Monongahela 2008, WV, 8/20-8/24

[jim65wagon]

So what night is the show and shine going to be, I know Jimbo will have that black Tundra all shined up and would be disappionted if there wasn't one. My truck on the other hand will probably be covered with corn cob blasting dust and splattered with a months worth of gunk and dead insects. We all know James loves his shiny chrome grill and I hear he had his expedition rack triple chrome plated for the ladies. Plus all his gear will be color matched again, probably all polished chrome. Just another Fredricksburg area mallcrawler.

Even Chris's Mini will be a more testosterone filled ride. :REExeSquatsHL1:

Of, course the Show and Shine is on the first afternoon! Bring your shades, cuz dat chrome rack is duh shiznit! And, hey, if you can take time to match your camo for deer season, you should at least try to look good at the mall! And it's the Walmart crawler, I rarely get to the mall!

 

[BigAl]

Well, that's easy enough! Since Al needs to go out everyday for ice, you can follow him!

So true:wavey: There is ice 3-4 miles either direction on the hardroad from the camp turn off.

 

[sandalscout]

Okay, I was waffling around, but barring troubles with the Jeep (I REALLY want to get a gauge cluster with temp before then) I plan on being there. I'll be in a ground tent. I'm interested in a day hike for sure, and geocaching as well.

Anybody coming from the Nashville area, or through it, let me know, I could adjust my schedule to caravan up.

I hate to say it, but I need to be removed from the schedule. Unfortunately, my waffling on whether to come up or not has allowed a coworker to get off for vacation, so my own time off was not approved. darn!

 

[Haggis]

I hate to say it, but I need to be removed from the schedule. Unfortunately, my waffling on whether to come up or not has allowed a coworker to get off for vacation, so my own time off was not approved. darn!

Sorry you won't be able to make it, see no good comes from waffling except if its at breakfast time. Decisive action is always the best course, I think, yes,yes it is, but not for everyone, sometimes it's not, but I'm sure it is.

 

[firemansxterra]

hey guys, sorry to ask this if it has already been posted (i tried to scroll through all of the pages on this post real quick to see, but i'm on one of the computers here at the firehouse and they are old junk and they only display bits and parts of some pages) but i was wondering if there is any schedule or a rough plan of what's going on, on what days? the reason i ask is cause my other club is going on a run that weekend also, and i also had some things come up here that i may have to take care of, but i would like to at least get up there for a day or two to see some sites and meet some people since i'm new over here...thanks in advance for the info and like i said sorry if it has already been posted, if you can point me to where i would appreciate it, i'll try to check back tomorrow when i am on a better computer! take care...

 

[Haggis]

hey guys, sorry to ask this...but I was wondering if there is any schedule or a rough plan of what's going on, on what days

We don't realy have an iternary or schedule....we tend to end up wandering which ever way the mood strikes us. That being said if you or another couple of folks want to schedule something that's fine. We usually discuss what we are thinking of doing the night before so we have a heads up and then whoever wants to join up is more than welcome, those that don't can wander in their own direction and we'll meet up in the evening. Feel free to come and go as you need, we'll still look forward to sharing a fire with you.

 

[cshontz]

A few of us went this past weekend to scout around for a larger campsite. We found one or two candidates on Saturday. I left on Sunday morning while the others continued the search. They'll chime in if they found anything.

I lost a BFG AT and stepped in human feces. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable outing. There is no shortage of beautiful wilderness in WV.

 

[Haggis]

Hey, do you smell that? Oh I see Chris was just here, you'd think that shoe would have mellowed by now. And no I did not purposely pick that spot to pull off, the existence of human fecal matter right at Chris' door was pure happenstance.
"Oh man that can't be human!"
"Ah, there's paper towels by it, I don't think animals wipe."

I believe a suitable Expoish site has been found for our larger group since our old site was not going to handle everyone. Details will be posted shortly.

 

[Haggis]

There has been some questions as to what iternary or schedule we have, so I thought I'd post up our approach to this Expo East get together.

Basically we are all about getting together and sharing some good times. We don't have schedules, and we come and go on our merry ways as the whims of fate take us. There is tons of things to do in the area, great roads to explore, trails to hike, scenic vistas everywhere, caves to explore and creeks to splash around in. Thomas is a hippie/ hillbilly town with shops and eateries on the lower section of town.

We gather around the fire in the darkenss of the evening and discuss what we would like to do the next day and then the following morning we either join up or go our own way depending on our mood. If there is something that you would like to do, speak up and don't be shy. If you aren't interested in what someone is planning, please don't feel obligated to participate. If you have questions, ask away, someone will be more than willing to help.

