The 6th annual East Coast Gathering

[contender]

Mods; Please make this a "Sticky!"

Ok it's time I posted info about the annual East Coast Ruger Forum Gathering. Miss Penny scolded me last night when she found out I hadn't done so yet.

So, once again, we'll be gathering here at my range the first weekend in October. That's Saturday October 1st & 2nd.
I'd suggest you look into motel reservations at the "Days Inn" in Columbus NC early, as it's "leaf looker season" & rooms book early.

And for those folks who haven't visited before here is what goes on.
I own Hawkeye gun range. We have a Gathering of folks to socialize & shoot, (weather permitting,) & eat a bit. While it's advertised as the Ruger Forum Gathering,,, all guests are welcome. It's not a club, or a closed group, it's open to any & all shooting folks who want to visit the mountains of WNC & enjoy fellowship. While Rugers are the main focus,,, it's not exclusive to just Rugers.
I do ask that folks give me a "heads up" if they plan to attend. That way we kinda know how to plan things a bit.
Saturday afternoon/evening will be a cook out of a "low country boil". And it's also a "pot luck" if someone else wants to cook something.
If camping is your desire,,,, we do have a bit of space available for that as well.
So, the nitty gritty;
When; October 1st & 2nd.
Where; Hawkeye Gun Range, 2150 Owl Hollow Rd Mill Spring NC.
Who; Forum members, friends, & gun folks. Not exclusive.
Not allowed; Hillary supporters, drunks, and any anti-gun media.

 

[Big Old Boy]

I will be there with chicken spiedies same as last two years though let's not invite the all day rain.

 

[Kevin]

Tyrone, if everything goes like planned I'm hoping to come this year. I told sweetie I'd like to be there through Sunday as well.

Really looking forward to it! It's very nice of you to do this each year.

 

[Fox Mike]

Good Lord willin', Linda and I will be there. Been having some 'health' issues of late and have had to curtail some things I really wanted to do, so that will be the determining factor.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I'm hoping to be there fer sure and maybe have Ashley drive us up in that nice Ford F-150 Red Crew cab again.
Thinking about bringing the Dog along too; That dang "pet boarding hotel" costs as much as our hotel room did.
She's a good doggy and we'd keep her tired up by the truck with shade, water and a bed.

Have to drop a note to Wizofwas to see if he's going to make it this year.

 

[RoninPA]

Jackie and I will be there, it's part of our yearly vacation. I'll bring the suppressed SBR again and I'll bring a Ruger Silent-SR if anyone has a threaded .22 firearm they want to try it out on. I'll bring a couple of hosts for it also. I will also prove to those doubters that I do know what SA Ruger are :wink:

Let me know what Amish sweets you want be it Whoopie Pies (chocolate, chocolate/peanut butter, or pumpkin spice) or some Shoo Fly Pies.

 

[volshooter]

Gonna keep an eye on this one. Duties have kept me from attending, it's less than 100 miles from here.
I really want to get the chance to attend this year.

 

[contender]

As always,,, it's good to have the "regulars" who've attended in the past. I'll do my best to discuss the weather with the Good Lord so we don't get washed out again.

 

[gramps]

Yep, I have been cogitating on this too. Unless something terrible happens, I will be there!
gramps

 

[wizofwas]

If I can hitch another ride with CG, I'll be there again this year. Now to see if Lou and DD are going to show up this year.

 

[blume357]

It's been written down in my appointment book for about 6 months now?

As always, I plan to attend. Last year I had to stay home for the flood. Also, it is a tough time of the year for me in that I am working 12-16 hours a day and am either putting out or helping start lots of fires.

Titan X: I don't want this to turn political, but I'm not a Trump supporter either and so we could hang together... I think you'll find us a diverse group with one common ground... Rugers and shooting.

This is a great event and Contender and his wife are the ultimate host.

 

[contender]

Before the dust gets stirred up, I put in the comment about Hitlery to be a bit funny. It was NOT meant to stir up ANY form of debate.

 

[NixieTube]

To me, the "East Coast" is everything north of the Mason/Dixon line but regardless, I'll try to get there and meet you in what I refer to as the "Southeast Coast" this year. It sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[contender]

Come on out NixieTube,,, you are welcome!

TitanX,,, I knew you were being humorous,,, that's why I didn't say anything at first.

 

[Tom W]

Lori and I generally go to Gatlinburg that time of year for a weekend. Last year I was recuperating from cancer surgery. Maybe I can convince her to take the time to meet some of forum members. No promises just yet.

 

[blume357]

Tom W. Maybe I'm prejudiced.... but Contender's place is much better and nicer than Gatlinburg. And I guess if your wife needs to be touristy there is always down town Asheville just up the road a bit.

