We are considering reserving the climbing wall or booking the "challenge course". Another possibility is the "Charleston Freedom Trail" which is a sort of scavenger hunt / walking tour of historic Charleston. Please let Ronnie know your preference as soon as possible!
Please contact Ronnie as soon as possible if you are camping - we will be paying in advance and they will *mail* us the passes so we can get in Friday night with a minimum of fuss (and not pay admission). But... you must let Ronnie know first.
----
We did it!
Trail : http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=202888110398211134349.0004b1b1d23506f57211e
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/103868908476097872378/TrailblazersOnTheCharlestonFreedomTrail#
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Camping at Lynches River County Park - October 21-23
Joe and Kurush are hosting. Per Joe :
The October Trailblazer outing will be a camping trip to Lynches River County Park in Florence County http://lynchesriverpark.com. The dates are Friday October 21 thru Sunday October 23. The campsites are $8 per night with up to 4 tents per site. I have sites reserved, but need to get a more firm headcount. Please let Joe know if you plan on attending and how many people by Friday, October 7.
Activities :
Menu:
All: Snacks to share, drinks
Madge:
Udwadia:
Broam:
Dawkins:
Wigley:
Collier:
Hart:
Directions
We will be at the Lynches River County Park http://lynchesriverpark.com/
1110 Ben Gause Road
Joe is working on the full directions from Columbia, but here are the details from Florence:
From Florence: Take US 52 south for 12 miles, take the first right past the Lynches River Bridge onto Old Number 4. Go 2 miles and turn right onto County Park Road.
DO NOT depend on Map Quest, Google Maps or GPS units for driving directions. These sources often provide alternate routes to the park, which may not be accurate.
[Looks like it is about 2 hours from Lexington]
Activities :
- Archery - the park has a range and we are borrowing bows and arrows from the Lexington YMCA
- Canoeing - we will bring a trailer load of canoes - make sure you e-mail Scott if you are interested, have your own equipment, etc.
Menu:
Friday night – Dinner on your own / something to grill
Saturday Breakfast: Rolls, cold cuts, oatmeal, fruit
Saturday Lunch: Sandwiches, soup, fruit
Saturday Dinner: Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Spaetzle, apple strudel
Sunday Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, bacon, little smokies, fruit
Spaetzle, Mustard, ½ gal. Juice, 1 doz. Kaiser rolls, 1 loaf bread, 1 lb ham, 1 lb salami, 1 can clam chowder soup, 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 can sauerkraut, 2 boxes pre-cooked bacon, spray butter, apple strudel, 1 lb turkey
horseradish mayo, ½ gal milk, 1 lb ham, 1 doz. Kaiser rolls, 1 loaf bread, 1 lb salami, 1 lb pastrami, 2 sticks butter, 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 can sauerkraut, 2 rolls paper towels
½ gal juice, 1 lb salami, swiss cheese (32 slices), spicy mustard, 1 loaf bread, 1 lb pastrami, 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 pack hot dogs, 1 doz. Eggs, 2 boxes pre-cooked bacon, apples
ketchup, ½ gal milk, 1 lb salami, 1 doz Kaiser rolls, 1 bunch bananas, 1 loaf bread, 2 cans clam chowder soup (New England), 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 pack hot dog buns, 1 box pre-cooked bacon
½ gal juice, 1 lb sliced pepperoni, American cheese (32 slices), 1 bunch bananas, 1 loaf bread, 2 cans clam chowder soup (New England), 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 pack hot dog buns, 1 doz. Eggs, 1 lb little smokies, plastic utensils
½ gal. milk, 1 lb sliced pepperoni, 1 bottle spray butter, 1 jar mayo, 1 box instant oatmeal (10 pack), apples, 1 loaf bread, 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 pack hot dog buns, 1 lb little smokies, plastic cups
Coffee, creamer, sugar, ½ gal milk, 1 lb ham, 1 box instant oatmeal (10 pack) 1 jar peanut butter, 1 jar jelly, 1 pack bratwurst (5), 1 pack hd buns, 1 doz. eggs, 1 lb. ham paper plates
We will be at the Lynches River County Park http://lynchesriverpark.com/
Coward, SC 29530
[Looks like it is about 2 hours from Lexington]
Monday, June 6, 2011
August 20-21 - Whitewater Rafting
Broams and McGregors to host.
