View Full Version : Fifth Annual WhiteBlaze Nashville Winter Dinner - Saturday, February 26, 2011
Rain Man
01-13-2011, 13:30
Fifth Annual WhiteBlaze Nashville Winter Dinner
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Here's the itinerary (you are welcome to any or all of the activities; the main activity is the dinner gathering):
8:00 a.m. - It is the last Saturday of the month, so it's REI Volunteer Day at Radnor Lake State Natural Area, from 8:00 to Noon. Anyone interested in volunteering for trail maintenance?
Friends of Radnor Lake (http://www.radnorlake.org/)
2:00 - a hike at Radnor Lake SNA to see the new and rebuilt South Cove Trail, parts of which were wiped out by the May storm that caused the Nashville flood. Details to be announced.
5:00 - THE MAIN EVENT: Dinner at Ruby Tuesday next door to REI in Brentwood. RSVPs are very helpful, so I can tell Ruby Tuesday how many to expect.
7:00 - Presentation next door at REI by Rob Connor on his 2010 thru-hike of the AT.
Questions? Volunteers? Complaints? Anyone needing a place to stay? Anyone offering a place to stay for out-of-towners?
If you need to MapQuest a map or directions to the REI, here is the address (and phone number) (Ruby Tuesday is next door)--
261 Franklin Road
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 376-4248
Check this thread for changes and updates, which I'll post if necessary.
I'm looking forward to seeing whoever is able to attend. Nothing like getting together for good food and yakking with fellow AT hikers. Well, except for hiking!
Rain:sunMan
.
HiKen2011
01-13-2011, 13:39
Hi Rain:sunMan,
I'll try to attend, let you know for sure later. I've never attended before but plan a thru hike this March, should learn a lot from you guy's. Thanks a lot.
Hiken2011
Count me in! I'll need a fix. I'll have quit my job and be in the final countdown on my thru.
Just Plain Jim
01-13-2011, 21:11
Jan and I plan to be there and maybe my grandson.
SurferNerd
01-13-2011, 22:23
If I'm home by then, I'll be there.
RainMan - my wife and I will be there. Look forward to it.
I'll be in town teaching a workshop at Belmont. It'll go until 5:30 or 6 so I'll miss most of the event, but I'll try to catch you all at either Ruby Tuesday or REI before we head back to Chattanooga.
Count me in! Bearpaw, it will be good to see you again.
I should be able to make it Rain Man. Mick will be out of town.
Rain Man
01-16-2011, 23:09
I should be able to make it Rain Man. Mick will be out of town.
"While the cat's away...," eh?! :D
Rain:sunMan
.
Yikes!! If I played every time the cat was away I'd be one tired....... well you get it...
I'll be there. The one talking too much about the trail. Maybe for once that'll be appreciated! Let Rain Man or myself know if there are any specific aspects of the trail/thru-hiking that you'd like me to try to work in to my chat.
hamhocker and I will be there
The wife and I will be there for the dinner and talk. Depends on what time I get back from Chicago if I can do Radnor hike.
bummer, looks like I'll miss it....
SawnieRobertson
01-24-2011, 10:01
If my second cataract surgery goes as well as the first one is, I will be able to be there. Second is scheduled for the 17th. to
You know that I've always wanted to go to one of these things, and who knows (?) I may still need a couple of items from REI by then. Yep, I want to be there. Sign me up for the talk and the dinner. (I'll be driving all day Saturday.) And, if you know, give me a list of at least "2-star" motels close by in case I can't camp out.--Kinnickinic
Rain Man
01-24-2011, 12:48
... give me a list of at least "2-star" motels close by in case I can't camp out.--Kinnickinic
The palatial Myers Manor will have its doors open for you!!! My wife will insist, if I didn't! :)
Rain:sunMan
.
SawnieRobertson
01-25-2011, 11:16
The palatial Myers Manor will have its doors open for you!!! My wife will insist, if I didn't! :)
Rain:sunMan
.
Looking forward to seeing Stitch and you. I think I need your phone number.--Sawnie
Fat Man Walking
02-10-2011, 17:07
Seems like when I am on the AT, I always wind up hiking with folks from Tennessee. Tractor, Stix, Cody..... Guess it is a cultural/language thing.....Just seems like the thing to do is come to Nashville and meet some more of you. And, sneak in a visit with my daughter and S-I-L while I am at it. Don't know if I will make the day's activities but, will for sure be at the dinner.
