Dec 28th OH, PA, NY area GTG

[ShapeShifter]

It's time to do it again. Just like last year, MeanGreenAv is returning to Erie PA this holiday season and would like to meet with area members. All are welcome.

Last year we got together for a cruise around the Erie PA area, and dinner at the Quaker Steak and Lube: http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com/cafcna/index.php?board=25;action=display;threadid=9903

This year, MeanGreenAv and family will be available for a GTG on Sunday Dec 28th. While we could return to the Erie area, let's try to come up with something new. They are willing to drive about 40 miles from Erie to reach the GTG location. One of the possabilities discussed last year was the Lake Chautauqua area, which could be a possability this year. Any other ideas?

Let's get a discussion going here, and talk about some ideas. Who's familiar with the area and has some ideas? Who's interested in meeting our Colorado visitors?

I will keep this first post updated with the latest information about this GTG.

-- SS


Date: Sunday, December 28, 2003

Meeting point:

WalMart parking lot, 1900 Keystone Drive, Erie PA.
From I-90, take exit 24 "US-19/Peach St"
Then turn North on US-19, WalMart is on the right

There are a variety of restaurants in the immediate area from fast food to full service. If you arrive early you can grab some lunch on your own before the initial meeting.

FRS Radios: Bring your FRS radio, and tune to channel 8, no sub channel.

Overview:

Meet in Erie, and cruise to Peak'n Peek Resort and Conference Center. Spend some time on the slopes skiing or tubing, or just hang out in the lodge. Afterwards, meet in the lodge and eat dinner. Click for more information.


NOTE: Currently, the tubing area is closed, and considering the current weather, it is not very likely that it will be open for the weekend.

We need a "Plan B" in case the slopes are not open!

Since there is not much time left to plan and make a decision, come prepared with contingecy plans if the tubing area is not open. We will discuss the alternate plans at the initial meet and greet session, and make a decision then, adjusting the schedule as necessary.

​

Costs: $14.00 per person for two hours of tubing. Dutch treat for dinner (costs vary.)

Schedule/Itinerary:

12:30	-	Meet/greet at WalMart parking lot.
		-- 30 minutes meeting
1:00	-	Depart for Peek'N Peak
		-- 45 minutes driving, 24 miles
1:45	-	Arrive Peek'N Peak
		-- 15 minutes to get bearings/get organized
2:00	-	Tubing/Skiing/Hanging out at the lodge
		-- 2 hours
4:00	-	Regroup/Reorganize
		-- 30 minutes
4:30	-	Dinner
		-- 1 hour 30 minutes eating (approximate)
6:15	-	Depart for home when ready

Latest head count:

Name	|	People	|	Year	Color	Model
-----------------------	-	-----------	-	----------	--------------	----------------
MeanGreenAv	|	4	|	2002	Green	1500 Z-71
ShapeShifter	|	3	|	2002	Blue	1500 Z-71
endeavorc	|	3	|
MrBill	|	3	|	2002	Blue	2500 4x4
jgwatsonjg (possible)	|	2	|	2002	Green	1500 Z-71
quapaw2002	|	2	|	2002	Black	1500 Z-71
Traz (cancelled)	|	4 ?	|	2003	Black	2500
speeder	|	2 ?	|	2003	Dark grey	2500 4x4

Total: At least 5 confirmed Avs, and 17 people. Could be a lot more if all of the possibles make it.


Update 12/05: Initial post
Update 12/07: Attendance
Update 12/07: Attendance
Update 12/14: Attendance
Update 12/20: Preliminary details
Update 12/23: Schedule details, new map, attendance
Update 12/24: Removed alternate date contingency
Update 12/26: Attendance, snow contingency plans
Update 12/27: Attendance

 

[ColoradoAV]

Hi all,

It was such a great time last year meeting everyone. Let's do this again . The size of the GTG really doesn't matter to me (of course I think bigger is better) but if we have a smaller GTG like we have gotten used to in Colorado, it just allows us to get to know everyone in attendance better .

Dmacker - I remember you expressed more interest in a GTG in the Chautauqua region than Erie last year. I hope you can make it to this one.

A couple of ideas I have to do that don't require a lot of driving include going to a neat little cheese house near the lake (something my family does everytime we go there) and taking Hwy. 394 through Westfield (which is along I-90) and into this cozy little town called Barcelona along Lake Erie. There is a very cozy restaurant that we go to every summer in Barcelona and I can only hope and assume that it would be open during the winter. From this restaurant, everyone would be able to split off in their own directions and head back home.

