Grandfather Mountain 2012

[Thomas H]

OK I am just asking ,as I have not been paying attention and I am sorry,
But ,Is there any way to parke close enough to walk to the Event ?

Or do you have to ride a shuttle?

[Pyper]

Would a couple of 100' extension cords work?

The campground has two sides. One side is literally the side of a mountain and there is little electric (and very little "flat"). This is the "non-curfew" side. I always camp on the "curfew" side. It's not flat either, but not as sloped as the other side...Anyway, I don't think I've ever needed more than a single 50' cord. Actually I guess both sides have curfew now, but if you call them that everyone knows what you mean.

Bring clothing for all four seasons. It hasn't been cold the last few years, so it's about time. I have one prediction that is guaranteed to come true: It will Rain. Hard. At least once. Keep that in mind as you set up your tent.

Some random observations:

• They sell ice in the campground.
• It's really crowded. They will fill every open space with a campsite.
• Nearly everyone is nice and will go out of their way to help you.
• It's really crowded by Thursday afternoon. If you can go earlier in the week and if you like camping, then go.
• There's a grocery store on the county line called Lowe's. It's in the next county because Avery county is dry (means literally that you cannot buy, has nothing to do with what you consume).
• You won't be able to take your car out of the camping parking lot after Thursday morning (lest you lose your spot).
• The games venue is a fair hike from the campground. Bring light folding chairs to take over.
• It's going to rain (thought I'd mention that again).
• They sell firewood.
• An ice storm ruined the tree canopy two years back, so the campground is a lot warmer than it used to be. Bring shade. Or meet new friends who have some. ;-)
• Register in advance because they sell out.
• "Curfew" means you can't be really loud
• If you camp on the "downhill" side of the main road (where the tents are, and the RV's are not, then you might want to hook up with one of the Saturday evening pot-luck dinners. If you're camping near us, then you're invited to ours. Even if you're not near us you're invited.
• My popup has a vintage pinup girl graphic on it. She has a set of bagpipes. Can't miss it if I get the same spot 'cause it was right on the path.
• When you leave the mountain, you will continue to hear bagpipes in your head, at least half way down.
• You can sleep when you get home.

If I left anything out, just ask

[Pyper]

OK I am just asking ,as I have not been paying attention and I am sorry,
But ,Is there any way to park close enough to walk to the Event ?

Or do you have to ride a shuttle?

Technically you could, but it would be five miles up a mountain on a gravel road, and all those shuttles go up the gravel road. You can't park (nor walk for any distance) on 221.

[Avonlea22]

Pyper, thanks for all of that great info. We will be arriving Thursday morning as we can't get off from work prior to that. I was planning on setting up camp on the curfew side, so glad to hear that's the better choice.

It's my understanding that there is a shuttle from the campers parking lot to the campground. Do the shuttles have plenty of space to bring loads of stuff, like chairs, coolers, etc?

[turpin]

Just reserved my campsite. Well, really I just registered for camping - campsites are generally first-come first served (except for the GMHG Camping all-stars).

[QUOTE=Thomas H;1065333]OK I am just asking ,as I have not been paying attention and I am sorry,
But ,Is there any way to parke close enough to walk to the Event ?
QUOTE]

Aside from becoming a patron via donation, the only other way I know of is to camp there - you get a parking pass that is good for the duration, but not for reserving a spot. worst case if you lose your spot there's a overflow lot a mile down the hwy. and you can shuttle to and from for free.

I'll watch with ionterest how the XMARKS BBQ dinner develops, but Saturday nite is already called for. The Douglass and I collaborate on the haggis and I have been tapped for the Address the last 3 years and likely this one, unless there are other volunteers.

[Mael Coluim]

It's my understanding that there is a shuttle from the campers parking lot to the campground. Do the shuttles have plenty of space to bring loads of stuff, like chairs, coolers, etc?

When you arrive you will be taken to a place to pitch your tent. You will follow a gofl cart in your car. You will be allowed to unload your stuff at your campsite and then go park you car. If you go to one of the shuttle lots they will take you back to the campgrpund. The shuttle parking lots are not that far away that you can't walk, but the shuttle can make it quicker. Most times I would just walk unless a shuttle is waiting. The shuttles are usually a van.

And remember, Pop up tents and RVs more than likely be parked near a electircity source, but some tents may not be. Bring a battery powered air pump. If you don't and need to borrow one, at my tent I fly the Saltire and Rampant Lion.

Have we mentioned the hot showers availability, yet?

[Pyper]

It's my understanding that there is a shuttle from the campers parking lot to the campground. Do the shuttles have plenty of space to bring loads of stuff, like chairs, coolers, etc?

The main lot is right across the street. On Thursday morning you should be able to get a spot there. By Thursday evening it will probably be full though, and people who come after that are in the remote lots.

But as said, you drive your car to your spot to unload before you park anyway.

Bring a splitter for your cord. Even if you're further from an outlet, you can usually find someone near you to plug into, especially for something like an air mattress pump. I always bring an extra reel of cord and never need it.

If you run into me, I'm sure I'll tell you these two observations (at least once )

1) The most special time camping is when you come back the second year. When you arrive, it's like you didn't leave. The mountain is the same, and the same people you met the first year are back, camping in pretty much the same places.

2) This is, in a way, cheating time. Because we're all a year older, but in a year we haven't changed so much that it's really noticeable. Kind of like Brigadoon. What does change is children grow up. And sometimes people go to the great campground in the sky.

[Pyper]

Here's some video shot from the overlook. You're not supposed to go up there anymore. At the time I could hear pipes playing, but the camcorder only recorded wind noise, so I overdubbed it with some of my wife's violin.

Video of Overlook



Here's a photo of my camper in the campground. This is probably on Wed. morning. By Thursday afternoon all the grassy areas you see will be under campsites. Check out the slope under the tent on the left edge -- that's typical.




Here are two youtube videos of the Thursday opening ceremony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_QorGr8Gbo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQGDRqHIWzI

And here's a clip of the gaggle of pipers who form up to march across the highway from the curfew side to the non-curfew side -- at curfew time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQeaIDj2QlQ

[Mael Coluim]

Nice digs, Pyper! Where I pitch my tent - there goes the neighborhood!

[piperdbh]

It's my understanding that there is a shuttle from the campers parking lot to the campground. Do the shuttles have plenty of space to bring loads of stuff, like chairs, coolers, etc?

No. The shuttle busses are ex- (or sometimes current) high school busses. They are usually crowded, always hot, and the less plunder* you bring aboard is the less plunder you'll have to hold in your lap, bang somebody's head with as you make your way to your seat, and the less you'll have to tote around while on the Meadow.

*Plunder is an Appalachian word meaning "stuff you think you need, but don't really".