I have reservations at Fontanna Village campgrounds for wed.- sun. can someone please tell me if many of the mini group camp. seems like mini owners go for the lodge and cabins. remember, that while you are waiting in line for food, Ill be grilling a steak and having a cold one ! see you on the dragon...silver 05 S with teardrop trailer behind (I HOPE !!!!! )

 

Welcome to NAM, the diggers! I think there may be quite a few MINI folk camping in May. The facilities are very nice. Mmmmm....steak!

Moving this thread from Off Topic to the MOTD-2006 Forum.

 

A couple of folks from AtlantaMINIS will be there. I camped in 2004
but moved to Tapoco last year where the majority of our contingent
stays.

 

I'll be at Fontana Lodge but won't be waiting in any lines. Here's what we are bringing to cook on.
Annette

 

Ok then...You have my attention. When are you arriving, when is this grill going to be fired up

 

Annette, I hope your cabin is near mine!

 

What's the weather like down there in early May? I've done some cold weather wilderness camping up here in Ontario in early April so I should be good for anything.

Patt

 

Actually my husband will be getting there on Monday or Tuesday the first or second. He'll be doing some fishing and hiking for a couple of days before I get there on Thursday.
I called today and got my room changed from one in the Lodge to one of the timeshares. I don't know much about the layout there so if anyone knows if the timeshares are in a different area or what let me know.
All we'll need is some cold beer and we're set! There's alot of room for cooking so what we're thinking is that people can bring stuff to throw on. It has two gas burners on the far side, so good for pots for corn on the cob or stew or whatever. Hubby will load the bottom and back areas up with hickory wood to cook with. I guess everyone in the OT crowd can offer suggestions as to how to use it best since we've never been and don't know the schedule, etc.
Annette

 

I'm at the Dogwood and thanks... I like my steak well

 

I am thinking about camping there too...anyone else? I'd prefer to camp rather than drive the extra miles from Robbinsville.

 

I too am camping, but thats just do to lack of funds

Actually, i like camping, fires and all.

 

Cool. I love camping too...if the weather's decent. And yes, lack of funds requires camping...I empathsize!

 

I could always realocate some funds, but i would rather have a few more things improved on the MCS

 

I'll be camping too but because I like camping and it saves $. With all the events going on the only thing I'll be cookin' is breakfast and it's hard to beat a good camp breakfast!

"What if it's cold?" - Do what I do, bring a ceramic heater and put in the tent with plenty of clearance for proper air movement. It's safe as long as you're not stupid about it. Being stupid does carry a cost. Also make sure you get a site that at least has electricity. Some of the sites don't!

 

I'm planning on camping, how are the sites on average? good and flat or nice and rocky?

 

Don't know since I haven't been there but the pictures on their website make the sites look flat & graveled and well kept. No problem for me even with a tent.

 

Can you tow that behind your MINI? It almost looks like you will need a gas guzzling SUV to pull that thing!

 

Ahh, nothing like the smell of cooked bacon outside followed by a small robusto

 

So glad to hear that others will be camping as well

 

Camping is great, but we'll have to fill the MINI up with supplies for food...are there gas or charcoal grill in the campground for grilling does anyone know? How about resturants actually on site at Fontana Village?

 

If you register for the event ($75?) then you'll have three meals provided for (the Welcome Dinner at 6pm on Thursday night, the Chili Cookoff on Friday night and then the Farewell Dinner on Saturday night).

I plan on arriving sometime during Thur. so I'll either pack lunch or eat on the road. Friday & Saturday I'll have breakfast & lunch to prep for. Sunday I imagine I'll prep breakfast and eat lunch on the road. Throw in a smattering of munchies and that's it. I'd make sure you keep everything in a sealed container like Tupperware.

If you haven't cooked for camping before then do yourself a favor. Don't! Do fruit & bread or cold cereal for breakfast then get sandwich makings for lunch. No fuss, no muss!

If you insist on cooking then get yourself a gas stove/grill. Look online at the camping sites like REI or somewhat cheaper at Bass Pro Shops Online or any other bijillion online camping stores for one. Just remember to not go nuts since you don't camp that much. But if you really enjoy it and are definitely going to do more camping then do yourself a favor and get one!

Bring lots towels if you're wanting to keep your MINI in pristine glamour shot condition with all the shutterbugs running around that weekend. Some people where washing them everyday last year. Whatever.

Oh! Also bring a couple of these kinds of chairs! You won't regret it to have these when it comes to camping.

 

I asked about camping at the dragon. Ive done tent camping for years(camped 14 days in yellowstone,in feb.) But now old age has forced me to take up a teardrop trailer with a kelty screen house. the 05 cooper s pulls it just fine! gets about 23 m.p.g at 65 m.p.h.. the trailer is a little guy delux with many mods. Every where I go, people in $ 3000,00 motor homes come up and want to see the car and trailer. If you see me, please come up and take a look....BRING COLD BEER and I ll show you the POD!!! .

 

I'll also be camping at fontana for this gig. I'm used to camping in every kind of weather. It's all in the tent and the sleeping bag. It's the 14hour drive from Toronto that should be interesting. If you see a red and white MC with Ontario plates and a very exhausted drive come on over and say hi. Don't forget the Red Bull.

Patt

 

Camp sites are not unlimited so make sure you call Fontana
and get a reservation.

 

the diggers, so what kind of teardrop do you have? DH and I were looking at the T@B by Dutchmen or one built by Camp Inn. I doubt we'll buy ours before May, so will definately come take a look at yours! We have literally been researching teardrops for at least 5 years, but just can't decide. We debated building our own, but have so many other projects on the list we decided we'll just have to buy one.

Annette