Scenes from Grandfather Mountain

[Rex_Tremende]

I know that it's customary to post additional photos of an event in a single thread, but seeing as how the one thread I was tracking on this topic seems to have gone in another direction, I thought I'd offer some of the things that I saw at and around the GMHG.

I arrived Wednesday evening to claim a spot and set up my humble tent.



Inside, I slept like a sultan.



Not really.

Behind me was "Blowing Rock Highway" 221 and the Gate 2 entrance. It was a busy, noisy spot, but I thought it looked like a good spot at the time. On game days, I was awakened quite early by a good humored but very loud traffic director and all the rumbling vehicles passing by. At night, it was all the traffic leaving, which was managed by the State Highway Patrol and their flashing lights.

I also discovered quickly that was not enough bedding because nights there were cold and damp. Fortunately I had more.

After I got things settled, I was treated to this view of Grandfather Mountain.



It was the last time that I ever saw it this pretty the rest of the weekend.

My spot near Gate 2 also overlooked the vending area and you could see a bit of the clan tents and athletic field in the distance.

The next day I went for a walk around the portion of the campground designated as the less rowdy side - 11:00 p.m. curfew.

This compound was right next to me.



By Friday, there were more tents that were wedged into the space in the foreground.

The way people decorated their spaces was impressive - outdoor carpeting, living rooms and kitchens, party lights...

This lawn jockey sporting a kilt had a warning:



"DANGER: Many Illegal Activities in Progress Enter at Your Own Risk"

and a plea:

"Haggis McBama says... Can't we all just get along? Don't take me, bro!"

Not far from that spot, Turpin spotted me walking about:



I just gotta say what a nice guy Turpin is. This neophyte really appreciated his hospitality and I enjoyed his company very much in the days that followed. His family is a delight. Turpin is the sort of guy that I think I would enjoy hanging around with, and not just because he took his kilt off in front of me.

Since I'm on the subject of the campground area, I'll fast forward a couple of days for some more scenes.





I was attempting to show how jam-packed the place was, but these photos don't really do the trick. It's a visual thing you have to take all in while you're there, I guess.

There was an auction that Balaamsass51 (Matt) gave me a heads up on (and thanks so much for the shortbread - it was SOOO good!):



It was held in light rain to heavy mist:



People return to this event year after year and know each other quite well. It is very neighborly, relaxed, and a fun time that people clearly look forward to the next one.

More to come...