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Post by crazyhorse on Jul 24, 2007 16:45:03 GMT -5
I had a blast meeting all of you who attended this year's meet. A great group of folks, every single one. (Except Jeff, he's just nuts ) As evidenced by my kids getting severely restless, this year's meet wasn't aimed at "families". Mind you, I'm NOT complaining at all. I'm in the process of searching for accomodations equal to Fontana Village, in a lil place called Townsend TN. Townsend is about 20 mi from The Dragon itself. You can cut across the foothills parkway, that in itself is a nice drive. This places us halfway between The Dragon, and the tourist Mecca of Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg. I can arrange group rates at places like The NASCAR Speedpark, Dixie Stampede ETC for saturday evening. This gives the "other halves" someplace to go, and something to do while we go "Slay The Dragon". (can you say literally THOUSANDS of outlet stores to shop) Group rates @ the speedpark are like $45 for all you can ride Go Karts till closing at 11pm. Then we can determine just exactly WHO is the best driver...safely. (My $$ is on Jim or Huck) Dixie Stampede is a HUGE wild west style dinner show. If you go out of there hungry it's your own fault! Let me know what you think of this idea. I'd just like it to be "fun for all ages" I know my boy would rather go with me, but it doesn't thrill my daughter at all.
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Post by kingbobdole on Jul 24, 2007 21:17:15 GMT -5
wow... jumping the gun a bit arn't we? I mean we just HAD a Dragon meet and you want to talk about next year? I'll be there... but I plan on staying in Fontana again.. I like to be "away from it all". So who's setting up group rates... I want to reserve my room quick!
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Moody
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Post by Moody on Jul 24, 2007 21:30:07 GMT -5
I don't know about jumping the gun; it is always good to get the conversation started early. It would definately be good to have an option to styaing in Fontana if you have family in tow. I know alot of people would just as soon stay in the usual place anyway. I think I am going to try to rough it at the camp ground to save a few bucks next year; I even bought a tent at Ollie's today that I plan on using a couple times between now and then to make sure it will hold up to the rigors of the Dragon.
Go-carts sounds absolutely awesome by the way... ;D
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subbyru89
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Post by subbyru89 on Jul 24, 2007 21:43:43 GMT -5
I've got all the lit from Fontana...it is family friendly, super close to the Dragon, comfortable accomidations, indoor/outdoor swimming pool, they even have an itinerary all their own of things that can be done while staying there. If a person is not into the car thing (which I can understand) then there is other activities to do. Moody the camping site is way huge. I believe that water slide is supposed to be open in 2007/8. Connie knows the camping rate for the RV spot.
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Post by jeffast on Jul 24, 2007 21:58:06 GMT -5
i don't know about roughing it but i'm definatlety still staying at fontana, i'm there for the late night bbq's at the base ball diamond, honestly just to say it up front, i really don't think of this as a family event, unless your family are subaru enthuiests also i kinda make it a point to avoid tourist attractions, towns and other stuff, they tend to be filled with tourists... who i usually find annoying. i go there to run the dragon.... and have huge unsafe bonfires useing a gallon of lighter fluid with friends and shareing stories
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Huck
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Post by Huck on Jul 24, 2007 21:59:23 GMT -5
Townsend is a great place too, 've stayed there before....my wife would like to be able to go shopping, which is pretty much out of the question at Fontana....but myself am happy at Fontana, as I like to be away from it all for the meet....so I'll stay nuetral on it...but planning ahead is always a good thing, as this year we didn't plan things out real well, and even though everything went well, there was probably room for improvement.
I'm still recumperating from the meet, but will be thinking about it...
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Post by kingbobdole on Jul 24, 2007 22:35:01 GMT -5
Since I'm driving 1400+ miles for the meet next year, I'll stay in Fontana... I need the quiet.
