Monday, July 8, 2013

Stone Mountain TAC Rally 2013


Truthfully, the Stone Mountain spring rally was so long ago that the details are getting a little fuzzy.  So, without too much attention to detail but still plenty of pictures, here's a short run-down of the weekend:

The 2013 TAC Stone Mountain Rally was the third weekend in April- on the weekend precisely between GA's faithfully attended Springstream get-together in Hiawassee and the region 3 "big club" rally at Stone Mountain.  With so many other rally options, I wasn't sure how many to expect.

 
But alas, Airstreams arrived! Thursday night we donned our lederhosen, crammed into this adorable 1963 VW Bug and descended on the local German Restaurant.  (Ok.  Maybe I made up that last part about the lederhosen and Bug... but I warned you that the details are getting a little fuzzy.)  I can tell you for certain that if I go to the German Restaurant again I will order a pretzel.  The homemade mustard that goes with it was so amazing that we bought a whole jar.  What a great way to kick off the rally!
 
Friday morning we scarfed pancakes together ahead of the rain and wind.
  


Stone Mountain Park has a collection of historic Atlanta-area buildings of various ages; they call it the "Plantation."  With a rain jacket or umbrella, the Plantation seemed the best choice for a rainy-day activity.


This is the space where I'm supposed to write some insightful thing about this house.  I could tell you something about the age of the home, the style, or possibly something about where this home was originally located or who lived in it. I waited too long to blog though so I have forgotten all of the important(?) details. 


I believe this is a farmhouse.  In one of the roped-off rooms there was a cat asleep in a chair.  My children did not think she was real but when they saw her breathing they coaxed her over to pet her.  One of the caretakers later told us her name, Scarlet.  (See, I do remember some details!)

I was delighted to see a cotton gin for the "first time" last summer at the Jarrell Plantation.  I visited Stone Mountain's Plantation as a child.  So, I am pretty sure I have seen this cotton gin before. I guess I wasn't paying attention back then, either.


There are actually two cotton gins in this photo. There's the larger one in the back (Eli Whitney) and then the smaller one in front was the homemade variety.  It was operated by two people.

I've left so many things out.  If you're interested in the details of Stone Mountain's Plantation then you should visit.

 

Bring a friend.  
You can check out the rare four-holer together. (Um. Eww!)
 
Speaking of friends, most everyone arrived in time for a Friday evening campfire.



Then, 17 of us were stupid brave enough to hike the mountain at 6am for sunrise on Saturday.


I have a bit of a reputation for sleeping-in.  My family was more surprised than anyone that I made it out of bed for the mountain hike. I'm sure glad I went, too... 


...because I don't ever need to do that again!  
None of us were prepared for it to be so cold.

climbing back down...



Saturday brunch, back on the ground, at a reasonable hour, with sane Airstreamers who stayed in their trailers at 6am:


Daytime campfire with snack table in lieu of fire...




Well, maybe there was a little "fire" when Samuel talked Beth into trying out his latest science experiment involving static electricity. 


Saturday evening's tour of trailers and hors d'oeuvres was amazing!

food!

trailers!

swanky upholstery!

...and bud vases!

So much fun!  I think we'll have to try this trailer tour/hors d'oeuvres experiment again.
Next time, I'll try to remember to take a group photo on Saturday night.

We didn't take ours until Sunday morning after several people were already gone:
 
 
Again with the fuzzy details! 
Apparently my new lens has a "manual" setting. 

  
Campfires
by day
by night
by morningtime, again
Too soon, it is time to go home


 

4 comments:

  1. Saw an Airstream for sale in North GA last weekend, begged Leslie to stop-for some reason he kept driving.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maybe you should drive next time. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You guys have some great times down South!!! Maybe you can work coming up North for the Bash next year?

    ReplyDelete
  4. hey there brian,
    i am just about to get started on renovating my own 1959 overlander. i have thoroughly perused your journey on restoring your trailer.

    i was wondering if you'd be willing to share your electrical diagram and plan? i am upgrading the wiring and would love any insight, advice, and wisdom that you learned through your wiring process. my dad (who has experience in electrical wiring and remodeling will be helping me) but it would be nice to have an idea of what others have dreamed up. thanks in advance and great work on your trailer!

    :) rachel silva
    rachelk.silva@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete