VIRGINIA - May We Rally?

[Jack46]

I sent an email and heard from someone who told me that I'd hear again from the reservations person. Will advise.

Is this set for May 8-11?

[IanPoulin]

Now... I wonder if I can request a specific site ID to facilitate running a power line for the tracking drive on my telescope (don't ooh or aaah yet - it's a 4" Schmidt planetary/nebula scope.)

Ian

[Foiled Again]

Ian when I've been there before there have always been many open sites - you just choose the one you want. I don't know much about telescopes, but the campground is carved out of a big hill (or small mountain) and there's an open field sloping down from the campground - NW facing I think. There are low level lights on the campground itself, but I'd guess that a few hundred feet away it would be nice and dark.

The stars are definitely brighter up there than down in the city.

I also talked to Terry - Overlander63. He works at Out of Doors Mart in the parts department. If he's able to come to the rally which somewhat depends on Marie's work schedule, he'll probably be able to bring any smallish parts anyone needs to upgrade or repair their units. Let's hope he and Marie can make it.

Paula

[Jack46]

I heard back from Janice Frambach, the Host Chairperson for Highland Haven and we requested reservations for May 8-11. If you make a request through HH's posted email address you will hear back from Jane. Jack

[Florida 55]

Ian,

Site selection at HH works like this. The 46 stockholders who own the campground are each assigned a specific site (46 stockholders, 46 sites). If a stockholder is not occupying the assigned site it can be rented out by the campground host. Stockholders are expected to advise the host 5 days in advance of plans arrive at the park. If a site is empty, and the stockholder has not provided notice of intent to occupy the site, the site can be rented to a non-stockholder Airstream. When you arrive at the park, the host will have a list of sites that can be rented. You can choose from those sites at the time of arrival, but not before.

Usually 25-50% of the sites are occupied by stockholders at any point in time. On the several occasions we stayed at the park, we were always offered a number of very good sites to choose from.

As I recall the electrical boxes are located at the rear of the parking pad of most sites. Between 10 and 20 feet behind the pad of many sites are thick woods and a steep downhill slope. Almost all of the sites are arranged on top of a ridge with a long road (called the runway by the owners) in front of the sites. Across the runway from the sites is an open meadow with great views of the mountains in the distance as well as large sky views. You'll probably want to set up the telescope where the meadow meets the edge of the runway or in the meadow itself. I suspect you'll need at least a 100 foot 110v extension cord to run from the electrical box at the rear of a runway campsite, across the runway, and into the meadow. Be aware that all vehicle traffic to the campsites runs up and down the runway so an electric cord laying across the hard surface runway will be battered by vehicle traffic and can be damaged. You will also need to consider if cars running over the electric cord will create enough vibration to negatively affect the operation of the telescope.

There are a very limited number of sites on the meadow side of the runway where it is possible to run an long electric extension cord to the meadow without going across the runway. I'm sure the host will work with you to find a site that meets your needs when you explain your situation.

If this is your first trip to HH, enter the park address into Google Earth. The overhead image of the campground is very good and will allow you to see where there may be sites that meet your needs.

Wishing your clear skies and a wonderful stay at Virginia Highland Haven.

[IanPoulin]

I am booked - May 8-15

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by IanPoulin

Now... I wonder if I can request a specific site ID to facilitate running a power line for the tracking drive on my telescope (don't ooh or aaah yet - it's a 4" Schmidt planetary/nebula scope.)

Ian

Ian

What are the power requirements? Maybe a battery and inverter would work.

Dan

[Jack46]

I think there is still confusion on which of the two weekends has been selected? I can do either, but I thought May 8-11 was the be consensus. Please advise.

[IanPoulin]

I believe the choice is May 8-11

[Foiled Again]

Jack - Yes May 8 - 11 is selected, However I will probably hang out the whole week following the rally just because I need a VA-CA!

There are a couple of others who had already planned to stay at VHH for the month of May, so we may be like Tombstone AZ, the town to tough to die -

The Rally too tough to Die!

[Jack46]

May 8-11 it is then. Received our HH reservation confirmation. Janice will get right back to you. Look forward to seeing everyone. Jack

[polarlyse]

Put this on our calendar also. We just needed an excuse to cruse the Parkway.

[acstokes]

My wife, Kathy, and I have had reservations confirmed w/Jane for May 4 - May 12. We'll be meandering to Maine afterward. See y'all there!

[IanPoulin]

Tangent - Blue Ridge Parkway question... Does the rule allowing you to pull off the parkway and into grassy areas apply as well when trailer towing?