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Post by bucky92 on Jul 25, 2007 3:54:02 GMT -5
The camping rate for the RV sights ( with electric) was $30 and for a regular tent sight is $25..there isnt many spots ..maybe 25 total..and they are huge!!!..bathroom is a little bit on the scarey side though..We love camping ..so thats what we will do again next year...unless a couple of us go together and get a cabin
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Post by Turbone on Jul 25, 2007 12:02:15 GMT -5
Getting a headstart on planning is always a good idea. We do the same for WCSS. Its a big meet and theres always lots to decide and compromises to be made. I plan on camping again (if I make it). I like the location and being close to the action, dont want to have to drive to get where I want to drive. Does that make any sense? Was surprised they had a pool there, contemplated a late night skinny dip even (to many families around tho) I think theres lots to do around there for kids, just need to find out what is available.
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Post by crazyhorse on Jul 25, 2007 14:56:58 GMT -5
This is why I wanted to get a jump start on '08. If it's Fontana we want, Fontana it is. I'm easy to get along with. Maybe we need to set up a "Subaru widow/widower" support group for those of us with significant others. Then they can get together & come up with thier own itinerary.
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subbyru89
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Post by subbyru89 on Jul 26, 2007 1:41:31 GMT -5
As soon as 2008 comes around I will snatch their itinerary to give some ideas of the happenings. They list activities for a full week. I think this year was pretty well done even though it was fast hashed, so I revamped this years itinerary made by a member to use for 2008s meet.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
Also, if someone has a good friend at a dealer or works for Subaru maybe you can persuade them to locate some free swag to give at the raffle. I had a hook up, but unfortunately she didn't come through and the dealers around here don't give anything. I'm working on prizes as we speak (mental note: get gas can)
Again, congrats to the winner of "Gas to Get Your A$$ Home" Didn't expect it did ya? hehe Love when people are happy.
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Post by bucky92 on Jul 26, 2007 4:22:18 GMT -5
Melis...did you take notice that Jim is kinda like Doug..think about his excitement level...Just like Doug ..without the Harley and the blonde hair down to his a$$..or the tramp ( oops )...or the Bow-Chicka-Bow Bow van..but personality..almost identical
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austin
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Post by austin on Jul 26, 2007 13:06:36 GMT -5
My suggestion would be that we make sure everyone keeps up. I'm not complaining really, but we definitely had a few stragglers. I was one, but I was also trying to ensure those behind me knew where we were going. The radios are a great tool for this but...
...they have a limited range in the mountains ...the people using them often hold them right against their lips, which makes what they're saying highly garbled (and/or they shout into the radio) ...they are often used for silliness, which in itself is okay, but not when it's over-over-over-overdone. <over>
I can't count the number of times I heard things like, "look at those cows - what kind are they?", and a conversation followed about the finer points of bovine husbandry. What would've been more appropriate would've been "Check out the cows!" Although really the radios are better used for things like letting people know the group is taking a certain turn, or "There's a motorcycle off the road - slow down (and watch out for Austin)", or, "Is Austin still with us back there?", or, "Let's stop in Teleco Plains for gas", et cetera.
That's just my thing.
Something else that might be good is to set aside a little time for some video footage from different angles, so we can edit together some cool videos. Just a thought.
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Post by Turbone on Jul 26, 2007 13:32:39 GMT -5
Dang Austin, you sound like an old man ;D I was always in the back, not just because I was slower, but wanted to make sure everyone kept in touch if they were behind. When you have as many rigs as we did, its really hard for everyone to stay tight on twisty roads. Not to mention other traffic getting in the middle of it all. Some tourists screwed up the caravan numerous times. Radio chatter is ok, as long as important info can be relayed when necessary. Just use the relay system, it will eventually end up at the back of the line.
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Huck
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Post by Huck on Jul 26, 2007 13:49:35 GMT -5
I too think the radios are a great tool for the meets, but everyone needs to update to newer radios next year so we can run the higher channels, as they have longer range. I don't think anyone slowed us down too much...(At least not the people in the group BEHIND me...it was the people we kept getting behind
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