Calling all Couples in Georgia

[Southern_Canadian 0]

Where is Unicoi State Park??? I'm down for the 24th!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

http://www.gastateparks.org/info/unicoi/

Looks gorgeous. 24th is Perfect. Who else is in?

[Southern_Canadian 0]

That's a 2 1/2 hour drive for us. What time would we want to get together?

Who else is in?

[BermyCat 1]

Apparently Helen's Octoberfest will still be going on those weekends. Meybe we'll spend the night and go. I lived in a German city in Canada and I've missed Octoberfest.

~ Catherine

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I think Joe and I can make the 24th as well. One of the things Bermy Cat, Canadian_Wife and I discussed this Saturday was the possibility of doing a potluck. I think we need to know more information about Unicoi's set up - is that a feasible idea or do we want to plan to go to a restaurant or something there. I don't know the site but Joel works there so we should be able to get some clear information about what will and won't work.

Karen and Joel, what do you suggest? And yes, it would be a several hour drive for us as well so maybe early afternoon might be a good time to get together?

Octoberfest does sound like fun as well! I haven't been to Helen yet although I've heard great things about it.

Edited September 14, 2009 by Kathryn41

[JeremyR 8]

Apparently Helen's Octoberfest will still be going on those weekends. Meybe we'll spend the night and go. I lived in a German city in Canada and I've missed Octoberfest.

I drove through Helen (couldn't park!) a couple of years back during Oktoberfest and... my god... One of the most surreal moments of my life

Drove through Helen again yesterday (still couldn't park!) and even without the festival, it was rammed with people everywhere... If you guys do go during Oktoberfest, expect massive crowds... Unicoi is lovely though Anna Ruby is nice too, but much more spectacular if it's rained recently.

[KarenCee 3]

Depending on the time we plan to meet up, we could do a couple things:

1) Meet at the Lodge restaurant at Unicoi State Park. Good food, reasonable priced, buffet style.

2) Have a potluck and rent a shelter. There's Shelter #6 that has a small playground and a creek running next to it. Restrooms close by and ample parking.

Or...depending on how many plan to come, we could all meet at our house and have a potluck (it would be a bring-your-own-chair deal) and then go on to Unicoi and explore the park OR if we're brave we could explore Helen. With Oktoberfest in full swing at that time it will be crowded but should prove to be a lot of fun.

If anyone wants to come stay and take advantage of the mountains, might I suggest making some sort of arrangements ASAP? Everything gets full for Oktoberfest. Not sure about Unicoi's lodge or cabins if they are full or not.

The 24th sounds fabulous to us...I can't wait to do this!!!!

[Fuzzness 2]

The lodge has three conference rooms, Dogwood can be split in two. One room is big enough for a few people but if we are going to have several people then we might want the whole room. However it does have issues with air conditioning. Logo rooms are three seperate rooms with removable walls. One room should be big enough. These rooms are more expensive than Dogwood I believe. Masters Hall has four rooms, with removable walls to make a huge ball room. These are the most expensive of all. Then there is the Beach house, which is right next to the beach. I think this rents for $350/day so that might be out of the question. Then there are numerous picnic shelters including one next to the bridge where Burt Reynolds kissed Sally Field. These are cheaper to reserve however if you don't make a reservation and are able to get a picnic shelter then its free.

Good fishing in the lake and the river. Lots of bears around too.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks Karen and Joel,

Joel - a bit off topic but you might want to update your time-line. K-1 was a while back

I actually like the idea of meeting at the Lodge Restaurant and enjoying a buffet style lunch and then seeing if there is some place we can gather and visit further if necessary. Visiting Helen might indeed be a good idea. I also like the idea of a potluck with one of the picnic shelters, however we would be dependent on the weather and it is hard to say what October 24th will be like - if it rains that might not be much fun. Having a gathering at Karen and Joel's house would be great - but I suspect we might get more people than they can accommodate. I once thought we could also host something at our place here in Stockbridge, but had the same concerns - there may be more people than we can accommodate comfortably - plus people who are allergic to cats would have problems .

For accommodation, people don't need to stay in Helen, do they? There are other towns around that might be available, too, right? If I remember doesn't the Smith House in Dalonega have rooms and there are cabins around the area too. It would mean a short drive but would still in the area. Or does accommodation in all of the surrounding towns fill up quickly?

Edited September 15, 2009 by Kathryn41

[Malrothien 6]

What about Florida couples, hey hey hey?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I'd say anyone in one of the neighbouring states who would like to travel are more than welcome to join the gathering. So, yeah, if you want to come, you're welcome!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Perhaps meeting at the restaurant might be better so food brought to the shelter doesn't get cold or go bad.

Just my 2 cents. I'm really excited about the 24th

[KarenCee 3]

The Lodge restaurant does have a few side rooms, as to reserving them Joel can find out. I do like the restaurant idea better since it may still be hot even towards the end of October. What we do need is a number...an estimate...so Joel can give the Lodge staff an idea.

Let's start a sign up sheet, so to speak, with who is coming and how many will be with you (if you want to bring the kiddos there's lots for them to do too). What amount of time is reasonable for sign ups? Two weeks? We would need to let them know so the proper space can be set aside. Add to our names and I'll check periodically to see how the list goes...if this is agreeable to everyone.

This is gonna be some more fun!!!

Karen and Joel.....yes.....2

[KarenCee 3]

OK...so I am guessing the date and place are official...10/24/2009 at Unicoi State Park. As soon as we find out how many are coming I'll have Joel find out where we can gather, what the cost will be, etc. and I'll let y'all know as soon as I know.

[BermyCat 1]

Phil and I are in.

~ Catherine