Have tossed a few ideas around and a covered bridge ride has come to the top of the list.

So for Saturday September 25th, the plan is to visit 3 of NE GA's old covered wooden bridges.

Two of which we will be able to drive through, have a late dinner in Watkinsville and then finish the afternoon off with a Brewery Tour in Athens.

Stage at Discover Mills South side by Medieval Times / Burlington Coat by 8:45am (120 and Atkinson rd entrance) for a 9am departure through the countryside. There is a Burger King and a gas station on the south side of mall for those who need a morning kicker or to top off your tank

The Atlanta chapter will meet the S. Carolina chapter at the chevron at 441 and 98 at 10:45am ...
Note for Shane : Chevron is 5 miles east of 85, have to turn Right on 98 to enter station

1st stop - Watson Mill - >600' span 125 years old - Drive through - you must get your feet wet for a group photo in front of the bridge. Probably spend an hour here. There is no parking attendent but they now are charging $5 for parking with the honor collection boxes
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/WatsonMill.aspx (http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/WatsonMill.aspx)

2nd stop - Howards Bridge - 100 years old - Off a gravel road - drive by. Has a headless horseman kind of feel to it. And what are those bones from down there in the gully? 30 minutes
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/Howards.aspx (http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/Howards.aspx)

3rd stop - Elders Mill - 100+ years old - Drive through - no real good place to stop for photo's before or after on this one lane road, unless someone goes there ahead of time.
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/EldersMill.aspx (http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/EldersMill.aspx)

4th stop - Eat in Watkinsville - Once parked your choices will be Barbaritos (quick order mexican) Mirko's (Italian) Chops & Hops (time permiting) or ice cream
1.5 hrs

From there it’s up to Terrapin Beer Company for their Harvest Hop party and take a beer tour. 1-1.5 hrs www.Terrapinbeer.com (http://www.Terrapinbeer.com)
$12 entrance fee - Harvest hop is from 4pm to 7pm We need to be there before 530pm... Beer tours every 30 min... they will hold 18 parking spots for us up front for us to park and raise our hoods. They loved the idea of showing off muscle cars during the launching of their new beer.
The new beer... its geared toward car enthusiasts - red beer that is hopped up.. so expect it to be a bit bitter.
The label reminds me of what Joe would look like the day after he barrowed Shane's Viper :-)

After Terrapin, Carolina group head north, rest head west where ride will end at the QT at old 29 and 316.
~7-8pm

Proposed route from staging to end is ~185 miles - 5 hrs driving - not counting time for photo's, eating, etc


For those who would not want to go to Terrapin. Will have directions to Haralson Mill Bridge in Rockdale County, for those who will be going back to Atlanta from Watkinsville.
http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/RockdaleCounty.aspx (http://www.dot.state.ga.us/travelingingeorgia/coveredbridges/Pages/RockdaleCounty.aspx)



Note, if weather is not condusive that day, will reschedule bridge run for another time.

Thoughts?

B

If did correctly a snapshot of route ..

sounds good to me brian. will check it out on my computer at home later today. thanks for your time in planning this trip!!

Sounds great, count me in! Thanks for the great planning.

sounds fun,i happen to be off that day,so I am almost 100% I will be able to go:smileup:

Thanks Brian for planning this trip. You rock buddy!!!

I am definitely in!!!!!!

Joe

oh yea thanks for all the work Brian

This sounds like fun...I'll pencil it in on the calendar.

Im gonna have to pass. In all likelihood, I will be working that day. if, by some miracle, I can actually get off work, I told ViperDave I'd try to help him with his carshow.

This is crunch time for our contract and in fact, we will probably be working that whole weekend. Y'all have fun, and hopefully I can make the Oct ride.

Mike

I may be able to make this one

Sounds fun but I will be in NY for a wedding!

I'm planning on going.

Brian,

Sounds like a terrific idea and loads of fun!
I am a possible on this trip will know more as September rolls around, sounds like a terrific idea.

John

For the SC group, if interested, we can plan to meet you in Commerce (441) or Comer (17).

Which one of these meeting places would we have to be at to get more of the ride in.If we met with y'all on the Commerce exit 149 off of I-85 how much of the ride would we miss verse's meeting y'all in Comer??

And what time for each of the meeting places would we have to be there for y'all to pick us up??