Location :
3420 Hartford Rd, Cherokee National Forest, Hartford, TN 37753
Lat Long : 35.819108, -83.156823
From Asheville, NC - (approximately 55 miles) Take I-40 West towards Knoxville. Eight miles after the NC/TN state line, take Exit 447 (Hartford Rd). At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and go under I-40. Then turn right onto Hartford Rd. Drive 1/4 mile and turn left at the NOC sign, just as the road starts to bend left. Follow the gravel driveway to our Pigeon River Outpost. Welcome!
Hiking
As an additional activity, I'm proposing a hike to "Max Patch" - this is a short hike to a beautiful "bald" on the Appalachian Trail.
http://www.trailbehind.com/Max%20Patch%20Mountain/
Camping - ** change in plans **
As we are rafting later and driving around in the mountains with darkness approaching and hungry kids in the car isn't my idea of fun, I found something closer that was *reservable*. We have a group site (#2) in the Cosby Campground in the GSMNP. :
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Cosby_Campground_Tn/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70960&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
Note :
Rafting
I made a reservation for 15 with the NOC. $35/ea. Time 3:45, arrive 1/2 hour ahead, so 3:15. Total time 2 1/2 hours. Location :
3420 Hartford Rd, Cherokee National Forest, Hartford, TN 37753
Lat Long : 35.819108, -83.156823
As an additional activity, I'm proposing a hike to "Max Patch" - this is a short hike to a beautiful "bald" on the Appalachian Trail.
As we are rafting later and driving around in the mountains with darkness approaching and hungry kids in the car isn't my idea of fun, I found something closer that was *reservable*. We have a group site (#2) in the Cosby Campground in the GSMNP. :
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Cosby_Campground_Tn/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70960&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
- $26/night for *all* of us - that's less than $2/head!
- They do say a max of 5 cars so we may need to park a couple of cars elsewhere
- ** Don't bring firewood!! ** there are new rules about bringing in wood...
- Shirin - the bathrooms will be nicer...
I'm proposing the following :
- leave *Saturday* morning
- raft mid / late afternoon
- camp at Cosby
- hike to Max Patch Sunday morning
- head home
Friday, May 27, 2011
July 29-31 - Virginia Creeper Trail
Thomas' and Dawkins hosting. We rode bikes on this "rails to trails" trail a couple of years ago - it was great.
From Clark :
From Clark :
Here is some information on the campsite and bike rentals for the upcoming trip.
Campground: Creeper Trail Campground http://www.creepertrailcampground.com/
It's located at the top of the Virginia Creeper trail and it's a Christmas tree farm as well. They have a primitive area (field) and camp sites available where we can set up a few tents per site. The cost is the same for either at $5 per head per night. We can choose where we stay when we get there. The camp site area has trees if you want to hang a hammock.
The nice thing about the location is that we don't have to pay for shuttle service if we leave a few vehicles at the bottom to carry our bikes back up when done. I have a trailer that will hold 10 or so bikes. However, if you want to rent a bike and take the shuttle, we can easily coordinate the timing with the group. The campground also has about 50 bikes to rent at $15/day but they don't have a shuttle service.
The campground appears to have a good bit to offer - check out the website. Late arrivals won't be a problem since they don't lock the entrance gate.
The last time we used the following outfit for bike rentals & shuttle service: www.adventuredamascus.com/ They did a great job and we can use them again. Click on the link for pricing and details. They have hourly shuttle service and will drop us off within walking distance of the campground.
Date: July 29 - 31
Campground address: 2238 Whitetop Gap Road, Whitetop, VA (276) 388-3426
Travel time: about 4 hours
Va Creeper Trail info: www.vacreepertrail.com/
If you have not been before, the trail is very nice with neat things to see. The very gradual downhill grade makes the biking very easy.
We have about 30 attending so far. Ronnie will work up a food list a little later.
It's going to be a fun trip! Looking forward to seeing you there!!
Clark Thomas
Thursday, May 26, 2011
June 17-19 Chau-Ram County Park Outing
We will be camping at the "Original Long Creek Campground" (this is where we camped on last Summer's zip line trip) with the activity being a day trip to Chau-Ram Country Park (where a lot of folks went last year, too).
Camping
Directions coming soon.
Note that this is a rustic campground with a privy toilet (outhouse), picnic shelter, primitive showers, and a number of smallish wooded campsites. This is a great place to hammock camp as a number of us did last year.
Chau-Ram County Park
This is about 15 minutes away and is at the junction of the Chauga River and Ramsey Creek. It's a really nice park and the creek/river are a lot of fun to play in. There is camping here, but it was not suitable for planning a group trip (i.e. no reservations).
