peak_bgr
New member
August 18th thru August 21st
I realize it's a little early-6 months. But this will give people time to make plans to attend. The gathering will be the same as all other gatherings; meaning dinner out, hiking, BBQ, potluck, breakfast, socializing, and who could forget BEER. As you can see the dates 8/18-8/21 are a Wednesday thru Sunday, a little longer than the last two. Well that's for one specific reason. Audrey and Pat are finishing their 115 on Marshall that Thursday.
Well what a better way to finish such an achievement than with a ton of friends by your side.
Anyhow, here's the skinny on the events planned so far for those days.
Wenesday August 17th I am opening up my backyard to early arrivals. This will make it easier for more people to join in on Pat and Audrey's 115 on Marshall. (More details to follow).
Thursday August 18th Pat and Audrey's hike up Marshall (time of start to be announced). Dinner to follow at their choice of restaurant (also to be announced)-compliments of their VFTT family. Retire back to my place to greet any new visitors, a bonfire, maybe a couple drinks, and tents.
Friday August 19th Hiking, hiking and more hiking. Dinner will be at Crickets again this year. I will make arrangments and reservations for 7pm. It worked out great last year, they were so nice up there-even as late arrivals kept coming in.
Directions to Crickets: Get off exit 35 on I87 and head West toward the town of Peru. The restaurant in roughly 1-2 miles from the exit on the left. It sets back off the road, but is easy to find. Return to back yard for more visiting and another bonfire, make plans for Saturdays hikes.
Saturday August 20th Another day of hiking. As usual there will people going in all kinds of directions. The pot luck dinner is this night usually around 6-7 pm, no set time. There's always so much food that we eat all night, and there's alway plenty for the hikers who get back late, so don't rush.
Sunday August 21st The ending to what I see as another great gathering with alot of really great people. Breakfast at the Noonmark diner.
OK, a couple other small housekeeping thoughts.
1. The potluck, bring what you want. I'm doing BBQ chicken this year, and coleslaw.
2. Beer swap, it's a tradition. Bring a sixpack of beer from a local brew in your area, or your favorite brew in your fridge. Try one and pass another around. Actually it's just a couple really big coolers, choose your own poison.
3. Parking; It will be laid out this year so it will be a little easier to find. It is actually in a side lot just down the road from my house. Coming from the ferry in Essex it's past my house. Coming from I87 it's before. The lot is actually a Christmas tree farm, so drive slow up the dirt drive. The road will bring you along side my house and eventually behind it-plenty of room. I will mark out the road, park wherever you want-but be careful.
4. Bring a swim suit, and jump in the pool, it will be open.
5. I will have the 20'x40' tent again this year for shelter from any nasty weather that hopfully doesn't come our way.
6. Porta-potty's. I'm guessing we'll definatly need to this year. The one last year crowned the blue line. I'm going to call around for quotes, maybe a place a little cheaper, a little closer by.
7. My house is 1 hour from the Dixes; 20-30 minutes from Keene Valley; 45 minutes from the ADK Loj; 1.5 hours from Sewards;1.5 hours from Flowed Lands;15 minutes from Giant and Rocky Peak Trail.
Directions to my place
The best approach is from I87. Get off exit 32 and head east toward Wilsboro on CR 12. You will drive about 1 mile, my house will be on the left. Just past an old falling down farm house. I will have my drive marked with a VFTT sign. The parking is just before the run falling down farm house. Also marked; as VFTT parking. Look for a tan and green ranch, possibly with an abnormal number of tents in the back.Coming from the Essex/Charlotte Ferry in Vermont-it's a little tricky. Get off the ferry and take a left at the stop sign. You will immediatly come to another stop take another right. You will drive over a good stretch, crossing railroad tracks, and passing by very nice farm land. After less than 5 minutes you will come to a very sharp left hand turn in the road. In the center of this turn is another road on the right. Take this, it drop down a hill and to a T in the road. Go right. Follow this road it's CR12. You will go over a steep hill with hairpin turns, and a fair number of ruts. This will bring you to another T and a stop sign. There is a house literally on the corner. Go right. this will bring you around a sharp left hand turn, stay left, you will be on a long staight away, which comes to crossroads. Keep going straight, up over the small hill. You are real close to the house now. Just keep your eyes peeled, it will be on the right, VFTT sign. Parking is just past my house and the falling down farm house, also on the right.
If anyone needs other directions please let me know.
Alright, I think I covered everything. Probably not though. Just keep checking back for add on's. See you all in August.
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