For the SC group, if interested, we can plan to meet you in Commerce (441) or Comer (17).

Which one of these meeting places would we have to be at to get more of the ride in.If we met with y'all on the Commerce exit 149 off of I-85 how much of the ride would we miss verse's meeting y'all in Comer??

And what time for each of the meeting places would we have to be there for y'all to pick us up??


Good questions. Let me talk to Brian and see what he says. I'll call him today.



Joe

Good questions. Let me talk to Brian and see what he says. I'll call him today.



Joe
Thanks Joe....

I was unable to call Brian today. Got stuck working and it slipped my mind.

I'll definitely call tomorrow.......I promise.....lol


Joe

I was unable to call Brian today. Got stuck working and it slipped my mind.

I'll definitely call tomorrow.......I promise.....lol


Joe
Ok,thanks Joe for your help....

No problem Shane. I just put a big sticky on my computer to call Brian.....lol



Joe

Which one of these meeting places would we have to be at to get more of the ride in.If we met with y'all on the Commerce exit 149 off of I-85 how much of the ride would we miss verse's meeting y'all in Comer??

And what time for each of the meeting places would we have to be there for y'all to pick us up??

..........................

Have not done the full pre-ride at speed limit and 4 way stop lag times, so going off memory of route for time line.

Assuming we leave Discover Mills Mall at 9am ....

If meet at Commerce .. would want to meet at gas station at 98 and 441 about 4 miles east of 85. around 10:45 if we don't plan a stop in Commerce ~25 miles later we are in Comer ..... ~11:15

Both stops are before the first bridge. Comer is ~ 10 miles from frist two birdges, (#'s 19 and 21 on earlier map) being a Saturday there should be enough space to line up (angle park) on North bound side of 22South (Just as you turn off of 72) in Comer.

So the only thing missing is ~ 25 miles of country road. Didn't know which is an easier trip down for folks 85 or 72 ... If need can plan a stop in both locations.. may alter the timeline some but not much

Which one of these meeting places would we have to be at to get more of the ride in.If we met with y'all on the Commerce exit 149 off of I-85 how much of the ride would we miss verse's meeting y'all in Comer??

And what time for each of the meeting places would we have to be there for y'all to pick us up??

..........................

Have not done the full pre-ride at speed limit and 4 way stop lag times, so going off memory of route for time line.

Assuming we leave Discover Mills Mall at 9am ....

If meet at Commerce .. would want to meet at gas station at 98 and 441 about 4 miles east of 85. around 10:45 if we don't plan a stop in Commerce ~25 miles later we are in Comer ..... ~11:15

Both stops are before the first bridge. Comer is ~ 10 miles from frist two birdges, (#'s 19 and 21 on earlier map) being a Saturday there should be enough space to line up (angle park) on North bound side of 22South (Just as you turn off of 72) in Comer.

So the only thing missing is ~ 25 miles of country road. Didn't know which is an easier trip down for folks 85 or 72 ... If need can plan a stop in both locations.. may alter the timeline some but not much



If it's alright we will meet your group at the gas station of 98 and 441 around 10:45 in Commerce.

Sounds good to me.

10:45 in Commerce


Joe

Sounds good to me.

10:45 in Commerce


Joe
Cool,see y'all there...

Thanks Brian for putting this together and Joe for your help,really looking forward to this.

Looking forward to this too!!!


Joe

Souns fun. If I can get some cover I am in

I was holding off on committing to this as there was something about the date....unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your viewpoint) I've been offered full hospitality tickets for a Fed Ex Cup Golf Tournament on that date. Never been to a major tournament in the US so I need to tick that box.

If anything changes then I'll be along for the ride otherwise have fun and get some great piccies. Thanks for organizing :smileup:

Hey Joe,Brian
Thanks for all your hard work planning and running with the covered bridge ride!!:smileup: I've been really busy with work and personal family matters!!:shakehead: It has not been a good year for the family. Last week my mom's sister passed away from cancer. First my grandfather and now her!! Just trying to take it one day at a time and focus on work. Keeps the mind off all the problems and the passing away of loved ones!!! So thanks again for covering for me and planning this ride. I guess we need to get together and have drinks,talk about the chapter etc..
Thanks Eddie

Sorry to hear that man :(

So thanks again for covering for me and planning this ride. I guess we need to get together and have drinks,talk about the chapter etc..
Thanks Eddie[/QUOTE]


No problem Eddie,
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Family is always first.

