Happy Campers:
Well, it's a bit of a change of pace, but Central Ohio Westies are going to
be leaving the state for our next outing.  Destination: Carter Caves SP, KY.
See:
> http://www.state.ky.us/agencies/parks/cartcave.htm#lodge

Please note that there are 80 plus improved sites with water and
electricity... so bring your plug-in box heaters and/or fans depending on
the whims of the Weather Gods for that weekend. The Fall colors should be in
mid splendor and the drive WILL be spectacular!

We will meet up for an overnight at my cabin (p-mail for directions) just
West of Chillicothe on Friday evening. Bring your own firewood or bungee
cords to load up your luggage rack with my wood.   On Saturday AM we will
caraVan down to Carter County, KY (about 2hours).  This is our first attempt
at caraVanning in three years... it should be fun! The road South from the
Ohio River is twisting and turning, so even you airheads and diesel head(s)
should have no problems keeping up.  If you haven't camped with us before,
we are (generally) quiet and family oriented.   Come join us...  you just
might enjoy yourselves.   Saturday evening meal will be normal chili* or
vegetable soup (depending on which I want to fix) and everyone else can add
their side-dishes/favorites.  We'll try to squeeze two vans per site; if so
then the fees will be $10 per van, otherwise $20... not sure how KY SPs deal
with that... we'll work it out though. BTW, like Ohio, all KY SPs are
alcohol-free, so bring your red cups.

A special note for Carter Caves:
Bring a hard hat (or bike helmet), a flashlight for each person (I NEVER go
into a cave without two (2) light sources), and a change of clothes for
apres-Cave.  Spencer and Trevor with their Moms can expect to go about 100
feet in (walking) and then return to the light for a walk/stroller ride over
the Karst topography near the road or to the unique natural bridge near the
park office/store.
I have been spelunking these caves for over thirty years and continue to
enjoy their recesses.  I can make this outing as adventurous or as mild as
the company chooses.  A reminder for the weather is that the caves retain
that wonderfully reliable temp of 56� F and are dry unless there's been lots
of early week rain.

FWIW, Colleen and I just returned from a great 500 mile, four day jog in our
'87 Westy through Central and Eastern KY as a precursor to the COW trip.
All I can say is I hope COW can duplicate the weather and the positive
vibes. It was utterly relaxing and trouble-free! We enjoyed Cave Run USPS,
Red River Gorge USFS, Natural Bridge and Jenny Wiley SPs.  We were, once
again, AMAZED at the number of veteran campers in the parks that drove/
walked/golfcarted by and had never SEEN a Westfalia popped and in full
regalia!  It just serves to remind us of how blessed we are to know and
appreciate the VW Vanagon camper for what it is... the ultimate German-made
camper after thirty plus years of refinement.

Once again, please join us for a welcome, weekend retreat from the "normal"
world.
--
Stephen
Reluctant Header Upper of COW

*My firehouse chili will be optional for you non-hackers.