2011 HoW

[Jamie Hogan]

Hi everyone,

 

I responded to Nik aka CJT's thread, but then G and I agreed that it might be better to simply start a new thread for all 2011 HoW talk, kicking it off with my most recent findings...

 

I've placed several phone calls over the past few days. Let me run down what I've discovered. I'll do so by providing a typical example. This place (http://www.swissmountain.com/) is one I've contacted. It is in a fairly secluded setting, but is within only ten or so minutes from Blowing Rock, a terrific small mountain town. They have about 40 cabins, sleeping anywhere from 4 to 8. Rates are $90 - 135 per night, and they require a 50% deposit to reserve a cabin.

 

So let's say we...

- Want to reserve four cabins, each sleeping 4.

- We opt for the "sleeps four" cabin - $100 per night.

- 4 nights x 4 cabins x $100 = $1600.

- Deposit required = $800

- Commitment from 16 people = $50 per person

 

We also have the option of staying in one of the inns in Blowing Rock. My wife and I have stayed every year for the past 7 years in the Hemlock Inn. It is not fancy, but it's clean and quiet. Rooms would be $99 per night on weeknights and $149 per night on weekends. This would work like booking any hotel room - we each would be responsible for calling and making our own reservation, no deposit required other than your credit card number.

 

I need to get a feel for what the majority would like to do. Personally, I believe there are merits to either direction, and I'll try my best to do what the majority feels would create the best atmosphere. Knowing what I know of the area, it will be a good time regardless of where we stay.

 

I am targeting the nights of Thurs 7/21 through Saturday 7/23, leaving Sunday 7/24.

 

Please post your thoughts below. Thank you!

 

[Kristine_ES]

my post-cubicle humor is what drives me... we live for the fight, you know? 

glad to know i'll have a buddy waiting up,

then we'll wait up for Teresa.... holy moly, is this turning into the song Radar Love or what?  WUUUHOOO....

now let me go figure out what scribbles to bring and how you people can convert me from reader to PUBLISHED like you all make me want to be.  : )

[bolton carley]

i need some help on that whole publishing deal, too, kristine! :)

 

 

[Robert Crisman]

Anybody getting into Charlotte on Thursday the 14th at around 11:15 in the morning?

[bolton carley]

i'll be in around 2, but i get it if that's not soon enough.

 

[Cita]

Robert and Bolton,

I will be there at 3:30.  Amy

[bolton carley]

We should definitely exchange phone numbers

[Robert Crisman]

Ditto what Bolton said.

[jkdavies]

I will be there 9am ish so we can for sure share a car!

[Cita]

Dear all,

I reserved a car via Hertz yesterday.  I will be picking it up at the Hertz counter in the Charlotte Airport at 4pm on July 14.  If you show up there between 4-4:30, you are welcome to ride with me.  It is an economy car, seats 4 with room for a minimal amount of luggage.  I will be leaving for Blowing Rock immediately upon getting the car, stopping at a supermarket along the way for a few supplies, hopefully arriving at Fire and Ice between 6:30-7pm. 

I will be leaving Fire and Ice on Sunday between 1-2pm, returning directly to the Charlotte Airport. 

Amy

[bolton carley]

i am getting in around 2.  i have a car, as well simply because i have to leave early sunday morning and nobody else is.  so i will probably be in a couple of hours ahead of you to fire and ice. can't wait to meet all of you!

[Edward Dean]

Attention all Attendee's

All of you should have the basic info that I posted by now.

Our check in for both chalets is 3:00 pm. I will be there to pick up the keys and make all final arrangements. Our contact at the rental office is Micki or Helen. You can call the rental office for any help with directions etc. My mobile number is 248-877-1500.

Nanc and I are driving down and leaving on Weds. so we will be there by 3:00.

I am posting the directions below for anyone that needs them or doesn't have a GPS.

These are directions to the rental office not the chalet.

