Can you believe it, as I type this we're just 60 days away from MINIs on The Dragon 2005!
Who thinks they can hold their breath that long?
I figured two months was plenty of lead time for everybody to start working on their lists of what to pack and what to bring, and in the case of some people which shoes to pack!
With that in mind, I'd like to provide everyone with a recommended list of items to bring down with them:
- FRS or GMRS radio. Cellular phone coverage in the area is poor at best, plus given the number of people and how spread out people can be, these are essential for communicating with everybody. You don't have to spend a lot of money on your radio if you don't wish to, you can often times find two packs of FRS or GMRS radios for around $20, while high end radios may sell for $100 each. The key difference between an FRS radio and a GMRS radio is that the GMRS radios have a higher power output (and theoretically a longer range) and can use more radio channels than an FRS radio. However if you have an FRS radio, you can talk to somebody with a GMRS radio. The key thing to look for when you are shopping for a radio- make sure it supports privacy or sub-channels. The goup will be using chanel 7 subchannel 21, if your radio doesn't support subchannels, you'll be able to talk to the group, but won't be able to hear the group respond to you. If you intend to participate in group drives when you return home, your radios will still be useful, as many MINI Clubs throughout the country use them on their drives.
- Bug Spray: While the bugs aren't too bad this time of the year, we are still up in the woods, and there are some mosquitos about in the evenings (although not enough to carry away small children... yet!) It's a good idea to bring some Deep Woods Off! or equivalent just in case.
- Food: Are you participating in the Chili Cookoff? Don't forget your Chili fixin's or your pot luck item. While there are restaurants at both Fontana and Tapoco, hot dogs and burgers available at Crossroads of Time, and some fast food and BBQ in Robbinsville, if you're staying in a cabin you'll have a full kitchen available to you, and it's not a bad idea to bring some groceries with you too. There is a small convience store at Fontana which carries many of the essentials, but this is still Fontana's off season so they may have a limited inventory. There's also a supermarket in Robbinsville if you need to pick up some last minute options.
- Clothes: Definately bring some! If the weather is similar to the previous two Dragon events held at this time of year during the day most people will be comfortable in long pants and short sleeve shirts. However it may get chilly in the evenings and you may want to have a sweatshirt or jacket with you as well for the cool nights.
- Alcohol: First, under no circumstances do we support or encourage drinking and driving! Especially on the roads in the area, they're challenging enough sober, let's not add alcohol to the mix please. That being said, if you do wish to drink while you're there then you need to bring your booze in with you. Graham County NC, and Blount County TN (the two counties on either side of the Dragon) are both dry counties. While not illegal to consume alcoholic beverages in these counties, with a few exceptions it is illegal to sell them. One of those exceptions is Tapoco Lodge where there is limited alcohol sales there.
- Camera: Trust us, 200+ MINIs gathered together is something you're going to want to have pictures of! With that also make sure you have plenty of film and batteries, both of which may be expensive to purchase down there. Shooting digital? Make sure you have either plenty of memory or a laptop to copy pictures too, don't expect to find anyplace down there that carries memory cards.
- Flashlight: As always safety first. If you're staying at the Fontana it gets very dark at night, should you decide to go walking around the property at night a flashlight will make it you more visible. Plus it's always handy to have a flashlight with you.
It was also suggested to me that a camping chair or two might not be a bad idea as well. Especially if you're going to be hanging out with your car (say at the Dam, Crossroads of Time etc...) and chatting with everybody.
Mar 6th, 2005, 12:57 AM
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