Winter Bus Trip out of North Ga. 1-17/19-15

Jeff Geisen · Last edited by Jeff Geisen on Fri Jan 02, 2015 7:17 pm; edited 3 times in total

Some of us from this region have been taking a road trip over the upcoming MLK holiday weekend for a couple of decades now. This year's trip will begin Saturday January 17th and wind up on Monday the 19th.

This year's trip will begin in Jasper Georgia at the Vintage VW shop, 3900B Camp Road, Jasper Ga. 30143. This is on a frontage road along GA. 515 directly across the highway from the Ingle's grocery store. Chip has agreed to come in Saturday morning and have the shop open by 9:00 am.

I would like for us to pull away from Vintage VW and be on the road by 10:00 am Saturday. This should give anyone that wants to arrive early time to look over the shop's repair/restoration facility and inventory before we roll out.

Route basics for Saturday will be north up 515/Zell Miller Pkwy. to just beyond Young Harris. We will cut over to Hayesville NC and onto US 64 and head east to camp Saturday night at the Standing Indian/Albert Mtn. area in the Nantahala National Forest. Primitive camping (free) in the 4000 to 5000' elevation range at the headwaters of the Nantahala River. The last 6 or 8 miles will be traveled on graded/graveled FS road.

Route basics for Sunday will be to continue off of the ridge on a graded/graveled FS road about 10 or 12 miles down to US 441, then north on to Franklin NC. Out of Franklin we will drive east on US 64 through the scenic & twisty waterfall stretch to Highlands NC. After a break there we will drive out to the east edge of town and take a hike up to the top of Whiteside Mtn., an easy 20 minute stroll to the overlook. Then back through Highlands down SC 28 through the upstate of SC to Sunday night's camp on Overflow Creek up above the Chattooga river gorge. Again, this will be primitive camping in the National Forest(free). There is a FS campground in the area with 8 spaces, without water service for $8.00/night, double occupancy.

Monday, back through extreme NE Georgia via Warwoman Rd. to Clayton. Most will continue on west to Hiawassee, Blairsville, and Blue Ridge on US 76/GA Hwy 515.

This is a kid friendly, dog friendly trip. I add this to frame the type of crew we tend to assemble. I want everyone to have fun, not just the adults. Discretion concerning what the kids see and hear and smell can be exercised without too much effort, it always has been on past trips.

Meet in Jasper for the whole trip or join in or jump out anytime along the route.

This annual trip is a great way to start a new year off right, gettin' your bus out in the wind on some of the most scenic & less traveled roads I could scout out. Don't bother loading firewood, we always use downed wood in the areas where we camp. Water, propane and groceries etc. won't be convienient to purchase anywhere we camp, so plan ahead if you decide to join us.

Jeff
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

russwiththebus · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2015 12:30 pm Post subject:

I'm in! Thanks for putting this together.

BTW, this year I have new all-season tires on my bus (Hankook RA08) so I hope to navigate the snow a little better than last time.

russwiththebus · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 12:59 pm Post subject:

I did my best to map out the route and points of interest based on the description.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zHs4PcyC1bIw.kk3KJCrXSyPA

Skoolieman · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 3:41 pm Post subject:

This looks like a blast and I had a lot of fun last year. I don't think I'll be able to make it this year-we just had a baby and my wife hasn't warmed up to me leaving her yet...
_________________
'69 Westfalia Camper~Cassidy
1600dp with H30/31 carb 009 distributor and alternator conversion

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 9:24 am Post subject:

I have a group of four Westys so far for the trip this year. The weather/temperature is looking to be normal for this time of the year, highs around 50, lows at freezing. We can subtract about 10 degrees for the end of Saturday's drive as we will be on the rooftop of North Carolina.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

russwiththebus · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 11:03 am Post subject:

I wonder, will it be easier to meet up with you in Ellijay rather than Jasper? Coming from Chattanooga. It looks to be a few miles less but travel time is roughly the same.

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:31 pm Post subject:

It depends on if you want to see the Vintage VW shop.

We should be rollin' through Ellijay around 10:30 Saturday morning.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

russwiththebus · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:41 pm Post subject:

I will try to make it to Jasper before 10. If I'm running late, I'll give you a heads up and meet you in Ellijay. As long as your number hasn't changed since last year, I still have it saved in my phone.

