Location Vote - Inaugural VA Smokers Gathering

[pgsmoker64]

Okay folks, this is the official voting thread for our inaugural Spring VA Smokers Gathering.

Please cast your official vote by March 1, 2013. We will need as much time as possible to start planning the event!!!

One suggestion is a park near Virginia Beach...

vabeach.jpg

• pgsmoker64
• Jan 1, 2013

One of our members has access to a great cabin in the Virginia Mountains...

350x700px-LL-31562097_battin-cabin050.jpeg

• pgsmoker64
• Jan 1, 2013

 

[bluebird]

Cabin in the woods.

 

[captcouillon]

The beach is closer,   but the cabin looks way too nice to pass up.

Cabin

 

[hotnspicy]

Ironically I spend my time split between Va Beach where I grew up & the mountains where the cabin is.  I am guessing the park at the beach would be Seashore State park.  Its a nice park & has some nice trails but I have never camped there.  I am guessing if they have a group camp site that we would need to reserve it as soon as possible.  Considerations should be taken regarding the beach on the holiday weekend that kicks off summer. 

The good thing about the cabin is that it does not cost any money.  The bad thing for some is that it is out in the sticks & there are no grocery stores for miles.  There are a couple convenience stores a few miles down the road.  Don't expect your cell phone to work at the cabin. 

Ok I just got off the phone with the guy that handles cabin reservations.  He said that at this time it is not reserved for Memorial weekend but added its a popular weekend.  He told me to call him in the beginning of May to check.  He likes to give family priority & I am not family.  I am in good standing with the Echols family because I help out with some of the maintenance & thats why I get to use it.  Ernie said that he could let me have the cabin for sure any other time during May.  So we can roll the dice & find out if we can get it on Memorial day come May or plan another time. 

If anyone wants to do any target or skeet shooting we can do that as well.  If everyone decides that they have no problem with that them make sure you have your firearm/s secured & stored properly in accordance with Va State law.  If crossing state lines you should make sure you have trigger locks too.  The only rule I have is that if anyone is drinking, including people not target shooting, then no shooting :)  The river isn't even 50 yards from the door of the cabin.  You can fish & there are a couple canoes.  Horse shoe pits are set up too.  There is an area normally used for bonfires right next to the river.

Here is what the hunting cabin has as far as conveniences.  Fully functional kitchen with full size electric stove & oven.  Regular frig, coffee pot & Chef Mike.  There are mix matched plates, pots, pans, glass & cups .  Stuff others left behind like spices & foil & stuff like that.  We can't expect to use whats there cause you never know about things like spices or butter or foil.  The main room has a very large fireplace & there is firewood at the cabin.  There is a big table that seats 8-10 in that room where many a meal & poker game have been had.  A couple other fold out couches, chairs & 2 lofts which have some old cots.  There are 3 bedrooms with older but decent twin beds (bring your own bedding if you are sleeping in the cabin type deal). The water is well water & we would want to bring water for drinking & cooking.  There is an old bathroom but totally functional with a tub.....no shower....thats outside!  There is lots of room for tents well spread apart & a place to pull up a couple RV's or campers.  The cabin's electrical cannot handle a bunch of cords to RV's so if needed I can bring up to a 7000 watt generator to charge your batteries.  Ain't gonna let that run all day & night though & spoil the atmosphere :) 

I know that the cabin may not be for everyone.  The good news is that there are lots of modestly priced hotels 15 miles as the crow flies & bed & breakfasts too.  So if you wanna just come spend the day & evening at a beautiful place with friendly people & go back to a hotel you can do that too!   There are lots of great sights to see from Staunton where I am from, a few great caverns, skyline drive, rivers, a real drive in movie theater, Monticello & on & on.  I think a fun field trip would be awesome!  We could even hire a few bluegrass guys or some accoustic entertainment one night.  I have a few connections :)  Oh cheap too....maybe free.  On a final note I feel I always have to give the disclaimer.  This one of the areas where Discovery Channel films "Moonshiners".  I know a few members of the family & some of them might stop by to say hey once they hear I will be there that weekend.  On occasions they have brought a friend or two that is sippin some shine.  Its the mountains folks but don't worry they will not go all Deliverance on ya!  Everyone you will meet around there will be nice & polite.  You also might be suprised at the quality of what they are makin in these hills if you get a chance to try.

I have moved the other pics over to this thread & adding a few  more.  If anyone is confused I edited this post & deleted the other one on spring get together thread. 

