A fun filled weekend of trailriding, parts-swapping, and fellowship in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia open to all Military Vehicles*.

Trails ranging from easy to difficult, in the valley and up on the ridges... The trail difficulty, on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is a gravel two-lane road, and 10 is winching yourself up a cliff, rates mostly a 3, with some sections of 4-5. Those that are mostly experienced only with light offroading and pavement will find this a mild challenge, which is great! For those who DON'T want a challenge, there are more mild trails as well.

Trailrides mornings and afternoons on Friday through Sunday.

Mudbog(s) located at the back end of the camping field and on the other side of the mountain from the camping field. These are the "organized" mud pits with a watertruck parked next to them so you can hose off the mud when you finished playing in the mud...

Slow race (with prizes) on Saturday afternoon.

Static display and Eastern NC BBQ Saturday late afternoon/evening.

We'll also have some convoys planned on some of the local roads (paved and unpaved) for folks who want to get some windshield time and see some of the sights.

Late departures on Monday afternoon.

The pool at the Lodge will be open for rally participants, as will the Lodge grounds and facilities (tennis/basketball/baseball courts, hiking trails, farm tours, pool, ect. Horseback riding is also available for an additional fee.

Syria Mercantile General Store (half mile from the camping area):

Hours: 7:00AM-8:00PM Wednesday through Saturday, Sunday 7:00AM-6:00PM

Groceries, snack foods, beer, ice, coffee, sandwiches (deli on site), camping supplies, fishing supplies, hardware, clothing, etc.

The Lodge serves three meals a day by reservation only (or included with Lodge accomadations such as the on-site motels).

Breakfast 8:30AM-9:30AM, Lunch 12:30PM-1:30PM (Sunday 1:00PM-2:30PM), Supper 6:30-7:30PM. Rates vary.

Folks who would prefer to have a cabin, a motel room, or rooms in the old farmhouse will need to make individual reservations with the Lodge for them in addition to making Trailride/Rally reservations. We'll have them deduct Saturday's supper from your reservation so that you aren't paying twice for it (rooms at the Lodge come with three meals a day...).

VA state fishing license with a trout stamp is required for the Rose River and the rest of the streams in the area. Fishing farther up the river (above my propterty) in the Shennendoah requires that you also have a Park license. Fishing in the trout pond located behind the area where we will be camping does not require a license, but it is a "catch and pay" facility.

You can bring your dog. The Lodge fee for pets only applies if you get a room at the Lodge, not if you are camping out.

We have a shower facility in the middle of the field that we will be camping in with plenty of hot water.

You can have campfires in the field, but you will have to remove any fire rings when you leave (they are he** on the bushhog...).

We have not yet put in RV hook ups in the field. They are planned, but are not there yet. If you need power, bring a genset. If you bring a genset, plan to turn it off at night so folks can sleep.

We will be camping in one of the 250 acre fields that we use for the bluegrass festival. It is flat (bottomland), has enough rocks under the turf to prevent RV's from sinking even if it has rained a lot and to make driving wimpy tent stakes "interesting". We have a bunch of strategically placed port-a-johns and garbage drums in the field to take care of refuse...

We will be charging $40 each for the rally (got to pay for the utilities, propane, and port-a-john cleanout, Saturday BBQ supper, etc.) This fee will include rough camping in the big field and use of Lodge facilities (pool, ballfields, internet, truck repair shop, etc.,). It will not include lodging in one of the Lodge facilities (cabins or motel rooms), meals at the Lodge, nor horseback rides).

Folks 15yo and younger will be half price ($20 each).

Graves Mountain Regulations:

We reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone.

Camping is on a first come first serve basis.

NO bicycle riding after sundown.

Loud generators will be shut off.

We are not responsible for any loss due to theft, vandalism, etc.

If a problem occurs, please contact festival staff.

Must have a driver's liscense to operate vehicles (including Mules).

Please respect your neighbors and have a wonderful time.

*Non Military Vehicles that are at least 25 years old may be allowed to participate at the discretion of the organizers.

Event Schedule

Thursday, September 3:

Early arrivals. No activities planned. Camping area opens.

Friday and Saturday, September 4-5:

Morning and Afternoon trailrides. Departing from the area in front of the group camp showers after a short driver’s meeting.

We’ll start with some easy trails and work our way up to harder ones. Morning ride will depart at 10:00 with the afternoon ride departing 2:00.

Saturday night, September 5:

Slow race at 4:30PM.

Line vehicles up for display at 5:30PM

Eastern NC Style BBQ supper at the camp area, 6:30PM

Live music by Kathy’s Kountry, 8:00PM

Sunday, September 6

Morning and Afternoon trailrides. Departing from the area in front of the group camp showers after a short driver’s meeting.

We’ll start with some easy trails and work our way up to harder ones. Morning ride will depart at 10:00 with the afternoon ride departing 2:00.

Monday, September 7

Morning and Afternoon trailrides. Departing from the area in front of the group camp showers after a short driver’s meeting.

We’ll start with some easy trails and work our way up to harder ones. Morning ride will depart at 10:00 with the afternoon ride departing 2:00.

Tuesday, September 8:

Late departures. Camping area must be cleared by 12:00 Noon.

All meals will be on everyone's own with the exception of Saturday evening’s BBQ (included as a rally event). Reservations may be made at the Lodge for breakfast, lunch, and/or supper, or folks can cook at their campsites, grab a bite at Syria Merchantile, or head to Madison or Culpepper to sample the other resturants in the area.

Mud Bogs will be open all day, each day of the rally during daylight hours.

Contact info:

Cost:

$40 per person, children 15yo and younger are half-price.

Registration includes trail pass, use of Lodge facilities, and Saturday night BBQ supper.

Cost is $40 per person. Children under 15 and under are $20 per person.

Truck Registration.

All trucks must be road legal in their home state and must have insurance (liability) coverage in order to participate in driving events during the rally. Driving events will take place on Graves Mountain property, and/or State Highways.

T-Shirts will be available for sale at the rally. Please indicate below how many shirts (of each size) you think you might like to purchase.

Please fill out and return this form with payment prior to August 21, 2009, to:

Cabell Garbee

7104 Lake Wheeler Road

Raleigh, NC 27603

Participation in the Graves Mountain Lodge 1^st Annual Military Vehicle Trailride and Rally is at one’s own risk. By registering for the event, participants acknowledge that they will not hold Cabell Garbee, Mike Davidson, or the owners, management, and employees of Graves Mountain Lodge, Graves Mountain Farms or related enterprises liable for any property, physical, or bodily harm or injury incurred during the event or during travel to and from the event.

For a Text Version of this page that may be downloaded and printed out, see:

http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/gravesmountaininfo.txt