My wife says she wonders if this will be like an AA meeting???? "My Name is Fat Man and I'm a Section Hiker." Hi Fat Man!!!!:banana:banana
In all seriousness, looking forward to making new friends.
freemarie
02-10-2011, 17:22
Intriguing, I didn't know about this event..hmm...
Rain Man
02-10-2011, 22:41
Intriguing, I didn't know about this event..hmm...
Well... how come?! What's yer excuse?! At least you found out in plenty of time. Are you comin'?
P.S. This event is posted at least three places online, three different sites. I try! :)
Rain:sunMan
.
beartripper
02-14-2011, 18:50
Hello Rainman, my son and I will attend this event. We will arrive at 1700 and hope to meet you guys at Ruby Tuesday.
HikerRanky
02-14-2011, 22:03
Already posted over at the Backpackers meetup as well Rain Man, but Jan and I will be there for dinner and the presentation afterwards....
Rain Man
02-19-2011, 20:50
Anyone(s) willing to officially lead a hike (or two?) at Radnor Lake State Natural Area that afternoon and get back in time for dinner as scheduled?
If so, please shoot me a message and let me know.
Right now, the South Cove Trail is scheduled (hopefully) to be re-opened (after many months of repair following the May flooding "landslide") on March 1st. I am asking them for a special pre-Grand-re-opening hike for our group. We'll see.
Rain Man
.
beartripper
02-19-2011, 21:38
I plan on getting there @ 1700 with a guest.
Rain Man, my wife and I will definitely be there! I wish we could help out throughout the day, but I can only make it to the dinner because of work, see you there!
Cody Girl
02-20-2011, 20:20
Hi. I'm new here, wanted to let you know I plan to be there next Sat. I'm excited to meet everyone.
Cody
Rain Man, I will be there as earlier noted, but, now I'll be bringing Jim. If I don't have to work, we'll be there for the hike.
Rain Man
02-22-2011, 11:27
Yikes!! If I played every time the cat was away I'd be one tired....... well you get it...
No, I don't get it! (If you can pun, so can I.) LOL
I see under your WB name that you've hiked Springer to Front Royal. I'll be caught up with you this May! :)
See you Saturday.
Rain:sunMan
.
Rain Man
02-22-2011, 11:33
Just bumping this thread up, as the event is this Saturday.
I'm not sure who all is coming to what, but that's okay. I hope to see some of you at 8:00 on Saturday morning for the Radnor Lake Volunteer Day, working on the South Cove Trail.
Then at 1:30 anyone who wants to carpool can meet in the parking area between REI and Ruby Tuesday. We will then drive to Radnor Lake and meet up at the Visitors Center to begin a group hike around 1:45 to 2:00. Meet us there if you prefer. We'll do Ganier Ridge for sure (can see downtown Nashville from up there) and hopefully (keep your fingers crossed) might get to do the South Cove Trail (before its official opening next month). Those constitute the big loop at Radnor and are about 5 miles total. We do it in about 2 hours. Folks who prefer can walk the Lake Trail, which is flat.
Dinner is at 5:00 at Ruby Tuesday and we have three dozen folks signed up now. I'm about to warn the manager, as I do every year.
After dinner you can shop at REI before "Donnor" does his '10 thru-hike presentation at 7:00.
Keep updating those RSVPs as you know them. :) Am looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday!
Rain:sunMan
.
Hi Rainman,
My husband and I look forward to joining everyone for dinner. It will be great to meet such a lively bunch of hikers!
hwh
beartripper
02-22-2011, 16:48
Looking forward to being there.
Just Plain Jim
02-22-2011, 18:31
Rainman; There will be 3 of us as my 16 yr. old grandson is coming to the dinner with us. We may have to have them kill an extra fatted calf.:)
Just Plain Jim
02-22-2011, 18:40
Jan and I and my grandson will be there at 5.:welcome
Sorry, I will start work in Georgia on the trail on Friday and will miss again.Please remind everyone if they are in Georgia hiking , to look me up . I will be on the trail between Springer and Bly Gap until the end of July.Have a great time and take a hike!
Rain Man
02-23-2011, 13:44
Sorry, I will start work in Georgia on the trail on Friday and will miss again.Please remind everyone if they are in Georgia hiking , to look me up . I will be on the trail between Springer and Bly Gap until the end of July.Have a great time and take a hike!
Will do, Razor. What's your job? You ridge-running for the GATC?
Rain:sunMan
.
Rain Man
02-23-2011, 18:05
Just got the reply from the head ranger: NO to hiking the South Cove Trail.
