Since there are always non-planners and last-minute AFMers out there, here is a last chance recap of the Saturday, July 21 First Annual Stone Mountain AFM Picnic and Car Rally information (lots more located in the stickied thread at the top of this page):
Recap of vital information:
Date: July 21, 2007. Setup begins at 9AM. I'll be needing help organizing things - and volunteers will be greatly appreciated throughout the process! This is NOT something that comes with a staff (other than the one volunteer, namely, me), so I would appreciate everyone being as patient with the process as possible. I'll be delegating lots of things (parking duties, food prep, and ticket sales) to willing members as the event gells.
We must make our group rate ticket purchase as an INDIVIDUAL buy, so either get me the money in advance (check or cash is fine) OR plan to show up early (We will make the buy no later than noon). The prices are about 50% off, so its worth doing this way. $19 for adults and $15 for kids.
Since I see a lot of hits and folks checking out the site, I am going to update everything with the main links and data right here (and in the prior post) so its not necessary to read through 25 pages worth of stuff...
I STILL recommend you review the whole thread, but anyway...
The event will be located north of Atlanta at the Stone Mountain Park.
http://www.stonemountainpark.com/
A world famous driving route less than 100 miles north of Atlanta is The Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, with 318 curves in 11 miles...."
Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap and Cherohala Skyway, Graham Co, NC
Its wild. Really wild.
Also near there is The Skyway, which is prettier (though much less challenging and longer):
http://www.cherohala.org/
The Blue Ridge Parkway links the Southeast Appalachian Mountain chain together:
http://www.nps.gov/blri/
In Alabama there are many historic and beautiful covered brides - my club did a tour of these last Fall that was lots of fun.
http://www.cptr.ua.edu/bridges/photos.htm
Coming from South and SouthWest of Atlanta,
Callaway Gardens | Home is a fantastic stop. Their Butterly Center is amazing.
Also located near there is the Little White House at Warm Springs - the hot springs where FDR spent the last years of his life.
Georgia State Parks - Roosevelt's Little White House Historic Site
Its VERY intersting for the history buff, and well worth a pause on the trip to Stone Mountain.
My contact information:
Stan Bruns
stbruns2@earthlink.net
770-587-4572 (leave messages, please)
Georgia State Parks - Providence Canyon State Park
ArtDisco has made this kind offer:
"Anyone coming from the SW VA, East TN, or Western NC...PM me if you would be interested in meeting up and cruising down there together. I've got a pretty decent route planned, if anyone is interested. -Cheers"
Registration
I'm Registering all the folks who plan to come. Please send me a PM (if you haven't already) with:
1. Your contact info (cell phone would be best - I will keep this confidential and it is for emergency use only in case of car trouble, lost cars (sounds like BullRun), and coordination between convoy members - I will act as the central control point and touchstone for everyone for the event)
2. Names of those attending (this will also give me a headcount for Food and such) and special dietary needs (BBQ is the planned main course, but we will take steps to insure that other diets are available if needed). I had planned to do some simple grill items for kids who might not like BBQ (Mac and Cheese - Hot Dogs - etc). It looks like we have a sponsor paying for the bulk of the food, but I will name them only after verifying all is GO on the sponsorship, so I don't need money, just an idea of how many mouths to feed with what sort of food!
3. Tickets. I'm suggesting that those who plan to explore Stone Mountain Park purchase "All Attraction" tickets. We can get these for $19 (adults) and $15 (kids under 12) if we buy them as part of a Group discount. I have filed our group with the Park for this purpose. I recommend that you review the Stone Mountain link I posted on the first page of this thread for information about the many venues and attractions there. Many are free, but there are a number that require tickets, and it would save you cash to purchase them via the Group. Let me know how many you will be needing (send no money now - I'll probably set them up as "Will Call" at their business office).
4. Hotels. I'm working on getting some nearby hotels to give us a group rate. Contact me with your hotel room needs/plans.
5. Other housing arrangements. Stone Mountain has a very nice RV and Campground area, and I know several of you are planning to stay there. Other folks may be staying with friends or family, or already have housing arranged. Please let me know what you are planning.
OK, I forgot to mention that the laser show includes a really nice fireworks display over a reflecting pond with the mountain as the backdrop.
Another reason to hang around Saturday night!
A NUMBER of our members are planning a run on the Tail of the Dragon, and have posted up their intentions on the thread. I would dearly LOVE to make it a part of the festivities for me and do a group of those interested to make a run through the mountains, but I simply can't do THAT and also make sure the BBQ and all the activities at Stone Mountain come off!
Check out the link for the various moutain runs - then talk to those members who have posted their intentions (PM's work well for this, though it could also be an "open" discussion on this thread). ArtDisco (
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...-picnic-2.html ) lives nearby and has offered his expertise and knowledge. I DO know that there are often lots of bikers making the run on crotchrockets, so be advised...
Although my experience was that they might dent my
stang if it came to a confrontation, while my far greater stability and pure mass would ruin their whole year, of course! When I ran the road I took pains to stay on my side of the line, and there were no untoward incidents (except the miata that was being passed by 3 hondaites simultaneously - now, THAT was an exciting moment occuring mid-curve)!
The distance from Stone Mountain is about 150 miles, depending on the route taken (its much shorter "as the crow flies"). When I get a chance I'll do a mapquest and see what route they recommend.
I'll be posting hotel info this week - check the thread often for updates.
As for "ideal", there are some very nice hotels actually inside the park (their data is all on the main Stone Mountain site link), but they are bound to be relatively expensive (though darn handy, so close). They also rarely discount very much, particularly this time of year.
Hotels
OK, the next series of posts will be about finding hotel accomodations near Stone Mountain Park:
1.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel...n-inn/#ongoing This is the Marriott actually INSIDE the park. Walking distance to many of the attractions - but few really cheap deals. Location, location, location...
2.
http://www.villageinnbb.com 2.5 miles from the park. Pretty and very nice B & B (perfect for a romantic getaway/interlude). Includes food and lots of freebies. (Hit the "Packages" button).
3. Best Western Stone Mountain Inn 1.3 miles from the park.
http://tours.travelhero.com/index.cf...AIN/index.html
Rates run about $110/night double occupancy (plus tax).
4.
https://reservations.travelhero.com/index.cfm Country Inn and Suites 1 mile from the park. Rates run about $99/night double occupancy (plus tax). ]
Additionally:
Holiday Inn Express - 770-465-8847 - Older HI. Probably cheaper than most accomodations this close to the park (1.2 miles away). 1790 E. Park Place Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA.
Comfort Inn - 5355 Stone Mountain Hwy. 770-465-1888 (Also 1.2 miles away).
Best Western Inn - 1595 E. Park Place Blvd. 770-465-1022 (1.3 miles away).
Days Inn - 2006 Glenn CLub Dr. 770-879-0800 (1.4 miles away).
These are the hotels I could find close to the park. If someone finds a really good deal with any of these (or any other chain) they should post it up and let us all know about it.
Most of these (except the accomodations WITHIN the park - which can be reached either through the main Stone Mountain site or the Marriott through the link I posted above) are below average prices for Atlanta (which is not to be confused with "cheap" - Atlanta is a major convention venue, and hotel rooms tend to be higher priced here than elsewhere). Some dickering should get you a price around $80 - $100 per night double occupancy.
We will be attempting to group our cars together, but the Park will not assume any liability (go figure - I wouldn't expect them to), so it is (as always) at the individual's risk.
AFM Stone Mountain Picnic Updates 
(thanks 2 IhaveadopeGT)