 

[wwb]

This is always scheduled just when I'm going up to my cabin in northern Minnesota to make the world safe for Democracy. Over the last few decades, I have rid the world of countless evil, commie, subversive Ruffed Grouse and ducks of several species. I hope you guys appreciate the sacrifice I make.... and, the fact that I fail to grace you all with my presence (and the presence of my guns and ammo), must cause you all great pain and suffering. We all must make sacrifices. :wink:

Maybe one of these days..... here's wishing you all good weather and nothing but 10 rings.

 

[Tom W]

Tom W. Maybe I'm prejudiced.... but Contender's place is much better and nicer than Gatlinburg. And I guess if your wife needs to be touristy there is always down town Asheville just up the road a bit.

Yes, but we got married in Gatlinburg.....I'd rather go to a range, but you know the saying "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. If Daddy ain't happy ain't nobody cares."
Not to mention I may get to do some trout fishing.... We'll see. We are both recuperating nicely.

 

[Chief_10Beers]

I will be there with chicken spiedies same as last two years though let's not invite the all day rain.

Did you say speedies?!?! Are you/ were from the Binghamton area?

 

[NixieTube]

Will you have ribs? I mean real barbecued ribs, they could be store bought but from a good butcher. If you can promise me good barbecue it goes along way with the friendship.

 

[Tom W]

I mentioned to my wife that Ashville was close by... You may get to see us after all.

 

[contender]

NixieTube,,, no ribs,, I can't afford to feed the crowd ribs. And my smoker isn't big enough to handle the amount of ribs that would be needed. Besides,,, if I did that,,, next year, I'd have to do it again,,, and I'd never get to shoot anything,,, especially the bull!

Tom W,,,,,,,,, Asheville is about a 50-60 minute drive,,, depending upon the time of day & traffic. Lots there. We also have a bunch of gift shops, (tourist types,,, kinda like Gatlinburg,) in Chimney Rock. If y'all book a room in the Asheville area,,, she could explore that area,, while you hang out with a bunch of Ruger nuts. We have trout fishing in the river around Chimney Rock,,, but since it's so easily accessed,,, and it's a state supported (hatchery) stocked river,,, not many trout left by October.


wwb,,, we'll pray for your trip to be successful in ridding the world of those evil & pesky commie birds. May your game bag be heavy & your ammo box empty at the end of each day!

 

[Chief_10Beers]

It's looking good for me this year, count me in........................

 

[Big Old Boy]

I was raised in Owego Chief and I am camping in PA for the summer just south of Montrose.

 

[contender]

Looks like over a dozen so far appear to be able to make it,,, barring any issues. I'm gonna have a few different target sets to play with.

 

[Colonialgirl]

IF you haven't booked your room yet at the Columbus/Tryon Days Inn; They are FULLY booked for the dates
Sept 30, 2016 (Friday ) and Oct 01, 2016 (Saturday) (They were AT $122/night).
HOWEVER
If you book quickly, YOU can STILL get a room at the Baymont INN and Suites in Forest City, NC for $67/night for those dates ($60 if you use AARP). A bit further than Columbus But just down I-74 to NC- 9 and straight on up to Ty's place.
Baymont Inn And Suites - Forest City
164 Jameson Inn Drive, Forest City, NC

33 min (27.7 miles)
via NC-9 S and US-74 E
31 min without traffic

 

[contender]

Thanks Pam.
Another alternative is the Hendersonville or Asheville area,, especially if a spouse is attending & doesn't want to hang out with us all day & such. I'll get the names of a few places in Hendersonville, (closer than Asheville,) that are good & on the side of the town closest to me.

 

[ra]

I plan on attending this year, I just made my reservation at the Baymont Inn for Saturday night. I will leave TN early Saturday morning, I should arrive around 10 o'clock, spend the night and head home Sunday. On the way home Sunday I will swing by Smoky Mountain Knife Works and Bud's Guns.
I have a few new firearms this year, but only 1 Ruger, a LC9s. I also will bring my 22 suppressor and a Buckmark and a 22 LR AR15.
Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Roger

 

[Fox Mike]

IF you haven't booked your room yet at the Columbus/Tryon Days Inn; They are FULLY booked for the dates
Sept 30, 2016 (Friday ) and Oct 01, 2016 (Saturday) (They were AT $122/night).
HOWEVER
If you book quickly, YOU can STILL get a room at the Baymont INN and Suites in Forest City, NC for $67/night for those dates ($60 if you use AARP). A bit further than Columbus But just down I-74 to NC- 9 and straight on up to Ty's place.
Baymont Inn And Suites - Forest City
164 Jameson Inn Drive, Forest City, NC

33 min (27.7 miles)
via NC-9 S and US-74 E
31 min without traffic

Might suggest calling them rather than going 'on line' for a reservation. Linda called today (Wed 13 July) and booked our room for 30 Sep through 2 Oct morning. The cost was $121.-- by using a AAA membership.

 

[clintsfolly]

How far away is this from Hendersonville? The MIL is west of there maybe get wife a day or two and a range day!