As I told ShapeShifter, it's not confirmed that we'll be taking the Av but more than likely it will be there. That would allow me to legally help my parents drive since it's our own vehicle and the minimum rental car driving age is 25.

Let's get a great showing at this GTG .

 

[ColoradoAV]

Bringing this back to the top - we need support!

Is there another location or date (before Jan. 2) that would work better for everyone ?

 

[endeavorc]

Let me get with the other half, we might be able to swing this one

Would also facilitate the delivery of the Mini Av to SS

 

[MrBill]

I'll be attending with two guests.

 

[ShapeShifter]

Would also facilitate the delivery of the Mini Av to SS

Oh yeah, I forgot about that!

Did I pay for it already, or did I forget that also?

It would be great if you could make it.

-- SS

 

[ShapeShifter]

A couple of ideas I have to do that don't require a lot of driving include going to a neat little cheese house near the lake (something my family does everytime we go there) and taking Hwy. 394 through Westfield (which is along I-90) and into this cozy little town called Barcelona along Lake Erie. There is a very cozy restaurant that we go to every summer in Barcelona and I can only hope and assume that it would be open during the winter. From this restaurant, everyone would be able to split off in their own directions and head back home.

This sounds interesting. Assuming the cheese house is near the center of Erie, it looks like the drive to Barcelona is about 30-35 miles, and 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the route. That sounds like a workable distance. Assuming half an hour to an hour at the cheese house (is that an appropriate amount of time?) means that the whole thing would take about four to five hours. That makes it a reasonable day trip where people can still travel two to three house in the morning/evening and still get home at a reasonable time.

Let's keep this in mind, but let's give it a couple of days for any other ideas to come in before we commit to it.

-- SS

 

[ShapeShifter]

I'll be attending with two guests.

Great! I've got you on the list.

Might your brother be able to join us?

-- SS

 

[OldVMer]

This sounds interesting. Assuming the cheese house is near the center of Erie, it looks like the drive to Barcelona is about 30-35 miles, and 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the route. That sounds like a workable distance. Assuming half an hour to an hour at the cheese house (is that an appropriate amount of time?) means that the whole thing would take about four to five hours. That makes it a reasonable day trip where people can still travel two to three house in the morning/evening and still get home at a reasonable time.
-- SS

Sounds like fun. Unfortunately, we've got a family Christmas GTG on the 28th.

--VM

 

[jgwatsonjg]

Put the JW Crew down as a Possible, 2 Adults. =)

We had a great time last year and if E's going that's all the more reason!!

JW

 

[endeavorc]

SS, the Mini Av is all taken care of.

Can't wait to see everyone again.

 

[sands611]

Would love to come out for this but I'm booked that weekend!
Darn...

 

[ColoradoAV]

This sounds interesting. Assuming the cheese house is near the center of Erie, it looks like the drive to Barcelona is about 30-35 miles, and 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the route. That sounds like a workable distance. Assuming half an hour to an hour at the cheese house (is that an appropriate amount of time?) means that the whole thing would take about four to five hours. That makes it a reasonable day trip where people can still travel two to three house in the morning/evening and still get home at a reasonable time.

Actually, the cheese house is right near Lake Chautauqua, not Lake Erie. Unfortunately, I don't know if any of these places I have mentioned are open during the winter. I have never been to the Chautauqua area during the winter. Are there any other ideas for things to do that would work in the winter?

I'm so glad to see interest in this GTG . If there are any other dates (like maybe the 27th) where more people can attend, just let me know. The 28th would work better for us but the 27th is still a possibility.

 

[ColoradoAV]

I'm bumping this back to the top for anyone who hasn't seen this thread.

Does anyone have any other ideas? I proposed taking I-86 from Erie to Lake Chautauqua then going along the lake to a little cheese house near Mayville, NY. Then from Mayville, we would go to Barcelona and after eating everyone would split up.

Let's keep the ideas flowing again...

 

[orboater]

Sounds like the makings of a good GTG.

Wish I could come along.

Leaving the 26th to see if I can get any mileage out the the AV going South.

Headed to Sarasota to see son and his family.
Coming back the 2nd of January.

Have fun

 

[quapaw2002]

This sounds like we will get to make our first GTG. Just a short trip for us. Looking forward to it...

 

[ShapeShifter]

Does anyone have any other ideas? I proposed taking I-86 from Erie to Lake Chautauqua then going along the lake to a little cheese house near Mayville, NY. Then from Mayville, we would go to Barcelona and after eating everyone would split up.

