enoniam
Full Member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2012
- Messages
- 2,860
MyBigToy has been pinging me about doing this again and after my recent work trip to Australia and a daughter's wedding I've finally gotten around to planning it.
I've got the Tower Hill Shelter reserved at Martin State Forest. This is a different state forest than last year - it is closer to our French Lick cruising destination after the cookout and easier to find. The forest is located pretty much in the middle of St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati. See the map and images below. Shelter is located at red circle in map. Forest entrance is located on US 50.
For those with kids there is playground equipment. The shelter is at the end of sort of a cul-de-sac so we will be away from the road. Shelter is good sized with two fireplaces - hopefully we won't be tempted to use them!
We'll have a pitch-in cookout - I'll bring brats, dogs, charcoal and buns. I'll keep a running list of who is bringing what so we don't end up with 10 potato salads and no deserts. Bring your own drinks. We'll shoot to eat around 1 pm eastern time. Probably start to show up after 10 am.
Around 2:00 we'll cruise through the Hoosier National Forest to the historic French Lick Hotel and Casino via primarily back roads (paved), about 30 minutes away. Here's it's website:
http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/frenchlick
Unfortunately as was the case last year the at one-time Eighth Wonder of the World West Baden Springs Hotel down the street from the French Lick Hotel is closed to host a private function - probably a 1-percenter wedding I'd imagine. We can still view its magnificent exterior.
Afterwards if anyone is interested in a little competition, we can visit the French Lick West Baden indoor karting go-kart track where they claim the karts get up to 40 mph. Here are web sites for the West Baden Spring Hotel (Wikipedia) and the indoor karting:
http://www.flwbindoorkarting.com/
If there's interest in an alternative activity we can cruise 6 miles to Wilstem Ranch for their fall Pumpkin Patch with activities, rides, attractions, animals, and of course, pumpkins! Here's their Pumpkin Patch web page:
http://wilstemranch.com/pumpkin-patch/
If anyone is interested, camping is available at Jackson-Washington State Forest and the nearby Starve Hollow State Recreation Area. There's numerous hiking trails and a couple of mountain biking trails between the state forest and recreation area, not to mention fishing - but don't forget your fishing license. Here are the web sites for the forest and recreation area if you'd more info on camping or other outdoor activities:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4820.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4819.htm
I'm going to also promote this gtg on the corvette forum - I know a couple other AV/corvette owners I hope will show up - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!! Maybe we can get a former AV owner who sold me his AV a few years back and who now owns a corvette to drive up from Kentucky to come out as well. And I am hoping MyBigToy and the Mrs can come in their Grand Sport C6 since they no longer have an Avalanche.
Coming:
Enoniam and Minor One - brats, dogs, buns
Didit and Lu - firewood, condiments and desert
MyBigToy + 1 (vette since he sold his AV) - potato salad, chips, summer sausage and crackers.
Maybe
frito + ?
I've got the Tower Hill Shelter reserved at Martin State Forest. This is a different state forest than last year - it is closer to our French Lick cruising destination after the cookout and easier to find. The forest is located pretty much in the middle of St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati. See the map and images below. Shelter is located at red circle in map. Forest entrance is located on US 50.
For those with kids there is playground equipment. The shelter is at the end of sort of a cul-de-sac so we will be away from the road. Shelter is good sized with two fireplaces - hopefully we won't be tempted to use them!
We'll have a pitch-in cookout - I'll bring brats, dogs, charcoal and buns. I'll keep a running list of who is bringing what so we don't end up with 10 potato salads and no deserts. Bring your own drinks. We'll shoot to eat around 1 pm eastern time. Probably start to show up after 10 am.
Around 2:00 we'll cruise through the Hoosier National Forest to the historic French Lick Hotel and Casino via primarily back roads (paved), about 30 minutes away. Here's it's website:
http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/frenchlick
Unfortunately as was the case last year the at one-time Eighth Wonder of the World West Baden Springs Hotel down the street from the French Lick Hotel is closed to host a private function - probably a 1-percenter wedding I'd imagine. We can still view its magnificent exterior.
Afterwards if anyone is interested in a little competition, we can visit the French Lick West Baden indoor karting go-kart track where they claim the karts get up to 40 mph. Here are web sites for the West Baden Spring Hotel (Wikipedia) and the indoor karting:
http://www.flwbindoorkarting.com/
If there's interest in an alternative activity we can cruise 6 miles to Wilstem Ranch for their fall Pumpkin Patch with activities, rides, attractions, animals, and of course, pumpkins! Here's their Pumpkin Patch web page:
http://wilstemranch.com/pumpkin-patch/
If anyone is interested, camping is available at Jackson-Washington State Forest and the nearby Starve Hollow State Recreation Area. There's numerous hiking trails and a couple of mountain biking trails between the state forest and recreation area, not to mention fishing - but don't forget your fishing license. Here are the web sites for the forest and recreation area if you'd more info on camping or other outdoor activities:
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4820.htm
http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/4819.htm
I'm going to also promote this gtg on the corvette forum - I know a couple other AV/corvette owners I hope will show up - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!! Maybe we can get a former AV owner who sold me his AV a few years back and who now owns a corvette to drive up from Kentucky to come out as well. And I am hoping MyBigToy and the Mrs can come in their Grand Sport C6 since they no longer have an Avalanche.
Coming:
Enoniam and Minor One - brats, dogs, buns
Didit and Lu - firewood, condiments and desert
MyBigToy + 1 (vette since he sold his AV) - potato salad, chips, summer sausage and crackers.
Maybe
frito + ?