Virginia Steel Soldiers Rally 2009 - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

maddawg308 · 01-08-2009, 12:12

That time of year again! Starting to think about doing a VA rally for Steel Soldiers in 2009...

BUT

We have a couple options here. This year for me, April is way too crowded a timeframe, I have other things already planned. CGarbee and I were talking about the possibility of having the rally later in the year, like August, since nothing rally-wise seems to be happening in the Mid-Atlantic or NE region that time of year. What do you all think of this idea?

Also, as far as WHERE, I liked where the rally was last time, in the National Forest, but there was 88mm Flak afterwards from the tree-hugger-you-military-truck-guys-aren't-allowed-to-offroad-on-MY-Land-Rover-offroad-land-cuz-you-are-cooler-than-I people, and I'm not sure we should put up with that crap again. CGarbee mentioned he had some land not far away, that is privately owned, toward Syria, VA, on the Eastern side of the Shenandoah National Park, that might be better sutied to a rally/show/trailride idea.

Any comments? Questions? Complaints? Anyone want to mail me unknown powders through the mail?

Elwenil · 01-08-2009, 12:19

Unknown powders? Not I. I could send you some greasy scrapings off my axles or oil pan if you like, lol...

On a more serious note, I hope I can make this year's meeting. The Ramcharger is running pretty well and I hope to have something on it other than Boggers by late Summer, lol. Keep in mind that it's still pretty **** hot in August, especially when in vehicles with no A/C.

I'm game for August though, but by no means am I a definite "will show" as the past year has taught me not to plan too far ahead. Still if heat is an issue, you may want to think about late September or October. Either way I will keep an eye on this and hopefully can make it.

bulldog_mack13 · 01-08-2009, 12:24

I dont care, yours and Cabells idea sounds good Mike, ill follow Cabell up .

BKubu · 01-08-2009, 12:37

I really would like to participate this year. Keep us posted, Mike! Great job last year, by the way.

CGarbee · 01-08-2009, 12:59

I am hosting a rally at my godparents' farm in Syria, Va on Labor Day weekend. We've got about 2000 acres to play with, a bunch of roads on the property and on the neighbor's land that we can run on, several trails in the area (including a few cut by the CCC in the thirties when they were building camps and working on the Shenendoah Park, and a couple cut by the 29th Division for training before they went to Europe in WWII.

We've got a big field (200 acres or so) for folks to park, camp, swap parts, etc. Even comes with a showerhouse so folks can have hot showers.

For those who don't want to camp, we have a couple of motel units, cabins, etc. across the road.

I'll be cooking one night...

I'll be posting details when I get them figured out.

Meanwhile, if you want to check out the place, the URL for the folks' farm/resort is:
www.gravesmountain.com

Labor Day weekend works very well for the folks as there is "nothing" else going on at the farm... They are planning to let me host this on Labor Day weekend for several years... Since a bunch of folks have Monday off, it allows folks to arrive on Thursday and stay through Monday, or to have time to hit the trails/socialize while still having time to travel/recouperate...

BKubu · 01-08-2009, 13:04

Cabell, is this the same even that Mike referenced above or are you hosting a separate event? It sounds like fun.

maddawg308 · 01-08-2009, 13:09

Bruce, Cabell and I talked about doing this one together - it's the same event.

jfnemt1ff1 · 01-08-2009, 13:10

Sounds like fun, I told myself I was going to try to make most of the Events this year and by then I should have my new projects done. I am going to restore a bat wing shop truck and my idea is since most of the tooling is missing expect the gen and the arc welder, I was going to set it up for repairs that might be done on the trails. And carry extra parts on shelfs
John

rockman · 01-08-2009, 13:30

Sounds like a good spot and easy distance from Kingsport TN. The facilities look very nice.

Bill

CGarbee · 01-08-2009, 14:21

As Mike says, we are talking about the same event. We'll be getting together to go over the trails, organize things etc. but we wanted to make sure that everyone knew the location and the date early.
Send in your suggestions as you think of them to either one of us (or both), or post them here. We can also talk about it at length at Aberdeen and at Haspin (for those of you who will be at those events).

Best thing about the location is that we don't have tree huggers... Between Mike's experience putting together last year's gathering, and the folks' experience putting on events at the farm (harvest and bluegrass festivals, etc.), we should be in good hands.