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 12:46 pm Post subject:

#'s the same, see you soon.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 10:59 am Post subject:

I received a PM from a samba user and he asked me if I would be open to Vanagons joining our trip this year. I said sure, as far as I am concerned any VW is welcome.

I need to get with the Full Moon Bus Club and see if some of those guys would be willin' to join in next year.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

russwiththebus · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2015 11:52 am Post subject:

Heck yeah, bring some Vanagons.

I posted info on the trip over at the Full Moon Bus Club forums, as well as our local club forums (Scenic City Volks Folks).

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 11:29 am Post subject:

The map you attached has one error. At the B mark, Sunday morning we will travel east off the mountain and I don't plan to backtrack to US 64.

I want to follow the Forest Service Road down the east slope to Ball Creek / Coweeta Lab Road down to US 441 at Otto, N.C. Then north up US 441 to Franklin and then follow US 64 to Highlands, N.C.

Other than that the map is completely accurate.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

russwiththebus · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:20 pm Post subject:

Oh I see that road now. The map is updated and should be accurate.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zHs4PcyC1bIw.kk3KJCrXSyPA

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:30 pm Post subject:

Thank you Russ. Another note; the Standing Indian Campground is closed for the winter, I plan to camp at or near the end of Ball Creek Road at the base of the .02 mile trail to the fire lookout tower. The tower is the only one left on the AT in North Carolina. If the wind is up, we may have to camp down below the ridgeline.

For me, the Saturday night up on Albert Mountain and the drive down the mountain Sunday morning will be the highlight. I did a Google earth search for a scenic route for this trip and found that one looked both adventuresome as well as benign. That is the only stretch of the route I did not have a chance to pre-run.

Sunday mid-day should be some spectacular waterfall sights with the amount of rain in that area lately.

I hope to get some other VWs going this year, but even if just a couple of us go the trip is still on!
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

russwiththebus · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:36 pm Post subject:

I am borrowing an HD video camera from my dad. Kind of like a GoPro but a different brand. Next week I am experimenting with mounting options so hopefully I can get some good trip footage of some of the more scenic areas.

And I'm trying to spread the word to other VW owners who may like to join in this year.

panic_fan · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 1:39 pm Post subject:

Awesome idea. Hopefully I can plan to attend next go round.
_________________
Rich
Brilliant Blue/Cloud White
1970 Baywindow Bus
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=291988&highlight=

"Still learnin the way around my VW bay"
Teal Bay Bus

ultralite · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 8:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Jeff,

I remember I messaged you about the trip some weeks back but can't remember if I ever said "we're going". Well, "we're going". My son and I that is.

Of course, I have some work to do first. I have my interior completely stripped at the moment and I'm on the tail end of a head cold recovery. BUT, I should have everything back in this weekend.

Looking forward to it!
_________________
Godspeed

'76 Beetle (sold)
'69 Beetle (sold)
'72 BMW 2002 (RIP)
'69 Westy
'02 BMW wagon AWD w/stick shift(sold)
'67 Beetle (sold)

Jeff Geisen · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 5:05 am Post subject:

Good to hear you are planning to join this year.

I have 4 buses to repair for the trip;

-a rear brake and axle shaft replacement
-install a hot start relay
-replace a thermo time switch
-replace a broken cylinder stud

looking forward to it... the road trip part.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab

madmike · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 6:00 am Post subject:

shucks, to darn cold up here,, I'm jealousy Laughing

for even a short ride,,going threw 'BusWithdraws" Laughing

new name for 'Cabin Fever' Wink

U'all have a great trip!!!!! I'll be feeding 3 wood stoves Laughing

_________________
'Black Ice'Drag Buggy 'Turbo'
Rail Buggy 1915 turbo
76 Drag/Street bug 2180cc 'Turbo' 11:85 @113 mph"If I go any faster I'll burn up the Hamster" ,gets 28 mpg. also 10/09/22 11.90 @115 mph
"If I'm ever on Life Support,UNPLUG Me, Then Plug me back In see if that Works"

russwiththebus · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 7:41 am Post subject:

I have just a little bit of bus maintenance to do next week and then I should be ready for the trip.


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Winter Bus Trip out of North Ga. 1-17/19-15
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