Mother's Day Weekend at the Gorge IV

“wood is why there are so many kids in the first place...becareful with the wood!!”

“I like the idea of everyone pitching in with the wood. Sounds good!

We currently have 14 yes and 5 maybe signed up. That doesn't include the 15 kids or any of the SO's. Lt (Jon) is coming for sure but hasn't signed up officially. So I think 30 is a safe estimate.

I am working on a tentative itinerary right now.”

“30????????Thats very large!BTW Ruby I need to know when you know what time you are going to be leaveing for the trip on Friday.I am trying to think if I should bring my Indian drum on this trip.I think the wood thing is a great idea I will stock up with 2 to 3 bundles after I pick up my 3 day perment in Slade.BTW does the Slade Shell sell wood???I don't remember if they do or not.

See ya all soon.

8)”

“CMB, are you home now? I'll give you a call this afternoon. We might leave on Thursday afternoon and then stay with a friend down in Kentucky on Thursday night. That would get us to RRG on Friday morning. But we're not sure yet on the schedule.”

“BTW does the Slade Shell sell wood???I don't remember if they do or not.

No they don't. There is a shack/service station right down the road but their wood is crap. I'll buy a wheel borrow full Saturday from the one place. Just be sure not to bring any from home because they are real strict on transporting firewood across state lines now. Something like $400 fine.

The wife and I are getting in Friday night.”

“i can bring a bunch of wood. i live 20 miles from the gorge, they won't mind my wood. they are, however, extremely picky about that and...like Jimmy San said, they will fine you for bringing dogs to Natural Bridge State Park.”

“how many persons per site?”

“I'm not sure about that. I do know the sites are hard gravel so bring the extra heavy tent stakes.”

“I think it's 6 ppl per single site, 12 per double site. That's what I read on teh web site.”

“On the trip page I have posted a link to the NF site.

Here is a direct link to a two-page sheet on Koomer Ridge, which includes a campground map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/documents/rogs/cumberland/koomer.pdf


Jon and the boys and I are going to get in on Thursday night. Look for a RAV4 with Indiana plates. We are going to try to get a site with lots of open sites nearby. From looking at the map I think for our group our best bet is going to be the area of sites 46 - 54 if possible. On Friday we are probably going to go out and do some exploring so we might not be in camp as people arrive.


NOTE: You do still need to get the RRG permit for your vehicle ($5/3 days) in addition to the campground fee.

CAMPGROUND FEE: $15/night for single site - 2 vehicles, 6 people max; $20/night for a double site - 4 vehicles, 12 people max”

“I have updated the trips page info.”

“We're hoping to leave early (5ish) Friday morning. It's about seven hours for us so we should be there around 1ish. If doing the ski lift and Natural bridge aren't on the itinerary I think we'll do that Friday afternoon. That place was cool.”

“Me and my gang will prolly head down Saturday morning”

“Never mind, we will head in friday night.
Has anyone thought of tryin to share the costs and get double sites? I will have to get a double site for both nights and will have room for 3 people and two vehicles. Just a thought...”

“man this will be some close quaters! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ can ya hear me NOW! Yo bear!
Thar is a tent limit also?”

“I don't remember anything about a tent limit. There is a vehicle limit of 2 per single site, 4 per double site.
[b]Ruby [/b]- would it work to try to get the double sites 44 and 45 with spill over going to 46, 47,48. It looks like there is more area for tents? I don't really know, I've never been there, just looking at the map.
last edited: 5/01/07 4:41:05 PM”

“Sorry to say I am not going to be able to make this one becuase of my white cars death.

8(”

“Sorry to hear that Mike.

RE: the site limits....
It's a person limit isn't it? Six people per single site, two tents. I didn't pay attention to the double site stuff.

Nigal and I are going to share a site. We're at five people, one dog and two tents,and two cars.
last edited: 5/02/07 7:11:52 AM”

“Hey, anyone interested in a gear swap Friday?”

“Gear swap sounds fun, although I don't know that I have anything to swap.

The double sites of 44 and 45 look good. They are in the neighborhood of sites 46 - 54. So when you enter the campground, we will try to nab the sites on the west edge and northwest corner.”

“I will see what I have regarding gear swap. I'm sure I'll have a thing or two.”

“girl child and i will be heading up friday morning...assuming a 4 hour drive, we should be there by lunch. assuming that i will get lost (and i always do) i'll be there around dinner time.

1 1/2 people, 1 tent, 1 car. I'm happy to share a site with non-snorers. =p”

“Stokley, save me as spot for car and me, please. This is gonna rock! LOL yo bear!”

“I'm planning on being there sometime Friday evening. I will be heading out as soon as my niece is out of school. Save a spot for one tent and car.
Thanks”

“i will be there early on friday as well. i will save a spot for ya, jerbear. if i can get a double, Stomper and Windigrrl, want to share?”

“sounds good to me!”

“Does anyone have a preference for which day we go to Miguel's? Saturday or Sunday?

Here's my idea for a tentative itinerary:

Friday: Arrive whenever you can; explore wherever you feel like, maybe check out Natural Bridge SP; evening group fire

Saturday: Day hike, maybe 3-4 miles; Late lunch at Miguel's?; Afternoon of lollygagging and/or driving to interesting points within RRG; evening group fire

Sunday: More poking around RRG; Depart

I know some people like to leave right after breakfast on Sunday so I don't want to plan too much for that day


DON'T FORGET!!!!!! If you choose to have something to imbibe around the fire, it's a dry county. You won't be able to buy anything once you're there.

