November 16-18 - James Island

Our annual trip to camp and see the lights at James Island County Park.  From Ronnie :

IT'S FAST APPROACHING!!!

We will be camping at the James Island County Park Friday Nov 16 - Sunday Nov. 18th

The cost is $28.63 per night per site BUT a site will accommodate 2 tents and up to 6 people, so 2 families could share a site.

Admission to the Holiday Festival of Lights is included in the camping fee. We will "hayride" around the lights loop Saturday night.

website is http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?nid=1546

If we decide to do the climbing wall, it runs $12 per person. I will need to know ASAP if we want to climb to make reservations.

Last year we did a walking tour of Charleston that seemed to go over good. We may possibly do that again. We are looking into it.

This is a great trip! Kurush will be putting together a scrumptious meal plan... so sign up to go!

Please reply and let me know A)if you plan on attending, how many, B) if you would like to do the climbing wall and if so how many

C) if you would like to do the downtown Charleston walk. 

Please respond by November 1st  

October 20th - Paintball

The Villa's are hosting.

Paintball!

10am, Saturday morning at Triggertyme!

429 Koon Store Rd.

Columbia, SC

Some things to think about:

• Loose clothing can help cushion against the paint balls
• Baseball caps help keep paint out of your hair and protect your head
• Tennis shoes or boots

Safety:

• Avoid shooting somebody at close range.  
• Call them out, if they run, then shoot them.
• Avoid head shots if possible.  Self explanatory.

For anybody concerned, Triggertyme speed traps all guns to control speed and also limits rapid fire guns to keep the fields safer.  That being said, there is a good chance that y’all might go home with some bruises.  It would be a good idea to wear multiple light weight layers of clothes to add some padding.  Long sleeves and long pants are suggested, but not required.

For rentals, they are doing a straight $30 fee for gun, mask, unlimited air refills and 500 paintballs.  The rental is good for as long as we want to play. 

       

I’ll have a cooler and bottles of water and some chips.

Any questions?  I did not come up with something to do after paintball, like hike or camp.  The rest of our weekend was pretty full already.  Hope that is ok.

See you there!

Daryl

September 22nd - Apple Picking

We went to Sky Top again - that was the busiest I've ever seen them!  Hubba Hubba Smokehouse was good (again), but also the busiest I've ever seen them...

September 16th - volunteering at the Greek Festival

We volunteered in the souvlaki booth!

August 26 - Tubing

We went tubing on the Saluda with Palmetto Outdoor Center and Get Your Gear On.

July 13-15 - Grandfather Mountain Scottish Games

Menu :

• Friday dinner : on your own - some will probably be grilling at camp
• Saturday breakfast : eggs, grits, ...
• Saturday lunch : at the Games
• Saturday dinner : kabobs / Hobo Foil Packs (prep ahead of time by family), dough boys
• Sunday breakfast : pancakes, sausage

Shopping list : 

family	item	count
Broam	butter, squeeze bottle	1
	biscuits (4 pack cans)	2
	pancakes	4 box mix
	little smokies	2 lbs
	Sharpie marker (for cups!)	1
	coffee/fixings	1 lb
Collier	bananas	bunch
	juice	1/2 gal
	syrup (bottle)	1
Fabio	apples	bag
	plates (pack 25)	2
Gascon	eggs	2 dz
	cinnamon sugar	1
	apples	bag
Hart	grits (not instant!)	1 lb
	milk	1/2 gal
	syrup (bottle)	1
Madge	bananas	bunch
	butter, squeeze bottle	1
Udwadia	juice	1/2 gal
	pie filling (can)	2
	little smokies	2 lbs
	paper towel	2
Udwadia SIL	cheese, shredded	1lb
	non-stick spray	1
	little smokies	2 lbs
	paper towel	2
Villa	milk	1/2 gal
	biscuits (4 pack cans)	2
	little smokies	2 lbs
	plates (pack 25)	2
Ziehl	eggs	2 dz
	pudding (6 pack cups)	2
	bananas	bunch

The games : 
http://www.gmhg.org/
Let's go on Saturday.
Admission age 5-12 is $5, over 12 is $30; includes an evening concert.
No discount for advance purchase, but if you purchase at the gate, you have to have cash.