Driving Directions to Blue Ridge Mountain Rentals
8100-3 Valley Blvd. (on the Highway 321 Bypass)
Blowing Rock NC 28605 800-237-7975
From BOONE:
Take Highway 321 South approximately 8 miles into Blowing Rock. After the overpass at the Blue Ridge Parkway
get in the left lane and go through the first three stoplights in Blowing Rock. (Do NOT turn off of Highway 321
Business at the second light- stay on the bypass.) After passing through the third stoplight, at Sunset Drive, we are
¼ mile on the RIGHT. We are between Papa Joe’s Restaurant and Sledgehammer Charlie’s, in a little one-story
white building with green trim. Our gray sign out front says “Blue Ridge Rentals.
From HICKORY/LENIOR:
Take Highway 321 North to Blowing Rock. As you come into Blowing Rock, stay on the bypass- to the RIGHT. Do
NOT turn left onto Hwy 321 Business at the Broyhill Furniture Showroom! You will pass Day’s Inn, Woodland’s
Barbeque, Outback Steakhouse, and Sledgehammer Charlie’s restaurant all on the LEFT. Once you pass the
Outback, we are ¼ mile on the LEFT, between Sledgehammer Charlie’s and Papa Joe’s Restaurant, in a little onestory
white building with green trim. Our gray sign out front says “Blue Ridge Rentals”.
From RALEIGH/DURHAM or WINSTON-SALEM/GREENSBORO:
Take I-40 to Winston-Salem. At Exit 188, with the Yadkinville/Wilkesboro sign, turn on to Highway 421. Take
Highway 421 through Yadkinville and Wilkesboro to Boone. In Boone, go through five stoplights- one with five lights
(the intersection of Old & New Highways 421), one at a Zippy’s Exxon, one at the intersection of Industrial Park
Drive and Old King Street, one at a Hardee’s at New Market Centre, and one at a Toyota dealership. At the sixth
light, turn LEFT onto Highway 105 Extension, and get in the LEFT lane. Go through one stoplight. The next stoplight
is the intersection of Highways 105 & 321. Turn LEFT here, at the two-story Wendy’s. You are now on Highway 321
South. From here, refer to the Boone directions above.
From CHARLOTTE area:
Take I-85 SOUTH towards Greenville, SC. Approaching Exit 17 in Gastonia, you will see signs for Highway 321
North. Exit here and take Highway 321 all the way up the mountain- you will go through Lincolnton, Hickory, and
Lenoir. (Once you go through Lenoir, the road will get steeper and curvier and change to two lanes. This is currently
a construction area.) As you come into Blowing Rock, stay on the bypass- to the RIGHT. Do NOT turn left onto Hwy
321 Business at the Broyhill Furniture Showroom! You will pass Day’s Inn, Woodland’s Barbeque, Outback
Steakhouse, and Sledgehammer Charlie’s restaurant all on the LEFT. Once you pass the Outback, we are ¼ mile
on the LEFT, between Sledgehammer Charlie’s and Papa Joe’s Restaurant, in a little one-story white building with
green trim. Our gray sign out front says “Blue Ridge Rentals.
From BRISTOL, TN or BRISTOL, VA area:
From I-81, take Exit 57A onto I-26. Take I-26 until you see Exit 24, to get on Highway 321. Take Highway 321 all the
way through the edge of Johnson City, Sycamore Shoals, and into Elizabethton. At an intersection with a Save-ALot
grocery on the left, the road will fork. Take the left fork to stay on Highway 321. About ¾ of a mile after the fork,
you will come to a T-intersection. This is the intersection of US Hwy 321 & TN Hwy 19E. Turn Right onto 19E. Take
19E all the way over the state line, where the name will change to Hwy 194. Continue on Highway 194 into
Newland, NC. Turn Left onto Highway 181/Newland Highway. Continue on Hwy 181 until in Linville at the
intersection of Hwy 181, Hwy 221 (this road will be on your right AND in front of you here) and Hwy 105N (this road
will be on your left.) Turn Left onto Hwy 105N. Take Hwy 105N through Banner Elk, and on into Boone. (Watch out
for 2 speed traps along the road.) In Boone, you will come to a large 4-way intersection with a 2-story Wendy’s on
the right. Turn Right onto Highway 321 at this intersection. From here, refer to the Boone directions above.
Please notePlease note that due to the construction on Highway 321 between Lenoir and Blowing Rock, the
highway will be closed between 8pm and 5am Wednesday night- Thursday morning. An alternate
route is available through Wilkesboro using Highway 18 to Highway 421, but this will add at least an
hour to your time. Plan your driving so that you won’t be coming up Hwy 321 during those times.

[Teresa]

How about Hwy 321 closings on Friday night?  Saturday am?