DPCers in Virginia - DPChallenge Forums

05/02/2006 05:25:44 PM · #51

I'll just be coming up for the day, so will meet y'all wherever & whenever ya like. :-)

And Karen: I'd never give up my little Gateway! ;-) NEVER!!! LOL

rich

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

05/02/2006 05:28:46 PM · #52

Big Meadows is terrific for the wildlife as well. The deer move through the meadow in plain sight for much of the day, but especially at dawn and approaching dusk. They are not tame per se, but much more accustomed to humans than deer in the wild. You can fairly easily get within 50 feet or closer.

Dark Hollow Falls is literally right next to the visitors center, you could park there as easily and cross thee street to the start of the hike. My only criticism of "down and up" hikes typical of a waterfall hike is that you cruise down and then trudge up. Somehow it seems more satisfying to put the effort in up front and then have the easy stroll home :-)

05/03/2006 12:43:55 PM · #53

Yeah we were looking at Skyland. Going to look into Big Meadow too.. there's a place a friend stayed where they got a cabin, and it's at a campground... Going to figure out the details on that and I'll get back with you guys. :)

05/05/2006 07:59:49 AM · #54

*bump*

There are a few cabin places nearby, we may stay there. That will also be my boyfriend's birthday weekend so we're going up on Friday morning and staying til Sunday afternoon.

Anyone else find a neat place to stay nearby?

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

05/05/2006 09:01:08 PM · #55

I (we) will be driving in the morning of the gtg. Did you guys decide to get one of the cabins?

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

05/06/2006 10:45:26 AM · #56

So I finally can plan ahead for something. How far is skyline from Williamsburg? We're only about 20 minutes from Williamsburg and would love to meet up. Can someone update me?

Seems every time I try to set something up it gets forgotten, or I get busy and don't have time to check in here lol.

I think my husband may be off that week too.

Who's in the Norfolk/Newports News area?

khdoss

Nikon D300

05/06/2006 01:45:43 PM · #57

Originally posted by missinseattle:

You can do a mapquest or google with this address
Aramark Virginia Skyline Co Inc:
Big Meadows Lodge
Skyline Dr, Shenandoah, VA 22849
It's about 90 miles from my home in Chantilly.

dolphnz8

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/06/2006 02:24:24 PM · #58

Just finsihed moving and sort-of getting my self back together...not that I know where a clean pair of underwear is or anything, lol, however, I AM IN for this trip. Gonna look for a place to stay today, if not available, then I'll "rough it". Wouldn't be the first time.

ragamuffingirl

Sony Alpha NEX-5N

05/07/2006 08:25:47 AM · #59

You'll be looking at a good 3 hours from Williamsburg to Shenandoah.

My brother just told me that the Battle of New Market re-enactment is on May 20th. Now, I'm conflicted.

05/07/2006 08:54:24 AM · #60

well count me out then. Bummer.

Apparently nobody is interested in anything in the Williamsburg area because I've posted 3 times with no interest.

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/07/2006 09:17:39 AM · #61

Originally posted by missinseattle:

well count me out then. Bummer.

Apparently nobody is interested in anything in the Williamsburg area because I've posted 3 times with no interest.

I think the problem you'll run into with Williamsburg is that it's a very long distance from anything except for Richmond and the Virginia Beach/Newport News/Norfolk area, each about 45 minutes to an hour away. The next closest major city is Washington DC; theoretically 2.5 hours away but traffic on I64 and especially on I95 around Fredericksburg can make this estimate questionable at best.

That's not to say that a GTG in Williamsburg couldn't happen, but it may take a bit of planning and a bit of selling the selling people on the idea.

~Terry

ClubJuggle

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

05/07/2006 09:18:27 AM · #62

I'm in for the 20th, along with mcrochip.

~Terry

05/07/2006 10:39:05 AM · #63

Originally posted by ClubJuggle:

Originally posted by missinseattle:
well count me out then. Bummer.

Apparently nobody is interested in anything in the Williamsburg area because I've posted 3 times with no interest.

I think the problem you'll run into with Williamsburg is that it's a very long distance from anything except for Richmond and the Virginia Beach/Newport News/Norfolk area, each about 45 minutes to an hour away. The next closest major city is Washington DC; theoretically 2.5 hours away but traffic on I64 and especially on I95 around Fredericksburg can make this estimate questionable at best.

