TheSamba.com :: View topic - Winter Bus Trip out of North Ga. 1-17/19-15

Sun Jan 11, 2015 11:54 am

Well Russ, counting you there will be 6 buses going on the trip next weekend. I have no idea if any of the Vanagons are going to travel with us, I have not had anyone from that group confirm.

The weather should be at or just above normal temperatures which will seem downright warm compared to the last week here.

I have managed to repair three out of the four Westys, tomorrow we will tackle the broken cylinder stud...

Mon Jan 12, 2015 9:17 am

Hey Jeff,

I've got interest from a few Vanagon folks. I'll try to get some confirmations early this week.

We just got back from a 2k mile trip so I need to run through my van and chase a few gremlins but we should be good to go by Saturday!

Ben

Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:12 pm

lostorbit wrote: 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).

Well, OK then..we tried to get up on the Parkway on our way to visit folks in Blacksburg, VA. When we arrived at the southern entrance it was closed.

Sure enough, it snowed the day before Thanksgiving.

We ended up at Panther Creek SP in Tennessee. Nice place, 20 or so full hookup spots, new bath house, quiet and only ones there were a couple in a tent, $14!

Came home south on I26 through the mountains was as close as I got to the Blueridge Parkway..this time I hope to get out in the boonies with you guys!

We planing on meeting you in Jasper...WHOOHOO.
PLEASE, Jeff, lostorbit and others ...how many meals do you plan to pack and prepare? We'd like some suggestions ...what do you like cook when you're out and about...will drive for food :wink: just kidding
All the best..
John in Woodstock

Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:48 pm

I will plan on supper/breakfast both Sat. night-Sun. morning and again Sun. night-Monday morning. I tend to plan very basic meals in camp, so I don't have a lot of clean up or preparation for a meal. Usually for supper I will buy ready made sandwiches or make grilled ham & cheese and heat up some soup. Mornings I use a cast iron skillet and cook eggs and sausage or bacon.

We usually have a lunch somewhere along the route at a restaurant or fast food place.

Evening and early morning opportunities to buy a meal could involve an hour or more round trip from the spots I have chosen for us to camp. That goes for buying any provisions, so I always bring those along. A first aid kit, basic meds, propane, drinking water, ice etc. so I can stay put overnight. I want to emphasize the fact that we will be camped near creeks each night and there will be opportunities to hike to them, as well as some waterfalls on Sunday that are not too far from the road. When water is involved there is always a chance for anyone to end up with wet shoes and socks so be prepared. Even though the temps in the region are moderating, the low Saturday night at a mile high elevation should be well below freezing. Sunday night we will be camped much lower than that. High temps should be in the low to mid 50's with sunny skies.

Hope this helps, lookin' forward to this year's edition of the annual MLK adventure.

Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:39 pm

I am not much of a cook so I'll be packing sandwiches and then probably burgers or brats for the grill.

Hey John, I remember meeting you at Circle Yer Wagens one year.

Looking forward to this weekend.

Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:33 am

We are set for the winter road trip, leaving Vintage VW in Jasper at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

If you are planning to attend and find yourself delayed and running late or want to join in for just part of the trip send me a PM with your phone # and we will try to accomodate.

Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning we will travel a combined 15 or so miles on roads like the one pictured below, likely with a trace of snow. This'll be a mostly downhill run and with the foliage off the trees there should be some great long views.

Fri Jan 16, 2015 1:54 pm

I'm all set here and plan to see you in the morning at Vintage VW.

Fri Jan 16, 2015 5:13 pm

Throwing it in the van and plan to meet you in Jasper before 10 ... \:D/

Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:04 pm

Thanks Jeff!

Man, we had a great time. Great group of folks, beautiful scenery, and some cool campers. Really enjoyed meeting everyone. I'll post my pictures tonight.

Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:13 pm

Bet yall had some nice weather, cant wait for pics.

Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:41 pm

Well, we had an awesome time. Folks who missed it, I really hope you can make it next year. My son and I went, there were kids around his age and they all seemed to have a great time together.

We cruised mountain roads doing miles on pavement and miles on forest service gravel roads. My son and I have a hard time naming our favorite part. My vote was last night around the fire. One family that went had a son who was great at the guitar. The guitar seemed to blend nicely with the sound of the nearby stream.

I'm lousy at taking pictures but here is at least 3:
Camping the first night by the Nantahala

Cruising up to Highlands, NC

And "SloMo" all washed and tucked into bed after a great adventure

If any of this crew is heading out to camp and you're looking for company, let me know when and where, I'd camp with any of these folks. Good times...

Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:17 pm

Great people...great places..great time. Man, last night at the campfire did it for me. Thanks, Jeff and of course, Ian, the master storyteller. Your friend, John

Mon Jan 19, 2015 7:22 pm

What a great crew. Thanks for putting this together Jeff. I hate that we missed the second half. Let's do it again soon.

Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:26 pm

Great trip as always! Thanks Jeff and Ian for organizing and leading the group, below are a few teaser photos. This album has all of them though: http://s701.photobucket.com/user/lostorbitvw/library/Winter%20Bus%20Trip%202015

I hope you can all make it to the Dead of Winter campout next month, at Clouldland Canyon Feb 6-8. Details here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=617171

Tue Jan 20, 2015 2:35 am

Looks epic! Had i not just gotten back from my own trip (see page 30 of maisy thread in sig) i would be beyond ready to take off on an adventure like this! Love it and all the pics! :)

Tue Jan 20, 2015 5:21 am

I , as always, am already considering new and exiting route options for 2016's annual MLK Weekend trip.

I am grateful for the good words and everyone's trust and patience over the long weekend.

Sunday night's campfire session was the epitome of the vibe I was hoping to have the group experience. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the kids playing with the Frisbee together in the small field by Overflow Creek all afternoon.

Kids playing for hours without video games and Instagram, adults getting by just fine without phone/internet service. We socialized the old school way, mission accomplished!

This was one of my favorite moments from the trip...

Wed Feb 04, 2015 6:27 am

For any of you coming to the Dead of Winter campout at Cloudland Canyon this weekend, get 30% off your reservation when you mention you saw this post on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1602482333308843&id=1483914761832268

Wed Feb 04, 2015 7:33 pm

Thanks for the discount info. I'm coming early Friday and can only stay one night..have to return Saturday morning for a 1:00 funeral, old friend outside the family. But hey, one night in the woods will be good for my head. Looking forward to seeing you folks again. I will pick up some wood for the group campfire..all the best, John in GA