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

Camping / Christmas Lights at James Island County Park - November 11-13

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#

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 :

• 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.

 Since we are camping in October, we thought we would go with a little Oktoberfest German theme:


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

 

All: Snacks to share, drinks

 

Madge:

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

 

Udwadia:

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

 

Broam:

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

 

Dawkins:

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

 

Wigley:

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

 

Collier:

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

 

Hart:

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

 

Directions
We will be at the Lynches River County Park http://lynchesriverpark.com/

 

1110 Ben Gause Road

Coward, SC 29530

 

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]

Scottish Games - September 17

Day trip - Broams, Dawkins, Himes, Wigleys

August 20-21 - Whitewater Rafting

Broams and McGregors to host. 

 

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

 

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 :

• $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...

Itinerary

I'm proposing the following : 

• leave *Saturday* morning
• raft mid / late afternoon
• camp at Cosby
• hike to Max Patch Sunday morning
• head home