Other Activities
There are a lot of hiking opportunities, including lots of waterfalls. The Chattooga River is nearby, too, offering canoeing / kayaking.
Camping
Directions coming soon.
Note that this is a rustic campground with a privy toilet (outhouse), picnic shelter, primitive showers, and a number of smallish wooded campsites. This is a great place to hammock camp as a number of us did last year.
Chau-Ram County Park
This is about 15 minutes away and is at the junction of the Chauga River and Ramsey Creek. It's a really nice park and the creek/river are a lot of fun to play in. There is camping here, but it was not suitable for planning a group trip (i.e. no reservations).
Other Activities
There are a lot of hiking opportunities, including lots of waterfalls. The Chattooga River is nearby, too, offering canoeing / kayaking.
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 13-15 Y Indian Longhouse
The Trailblazers will be hosting an activity, a "watermelon race" from 1:00-1:45 on Saturday. We are also invited to participate in the Pinewood Derby on Sunday.
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/YIndiansSpringLonghouse2011#
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/YIndiansSpringLonghouse2011#
Sunday, April 24, 2011
April 30th - Air Show in Beaufort
The Himes and Broams were able to make this trip - pictures here :
https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAt2011MCASBeaufortAirShow
https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAt2011MCASBeaufortAirShow
Saturday, March 5, 2011
April 8-9 Relay for Life in Lexington
For our April outing, the Trailblazers will be participating in the Lexington Relay for Life on April 8-9. We would like to invite all Indian Princess, Indian Guides and their families to participate with us! This event raises money for the American Cancer Society.
We will have shelters and in true Trailblazer tradition, plenty of food at the relay for participants! Moms, siblings and friends are also invited!
If you would like to participate you can register online at
http://main.acsevents.org/
sign up for team YMCA Trailblazers.
Ronnie will be sending out more information shortly, but feel free to contact him if you have any questions. Also if you own or work for a business who would like to be a sponsor please let him know. There are different corporate sponsorship amounts and would get you banners displayed at the event, your company name on the participant t-shirts, etc availabel at different sponsor levels.
Please come out and participate! If you cannot you can still register as a team member and for the $10 you will get a participant t-shirt. If you would rather not register how about donating to one of our team members!
=========================
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAt2011RelayForLife#
We will have shelters and in true Trailblazer tradition, plenty of food at the relay for participants! Moms, siblings and friends are also invited!
If you would like to participate you can register online at
http://main.acsevents.org/
sign up for team YMCA Trailblazers.
Ronnie will be sending out more information shortly, but feel free to contact him if you have any questions. Also if you own or work for a business who would like to be a sponsor please let him know. There are different corporate sponsorship amounts and would get you banners displayed at the event, your company name on the participant t-shirts, etc availabel at different sponsor levels.
Please come out and participate! If you cannot you can still register as a team member and for the $10 you will get a participant t-shirt. If you would rather not register how about donating to one of our team members!
=========================
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAt2011RelayForLife#
Sunday, January 16, 2011
March 12th - Cowboy Action Shooting outing
Ronnie's friends in the Palmetto Posse, an affiliate of the Single Action Shooting Society, have offered to host an event where we can sample the sport of "Cowboy Action Shooting". This will be 2-4(ish) on the afternoon of Sunday, March 13th. To give you an idea of what this is about, here are pictures from a previous Trailblazer outing :
http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAtCowboyShoot
And from an event I attended with Ronnie :
http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/SASSJuly5th2008
There will be a nominal cost to cover ammunition.
Directions to Mid Carolina Rifle Club
Mid-Carolina Rifle Club (MCRC) is an outdoor shooting range located about 2 miles south of the towns of South Congaree and Pineridge.
Street address is 3435 Fish Hatchery Rd
Gaston, SC 29053
From I-26 East
Coming from Greenville-Spartanburg area or I-20 East to I-26 East Take exit 115 and take a right off the exit ramp (toward Swansea). At the traffic light at the top of the hill take a right onto Fish Hatchery Road. After about 5 miles, you will come to a stop sign, and a road sign that indicates Busbee Rd to the left, and Fish Hatchery Rd to the right. Turn Right. Once you pass Forest Manor Mobile Home Park, look for a dirt road to the left.