[polarlyse]

So long as there are not any signs prohibiting pulling over I should think it would be OK. But in any case there are ample pull off's that can be used ( if there's room, that is).

[Florida 55]

We towed the Parkway in June 2013 with two other couples in caravan. There were only a few paved pullouts too crowded for the three Airstreams to park and still allow enough space for other vehicles. At some special viewing locations (like the Grandfather Mountain viaduct) there are visitor centers with enough paved parking space for trailer and tow vehicle. Even the top of Mount Mitchell in mid June had enough space for us to park.

I'm not aware of any rule preventing you from pulling off on the grass with a trailer. However, many of the shoulders are unsuitable for a tow vehicle trailer combination to pull off because they aren't wide enough or straight enough for the vehicles to be sufficiently off the pavement to keep from being a traffic hazard. Remember, if you pull off the shoulder in a curve, vehicles coming up behind you may not be able to see around you. The Parkway is only two lanes, and not a wide road, so if you pull off the road and are only inches from the pavement your may create a hazardous situation for traffic trying to pass by alongside your trailer.

In addition, some of the drop-offs are steep off the grassy shoulders and some of the shoulders that appear stable are too soft to support vehicles. Few of the Parkway shoulders have been reinforced with gravel to allow them to support heavy vehicles. The weather this winter/early spring has been very wet so some of the grass shoulders may still be extra soft when you are coming up the Parkway in early May.

My advice is to be safe and use the paved pull-off areas. There are many of them and most are worth the time to stop and admire the view. Pictures are attached to give you a perspective of the types of paved pull-offs we encountered along the Blue Ridge Parkway in June 2013.

[Foiled Again]

I listed it under the official rallies. May 8 - 11 though I'll be staying on longer.

Darn, I forgot to count the number of units coming. I think it's seven so it's a bit small for an official major potluck, but I'm sure we can all share a dinner or brunch. It's also normal to do an open house. At VHH, you cannot camp in anything but an Airstream. No vintage kin. I'd be happy to have day visitors who are in the "looking for an Airstream" category - so we should firm up a day and time for the open house. For new owners... here is how I've seen other open houses done:

• set aside about 2 hours for "open house" one hour for you to show off yours, the other for you to look at everyone else's.
• when you're touring just close your door, when you're receiving visitors open the door and leave just the screen closed
• It's considered the height of fashion to wear socks while walking through another person's trailer so you don't track in any dirt. Just leave your clogs or sandals at the door. The pad sites are very nice at VHH, so it's unlikely you'll track anything in even if you retain your shoes. If you carry a beverage do so in a lidded and sealed container.
• It's always interesting when there is a good mix between vintage and new - I was struck at how tiny the overhead lockers are in 50's units (coffee cup storage only)... but don't open closets, etc. unless you're invited. Most often people will show off everything.
• Like the forums, BE NICE in your comments. Many people camp in "projects in progress" trailers.

Floyd normally has something going on for tourists on weekends. I'll search the web. Any people like Wine/Brunch - Chateau Morrisette is a nice ride down the Blue Ridge Parkway. I could empty all the crap out of my truck and take 4 people. BTW, the speed limit on the parkway is 45 MPH, and if you're dragging the A/S lots of people behind you will push you to go faster. The limit is pretty seriously enforced, so I've just pulled over to a scenic lookout and let the fast people troll for troopers for me.

Quilters? BIG fabric store in Floyd - in an old school building.

Fishing - I understand it's great in many steams, but I don't fish, perhaps others can chime in.

Best use of time - recline under the awning taking in the scenery - sipping a mimosa or other beverage of your choice.

more to come

[Foiled Again]

ATTENDEES - please go to the Rally Listings - bottom of portal page - click on this rally and RSVP.

Thank you. (Cooked stew in the Dutch, fed it to the neighbor's dog, he lived. Will offer it for lunch to my staff tomorrow. If they like it, I'll make it for dinner at the rally. This one was beef, but a Chicken based Brunswick stew might be possible too.)

Paula

[Foiled Again]

OK only four units have registered so far. Please PM me if you need the phone number or e-mail address of the guest host this week. They're at the park, prepping it to open.

We can have grills on our sites, but all open fires must be done at the fire pit, and we must check with the local fire authorities to verify that there isn't a drought and "no burn" order in force. I'll use my volcano grill and Dutch Oven.

Paula

[IanPoulin]

Keep plugging them Paula; I now see seven!