That's not to say that a GTG in Williamsburg couldn't happen, but it may take a bit of planning and a bit of selling the selling people on the idea.

~Terry

But there's so much around here lol. Williamsburg, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Yorktown. Oh well, I'll keep it to myself I guess. FOund plenty to do and see and take pictures of.

05/07/2006 11:22:36 PM · #64

Originally posted by missinseattle:

I'm in Va Beach.. about an hour from W'burg. And I'd be willing to do a gtg in W'burg sometime! Lovely country there - fall or winter especially. And that's something I can do on a few days notice, since it's so close. :)

05/07/2006 11:24:58 PM · #65

Originally posted by nova:

I (we) will be driving in the morning of the gtg. Did you guys decide to get one of the cabins?

Skyland Resort is where we'll most likely be. Yup, we are getting a cabin. Maybe we could do a cookout/BBQ thing in the evening or something. :)

05/08/2006 07:25:32 AM · #66

Man I want to go!

I think hubby may be off that week so maybe I can talk him into camping. Will have to look for campgrounds. Money's really tight right now since our dog just had surgery last week- 500 dollars of vacation money to the lovely vet lol.

Cyndane we'll have to plan something for the area. Isn't there some kind of botanical gardens or something there in VA Beach?

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

05/08/2006 08:39:45 AM · #67

Pretty good size group we have going. Hope NPS doesn't get any ideas about our assembly. (This is INSANE!!!) ;^)

Haven't seen any times posted yet, nor a firm actual gathering point.
Dark Hollow Falls parking lot at ???

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

05/08/2006 09:13:11 AM · #68

Yeah Barry, the group IS growing. I am glad to hear that clubjuggle, mcrochip, and hopefully missinseattle will be there. And a cookout is a great idea, Cyndane, thanks! What can I bring?

Dark Hollow Falls parking lot sounds like as good of a gathering place as any I guess. A time is trickier with people driving in from all over. I think we should set a start time (9 or 10am or whatever) for the Dark Hollow Falls hike and then a later time for lunch at Big Meadows Lodge so that late arrivals will be able to hook up with the group.

Any other ideas?

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

05/08/2006 10:22:41 AM · #69

10am Dark Hollow Falls sounds about right to me. Lunch at Big Meadows Lodge...cool. A cookout for dinner? Even better! Put something on my "to bring" list...

Some other info from various maps/booklets I have from the Shenandoah Park.

Big Meadows info text and map.

Another falls close to the area (ISBN of booklet is: 0-931606-20-9).

dolphnz8

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/08/2006 11:02:54 AM · #70

YES!!!! dolphnz8 will be there...just now planning today...didn't think I would make it for sure. Just bought a house built in 1973...totally repainted everything, replaced new stove, lighting fixtures, 2 toilets, 2 bathroom inserts, carpet...more, more and more..and did it all myself(well, with a little help for the things that this "5-fingered wonder" couldn't hold up alone)....didn't think I'd have the time or energy to pull it off...but I am!!! Thanks for the maps and I will now read the threads to find out where everybody is meeting!

Message edited by author 2006-05-08 11:04:12.

w24x192

Canon PowerShot S50

05/08/2006 11:11:02 AM · #71

I threw my name in earlier, but I will be flying to Italy that day (so not entirely a loss). I would have liked to meet some DPC'ers, finally, but I will have to wait for another time.

Thanks...

dolphnz8

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

05/08/2006 11:11:59 AM · #72

Originally posted by Cyndane:

Originally posted by missinseattle:
So I finally can plan ahead for something. How far is skyline from Williamsburg? We're only about 20 minutes from Williamsburg and would love to meet up. Can someone update me?

Seems every time I try to set something up it gets forgotten, or I get busy and don't have time to check in here lol.

I think my husband may be off that week too.

Who's in the Norfolk/Newports News area?

I'm in Va Beach.. about an hour from W'burg. And I'd be willing to do a gtg in W'burg sometime! Lovely country there - fall or winter especially. And that's something I can do on a few days notice, since it's so close. :)

I am in Newport News, and am very much interested in doing something local, also. I work for myself, so I have during the week time off too if anyone is available f=during thos days and hours!