We've had a number of very good gatherings at Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground, using Cabin #4 and an exception granted to our group that once we rented the cabin we could stack people inside it like cordwood if we wanted to -- ditto for the tents.

This loop hole has ended now and you are now charged a per head charge now (a per head charge which in the last year has shown up all over the place fairly uniformly).

The only place that is cheap any more is Santeetlah Lake but due to erratic weather over that lake area we are having a rough time scheduling anything (two major failures now due to weather).   Kickstand is preferred over Santeetlah for having a bunkhouse (instant overflow) and a meal that is served at night.   Blue Ridge is noted as more expensive than Kickstand as we have to pay full freight there now.

Kickstand and Blue Ridge are sorta similar, with the luxury edge going to Blue Ridge for the always open lounge area and free coffee in the mornings.

Dragon Lodge can go burn in Hell forever for twice having ripped off both Lancer and myself upon group exiting for $50-$60, using cute little "make a buck rules" that you "violated" when you were leaving.   Dragon Lodge isn't any sort of preferred location now unless you are after the endless circus of Crotch Rocket noise and Hurley mess.

We have rotated more towards the tent as our "easiest to plan for, cheapest to use" idea.   We find our best trips in the last 5 years have been to somebody's farm, where we tent and chatter and do stuff.

Our weather changed after the little hurricane. It's dropping a few, no wipers needed, showers.

I have a City Council meeting on that Wednesday night - so as usual I will leave after the meeting, and likely arrive at Deals Gap around 2 AM Thursday morning.  I will sleep in the trailer, and be ready to go riding around 8 AM on Thursday.

I can ride out to meet MM at Tellico Plains if he is riding that way and leaving Thursday morning.

I'll try to set things up to leave Thursday morning .   Right now my brain don't have things planed that far out .   So much depends on the weather during  hay/bush-hogging season .

Oldfeller--FSO wrote on 07/09/17 at 21:16:50:


The roll call as I know it is Dave, Oldfeller, MMRanch - and Stewmills is going to be arriving about midnight on Thursday.

I will plan on bringing the big tent........I believe my wife's wrist is healing well enough that she can help me set up the big tent again when I get home.  (As nice as it is to have it and use it....it does requires an hour to two of work when I get home to set it up, clean it and dry it out).

Although I will be arriving early on Thursday - I haven't yet figured out a way to set it up alone and I will have to wait for some help to arrive.  Maybe I will put the ground cloth down to claim our space ......and see if there is anyone moving around at KSL that can help me for a few minutes.     

There are just 4 of us coming that we know of.

I have a smaller tent that works well for 2 people and gear (although on one group outing 3 guys jammed themselves into it), and it sets up really quickly.  MM has a similar sized tent...if he is bringing his then we have everybody taken care of.....we will see what MM has to say once he gets done cutting hay!