Georgia GTG Brainstorm Session

[MichelleRoze]

Ok, as requested, I'm gonna put together another Stone Mountain GTG early next year. We had a great turnout last year, 13 cars wasn't it? And it was just a meet and greet, which is great! So, this year, let's get some ideas rollin' now so we have time to budget and think about it.

Now, we don't have to stay in Stone Mountain if we choose not to. We can wonder into Atlanta or maybe somewhere in the North Georgia Mountains. Or, other options considered could be Helen, Georgia or maybe somewhere in South Georgia.

In Atlanta, we could do multiple things. Aquarium, Zoo, Coke Factory, CNN, lots of Museums there, or maybe hit up an event at the Fox. Options are wide open!

In Stone Mountain, we could go to Stone Mountain park and enjoy a day. I'm not sure when "Snow"Mountain is over, but maybe we can plan the event early enough and enjoy "Snow" Mountain.

Helen, Georgia....'nough said. It's great, it's beautiful scenery, lots of little shops in Little Downtown German Town of Helen, Georgia (oh, could totally make a song like that). I think there is even a trail, similiar to the ToD, in that area as well. I could research it some more.

North Georgia Mountains, again, great views, fun twisty roads, and who knows what else.

South Georgia, gosh, we could go over by the Ocean, or stay mid state. Again, I can do some research in that area as well.

So, I put up a poll, enter where you think might be most fun. I'll leave an option for "other" in case someone thinks of some super cool place I'm unaware of.

So, let's brainstorm. I think February seemed to work well with everyone right? Enough time after the Holidays to recoupe but not too close to dig into our ToD 2k10 funds either!

Let the brainstorm....BEGIN!!!!!!!!!

I allowed Multiple Choice on the poll

[Toad]

I'd go for the Atlanta area, only because it's the closest.

Also, there can be post-gtg shenanigans/modding at the new house i'm getting right outside the perimeter!!!

Or just hold the gtg there.

[scarabY2k]

WOW Michelle, this is a tuffie. I did vote for Stone Mtn., because of the tradition that was started last year....wait, that was this year. But the options you put up are very nice. I don't know how far Helen is, but I wouldn't mind going there. Now if you want to use the St. Augustine GTG as a measuring stick, consider this... I hosted it and was only 40 minutes away from the actual location, which was great for scouting the area and such- very convenient for the host. But i'm game for what ever area you chose. You know me; have bug, will travel.

[MichelleRoze]

Now that's not a bad idea Toad. We could do some frolicking in Atlanta and head back to your place and work on some things, if needed. Or, could just have a fancy little BBQ or something there. I guess it just depends on if we all want to go OUT and do something, or just stay somewhere and hang out like we did at Stone Mountain.

And I do love Helen. Great, great, little town. Me, being the person with too much time on my hands, kinda skimmed through the stuff, plus lodging....there are cabins available there....some have 5 bedrooms.....and are like $300-$500 a night with a 2 night minimum on the weekends. Of course the more expensive rentals have flat panel TV's, hot tubs, etc etc. BUT, if say 4 couples stayed there...and it was the max $500 a night so $1000 for the weekend. That would be $250 a couple or $125 per person. And that's for the EXPENSIVE place. And that's for 2 nights. SO, that's an option as well for those that want to stay in Helen for the weekend. I didn't look at Hotel rates in the area, but the cabin would be $62.50 a night per person. That's not bad. Now, a lot of restrictions, as to how many cars can be there and how many people, so depending on the interest, some couples will have to section up and rent another one. But, most are extremely close to downtown Helen. And I haven't done all my research yet, that's just some skimming I did yesterday.

Or, if we want to keep the GTG on the DL, then we could maybe keep it traditional by going to Stone Mountain Park and having some fun there, then head back to Toad's place and hang out, work on the cars, whatever. I love going out and doing stuff with you guys, but I do also like the time we have to just sit and chat too.

Again, just more ideas I'm spitting out. I'll have a lot of time to research it more in a few weeks. So, just keep coming with the feedback and we'll see what becomes a popular oppinion and go from there.

[Toad]

Well, I was looking at doing something like an old-school Berea-esque gtg. Where everyone will meet somewhere to eat and line all the bugs up, talk for awhile, go in and grab some grub, and then come back out and talk some more. Then afterwards some people will cruise around and we eventually ended up at tom's mom's to chill and mod and stuff.

I haven't seen anywhere else do that. And how is there NOT something like that in Atlanta?

[vwgary]

As a suggestion, the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum in Madison Georgia is now open Saturdays and the entrance fee is cheap ($5).

http://microcarmuseum.com

[MichelleRoze]

Hmm good point Gary. We had talked about the Micro car museum last year. So, would that make our cars look like Semi's to these micro cars? (kinda like when I passed the lowered miata convertible on the highway...boy I felt tall!)

That's an option too. I'll research more into it and see what's around the area to eat, hang out, etc. Thanks for reminding me about that.

