Gathering 7.0 plans and update.

[MichaelJ]

So Periwinkle will be keeping the beer cold, is that what I'm hearing?

 

[LittleBear]

I'll be there - hoping to arrive Thursday.

If Periwinkle cranks up the AC the whole trailer can be a beer cooler !

Teejay - let me know if you need any cash.

 

[Periwinkle]

The running joke with the trailer is "the Ice Man cometh" -- Jack usually cranks the AC so high that the entire thing is an ice box in five minutes. And in the past, it's been referred to as The Rolling Wine Rack. I can modify that storage space for beer. It seems my biggest mistake at Wonalancet was not emptying out my beer cooler Friday night.

From what Teeyaj told me, it doesn't look like the trailer will make it up to the group site, but we may be able to put it down at one of the camper sites nearby. I hope this works out -- I could be very popular offering hot showers and cold beer!

 

[bubba]

Count me in with a happy face! I await your instructions for $$.

 

[sli74]

Hey Peri,

Girl, you are one of my favs already BUT if you allowed me a hot shower after the hikes, I may just have to add you to my special list of folks that allow me a hot shower in their rooms or a warm cabin/room on a cold winter day when I am slummin' it . . .

Teejay,

Let me know what I owe you before I leave for my adventures or else you'll have to catch up with me on the LT . . . in any case don't forget to count me in

Bob,

Definitely bring a laptop and projector if you can, I will make sure to stop into my sister's place and get all my pictures in order Thursday evening before the gathering.

sli74

 

[chomp]

I should be able to make it for this one. I'd probably make a late-Friday appearance. You think there might be some people up on Friday night?

 

[MichaelJ]

Chomp - I and several others will even be there as of Thursday night, so of course there Friday as well.

Periwinkle - how about a hot shower *with* a cold beer? Charge a buck each for the propane and you'll turn a profit on this trip!


Teejay - I'm in for Thursday night and will pay up whenever it's necessary.

Anyone coming from eastern MA - the Pike (I-90) arcs pretty far north on its way into New York. Is it still faster to stay on it and come down, or is it better to take Rte 23 across the state line?

And I'm *not* trying to reheat -20 degree frozen soup by a campfire this time. Ack, what a disaster that was!

 

[teejay]

Michael,

I'd stay on Mass Pike and Thruway straight to I-87.

A note to anyone coming from the east: The Mass Pike I-90 runs right into the New York Thruway Berkshire Section, also I-90. About 20 miles west of the state line, I-90 exits. Don't take it unless you're picking up someone in Albany. Keep going straight on the Thruway, it doesn't have a route number, to I-87 south to Kingston then NY 28 west to Phoenicia. Follow signs to New York City and you'll be fine.

teejay

teejay

 

[TomEske]

Alternate route for MA/NH folks

With apologies to teejay:
I live in the Catskills and do "the Boston run" for business about once a month. Here is an alternate route for the more adventurous:
Exit the Mass pike at the Taconic Parkway headed south (the only direction you can go from there). Very nice occasional views to the east from here, by the way. About 30 minutes south, exit the Taconic at Rt. 199 WEST. About 10-15 minutes down this road you will come to a fork in the road, 199 goes to the right, go that way. (This is Rock City, there used to be a 5 foot tall dinner fork in the island of this fork, I don't know if it is still there. Someone thought they should have a "FORK" at the "FORK in the road.) Follow this road through the village of Red Hook (good place for gas, snacks, dinner, or last minute items) and continue straight. Eventually it will end at a TEE intersection and traffic light. Make a left at this intersection onto rt. 9 (you are still officially on rt 199). Go down to the next traffic light where there is a major intersection with a gas station/convenience store on your left. Make a right at this intersection and head for the Kingston/Rhinecliff bridge. Go over the bridge and continue straight. When you cross the county line this road becomes rt. 209, but it is the same road. The road will gradually bend to the south, and about the 4th exit will be Rt. 28 WEST, take that exit and follow rt. 28 out to Phoenicia (about 25 miles?). When you see the big sign on the right for Phoenicia, take that right fork off of Rt. 28. It will go down a little hill, and there will quickly be a left turn. This is Woodland Valley Road, even though the sign has another name on it. Just follow this road until you see the campground. PLEASE NOTE REVISION BELOW
Taking the Taconic will shave 45 minutes to an hour off of the drive from Boston to Kingston, and it is a prettier drive, I think. Either way is fine, and your mileage may vary, but when I've worked a 16 hour day and I just wanna get home to dinner and a beer, that’s the way I go.
Happy Motoring,
Tom
REVISION
teejay straightened me out a bit here on the last part:
"when you see the big sign on the right for Phoenicia you should stay on Rt. 28 West, not the right fork into Phoenicia. Continuing on Rt. 28 over the bridge to the Inn on the left, can't remember its name, turn left at the Woodland Valley Campground sign, cross another bridge and go right. This is Woodland Valley Road. Hide-A-Way is on the right, #900, about 3.3 miles from Rt. 28."
I would follow teejay's directions for this part. I drive all around here and don't pay much attention to road signs and don't always go the easiest way. I know teejay took notes on his scouting trip, so I advise you find it his way. Sorry teejay, mea culpa.
Tom

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Re: Alternate route for MA/NH folks

About 10-15 minutes down this road you will come to a fork in the road, 199 goes to the right, go that way. (This is Rock City, there used to be a 5 foot tall dinner fork in the island of this fork, I don't know if it is still there. Someone thought they should have a "FORK" at the "FORK in the road.)