Camping :
We picked the "Down By The River" campground.  I have this from Pam :

Hi Scott,  Tell everyone to send a check for the two days.  The charge will be $20/ tent per night for those that have only 2 in the tent.  If there are more than two per tent we will only charge for one additional child at $3 so those people with more than 2 per tent would pay $23 per night.  We usually have a three night min. for holiday weekends but will waive that for you.  They need to make their checks out to and mail them to :

Down by the River Campground 

P.O. Box 155, Pineola, NC 28662.  

It would be helpful if they let us know how many will be in their tent, the name of the adult, address, and phone number.  That way we can pre-register you.  Let us know if you have additional questions. 

Pam 

More info from earlier e-mails :

We have a large grassy field that is close to the activity center and bathhouse.  There is a community firepit with some outdoor furniture around it available for use.  We have water faucets outside of the activity building so there is water available, but no outside electricity.  We also have a small charcoal grill that you can use.  We have a small pavilion that has a larger propane grill and a fireplace with picnic tables that seat 36.  You would have to let us know if you wanted to use that.  We would have a couple of picnic tables available for the group area also.  The charge is $20 per tent for two people.  If you want more information you can call me at 828-733-6461 or 828-387-1084.

Sign up / Survey - please respond ASAP! :

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dHRiY19sSlNIcy1lUk1PbjZSNkxaUkE6MQ


More details to come...

June 16 - Lake Murray Outing

From Ronnie - please reply to him with your preference and if you can come :

 The outing for June will be a FAMILY DAY AT LAKE MURRAY.

I have reserved a picnic shelter @ Billy Dreher Island on Saturday June 16.

When I sent out for replies earlier, everyone said Saturday was better.

We have the shelter all day. park is open dawn til dusk. So we can be real flexible. 

IMPORTANT

Would you rather do a picnic / grill lunch then spend time afterwards swimming / boating / etc.  OR

swim / boat / etc. first then eat supper?

Does anyone have a boat / pontoon they would be willing to bring?

Hotdogs and hamburgers okay? 

Remember everone is invited, bring siblings, Mom, etc. I will need a count to plan. 

My co-host Kurush is in charge of the karaoke....8-)

Ronnie

May 12 - Canoeing For Kids Rafting Fundraiser

We had several families come out - thank you!  We had a great time.  Pictures here :

https://picasaweb.google.com/103868908476097872378/CanoeingForKids2012

April 21-22 Backpacking Trip

Let's try another survey!  We have a backpacking trip scheduled for April 21st - we're planning on just an overnight trip, leaving Saturday morning, returning Sunday afternoon..

Our challenges :

• long enough to be an adventure, but not too long, not too steep
• scenic
• adequate camping that we can count on for our group (bigger is more challenging) - there are places you can reserve in the back country, but that is atypical 
• not too far away (travel time / gas)
• weather - the season is in our favor

The last time we went it was to a trail along the Chattooga, near Ellicott Rock and the fish hatchery.  That was cool because there was a river and waterfalls, which are always a big win.  It wasn't too steep and I think was maybe 8 miles round trip.  My initial thoughts were to keep it closer to home because of the cost of gas / travel time.  Two trails come to mind - 

• The Buncombe Trail - this is near Newberry and is rolling hills.  It is a loop of about 30 miles that we can pick how much we want to take on.  http://www.sctrails.net/Trails/alltrails/Multi-use/Buncombe.html, Also  http://sctrails.net/trails/ALLTRAILS/Palmetto%20Trail/EnoreePassage.html 
• The Palmetto Trail - this theoretically runs from the coast to the mountains but is not 100% complete yet - there is a section crossing the Broad river near Peak

What are your ideas?  http://www.sctrails.net  is a great resource.  

