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Southern Indiana Fall Colors Cookout and Cruise II - October 22

enoniam

Full Member
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Nov 30, 2012
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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 + ?
 

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Sounds like fun.  Unfortunately we have a family birthday gtg that day.

  --OldVMer
 
Sounds like fun.  Depends on Josie's hockey schedule.  If we can manage Avalanche Pizza and this, that should get her some much needed hours towards getting her license.
 
I think we can make this

Firewood to make things cozy n warm depending on the weather, mustard, relish, ketchup, dessert.

Didit n Lu
 
Got you two down Didit and Lu!  Glad you are bringing firewood - that was helpful taking some of the chill off last year.  Note that this is a different location - a bit east of Shoals.

Mike Mercury has also indicated on the corvette forum that he and Yvonne are going to try to make this again, although will probably not bring both their 'vette and their new-to-them Avalanche.  He asked via email which I would bring to which I responded that I'd let the weather make up my mind.  (Dry 'vette, wet AV.)
 
Added MyBigToy + the Mrs and kvozel +1 from the vette forum to the Maybe list!  (y)
 
MyBigToy said:
We now have a motel booked. French Lick was full so we are staying in Washington.

Moved you up to the coming list!  :D
 
What to do what to do, my dance card is open.  :E:
 
MS03 2500 said:
What to do what to do, my dance card is open.  :E:

Almost directly in line between your Detroit and Kentucky homes...
 

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Have you pinged Bob yet about coming?

And where's OBB? He hasn't weighed in yet. This would be a new GTG for him, and he prides himself on hitting almost every GTG there has ever been!
 
Haven't pinged Bob yet.

OBB replied on TOS that Debi can't get off work.

Also on TOS Enkei has indicated that he might be able to make it.

Adding him to the Maybe list...
 
The 22nd is now in the 10-extended forecast and the weather is looking GOOD!!!

46 degree low that morning with clear skies and a high of 65 degrees!  Trees are just starting to turn around here - should be spectacular in 10 more days!
 
As you are aware, I pinged Bob but he never answered. I assume that means he isn't coming. Thought I would bring this one back to the top again and maybe get a little additional interest going.

Also wanted to let you know we are bringing some potato salad, assorted chips, and summer sausage and crackers.
 
Thanks MBT.  I emailed him last week.  He replied noting that he's getting his office remodeled.  He knew the guy that he was having do the work was going to do it on a weekend - guess when he's going to do it.  Sounds like he would have liked to come but being a business owner sometimes intrudes into your personal life.

I'll update the above with the food you are bringing.

The current weather forecast is sunny with a high of 61 (low of 37 that morning). Sounds like great fall weather!
 
I can't believe so few for such a beautiful day, if your coming from the east, watch for the USG sign and turn to the right at the top of the hill,  if your coming from the west, you'll see a big blue USG sign around the curve and turn to the left.

Didit
 
Didit said:
I can't believe so few for such a beautiful day, if your coming from the east, watch for the USG sign and turn to the right at the top of the hill,  if your coming from the west, you'll see a big blue USG sign around the curve and turn to the left.

Didit
I would have loved to, but with the lemon's leaking/noisy rear end and the Bimmer in my garage for surgery, I didn't want to risk it.  Hope you all had a great time.
 
We made it back home about noon today, a fair amount lighter in the wallet thanks to the wife and the casino!

As enoniam indicated, the drive from French Lick to Washington was fun in the Vette, but would have been even more fun in the daylight.

It was great weather and the drive from the shelter to the casino was fun. The biggest problem was the Avalanches holding the Vettes back! I agree with Didit that it's a shame more people didn't show up. You missed a fun day.
 
MyBigToy said:
It was great weather and the drive from the shelter to the casino was fun. The biggest problem was the Avalanches holding the Vettes back! I agree with Didit that it's a shame more people didn't show up. You missed a fun day.

Uh I beg your pardon, the only thing keeping the AV's from goin faster was the two old men in the red and black vettes in FRONT of us!  and I got the pics to prove it MBT, lol    all in all it was a fun enjoyable day and the food was AVawsome!  BTW MBT I thank you for the summer sausage, fantastic stuff and it was nice to meet your wife Stephanie.

Didit
 

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a couple more

no comment!
 

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mmmm sticky and good!

 

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Now notice these two old geezers in front of us, I tried to pass several times but the road was just to narrow for safety, theirs and mine!
 

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