Here is the side view of the cabin from the drive that leads to it.  2 picnic tables there & behind the truck is an outdoor shower kinda like from Gilligan's Island.  Yes everyone can see your feet!   Remember it is a hunting cabin :)

Oct-Cabin017.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 1, 2013

This is a picture from the picnic tables across the pasture.  There are 2 gates you would have to go through & shut properly since this is also a cattle farm as well.  I promise its not going to stink...TRUST ME!  The cattle roam around large paddocks so they may be in the area of the road as you drive up.  For city folk all you have to do is beep your horn & I will come let you in if there is a 1000 lb bull scaring you....hehe! 

Oct-Cabin006.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 1, 2013

This is where the road into the treeline leads where RV's & campers can park.

battin-cabin036.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 1, 2013

The north end of the river from cabin with higher water.  Its moving fast!

battin-cabin039.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 1, 2013

South end of the river from the bonfire spot will low water level.

Oct-Cabin029.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 3, 2013

Road through the paddock to treeline where the cabin lies to the left.

battin-cabin054.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 3, 2013

Crazy helicopter with 12' long super chainsaw hanging clearing limbs from power lines to the cabin.  Pic taken from picnic table.

Oct-Cabin001.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 3, 2013

Stacked cinderblock pit with large grate for hogs or pigs is in front of the white shed.  I have pitched a tent there a few times & also slept outside under the stars many nights listening to the river flow by.

battin-cabin045.jpg

• hotnspicy
• Jan 1, 2013

 

[alexy]

Va beach is a madhouse on memorial day weekend  so my vote is we head to the high country.

 

[hotnspicy]

If there aren't enough people in VA that want to do this get together maybe we can do a Mid-Atlantic get together or something.  If there isn't much interest in the cabin soon I will probably make alternative plans for its use in May.  Hope everyone gets a chance to weigh in.

 

[pgsmoker64]

Virginia Smokers, 

We only have about 5 people interested in the gathering. Maybe that is enough but if anyone is interested please let us know by the end of January otherwise we could lose the cabin.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[james bierman]

im alot closer to va bach only 18mls plus my truck is a  p.o.s. so i vote for the beach if yall want to do a get together let me know 

 

[bonnie b]

Cabin looks amazing!!!

This thread seems to have stalled. 

Is there an address of some sort so i can google mileage?

 

[pgsmoker64]

Cabin looks amazing!!!

This thread seems to have stalled. 

Is there an address of some sort so i can google mileage?

Yes it has...Sorry.

At last count the cabin was leading but I need to know (as does HotNSpicy) how many will actually make the trip.

Any Virginia smokers up for the trip please respond soon.

Thanks,
 

Bill

 

[hotnspicy]

Either Deerfield Va or Goshen Va should give you a good idea on mileage.  I am considering posting about it in the general discussion thread because its location is close to a few states like West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland & North Carolina & see if we get any more takers.

 

[pgsmoker64]

Sounds good.  Let's give it a whirl.

Bill

 

[tolarius]

Why I didn't see this group sooner....grrrr....

Hi my name is James Haddix, I live out in Chesapeake.  Been smoking meat now for about 3 years.  Still have my first smoker, Master Forge dual door propane smoker, but upgraded to a WSM 22.5 big daddy, and been loving it ever since.  Got lots of posts of pictures of smokes I do, usually every Saturday...

 

[bonnie b]

Either Deerfield Va or Goshen Va should give you a good idea on mileage.  I am considering posting about it in the general discussion thread because its location is close to a few states like West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland & North Carolina & see if we get any more takers.

Thanks for info....and good idea on posting.

 

[thatsgoodq]

Thanks for the invite to the group Bill!  Have any plans been made for the meeting?
 

 

[pgsmoker64]

Thanks for the invite to the group Bill!  Have any plans been made for the meeting?
 

Absolutely!  Tony (HoTnSpicy) has posted all the info in the Gatherings forum.

Va Gathering!

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend because of my new job, but be sure to take lots of pictures to post on the SMF.

Bill

 

[bonnie b]

Just FYI ~ in case someone else is like me (duhhh) and didn't realize that was a "link" above (it was brown... not blue??) -- here is the link to continue this thread ~ since they moved it to make it more accessible to people not in the VA group:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/137142/blue-ridge-va-weekend-q-and-get-together-may-17th-19th