w/o AAA $283 for 4 days
o Charges are $64/site deposit at booking, then balance at check-in (so you can book NOW for $64)

• Have ALL of the FULL names & Addresses (if they differ) for those who’ll stay on your site.
o You can’t make a partial RSVP, and update the info later,
o WDW wants to run everyone thru America’s most wanted before arrival.
o For YOUR OWN SAFETY of course

• You can add the dining plan & park admission tix to your bill now, but wait.
o For our non-traditional Disney tourist visit, it’s not any great deal.
o You’d be forced to purchase tix for ALL people on your RSVP
o And we’re holding out hopeful that the 2010 Volunteering promotion will work for us.
o If it does we’d only have to buy 2days of tix, if not we’d have to buy 3days of tix.
o And we won’t know if the “Give a day, Get a day” will work for us till winter/early spring.

• Disney’s Magical Express, (Have the kids fly down to WDW and ride back)
o Complimentary bus & luggage shuttle from the airport to Fort Wilderness check-in
o This would be handy if you have anyone who can’t make the whole Florida Treffen trip
o But wants to still have some fun in the sun. fly them down $100 1way, (early booking)
o it’s a fairly easy and safe transportation process. Best is it’s FREE

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[vwcadets]

1st off...I havent piped in yet but what you guys are doing is SO F@ckin cool!...Im nervous to drive my bus across the state yet alone the wholeeast coast seaboard! talk about the value of scheduled maintence ugh?...FYI:anyhow saturday at the pier show I would recommend everyone parks together in a beach.Its a 10 acre grass and palm tree field/city park at the base of the approach to the pier !You have a KILLER view of Tampa bay and the pier...you can set up camp for a full days VW fun.Bring your swim suit cause theres a sandy white beach too!When your ready to go over to the bug show on the pier.Take the FREE trolley or walk and take in the many views of downtown St petersburg...on the pier you will find way cool shops, great food court and resturants......Ill be keeping and eye on this thread so any questions let me know!...
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stupid people should be tattooed STUPID!...on their foreheads!


The wife and I drive a 2001 Cabriolet!...SOLD the bus:(

[danfromsyr]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=292652


3 months today(Mon 4/26) the Sunshine Treffen crew will be travelling along the North Carolina Outer banks thru Rodanthe and Ocracoke enroute to Carolina Beach
With a visit at Cape Hatteras light house (the tallest in the nation) http://www.hatteras-nc.com/light/
Then one of 2 ferry crossings before the NC mainland (2nd ferry is 2.5hr crossing, we’re planning to picnic lunch while crossing the sound)
With a stop at the NC Aquarium on Pine Knoll shores http://www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores
or a visit to nearby Fort Macon http://www.clis.com/friends/
With a stop @ Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn in Wilmington, NC http://www.flamingamysburritobarn.com/
Or visit the USS North Carolina in Wilmington’s harbor http://www.battleshipnc.com/page1.php
Before settling in to our camp at Carolina Beach State park http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/cabe/main.php
just up the road from Fort Fisher overlooking the Cape Fear river http://www.nchistoricsites.org/fisher/fisher.htm

Tomorrow (Tues 4/27), Fort Fisher Aquarium http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher
and a ferry across the Fear River and on to South Carolina, destination Edisto Beach State park.
Possibly with a stop at the magnificent art gardens & zoological park (not to be missed) at Brookgreen Gardens State park http://www.brookgreen.org/
Thru the beautiful and historic Cities of Charleston South Carolina & Savannah Georgia
Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter (http://www.nps.gov/fosu/index.htm ) & the USS Yorktown @ Patriot’s Point http://www.patriotspoint.org/

before settling at camp in the turn of the century billionaires exclusive vacation on Jekyll Island, GA http://www.jekyllisland.com/
Where a Sunset horse ride on the Ocean driftwood beaches & a visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle center may be an option.
http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/
http://www.jekyllexperience.com/site/539681/page/120171




Well, that’s all I can muster at the moment.. as mentioned, 3 months & counting DOWN..


Dan Stevens
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[skidmarksgarage.com]

Hey Dan, here's a suggestion for you.............
http://www.garlits.com/
I'm only 8 miles away, let me know if you need to crash in this area as I may be able to accommodate some busses at my shop
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http://skidmarksgarage.com/

Mark