B

Sorry to hear that Eddie. Yea it's not been a good one for me either.

A lot of family issues hear too. Keep the faith Bro!!!



Joe

Still learning all the names. But if I am counting correctly we have 15 motors so far signed up for the bridge run between the various threads.

Taking a few days vac next week to work around the home and plan to do the full pre-ride during.

Jason is on board for us at the brewery, not sure of their parking lot but will work with him for our group parking section if lot supports.

B

Still learning all the names. But if I am counting correctly we have 15 motors so far signed up for the bridge run between the various threads.

Taking a few days vac next week to work around the home and plan to do the full pre-ride during.

Jason is on board for us at the brewery, not sure of their parking lot but will work with him for our group parking section if lot supports.

B
Okay Brian! If you can, can we get a list started with who is planning on going.
Thanks Eddie

We are getting closer.............:rockon:


Joe

Look to initial thread posting for few changes and updates for the ride.

High level....
Atlanta group be at Discover Mills by 845am with full tank of gas for a 9am prompt leave
We are meeting Carolina chapter at 1045am in Commerce (98/441)

$5 parking at Park - first bridge - no attendant .. Honor system with drop boxes
$12 per person for Beer Tour/Sampling/Glass

Gravel Roads for ~3/4 mile at bridges 2 and 3 on route ... we will go slowly over these stretches of road.

Eating in Watkinsville ~330pm

Need to be at Brewery by 5:30pm

Have slated time in travels to spend 1.5 hrs at 1st bridge,
20-30 at 2nd, no stop at third, 1.5 for eating ....... If we decide to reduce these time slots along the way (all photo's etc taken) we will have more time for eating or Harvest fest.

Sounds great I am getting excited!! Hey that's not good for an old guys heart Brian!! But sure is good for an old guys soul!!!

The new beer... its geared toward car enthusiasts - red beer that is hopped up.. so expect it to be a bit bitter.
The label reminds me of what Joe would look like the day after he barrowed Shane's Viper :-)

" red beer that is hopped up.. "

LOL About Joe,and they should have named it Viper beer....

If I am capturing the names correctly… from the various forums the screen names and folks are:
13 Motors

NC
FUTRCLSC – Sheryl

SC
Mopar - Shane
Daytona Denise – Denise
Mailman – William
V666 – Ted
STAR444 – Pam


GA
ChallengerSchus – Brian
Jettech104 – Eddie
GA Hemi Girl – Lisa (Meeting at Chips)
Ertech – Jason
BLACKBEAUTY – Joe
Arpawolf - John – Atl

TN
Keeylyme – Maria-Elena


Tenative
Baddasscharger07 - Breezie – Atl

I am really hoping I can make this trip - sounds like a great group - and well planned trip.
About the only thing that might knock me out of this is if my doctors schedule a surgery before this event.. sorry been so silent of late have just been busy with doctors appointments and such.

Sucks getting older.. :P

John

I am really hoping I can make this trip - sounds like a great group - and well planned trip.
About the only thing that might knock me out of this is if my doctors schedule a surgery before this event.. sorry been so silent of late have just been busy with doctors appointments and such.

Sucks getting older.. :P

JohnWe hope you can make it. But we understand that we have to be healthy in order to enjoy ourselves. Hope its nothing major and you are feeling well. Just keep us posted either way.
Eddie

Just one week away!!!!!!

The new beer... its geared toward car enthusiasts - red beer that is hopped up.. so expect it to be a bit bitter.
The label reminds me of what Joe would look like the day after he barrowed Shane's Viper :-)

" red beer that is hopped up.. "

LOL About Joe,and they should have named it Viper beer....


Shane,
I'll pick up the Viper Tuesday.............LOLhttp://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-cool05.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-excited001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)


Joe

Shane,
I'll pick up the Viper Tuesday.............LOLhttp://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-cool05.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-excited001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)


JoeMake sure you swing by and pick me up for a ride in Shane's Viper!!!! LOL:Na_Na_Na_Na: Five more days!!! Five more days!!! :4-jump2: :woohoo: :beerchug: :Banana01: :spinning: :Racing:

Counting down. This will be a long week!