From I-77 South Coming from Charlotte or I-20 West (Exit 76) to I-77 South As you approach the I-77 and I-26 interchange, you will see a sign for Exit 1 (Cayce). Exit here (before getting to I-26). At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic light, proceed straight onto Fish Hatchery Road. After about 5 miles, you will come to a stop sign, and a road sign that indicates Busbee Rd to the left, and Fish Hatchery Rd to the right. Turn Right. Once you pass Forest Manor Mobile Home Park, look for a dirt road to the left.
===============================
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAtCowboyShoot2011#
http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAtCowboyShoot
And from an event I attended with Ronnie :
http://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/SASSJuly5th2008
There will be a nominal cost to cover ammunition.
Directions to Mid Carolina Rifle Club
Mid-Carolina Rifle Club (MCRC) is an outdoor shooting range located about 2 miles south of the towns of South Congaree and Pineridge.
Street address is 3435 Fish Hatchery Rd
Gaston, SC 29053
From I-26 East
Coming from Greenville-Spartanburg area or I-20 East to I-26 East Take exit 115 and take a right off the exit ramp (toward Swansea). At the traffic light at the top of the hill take a right onto Fish Hatchery Road. After about 5 miles, you will come to a stop sign, and a road sign that indicates Busbee Rd to the left, and Fish Hatchery Rd to the right. Turn Right. Once you pass Forest Manor Mobile Home Park, look for a dirt road to the left.
From I-77 South Coming from Charlotte or I-20 West (Exit 76) to I-77 South As you approach the I-77 and I-26 interchange, you will see a sign for Exit 1 (Cayce). Exit here (before getting to I-26). At the end of the exit ramp, at the traffic light, proceed straight onto Fish Hatchery Road. After about 5 miles, you will come to a stop sign, and a road sign that indicates Busbee Rd to the left, and Fish Hatchery Rd to the right. Turn Right. Once you pass Forest Manor Mobile Home Park, look for a dirt road to the left.
===============================
Pictures : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAtCowboyShoot2011#
March 6th - Y Indian Gudes Bowling Extravaganza
Let's join the Y Indians for an afternoon of bowling! 3-5pm at Anchor Lanes in Irmo. Cost $12/ea for shoes, 2 hours of bowling, a slice of pizza, and a drink. Please let Kurush know ASAP if you will be attending!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
February 18-20 - Congaree Swamp Outing
Pictures from the trip : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAtCongareePark#
=========================
The Broams and Madges are hosting this one.
Where
The campground is almost exactly where google shows the address for the park - it is on the left immediately before the park gates
Congaree Swamp Natl Monument, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320
http://goo.gl/maps/Vhy6
Camping
"After Hours Sites" - This is the camping available right outside the gate - there are 7 sites limited to 8 campers each. There is a port-a-potty here though there is no water. There are picnic tables and fire rings. You can't drive up to them, but it is a very short walk. We would need a permit for each site.
or don't camp - just join us for the day time activities
Saturday Activities
9:30 Ranger Talk - "Nature Discovery Hike" : Discover the floodplain on this guided Boardwalk hike. We’ll explore the forest, looking and listening for animals.
Hiking - there are some nice trails ranging up to 12 miles or so - no hills! If the river stays low, we should have access to a lot of the park. There are folks that have GPS coordinates of some of the bigger trees - I'll see what I can round up.
Sunday Canoeing
There are ranger led canoe trips on Sunday afternoons that you must reserve a slot for. They have 10 canoes available - I was able to reserve two which can handle 3 people each. There were two more of these slots available at that time. There are also a couple of slots available for folks bringing their own canoes - I was able to reserve two of these (the ranger put those down at 2 each). If we have more than 10 folks who would like to participate, we need to find out ASAP and have somebody call to reserve the two remaining canoe slots.
Details ; We meet at 1:45 and you must have a change of clothes in a dry bag (I have bags). Wear shoes you can get muddy, though it is not likely that we will have to get out of the canoes.