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/gform?key=0AgcxpsX18Wr6dFRyRWJ2WWZ3VUVhX1ctMFZfVk5ac1E#invite  

March 16-18 - Trip to Atlanta - Fernbank Science Center and Aquarium

Details from Ben :

Link to original form : https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwcxpsX18Wr6V0ZJc2NQM2lRWTZPYnZqR3YtMzA5dw

March 16, 2012 (Friday):

• Arrival at Elks Aidmore at your leisure. 2394 Morrison Road, Conyers, GA.
• There will likely be no school on March 16, 2012 in Lexington 1 due to a scheduled weather day.
• First one to arrive is suppose to have collected camping fee from other dads in order to pay campground.
• Campground is on south side of pond you see from Google Earth. There is a fire pit, bath house, pavilion with gas grill, microwave, stove, refrigerator, and freezer. I was told we would likely be the only group using the campground.

March 17, 2012 (Saturday):

• 9:45 a.m - Arrival at Fernbank Science Center. 156 Heaton Park Drive , Atlanta, GA. Tour museum and buy tickets to Planetarium Show – “The Sky Night” (go on sale at 10:30a.m.).
• 10:50 a.m. – Take your seat for the Planetarium Show.
• Noon – Arrive at The Varsity Restaurant for lunch. This is an Atlanta Icon. “What’ll yeah have...What’ll yeah have”. Hamburgers, chilly dogs, and onion rings. Varsity is about a 0.75 mile hike from aquarium. You may be able to find street parking in this area and avoid parking fees at the aquarium. (Cross interstate via North Ave, turn left on Centennial Olympic Park Drive)
• 1:00 p.m. – Arrive at The Georgia Aquarium.
• 2:30 p.m. - Deepo Undersea 3D Wonder Show – A 15 minute, Disney style animation movie.
• 3:30 p.m. - Dolphin Tales Show – A circus like act featuring dolphins.
• 6:00 p.m. – Aquarium closed.
• Explore Centennial Olympic Park (Olympic Rings Fountain)
• Head back to Elks Aidmore campground.

March 18, 2012 (Sunday):
Leisure pick-up (We are required to turn out all lights and lock doors, leave area clean and tidy. All garbage in dumpster.)
Head back to South Carolina at your leisure. I told campground management we would be gone by 1:00 p.m.


Cost:

Adult Student Child (under 13) Camping (two nights) $10 $10 N/A Planetarium Show $4 $3 N/A Aquarium $32 N/A $26 Aquarium Parking $10 N/A N/A

Meals:
Friday Dinner: On your own
Friday Snack: Popcorn
Saturday Breakfast: Fruit, Bagels, Muffins, Toast
Morning Snack: Granola Bars and Trail Mix
Saturday Lunch: Varsity
Saturday Pre-Dinner: Veggie Tray, Salsa and Chips (left over fruit, bagels, muffins, toast)
Saturday Dinner: Grilled chicken, pork chops, green salad, rice, roll.
Saturday Snack: Popcorn
Sunday Breakfast: Pancakes, sausage (left over fruit, bagels, muffins, toast)
Sunday Lunch: On your own
Payment:
Mail payment to Ben Gies (check only – no cash) 213 Forecastle Ct Lexington, SC 29072
Please complete the attached form and return it with payment:
Name:_____________________________ Father & Teen ($84)__________________ Additional Teen ($42)_________________ Father & Child ($78)__________________ Additional Child ($36)_________________
This payment is for camping and aquarium ONLY. You will pay for Planetarium Show and Aquarium Parking once you get there.

February 25 - Skiing at Wolf Ridge

Thanks Tom and Joe for setting up a great trip!  Thanks to Kenny for setting up the bus and Melanie for driving!

Some pictures :

https://picasaweb.google.com/103868908476097872378/TrailblazersAtWolfRidge