[scarabY2k]

That museum looks pretty cool. How far is Madison from Atlanta? What ever you decide to do Michelle, I'm sure it will be a great time. You did great with the Stone Mtn. GTG- I have no doubt that it can only get better

[mrchaotica]

I voted for in-town Atlanta for the obvious reasons that it's closest to me and that there's a lot of stuff to do. Specifically, I suggest Grant Park because it's got pretty scenery, is close to attractions (particularly the zoo) and downtown, has easier parking than most places in-town, and is easy to get to (just off I-20).

I also voted for the North Georgia Mountains because I like cruises, and the Russell-Brasstown scenic byway would make for an excellent cruise. On one hand it's a little bit late for it (we've missed the leaves), but on the other hand, there won't be lots of tourist traffic (we've missed the leaves!).

Incidentally, I don't think there's much point in having Helen, GA as a separate option because Helen is in the mountains (pretty much adjacent to the scenic byway, in fact). Besides, if we're going to do that we might as well just wait and send a group to SoWo instead.

[raff]

You won't starve in downtown Madison - trust me. And if memory serve me, there is a "sort of half a town square" that would work for a photo op.

See link for info:

- Dining

[vwgary]

Plus the microcar museum would keep it a very "car" related GTG. New Beetles, food and other uber cool cars. What more could one ask for

Al, Madison is roughly 1.5 hours from Atlanta.

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by vwgary

Plus the microcar museum would keep it a very "car" related GTG. New Beetles, food and other uber cool cars. What more could one ask for

Al, Madison is roughly 1.5 hours from Atlanta.

Thanks Gary for the geography- that's good to know. From that link Bob has given, it looks like Madison has a lot to offer. I'm good for whatever you all decide. Val and I will make a weekend of it- stay in Lawrenceville with Val's sis and bugavan to Madison with the ATL crew.

[vwgary]

Well, it's Michelle's GTG and the microcar museum/Madison was simply another option. It's still her decision on where we end up

[MichelleRoze]

That does sure sound like fun. I'll keep that one top on the list. We still have some time to discuss. But looks like that or Atlanta is a hit so far haha

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by vwgary

Well, it's Michelle's GTG and the microcar museum/Madison was simply another option. It's still her decision on where we end up

Too right What ever Michelle decides, i'm good for it. As long as I get to hang out with my beetle peeps, it's all good

[MichelleRoze]

Now that I got you all thinking of where, let's also think of when! This past GA GTG was in late February if I'm not mistaken. That worked great for me because it gave me a nice GTG buzz and kinda pumped me up for the ToD GTG which was like 2 or 2 1/2 months away. So, what works for you guys? Would you prefer sometime in January? Or maybe push it back a little to March? Or was February ok?

[vwgary]

If we end up doing the microcar museum, we'll be indoors most of the time, except for kibbitzing. That said, February works for us. Mid-late Feb, the better.

[scarabY2k]

Febuary was good for Val and I too. Gives us a nice cushion financially- recovered from Christmas and gives us space to add more money in the TOD coffee can.

Put Val and I down for February

[MichelleRoze]

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and look forward to a great Christmas and New Year.

Speaking of which, that's not too far away now is it? Means we really need to step up the planning for this GTG. So, if want to keep tradition, let's say the GTG is February 20th? It's the 3rd Saturday of February; just like we did the first time.

Now, so far the votes show majority vote for Atlanta. I'm totally cool with that. BUT, what can we do in Atlanta that may be on the "budget" side of the scale? Some are driving a distance, others don't have the funds to do things. Atlanta does have a lot of cool attractions to see and things to do, but again, it's not a super budget friendly city either. I mean the Georgia Aquarium is pretty pricy, and I'm not sure about the World of Coca Cola, but I remember hearing people say get the CNN/World of Coke combo to make it worth the money...

I do like the idea of maybe meeting up at Toad's place and making it just a low key GTG. We'd be close enough to Atlanta that those who want to sight see and such could go, but for those who don't or otherwise can't, could just hang out. Plus, if allowed, maybe we could do some light work on the cars. Some of us are more mechanically savvy than others and could use a little help, even with the simpliest of things.

Just ideas. We've got a few more weeks before I finalize this thing. So, if you're reading this, plesae let me know what you think. Where you think your budget will be. And if there is anything you are looking forward to doing. And if you don't want to go to Atlanta, what would you rather do? Where would you rather be?

[Toad]

I'm all for the budget gtg.

I dunno if going to a tour of something non car/vw related would be that interesting, but i'm not too sure whats goes on around here, yeah i'm still new to atl.

My new place is in Mableton, and it needs alotta cleaning before it's showable, but that shouldn't be a problem. I haven't even moved in yet.


( thats the backyard and garage, not my house )

If we were doing something "out n about" my budget is prolly gonna be around $20. I dunno what the weather would be like, but a bbq/pot luck would be fun, maybe later in the year though. We'd look crazy having a bbq in the middle of February. And I don't have a bbq right now.

But I think it would make a fun day to have something out to do/eat, have a little cruise and end the day with a tech session (if anyone needs some help)