Doesn't sound like there are too many ideas...

Maybe we should firm up the Mayville cheese house and Barcelona restaurant ideas. Do you have any more information on them? What are the names of the places, are they open this time of year?

If you have the names, I can see if I can find out more information on them.

This sounds like we will get to make our first GTG. Just a short trip for us. Looking forward to it...

Good to have you along! I was there in the parade when you got tagged.

How many people does "us" mean?


Orboater, sands611, and OldVMer: sorry that you can't make it, I look forward to the next time we can meet.

-- SS

 

[quapaw2002]

Sorry SS.
Us means me and my wife.

 

[ColoradoAV]

Doesn't sound like there are too many ideas...

Maybe we should firm up the Mayville cheese house and Barcelona restaurant ideas. Do you have any more information on them? What are the names of the places, are they open this time of year?

If you have the names, I can see if I can find out more information on them.

Well, I just researched both places. I could not find anything on the restaurant in Barcelona and the darn cheese house is only open during the summer months . Whenever we visited the restaurant in Barcelona (I can't remember the name), it did seem like it would be a cozy place during the winter. But it's right near the lake and in somewhat of a lonely spot. I have no proof of whether or not the restaurant would be open.

I did a search on winter attractions around Lake Chautauqua and could not find much either. I have never been there during the winter, but it seems like a given fact that it would sure be a scenic drive.

So does anyone else have any ideas about what we could do there? Are there any other nearby locations we could go? I personally would not have a problem with not visiting any attractions - a scenic drive with other Avalanche owners would be fine with me . We'll just need to find a place to eat.

 

[quapaw2002]

I am not sure what all is there (have not been there since i was little) but Presque Isle St Park is where Admiral Perry beat the Brits in 1813. It is on the lake rt 832 runs right to the park. Open dawn til dusk. Also some decent wineries in the area.

 

[ShapeShifter]

I am not sure what all is there (have not been there since i was little) but Presque Isle St Park is where Admiral Perry beat the Brits in 1813. It is on the lake rt 832 runs right to the park. Open dawn til dusk. Also some decent wineries in the area.

We drove through there last year in the snow. This was one of the stops:

​

That's the Perry monument in the background.

For more pictures of last year's Erie GTG, click here.

I'm not opposed to going back there, but I was hoping for something different. Are the wineries open in the winter? Are they approriate for under age kids?

I just checked my AAA tour book, and there is nothing listed for Barcelona. There is one listing for nearby Westfield: The William Seward Inn. Odds are this isn't the place you're thinking of, MeanGreen.

I'm not opposed to a drive in the country, followed by dinner. Anyone know anwhere in the area to eat?

-- SS

 

[quapaw2002]

I don't know how the wineries would be for kids. I don't think there would be much other than tasting rooms and gift shops. Any interest in going to Drake Well Museum in Titusville PA?
Meadville has a Hoss's Steak House and some other chain restaurants.

 

[ColoradoAV]

Are the wineries open in the winter? Are they approriate for under age kids?

The winery is a great idea, unfortunately, the Penn Shore winery, the biggest and probably best one in Erie County (PA, not NY) is only open July-August.

I just checked my AAA tour book, and there is nothing listed for Barcelona. There is one listing for nearby Westfield: The William Seward Inn. Odds are this isn't the place you're thinking of, MeanGreen.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be the right restaurant .

It appears as though the winter is really hampering the number of things we can do.

The thing I like about Erie is that it is an equal distance from Buffalo, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, so certain groups of people from certain places don't have to do a lot more driving than others.

Presque Isle is a great place to drive around and the areas south of Erie are scenic, but we covered a lot of ground last year and are struggling to come up with new ideas. I'd love to do something similar this year but I am sure people coming to that area a second time for a GTG would want to do something different.

Another idea that just popped up in my head as I post is Peak 'n Peak. Is there anything to do around there that we could do like sledding? I know this sounds strange being from Colorado but I am not much for skiing . I bet there are also some good places to exercise the Avs in the snow (without damaging them ) if all 4x4s and Z71s attend.

So this is my .02 so far.

 

[quapaw2002]

Just spoke to my wife Cheri (her family is from Titusville PA) she could not think of much on short notice but said she would think about and talk to her folks about what is around the area. She did suggest the Kinzua damn near Warren PA. Could make a cool pic w/the damn in the bground.

 

[quapaw2002]

For peak'n peak there is some real good info @

www.pknpk.com/skiTubing.html


It looks like there is a lot to do in this area.