There are no leaders here, the trip is everyones. We tend to be a helpful bunch so if you need a hand just speak up. We are also a self sufficient bunch so plan on bringing everything you need for the weekend. Food, water, firewood, personal hygenie(toilet) equipment will come in handy, as if you weren't aware of that already. There are a few country stores in the area for ice and basics but if you need something more specialized you'll have to make a run to a larger town like Parsons.

This is a family event so please be respectful of everyones experience of the MON '08. In a week and a half we'll all get a chance to meet new people, make new friends and have one heck of a good time. The folks who live in this region are great folks, they're really friendly and helpful so make sure you get a chance to shoot the breeze with some of the natives. I'm already getting the gear cleaned up and repacked from this weekend and will probably pack over the weekend. 'Til our paths cross in the woods, Haggis out.

 

[IH8RDS]

Thanks for taking the time to scope out the site. Looking forward to more info.

 

[jim65wagon]

There has been some questions as to what iternary or schedule we have, so I thought I'd post up our approach to this Expo East get together.

Basically we are all about getting together and sharing some good times. We don't have schedules, and we come and go on our merry ways as the whims of fate take us. There is tons of things to do in the area, great roads to explore, trails to hike, scenic vistas everywhere, caves to explore and creeks to splash around in. Thomas is a hippie/ hillbilly town with shops and eateries on the lower section of town.

We gather around the fire in the darkenss of the evening and discuss what we would like to do the next day and then the following morning we either join up or go our own way depending on our mood. If there is something that you would like to do, speak up and don't be shy. If you aren't interested in what someone is planning, please don't feel obligated to participate. If you have questions, ask away, someone will be more than willing to help.

There are no leaders here, the trip is everyones. We tend to be a helpful bunch so if you need a hand just speak up. We are also a self sufficient bunch so plan on bringing everything you need for the weekend. Food, water, firewood, personal hygenie(toilet) equipment will come in handy, as if you weren't aware of that already. There are a few country stores in the area for ice and basics but if you need something more specialized you'll have to make a run to a larger town like Parsons.

This is a family event so please be respectful of everyones experience of the MON '08. In a week and a half we'll all get a chance to meet new people, make new friends and have one heck of a good time. The folks who live in this region are great folks, they're really friendly and helpful so make sure you get a chance to shoot the breeze with some of the natives. I'm already getting the gear cleaned up and repacked from this weekend and will probably pack over the weekend. 'Til our paths cross in the woods, Haggis out.

What he said! And I would like to add: I know some of you geocache, I have in the past but only minimally. You will need to find your own coordinates for any caches you may want to hunt. There are several in the general area. Go have fun!

Also to add to what Chris said; we found some likely places on Sunday also. It is really difficult finding campsites large enough for this group! 1 or 2 vehicle sites are a dime a dozen; larger than that seem to be quite rare. Those that participated in this venture are currently discussing the merits of each and we will get back to everyone about our findings.

I'm sure that may seem awfully secretive to some, but we really are trying to come up with a viable alternative to a "campground" experience.

 

[jim65wagon]

Okay, to end the suspense for all...it has been decided. We found a grouping of campsites along the Canaan Loop Road. I am listing the coordinates for the first sites and the last sites, but the area in between is also available.

1) N39°05.362' W79°32.659'
2) N39°05.222' W79°32.684'

The first site is roughly at the #1 coord and they extend to the #2 coord. It's really 3 or 4 group sites within walking distance of each other. Lots of tree cover, lots of moss covered rocks, maybe a cave, maybe a bear cave. A stream is not far down along the road. I think there is plenty of space between the 3 or 4 sites to get everyone parked and camped.

If it helps any, the sites are along FR13 (Canaan Loop)and you pass through the Blackwater Falls picnic area to access the near end of the road. It will seem a long way until the pavement ends, but end it will and your fun will begin! As you drive in the sites will be to the North (or is it West?) of the trail. The firerings and entrances may not be real easy to see as the brush along the road hides the sites pretty well.

This is the entrance to the last site, it is large enough for a few vehicles and several tents, the other sites are very similar; except one which is in a small clearing about midway along the site area.

This is just inside, also the last site.

Also the last site, the fire ring placement is a little poor. The "driveway" through the site passes right by the fire ring.

And just to show the "romance" of the area. A shot of the boulders behind the site.

 

[IH8RDS]

I created a pocket query for the 100 closest geocache's around the proposed campsite. If you would like it I could email it to whoever wants it. Just shoot me a PM with you're email. It is in .gpx format.

 

[BigAl]

Good looking site:smiley_drive: I some how broke a tie rod end on the jeep an unfortunately it was a custom part so I have to wait for a new one to come from Parts Mike in CA. If it comes Monday, I'll be going down Tuesday night. If the part doesn't come Monday, then I'll be driving my truck

 

[jim65wagon]

If the part doesn't come Monday, then I'll be driving my truck

Don't forget your spare set of kidneys, unless of course, you're bringing firewood again.