Shane,
I'll pick up the Viper Tuesday.............LOLhttp://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-cool05.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-excited001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)


Joe
Just got it all washed up for the weekend and I will leave it in the driveway with the keys in it for you to pick at your convenience,ENJOY!!!!

Oh and I took Chris (FRESH4849) off the list for now,he is not sure he is going to make it....

Down to 4 days almost.....

Just got it all washed up for the weekend and I will leave it in the driveway with the keys in it for you to pick at your convenience,ENJOY!!!!




:158:



LOL.....I wish.....


Joe

I just got the news 2 of my accounts are going to be open all weekend and since I have a 4 HR response time looks like I will be stuck hanging around town. I will be forced to watch football Sunday while you guys are out having gobs of fun.
Like Joe and Eddie and I were discussing last weekend at the Varsity car show that we are lucky to have jobs right now so we must do everything we can to stand out above the rest and keep our jobs and pay for our cars etc..so I cant take a chance of being in a dead cell area and missing a call or being too far away.
Have Fun I will be thinking about you as I cruise around Kennesaw.

If I am capturing the names correctly… from the various forums the screen names and folks are:
15 Motors Plus 2 tentative

NC
FUTRCLSC – Sheryl

SC
Mopar - Shane
Mailman – William
V666 – Ted
STAR444 – Pam
FRESH4849 - Chris
Pops 2010 - William Sr.
David - Viper ACR
Ryan - Charger


GA
ChallengerSchus – Brian
Jettech104 – Eddie
GA Hemi Girl – Lisa (Meeting at Chips)
Ertech – Jason
BLACKBEAUTY – Joe


TN
Keeylyme – Maria-Elena


Tenative
Baddasscharger07 - Breezie – Atl
Arpawolf - John – Atl

If I am capturing the names correctly… from the various forums the screen names and folks are:
11 Motors Plus 2 tentative

NC
FUTRCLSC – Sheryl

SC
Mopar - Shane
Mailman – William
V666 – Ted
STAR444 – Pam


GA
ChallengerSchus – Brian
Jettech104 – Eddie
GA Hemi Girl – Lisa (Meeting at Chips)
Ertech – Jason
BLACKBEAUTY – Joe


TN
Keeylyme – Maria-Elena


Tenative
Baddasscharger07 - Breezie – Atl
Arpawolf - John – Atl
Took Denise/Guy off of the list,they are not going.

If I am capturing the names correctly… from the various forums the screen names and folks are:
13 Motors Plus 2 tentative

NC
FUTRCLSC – Sheryl

SC
Mopar - Shane
Mailman – William
V666 – Ted
STAR444 – Pam
FRESH4849 - Chris
Pops 2010 - William Sr.


GA
ChallengerSchus – Brian
Jettech104 – Eddie
GA Hemi Girl – Lisa (Meeting at Chips)
Ertech – Jason
BLACKBEAUTY – Joe


TN
Keeylyme – Maria-Elena


Tenative
Baddasscharger07 - Breezie – Atl
Arpawolf - John – Atl

Back up to 13....Added Chris back to the list....Just 2 more days.

Also added William Sr. to the list,it's finally going back the right way.

apart from the covered bridge ride and the beer tour. its my wife's birthday. so we are going to surprise her with a cake. cant wait to saturday its going to be fun day.

Looking forward to a good day with friends.

13 motors with 2 additional as tentative

Reminder for those who will be meeting at Discover Mills Mall. Please be there with a full tank of gas by 845AM ... we leave proply at 9AM. We need to leave at 9AM to keep schedule

For those not familiar with Discover Mills Mall ... it is on the East side of 85 North of town. Between GA120 and Sugarloaf parkway.
We will be gathering on the South side in the Medieval Times / Burlington coat factory parking lot. There is a BK and a Shell gas station on that side.

Few reminders
$5 honor parking at first bridge
Eats - we will be stopping in Watkinsville where you have choice of Barbaritos (Mexican) Mirko's (Italian) or Chops/Hops (pending time). There is a little icecream shop for those who wish.
$12 per person to enter brewery harvest fest
We have 18 parking spots reserved in front of complex.
We will go slow when approaching/leaving bridges 2 and 3 do to one lane and gravel roads


If we do not spend as much time as lotted at an earlier stop it allows us more time later if need.

