Save the date! Saturday, October 23rd

Have some fun cruising down to Virginia to see the fall colors in all their glory! This afternoon run will let you sleep in late before heading for the hills. We'll cruise some amazing backcountry roads in the Shenandoah Valley and end up for dinner around the campfire... I'll bring the marshmellows! Anybody know the ghost story about the guy with a hook for a hand?

Those who wish to stay and camp for the evening can enjoy a leisurely evening relaxing with friends. There are B&Bs in the area for those inclined to "credit card" camp and we'll have directions back to Rt 66 for the rest. Sunday morning the campers will have some breakfast and caravan home.

FURTHER DETAILS...

When: Saturday, October 23rd (and 24th for the campers)

Where: Leaving from Manassas, VA. We'll meet in the Border's Books parking lot right off of Rt 66 at VA-234. This is on the NW corner of the interchange.

Time: Gather 11:45 am - 12:15 pm / Leaving 12:30 pm SHARP

Food: Dinner around the campfire, bring a dish to share.

What we'll provide: Burgers, chicken, s'mores, drinks, plates, silverware, condiments, firewood, etc

What to Bring: FRS radios (channel 7/21), camera, flashlight, camping gear/linens, lawn chair, dish to share, swimsuit (yep - they have a HOT TUB! Woowoo! We're roughing it in style! ), alcohol - BYO

Lodging: Rustic 2 Room Cabin at the KOA in Front Royal (sleeps 6, BYO linens/sleeping bag). Lots of room for tent camping too. Leashed pets & kids welcome. There is a hot tub, game room with air hockey (tournament anyone?), basketball court and mini golf (how appropriate! ).

Costs per person:

• DCMM Members: Non-overnight $9 (kids 3-18 $5, under 3 free)
• DCMM Members: Overnight $4 + equal share of the cost of their accomodations (range $15-30 depending on number sharing)
• NON-DCMM Members: Add $5 to the above costs to become a member for the day or for $25 you can join the club for the year & get a tshirt with your membership!

The campgrounds are located about 5 minutes outside of Front Royal only a 1/2 mile from the main road (340). There is a Motel 8 about 2.5 miles up the road and lots of B&Bs in the area if you aren't into camping, but want to spend the night. If you'd like to return home after dinner, you'll be about an hour from the DC beltway.

In the morning, the campers will go and have breakfast in Front Royal. From there you can visit one of the many attractions in the area (the Skyline Caverns are about 5 minutes away) or head home...

Please RSVP to Events@dcmetrominis.org by Monday, October 18th.
List whether you will attend the run only or stay to camp as well. First six folks that want to stay in the cabin get dibs. The cabin is unheated, but a heater can be rented if it's cold. It has real beds folks! We may be able to get a second cabin if demand is there, otherwise they have plenty of room for tents.

 

Paul! and I spent some time yesterday working on the route and we can tell you without reservation, there are some TRULY INCREDIBLE twisties to play on. The scenery is beyond amazing and the colors have just started to show up on the earliest trees...

We have also found a stop that promises to be pretty darn cool...

This is a run not to be missed!

Paul's favorite sign... only ours was labeled 5 mph! Switchbacks are fun!

 

Can't wait for this one! We found some really fun roads out there! Are we stll making the 'musical' stop?

-Paul!

 

Hey... no giving away the surprises... we'll make it... just have to rework the timing on the first bit...

 

Hi! I'm new here and thinking about coming out for the S'mores run. Sounds fun! BUT I've got a costume party to go to later at 8pm in Arlington. Do you think I can make it there, have some fun, and get back in time? Or is it just too far away? Thanks

PepperMel


Pepper White 2004 MCS

 

PepperMel,

First off, welcome to the boards! We in the DC Metro MINIs (DCMMs) have a lot of fun.

I'm the route master for the run and I can tell you that you should be in Front Royal by 5:30 pm. It's about an hour from there to the beltway (at Rt 66). We're going to set up a campfire & hang out, but there are plenty of other "hang-out" opportunities on the run too if you left before dinner. There are several points you could easily break off and head home sooner too (with easy access to main roads home).

You probably wouldn't have time to sit & enjoy dinner with us if you came, but there are plenty of fast food joints on the way home if you just wanted to do the run. That would put your cost down to nothing or $5 if you're not an official member yet as that covers club insurance for the day. If you do come, try & pick up an FRS radio (family band walkie-talkie or a GRMS - same thing only a bit more powerful). We use them on all the runs to keep everybody organized (chatting & ribbing each other too!).

If you can't make it this run, I'll look forward to meeting you soon.

Deb (aka Neko)

 

I am planning to attend but if for some reason I can't, is there any chance we could get the GPS coordinates for the destination? If so I might be able to fly over on Sunday and take a few shots of the group from the air for your news letter.

Regards
Phil (also a new member)

 

Hey, Phil... first off, welcome! Glad to have you aboard. Are you considering the run only or overnight in the cabin as well? We still have room for overnighters. I hope you can make it - you're welcome for either. If you could let me know by Thursday evening, that'd be great...

I'm gonna throw your GPS question over to Paul! -- he's the other route master & a GPS owner too. I'm a paper map kinda girl!

 

what kind of accomodations for sleeping , eating and drinking Saturday night? How many people are staying past the run? and Where?


Sorry to miss breakfast at Tate but the boat show and the game (Navy vs. Notre Dame ) kept me parked where I was the night before...

I saw Andrew P.'s convertible very COOOOL !!!!!!!

 

We have a "rustic" cabin (ie, electricity, plug-in heater if we need it, no bathroom, but water outside) in a KOA campground. It basically is like camping with no tent and better beds. There are showers & bathrooms about 6 cabins down at the KOA office. We have four bunks and one double bed. They have mattresses, but no linens (BYO linens or sleeping bag).

We'll have a campfire outside & we'll grill some burgers & chicken, plus whatever dishes folks bring to share. Smores for dessert. Breakfast will be out at a nearby diner (cheap, but good).

Right now we have about seven cars, with about half staying over. Our campground is in Front Royal, VA.

 

I will be able to join the daytime run. Not staying over. Bea may join if the weather on her biking trip goes sour. See you there. One car, ChiliBit.

Vince

 

Update...

The long term weather forecast is looking good! We're listed as having a warm day (low 70's!) with a relatively warm overnight (45-50 degrees - perfect campfire weather!). Only a 30% chance for a "few showers" (and this percentage has gone down in the last couple of days too...

 

We may swing by the kickoff point to say hi... But won't be going on the drive.

 

Ok all, the official route guide! Feel free to print it out for yourselves. Deb (aka NekoWoman) and I will also have some pre-printed to hand out on Saturday.

See you all Saturday!

-Paul

 

I just sent out an email to everyone I have as RSVPd with some details. If you don't get it for some reason or you've decided last minute that you'd like to come, please email me!

NekoWoman@aol.com