We will do the South Lake Trail, and Ganier Ridge Trail, and Lake Trail, in some order or the other. This shortens the distance a bit and lessens the difficulty. The hike will take about an hour and a half. We'll be done around 3:30.
Rain:sunMan
.
Yes, I'll be patrolling the Georgia section as the ridgerunner.It is fun and fullfilling to be working with all the starters on Springer-albit a challenge to get some to understand LNT and it's positives for them.It is also kind of funny that all the droped gear is worthless and not useable .We start 2-25.Hope you guys have a great hike and meeting.
I won't get there this year either, not sure if I already said this, but I'm sitting in Texas until mid March. You guys have fun!
Rain Man, I may have to cancel. I'm sick as a dog right now. I'll have to see how I feel on Saturday.
Rain Man
02-24-2011, 23:17
Just a note to let y'all know that I'll be out of town all day tomorrow (Friday) and away from the Internet till late. So, if anyone writes me and I don't reply, that's why.
Am looking forward to a busy, full day on Saturday!
P.S. Lilred, take care of yourself. Still hope to see you!
Rain:sunMan
.
Rain Man
02-25-2011, 21:21
Home again. See all y'all tomorrow!
Some at 8:00.
Some at 2:00.
Some at 5:00.
And some at 7:00!
WHEW!
Rain:sunMan
.
Fat Man Walking
02-26-2011, 11:12
Rain man
Please add two to the dinner list as our daughter & S-I-L will be joining us.
Thanks!
FMW
Sorry I won't be able to make it tonight. Still feel pretty awful....
Rain Man
02-26-2011, 13:04
Got my talley's added up for dinner. Looks like a crowd! Just got home from the morning volunteering at Radnor Lake. Headed down to REI in a while for the carpool back to Radnor (the parking lot there is PACKED today) and afternoon hike.
Can't wait to sit down at Ruby Tuesday at 5:00 and rest ... and get served some good food while yakking with fellow backpackers!
Then see and hear a thru-hike presentation from "Donnor," who thru'd in '10.
Oh, and Sawnie (Kinnickinic) arrives this afternoon from Virginia to stay with the Myers. I get to repay some of her kindnesses shown to me and my family.
Rain:sunMan
.
Rain Man
02-26-2011, 23:19
A GREAT time was had by all!
We kept Ruby Tuesday hopping busy, with 40 of us there.
And "Donner's" talk at REI was just exceptional. His enthusiasm and love of the experience shown through clearly. It was a great presentation.
I'll post some pics tomorrow.
Rain:sunMan
.
For sure Rain Man! Excellent night. I thought Donner was an awesome public speaker. It's almost as if he has done it before. My wife and I had a wonderful time both in Ruby Tuesdays and REI. We will definitely be back next year!
beartripper
02-26-2011, 23:52
Thanks Rainman for all the work you put into this. My son and I really enjoyed meeting everyone.
Rainman...my wife and I had a great time as usual. It was great to see old friends and Rob's presentation was excellent (although I will continue to politely disagree on the "map" issue!:p). Thanks for pulling this together and for Greg and the others there that will be heading to Springer soon, best wishes for your hike. Rob did a nice job on discussing both the high and low points you will likely experience. And fat man, NJ/NY are awesome...the trail is thick with both bears and deli's at every road crossing!!!!!!!
Hey everybody, I put the wrong link on the presentation. If you to get more info on my experience, the link is: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/robconr/8/tpod.html
Thanks Raymond for setting up a great day!
Rainman, always a great preparation. Dinner was great and Donner had a great presentation. Spent money in REI and the wife and I did a hike at the very busy Radnor on the lake trail. See you all next year or out on the trail.
SawnieRobertson
02-27-2011, 22:43
The whole evening was spectacularly perfect. Loved my sumptuous salad, loved the conversations at my table, and was so ready to drop when it was time to go to REI. I bought some Wright socks to go with my trailrunners and thought, "This is it. I'm so tired. Oh, I hope I don't doze off during the talk." Then the electric Donner presentation began. Wow! The energy Rob projected out with his enthusiasm and obvious delight with his memories of the 2010 trail (postholing). There was no dozing, just wishing he would talk longer. Thank you, Rob. Thank you, Stitch and RainMan.
After awakening this morning at Stitch and RainMan's home, getting their excellent directions to the airport, and flying to Austin, I am sitting at the Lighthouse Inn by Aransas Bay, thinking about the Trail on the 18th and a wonderful evening last night.
--Kinnickinic