Last time I checked the weather, it looked like it was going to be pretty warm. I'd like to hang out at a creek for part of the time so that the kiddies can splash around in it. You might want to bring bathing suits for them.”

“We have to get out early on Sunday to head home. But if you guys want to do Miguels on Sunday we can do it Friday.”

“I thought for Sat I would take the girls over to the west side of the park and hike out past moonshiners cave and hells kitchen etc. It looks like a fairly short easy trail with lots to see. Also, it's along a creek so they can get in the water. Any other ideas? I'm open for suggestions...”

“thanks-eveready!;}”

“I really want to go, but the way things are going it's just not happening. Grrr.”

“I was planning on hiking the Auxier loop Saturday morning and then doing lunch at Miguell's and then maybe hooking up with the group for the afternoon.”

“I will need directions between now and next Friday.”

“

”

“I will need directions between now and next Friday.”
chili


Just wait a week, and it (friday) will come to you Chili. ;-)

How is auxier ridge for dificulty? my map says it's only 1.1mi but I can't tell about the elevation change. I will have a 4y/o w. me and a 9y/o who is apt to get whiny if it gets too steep.


Also has anyone noticed the forcast? Thunder showers Fri Sat and Sun.
If it still looks like that next thursday I may take the kids to Patton Cave in the Deam instead. If anyone else is interested in that as a rain out alternative they would be welcome to join us.”

“How is auxier ridge for dificulty? my map says it's only 1.1mi but I can't tell about the elevation change. I will have a 4y/o w. me and a 9y/o who is apt to get whiny if it gets too steep.

Hard to say. I didn't get too winnie when I hiked it. The ups and downs that are rough have steps and the rest of it was fun type of scrambling.”

“It's longer than 1.1 miles. I haven't done the whole trail but I MUST do it soon. That place is gorgeous! The part I've been on is kinda rocky, not to steep - mostly ridgetop.”

“ it still looks like that next thursday I may take the kids to Patton Cave in the Deam instead
Why the Deam instead of GGR if the weather is bad?”

““Does anyone have a preference for which day we go to Miguel's? Saturday or Sunday?

What the hell...you don't go there both days? LOL! We're going on Saturday as we have to head home Sunday AM as well.”

“Meangreen, everytime I've gone on this trip w/ Ruby and the kids the forecast has called for storms and it hasn't rained once. The Red makes it's own weather. Don't worry too much about what the weatherman says. (knock on wood)

Treebait, maybe next year!”

“What Sass said about the weather. I saw the forecast, too, but it's so far away yet.


Okay. It's settled. Trip to Miguel's is on Saturday. Got a love a place that sells pizza and gear and ice cream at the same counter. Make sure you try a bottle of Ale 8. It's a Kentucky specialty.”

“OK the gorge it is, I was just thinking if it was raining there and not in the Deam it may be a better alternative to sitting in a tent all day with the kiddies.

As far as trails go I want the kids to have a chance to really get a feel for the killer views that can be found here but I know you don't get the big payoffs with out usually outting in some serious work too. That is why I thought a short section of swift camp creek trail may be a better bet since there seems to be a lot to see in a short distance from the parking lot. I thought we may go just as far as Turtle back arch then back out. Anyone done this trail? My topo only shows one or two hills but it's not so great as the scale is very small.”

“OK the gorge it is, I was just thinking if it was raining there and not in the Deam it may be a better alternative to sitting in a tent all day with the kiddies.

A rainy day in the gorge is better than a sunny day in the Deam! :) Besides, kids love rain and we'll only have about 20 damn tarps to build a Valhalla style mead hall out of.”

“What's everyone bringing to eat? I'm used to backpack cooking aka dehydrated foods. What would be good for car camping without too much clean up?”

“Campfire chicken, Michigan chicken, omelets, pancakes maybe. I do loves to eat. :)”

“Hot dogs and smores, maybe some steaks for me and my pal, or hobo dinners. Baked potatoes in the coals are wonderful. Breakfast is still going to be instant oatmeal. Or maybe Nigal's pancakes. ;)”

“Heay Meangreen, on your desire to get in some killer views, there are quite a few fantastic places for that reachable by car. I was thinking that we might motor over to the chimney top rocks area. It's a short .25 mile hike to take in a spectacular view. There are quite a few places like that there. Even if it is raining, we can do that.”

“windigrrl,

for food, i'm bringing hamburgers for friday and not worrying about saturday night. hobo's are easy. cook it at home, double wrap it in foil and heat in coals...EASY!!

Meangreen,

lots to see without doing alot of hiking, even short trails off the campground. my youngest is 7, not a big hiker...kids will have fun playing!!!”

“Thanks ladies. I'm sure we will figure something out by Saturday morning ;)

I should be rolling in there around 500 friday evening, and will be looking for a double campsite for pinkfleece's and my broods.

Windi, We are keeping it simple this trip. Hotdogs and f/b mexican rice Fri, and oatmeal/grits/bacon sat morn then f/b for dinner too. Sun morn will be more of the same.

WOOHOO!!! A mead hall! COOL! Nigal, you bringin the mead?”

“Man you people are so lucky to be going on this trip.

I am not happy.

8(”