Most liked posts in thread: Sharing a camp site?

Camping was a blast. We had a nice little party one night that I know of, but I was up the hill at Fontana most nights. It's probably a quieter group down there, but a campfire, smores and a few beers makes for a good night's entertainment. There were several mini-parties throughout the day, but that might have been due to a cooler full of beer at the campsite! I met some truely wonderful folks down there and got to know them much better than I would have up in a cabin. When camping, you are a lot less isolated from your neighbors and that's part of the fun.

Mornings were fun... there was a great campfire breakfast one morning where everyone brought a little something different to the meal and we had a feast! Fresh coffee, pancakes, campfire biscuits, taquitos, and tons of bacon! I think I got up early that morning, made a few passes down the Dragon then settled back for a nice breakfast and some fun at Fontana.

If you are a serious party animal, it's probably not the scene for you, but it is a wonderful place to get away from some of the perpetual motion of Fontana and feel more of nature. It's actually a very nice little campground... level spots, great scenery and the bathrooms were pretty good for such a little place. With all of the electrical hookups, my little ceramic cube heater did a great job of keeping the tent comfortable at night and a cheapie, light-weight sleeping bag and air mattress made for plenty of comfort. You have to be into it (my wife's idea of roughing-it means no central AC) to enjoy tent camping, but it was lots of fun for me.

 

I'm still looking for a campsite share, but for those of you who are interested in such things, here are some more pics of the trailer. I just did a run out to eastern Tennessee in a hurry to pick it up!

I lost about 5mpg on the way home due to the aerodynamics (a box towing a box), but I still got 25mpg or so.

 

WOOT! I have a camp site!

On a lark, I called Fontana directly (I don't know why I didn't before now, with the craziness of their reservation systems in the past). They had locked out their system during MOTD so that only MINI people could reserve (why the website was showing no availability). There was 1 open site with hookups available, so I nabbed it!

If anyone needs a place to pitch a tent, I'm willing to share! Gotta pay back the kindness of others.

 

On a quick trailer update, I've been sewing a lot lately (I must be a NAM regular... the sewing site), making bits for the trailer. A new awning is done and I'm 75% of the way to a tent surround for the awning. Pics to come soon.

 

The Dragon is a road that starts at the NC/TN border and extends 13 miles or so into TN. The MINI events center around Fontana Village, a resort that was founded on the buildings left over when the TVA built Fontana Dam. They have a mix of cabins, inn rooms and campsites. There are other hotels about 20 miles away... a list can be found at www.minisonthedragon.com.

Usually the cabins are fully booked for a year in advance... most of the regulars book their cabins for the next year before they leave this year's event. Lots of folks have to drop out, though, so the wait-list seems to get a good deal of action, especially in the last month or two before the event. Frequently you can find people who are willing to hand-over their reservations on the event board, which will be right here.

The cabins have received a make over in the past few years. They are simple, but do the trick. I stayed in a 'dogwood' cabin in my first time. It hadn't had a make over and was very rural, but had clean sheets, a fridge and a bathroom, so I was good. I also spent 1 MOTD in a 'magnolia' cabin which was larger and newer (had a washing machine, which was nice). Camping can be a bit cool in the evenings (solved with an electric ceramic heater) but I had a blast and I can't wait to go back in 2011. There are also several different tiers of rooms at an inn... a 3 story (I think) building. I haven't stayed there yet so others may need to fill you in.

If you want to go, I'd call Fontana village ASAP to check for availability and get on the wait list if there isn't. I'd also start a new thread in this forum asking if there are rooms to let (some folks rent a 3 BR cabin but only need 1 BR, so they share the cabin and the cost). If you have a local MINI club, you may have a contingent coming as well and they may be willing to share as well.

I got the last of the camp sites, but I'd be willing to share the site if you wish. The area I'm in has tons of room per site... plenty for me and a couple of tents.

 

OK... I hate to say it, but my campsite is now full! If someone drops, I'll go to the first person who mentioned their desire to share w/ us in this thread, so the waitlist starts here. Hopefully other campers with site reservations will chime in here and offer to share.

1. Agranger (Aaron)
2. davavd (Dirk and Dave)
3. hughes (Nick and possible guest)

 

If I'm remembering correctly, either Dave or his friend (Thumper? Can't remember is RW name) brought the New Orleans beer, "Dixie", along with them a few years ago. Perhaps I'll convince them to bring along some 'liquid rent' in place of camp fees!

 

For the guys camping with me, here's a list of items that I carry in the camper with me and a list of things that I consider packing for each trip. It might help others when gathering gear for the Dragon as well.

 

I saw someone fishing in the river a few years ago but never knew if they caught anything. I think I'll have to request fishing gear for Christmas!

I've been working like crazy for the past 3-4 weeks to get the trailer setup. I borrowed a sewing machine from a local MINI club member and built a custom awning and tent for the back of the trailer... somewhere to cook and store gear away from the weather.