Yes, the "Fork in the Road" has become a permanent fixture and landmark. It is at the intersection of Routes 199 and 308. I passed in last week. It is actually about 8-10' tall and an interesting photo op. I often take Tom's alternate route. It does save time if you don't mind the two lane Route 199. There are only four traffic lights on that stretch, and it is usually saves time.

If you're travelling after dark it is probably easier just to take the Pike and the Thruway to the Kingston exit as teejay suggests.

 

[funkyfreddy]

I also plan on being in Maine from Sept. 1 - 13. I'm thinking of staying in Maine for a few extra days then hitting the Catskills on my way back to NYC for the gathering. I can't wait to meet everyone and know of a lot of great hikes in the area. 4,000 footers, bushwacks, views, waterfalls, bears, skunks, plane crashes - you name it, the Catskills has it all! A bunch of us will have to do the classic Slide/Cornell/Wittenberg route, then maybe a nice bushwack or something else off the beaten path.

Anyone up for a night hike up Overlook to see the stars? You won't find a more beautiful view of the Hudson Valley!

I hope all of our Catskill regulars plan on attending! It will be nice to finally meet you all, plus we will all be needed to help keep all those northerners from getting lost in our southern woods!

 

[imarchant]

Re: Re: Alternate route for MA/NH folks

Yes, the "Fork in the Road" has become a permanent fixture and landmark. It is at the intersection of Routes 199 and 308. I passed in last week. It is actually about 8-10' tall and an interesting photo op. I often take Tom's alternate route. It does save time if you don't mind the two lane Route 199. There are only four traffic lights on that stretch, and it is usually saves time.

If you're travelling after dark it is probably easier just to take the Pike and the Thruway to the Kingston exit as teejay suggests.

Another route, that avoids the village of Red Hook and is faster on the weekends, is to bear left at the "Fork in the Road" onto Rt. 308. Continue West for about 4 miles. Take a left onto ramp for Rt. 9G North. Continue on Rt 9G for 2.7 Miles. Take a left onto Rt 199 (2nd light) to the Kingston-Rhinecliff bridge. Follow directions given by Tom and Mark from the Bridge.

 

[David Metsky]

I'm planning on being there. Haven't been to the Catskills since family gatherings growing up in NJ. Never really done any hiking there, looking forward to it.

Perhaps a Boston->Catskills convoy is in order?

-dave-

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

My husband and I are interested in attending (we haven't been able to make it to a gathering yet). We often hike in the Catskills and aren't too far away ... let us know if you want help with anything. Thanks for organizing!!

 

[Rob S]

Ditto. My fiance and I, (my wife by then), are anxious to meet and hike with other VFTTers. Teejay, let me know when you want the $$. Thanks for organizing this Gathering, we are really looking forward to it especially because it is so relatively close to home (at least compared to the Dacks or Whites). If you need any additional help with the planning, don't hesitate to let me know.

For all those who haven't hiked in the Cats, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with the beauty and the challenge of the trails. It appears a lot of folks are planning the Wittenburg, Cornell, and Slide hike ....... you will be impressed with the views, the scrambles, the fauna, ....... I could go on and on, ..... but you will see.

 

[peak_bgr]

Anyone want to join Bushwacker and I for Slide-Cornell-Whittenburg on Friday or Saturday. We plan on hiking both days of course, but what on what days is up to what others have planned. We're very open.

 

[Periwinkle]

Periwinkle - how about a hot shower *with* a cold beer? Charge a buck each for the propane and you'll turn a profit on this trip!

The shower wouldn't be worth a buck. Your kitchen sink is probably bigger than my shower. And it's only a six gallon hot water tank. Takes talent to manage a good wash in there, but you're all welcome to try. Now, there is the outdoor shower for the more adventuresome....

[Edited in the a.m. I'm blushing over that one!]

 

[bubba]

Periwinkle, so often I've mentioned what a great person you are! (surely appears so)

Peak_bgr, plan on it.

 

[Blue]

Sli74 -

Maybe I can park at the north term. of the LT and hike in to meet you and we can hit the road to the Catskills.

Thanks Teejay for organizing this.

Periwinkle - challenging this bunch (just off the trail with beers in hand) to use the outdoor shower might be a frightening proposition!


-Blue

 

[Bob]

Perhaps a Boston->Catskills convoy is in order?

That's a 10-4, good buddy...