Links
http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
Important Notes :
Friday dinner: Everyone bring your own meat for the grill, beans, smores to be provided
Sat. breakfast: instant oatmeal, instant grits, fruit
Sat. lunch Sandwiches
Sat. dinner: Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Sun breakfast: pancakes, eggs, bacon
Saturday lunch for the canoers: sandwiches
Everyone: Bring water and water bottles for the Saturday hike, chips /snacks to share, drinks for your family
Madge: spray butter, mustard, jelly, smores, 1 box oatmeal, 1 lb ground meat, 1 can potato, 1 doz. eggs, charcoal, coffee, zip lock bags
Broam: mayo, pancake mix, chocolate bars, graham crackers, 1 loaf bread, 1 can corn, soup mix, corn bread mix, 1 box of instant grits, charcoal
Collier: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack) styrofoam/paper cups (24 pack), paper towels
Villa: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb. lunchmeat, bunch of bananas, 1lb ground meat, 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 can green beans, 1 box pre-cooked bacon, 1 dozen eggs
Dawkins: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunch meat, 1 lb ground beef, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack), 1 can peas, 1 can stewed tomatoes
Udwadia: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 bunch of bananas, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack), 1 can green beans, paper plates
Wigley: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 box instant grits, 1 lb ground beef, 1 can potatoes, 1 can peas, 1 box of pre-cooked bacon
Dreher: 1 loaf bread, 1 can corn, 2 boxes pre-cooked bacon, 1 box instant oatmeal, 1 bag of apples, 1 bottle of maple syrup
Himes: 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 loaf bread, 1 jar peanut butter, 1 bag apples, paper towels
=========================
The Broams and Madges are hosting this one.
Where
The campground is almost exactly where google shows the address for the park - it is on the left immediately before the park gates
Congaree Swamp Natl Monument, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320
http://goo.gl/maps/Vhy6
Camping
"After Hours Sites" - This is the camping available right outside the gate - there are 7 sites limited to 8 campers each. There is a port-a-potty here though there is no water. There are picnic tables and fire rings. You can't drive up to them, but it is a very short walk. We would need a permit for each site.
Permits - these are free and can be picked up the day of camping - I can go out at lunch as my office isn't far. I'm not 100% clear on this, but I think I can pick up permits (say, for the "after hours" site) for other adults - I'll clarify.
or don't camp - just join us for the day time activities
Saturday Activities
9:30 Ranger Talk - "Nature Discovery Hike" : Discover the floodplain on this guided Boardwalk hike. We’ll explore the forest, looking and listening for animals.
Hiking - there are some nice trails ranging up to 12 miles or so - no hills! If the river stays low, we should have access to a lot of the park. There are folks that have GPS coordinates of some of the bigger trees - I'll see what I can round up.
Sunday Canoeing
There are ranger led canoe trips on Sunday afternoons that you must reserve a slot for. They have 10 canoes available - I was able to reserve two which can handle 3 people each. There were two more of these slots available at that time. There are also a couple of slots available for folks bringing their own canoes - I was able to reserve two of these (the ranger put those down at 2 each). If we have more than 10 folks who would like to participate, we need to find out ASAP and have somebody call to reserve the two remaining canoe slots.
Details ; We meet at 1:45 and you must have a change of clothes in a dry bag (I have bags). Wear shoes you can get muddy, though it is not likely that we will have to get out of the canoes.
Links
http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm
Important Notes :
- we can't bring in firewood - we can burn deadwood found on-site or charcoal
- there is no running water - bring your big water containers
Friday dinner: Everyone bring your own meat for the grill, beans, smores to be provided
Sat. breakfast: instant oatmeal, instant grits, fruit
Sat. lunch Sandwiches
Sat. dinner: Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Sun breakfast: pancakes, eggs, bacon
Saturday lunch for the canoers: sandwiches
Everyone: Bring water and water bottles for the Saturday hike, chips /snacks to share, drinks for your family
Madge: spray butter, mustard, jelly, smores, 1 box oatmeal, 1 lb ground meat, 1 can potato, 1 doz. eggs, charcoal, coffee, zip lock bags
Broam: mayo, pancake mix, chocolate bars, graham crackers, 1 loaf bread, 1 can corn, soup mix, corn bread mix, 1 box of instant grits, charcoal
Collier: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack) styrofoam/paper cups (24 pack), paper towels
Villa: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb. lunchmeat, bunch of bananas, 1lb ground meat, 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 can green beans, 1 box pre-cooked bacon, 1 dozen eggs
Dawkins: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunch meat, 1 lb ground beef, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack), 1 can peas, 1 can stewed tomatoes
Udwadia: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 bunch of bananas, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack), 1 can green beans, paper plates
Wigley: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 box instant grits, 1 lb ground beef, 1 can potatoes, 1 can peas, 1 box of pre-cooked bacon
Dreher: 1 loaf bread, 1 can corn, 2 boxes pre-cooked bacon, 1 box instant oatmeal, 1 bag of apples, 1 bottle of maple syrup
Himes: 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 loaf bread, 1 jar peanut butter, 1 bag apples, paper towels
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
