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

[BigAl]

Mark, I had heard about the cave closures I still know of 2 great beginner caves down there, Bowden which I've mentioned before and Sinks of Gandy. Sinks is awesome, you follow Gandy creek in one side of a mountain spur and come out about a mile away on the other side. It's all pretty much easy walking but you get wet to the waist in some some spots. Sinks has a story book style entrance at both ends so it's great for photos, google it or check out this link It also requires a nice drive thru the Otter Creek and Laurel Fork wilderness areas.

Sinks is also close to Spruce Knob which I think is the highest point in WV. There is a park and lookout tower there. Just throwing ideas around??

 

[cshontz]

I requested time off for this trip today, so... I guess its official.

 

[Haggis]

I requested time off for this trip today, so... I guess its official.

Yeah, Chris! What vehicle wil you be driving, the Cherokee, the white Rubi LJ, or the red(?) Mini?

 

[cshontz]

Yeah, Chris! What vehicle wil you be driving, the Cherokee, the white Rubi LJ, or the red(?) Mini?

The Cherokee... hic! ...rat... bastard! hic! /smashes bottle against the wall

What are YOU lookin' at?! /swagger

/mumble

 

[cshontz]

Well, that was bizarre behavior last night. My apologies.

 

[mtnbike28]

Caves

I really hope we can do some caving. The easier ones sound better for me since I will have a 6 year old (on my back?) with me.
I also like the idea of cool scenic drives...

Jay

 

[jim65wagon]

The Cherokee... hic! ...rat... bastard! hic! /smashes bottle against the wall

What are YOU lookin' at?! /swagger

/mumble

Alright, gentlemen, I think we need to hold an intervention. Seems someone on this board has a problem, he drinks, he muses, he spends too much time on his computer thinking of all the better(?) vehicles the world has to offer for large sums of money. And then when someone calls him on it he gets snarky! Al, I think you should bring the cowboy hat afterall!

I really hope we can do some caving. The easier ones sound better for me since I will have a 6 year old (on my back?) with me.
I also like the idea of cool scenic drives...

Being a lazy spelunker I can find the easier caves appealing. As for scenic drives Mon is full of them. It's difficult to keep your eyes on the road for all the scenery. You and the kid will enjoy it...

 

[12husky]

Questions from a newb

My g/f and I are looking at coming, but I have a few questions. The camping and hiking are standard for me, but I am now driving a new to me 2002 4runner. My offroad experience is with fullsize rigs built for the mud, not running trails like you guys are talking about. My 4runner is stock (no lockers, 31 BFG ATs) and I want to not be in anyone's way with a less than capable rig (or should I say driver). Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[jim65wagon]

My g/f and I are looking at coming, but I have a few questions. The camping and hiking are standard for me, but I am now driving a new to me 2002 4runner. My offroad experience is with fullsize rigs built for the mud, not running trails like you guys are talking about. My 4runner is stock (no lockers, 31 BFG ATs) and I want to not be in anyone's way with a less than capable rig (or should I say driver). Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Matt

It'll go and be quite happy and is more than capable; If Chris thinks he can drive the Loop in a Mini, I have no doubt your Runner can do it also! I'm not in this to thrash the truck (or the scenery) and last year we had a debate on a side trail about driving the larger vehicles up and everyone concluded it wasn't worth it. Maybe in an XJ!

 

[Haggis]

No worries, your Toy will fit in nicely. Remember that this is the Expo East crew and we're laid back types, it's more about getting together and having fun than thrashing our rigs. That side trail Jim mentioned was runnable by the guys with the narrower rigs, but us full size guys were going to have to do some tearing to get up there and it just would have harshed our mellow. Well signing off for the weekend, we've got the trailer loaded and hitched up and are headed to the woods this weekend, you folks have a good one!

 

[IH8RDS]

It'll go and be quite happy and is more than capable; If Chris thinks he can drive the Loop in a Mini, I have no doubt your Runner can do it also! I'm not in this to thrash the truck (or the scenery) and last year we had a debate on a side trail about driving the larger vehicles up and everyone concluded it wasn't worth it. Maybe in an XJ!

I want to see that side trail!

I have never been there, but I am sure you will be fine.

 

[cshontz]

I think even an AWD wagon or CUV would suffice, though these drivers will certainly have to pay close attention on the trail. Personally, I don't expect to do too much driving very much during the trip - just sitting around talking, poking at the fire, hiking, splashing around, photographing, mainly. That's me though. Everyone's welcome to do their thing.

 

[KMR]

Going to have to pull our names from the attendee list, looks like we will be wasting our vacation moving into/trying to fix a new house. :smilies27
You all have an extra good time for us.
Kevin R.

 

[Haggis]

I just got through the UP trip thread. Boy, those guys are serious! They got itineries, tshirts, stickers and a sponsor. Real professional like. Makes us look like a bunch of slackers. But we'll be the most well fed, laid back and happy slackers in the woods in late August.

Heck I'd like to announce that Sugarcreek Log Home Supply is willing to be a proud sponsor of MON '08 and is willing to give each participant a free 10.5 oz tube of half used Conceal Caulking for their log homes. Please, please, calm down. I know the excitement will be to much to handle. Also we'd like to sponsor a crawdad hunt and boil, if we can find any of those tasty little critters in those brown tannic streams of WV.

 

[jim65wagon]

Yeah Mark! Way to step up to the plate! Nuthin' bettah den free! And
that is some high quality caulk, gentlemen!
:clapsmile

Maybe you could run a line of cob-blasted and wood-stained, ripped and torn T-Shirts....you could even hand-letter MON '08 on the back so everyone would know us from a distance! I'll have to bring some garlic, butter and rice for the Crawdad Hunt!

And I thought we had an itinerary...eat, sleep, eat, drive, eat, hike, drive, eat, sleep, etc..you get the picture

Whose the slackers now?!