Schedule
845 stage at Discover
900 Leave
930 Lisa joins pack at Chips
1045 SC group joins at Chevron in Commerce (stop)
1145 First bridge (stop)
Birthday wishes/photo's etc.
1315 leave for 2nd bridge (stop)
1340 2nd bridge
1410 leave for 3rd bridge
1500 3rd bridge
1530 eat (stop)
1700 leave for brewery
1730 brewery (stop)
1900 last tour/harvest fest ends/good buys and safe travels

For those who do not want to do brewery and are heading back after eating to Atl, will have map for a 4th bridge on your way back.

If I am capturing the names correctly… from the various forums the screen names and folks are:
15 Motors Plus 2 tentative

NC
FUTRCLSC – Sheryl

SC
Mopar - Shane
Mailman – William
V666 – Ted
STAR444 – Pam
FRESH4849 - Chris
Pops 2010 - William Sr.
David - Viper ACR
Ryan - Charger


GA
ChallengerSchus – Brian
Jettech104 – Eddie
GA Hemi Girl – Lisa (Meeting at Chips)
Ertech – Jason
BLACKBEAUTY – Joe


TN
Keeylyme – Maria-Elena


Tenative
Baddasscharger07 - Breezie – Atl
Arpawolf - John – Atl
Added a guy I meet a couple of weeks ago and he has not became a member yet but he is going to join us on the ride along with his step son Ryan.So we are up to 15 Mopars So Far!!!!!

Thanks Shane

Minor change

14 Motors Plus 2 tentative

NC
FUTRCLSC – Sheryl

SC
Mopar - Shane
Mailman – William
V666 – Ted
STAR444 – Pam
FRESH4849 - Chris
Pops 2010 - William Sr.
David - Viper ACR
Ryan - Charger

GA
ChallengerSchus – Brian
Jettech104 – Eddie
GA Hemi Girl – Lisa (Meeting at Chips)
Ertech – Jason
BLACKBEAUTY – Joe

Tenative
Baddasscharger07 - Breezie – Atl
Arpawolf - John – Atl

I'm meeting Eddie and Jason on Jimmy Carter Blvd. at 8:30. About 10 miles to Discover Mills from there.


Joe

I'm meeting Eddie and Jason on Jimmy Carter Blvd. at 8:30. About 10 miles to Discover Mills from there.


Joe
Okay Joe will see you at 830am. So looking forward to tommorrow!!!:smileup:

Looking forward to a good day with friends.

13 motors with 2 additional as tentative

Reminder for those who will be meeting at Discover Mills Mall. Please be there with a full tank of gas by 845AM ... we leave proply at 9AM. We need to leave at 9AM to keep schedule

For those not familiar with Discover Mills Mall ... it is on the East side of 85 North of town. Between GA120 and Sugarloaf parkway.
We will be gathering on the South side in the Medieval Times / Burlington coat factory parking lot. There is a BK and a Shell gas station on that side.

Few reminders
$5 honor parking at first bridge
Eats - we will be stopping in Watkinsville where you have choice of Barbaritos (Mexican) Mirko's (Italian) or Chops/Hops (pending time). There is a little icecream shop for those who wish.
$12 per person to enter brewery harvest fest
We have 18 parking spots reserved in front of complex.
We will go slow when approaching/leaving bridges 2 and 3 do to one lane and gravel roads


If we do not spend as much time as lotted at an earlier stop it allows us more time later if need.

Schedule
845 stage at Discover
900 Leave
930 Lisa joins pack at Chips
1045 SC group joins at Chevron in Commerce (stop)
1145 First bridge (stop)
Birthday wishes/photo's etc.
1315 leave for 2nd bridge (stop)
1340 2nd bridge
1410 leave for 3rd bridge
1500 3rd bridge
1530 eat (stop)
1700 leave for brewery
1730 brewery (stop)
1900 last tour/harvest fest ends/good buys and safe travels

For those who do not want to do brewery and are heading back after eating to Atl, will have map for a 4th bridge on your way back.

Well guys and gals it is the night before the ride and here are some last minute things to think about...

1.Camera
2.Enough money for the stuff you wanna do on this ride
3.Two way radios charged and ready on channel 5 if you have one
4.FULL tank of gas (PLEASE)
5.Get a decent breakfast cause it looks like we won't be eating until 3:30 P.M..
6.Cooler with water and or gatorade, and snack..