Graves Mountain Rally Syria Virginia 2024

[CGarbee]

The dates for the 16th Annual Graves Mountain MV Trailrides and Rally are Wednesday, August 28, through Monday, September 2, 2024.

I'll be updating the website soon....

The thread for last year's event (for reference) is located at Graves Mountain Rally Syria Virginia 2023 | SteelSoldiers

Same plan as in years past...with a few updates based upon everyone's feedback...

Website (with last year's dates) is
https://gravesmountaintrailrides.com/

The attached registration and information pages include details for preview weekends and the Trail Crew cleanup dates.

 

[Bulldogger]

We plan to come. I will have my HMMWV back up and running, hell or high water.
BDGR

 

[SCSG-G4]

SC crew is making their plans as I write!

 

[CGarbee]

Since we have ties to the 29th Infantry Division (we drive on some of the same roads and trails that they did)....and it will be the 80th Anniversary of D-Day this June...
We are planning on dedicating this year's event to those that went ashore in forty-four...especially those from the "Blue and Grey Division"

 

[lpcoating]

We plan on being there.

Guy

 

[CGarbee]

I just updated the website for the event...
Or, I managed to change the header to be more universal (took the dates off it so that I don;t have to change it every year...), updated the dates on the main page, and exchanged this year's registration and information flyer (located under the "register" tab on the left to this year's version. Of course, I still haven't figured out how to change the date on the download so it still looks like you are getting the 2018 version until you open it...
One of these days, I am going to just redo the entire website...

 

[CGarbee]

I'll be at Graves for the 4th of July celebration...staying through the weekend.
I'll be bringing my Mom with me, so I will be in her car and not my Jeep...
Those who wish to drop by and get a preview of the trails, maybe do some trimming, etc., let me know and we'll coordinate.

Since I mentioned the celebration:

Celebrate July 4th, 2024 at Graves Mountain Farm & Lodges.
Enjoy a relaxing evening with family, friends & FIREWORKS!!
Live Music by The Unsuitables at Sycamore Pavilion 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.
Admission is FREE--Madison Volunteer Fire Department will be accepting donations for parking--a BIG Fundraiser for our wonderful volunteers.
Food available to purchase at the Picnic Pavilion: Hot Dogs, Chicken Tenders, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Crab Cake Sandwiches, French Fries, Drinks. Snack Foods: Kettle Corn, Funnel Cakes, Ice Cream & MORE!!!
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm.

GRAVES MOUNTAIN LODGE DINING ROOM MENU:
A sit-down dinner will be served at the Lodge from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM ~ reservations required. The menu: TBA
Please call for reservations 540-923-4231.

LIVE MUSIC:
The Unsuitables 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Picnic Pavilion
•Fireworks around 9 PM--or at dark
•Pony Rides 4:00 – 8:00 PM $10.00/per ride at the stables.
*Horseback Rides Available- Please call to reserve your ride!!
Bring Your Lawn Chairs and Blankets and ENJOY the Fireworks!
Madison Volunteer Fire Dept. will be accepting donations for parking.
For more information, please visit our website:
https://www.gravesmountain.com/fourth-of-july/

 

[CGarbee]

So, I said that I would be at Graves for the 4th of July and that we could do some trail preview and maintenance during the 5th through 7th... However, Mom has decided that she would like my brother and I to visit her instead...

With the lack of folks notifying me that they want to sweat over the holiday weekend, and Mom wanting a visit, I'm cancelling the work weekend.... We'll try again on Peach Day later in July...

Enjoy the 4th!

 

[71DeuceAK]

I usually drive there from Illinois, but I'm working in Alaska this summer/fall. Any Intel on flying into Washington, DC?

 

[Bulldogger]

I usually drive there from Illinois, but I'm working in Alaska this summer/fall. Any Intel on flying into Washington, DC?

IAD, Dulles Airport, is a half hour closer than Reagan (DCA) and escapes the DC beltway traffic. It would be my preference. That said, if Reagan is noticeably cheaper, it's not a terrible drive.
Avoid Baltimore Washington International (BWI). Many airlines try to steer you to BWI with cheaper flights, but it is several hours farther North and that much more (often terrible) traffic by comparison.
(Incidentally, if you're not familiar, all the "DC" airports are not inside DC. IAD and DCA are in Northern Virginia, and BWI is near Baltimore MD. All are considered "DC" by the airlines' systems.)
See you there!
Bulldogger

 

[CGarbee]

IAD, Dulles Airport, is a half hour closer than Reagan (DCA) and escapes the DC beltway traffic. It would be my preference. That said, if Reagan is noticeably cheaper, it's not a terrible drive.)
Bulldogger

Dulles is my preference since it is on the "right side" of DC for getting to Graves...
The drive from Dulles to Graves Mountain is about 1.5 hours unless you have the misfortune of doing it during a traffic peak... I always feel much better when I get past Manasses....

 

[hrbergeron]

I'll be there, in what MV I don't know. Thinking of bringing my mule or MV7 (or both).

 

[71DeuceAK]

IAD, Dulles Airport, is a half hour closer than Reagan (DCA) and escapes the DC beltway traffic. It would be my preference. That said, if Reagan is noticeably cheaper, it's not a terrible drive.
Avoid Baltimore Washington International (BWI). Many airlines try to steer you to BWI with cheaper flights, but it is several hours farther North and that much more (often terrible) traffic by comparison.
(Incidentally, if you're not familiar, all the "DC" airports are not inside DC. IAD and DCA are in Northern Virginia, and BWI is near Baltimore MD. All are considered "DC" by the airlines' systems.)
See you there!
Bulldogger

Any good ones in Pennsylvania?

 

[SCSG-G4]

Any good ones in Pennsylvania?

They are even further than BWI by a couple of hours. BWI is south of Baltimore.

 

[CGarbee]

I'll be there, in what MV I don't know. Thinking of bringing my mule or MV7 (or both).

Both is always good....
The more the merrier...

Just a reminder that your event registration is based on the people you bring, not how long you stay, what you drive, haul stuff on, bring to sell, or space that you occupy in the event field, etc.…

 

[CGarbee]

Trail Cleanup and Maintenance I'll be on site at Graves this weekend for Peach Day...with my Mom. Driving her Honda... If you'd like to preview the trails and perhaps do a little trimming, let me know before Friday, July 26, at 9PM so that I can coordinate with you....

 

[CGarbee]

I finalized the shirt order this past Friday.
Chuck will have the shirts for sale at the Registration/HQ Tent in the event field.

 

[CGarbee]

A reminder since we are two weeks away from the start of the event...

I have to pick up the shirts so that Chuck (BMAN) will have them on hand at the HQ tent when folks arrive.
We had a LOT of rain recently that has filled all the rivers and ponds that had been suffering from a lack of rain this summer..

Laura can't make it this year, so I am working on getting a volunteer (victim) to run the truck games on Saturday... Let me know if you are interested in the job.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

 

[Bulldogger]

I start a whirlwind of maintenance this Saturday morning. We will get the new water pump on the 6.5TD and plumb the new transmission/oil radiator and any other maintenance I can get done before 8/28. Going to try for the full lube order, as it's definitely time for that. I have some helpers coming in so I should have enough hands.
See you all soon.

Bulldogger

 

[CGarbee]

I start a whirlwind of maintenance this Saturday morning.
See you all soon.
Bulldogger

Good luck with the PM and we look forward to seeing you soon.