How about a winter gathering at Echo Valley?

This may end up a west siders thing unless some of you other want to travel...but how about a gathering at Echo Valley? Kids and family welcome! If you don't know Echo Valley, check it out:
http://www.echovalleyfun.com/
Perhaps mid January?

Where else in Michigan can you runa 1/4 mile in the winter? Even if it is only 60mph...remember you are ona teflong runnered toboggan!

There's tubing and ice skating, as well as snack bar to warm up, etc. They also have rope pulls to help you back up the hill.
Good cheap fun!

Originally posted by Timberwolf
http://www.echovalleyfun.com/

Great idea!!! You guys will have to help me get over being scared to go down the hill though... I haven't been there in years but last time we went I was alot younger and I wouldn't go down. I spent the entire time skating. :shrug:

yeah, they are pretty steep. Just sit behind someone and bury your face if need be :) If you like Cedar Point or any other roller coaster, you can handle these :) They look bad til you actually go down them

I haven't been there in years either. Last time I was there it was wooden toboggans, etc :)

Maybe we can bribe Dave into making this a "sticky" for a bit and get some interest together... :cool:

I'd be in for that! Looks like fun!

ttt for day folks

would be sweet if they had pictures...

Originally posted by PhantomTA
would be sweet if they had pictures...

<--- puts Echo Valley on her list of websites to offer to redo :)

So bring your camera to the outing and get some good shots :)

I'd be in for this.....I can bring the kids too. Set a date! Just NOT febuary 15th!!!!!

Q

ok, so how about January 18th? That's a saturday. Should give everyone a few weeks notice that way to work it in.

If this won't work, let me know. I just picked an arbitrary date "mid january" :D

Can we move it back one week? The weekend of the 18th is closing weekend at the Detroit International Auto Show.

Hmm, forgot about that. I have to make it to the auto show too...
the monster vehicles from "Monster Garage" will be there :)

I'm definitely up for that! :D For anyone who doesn't know what Echo Valley is all about (or if you want a picture), imagine this: you're sitting on the front of a toboggan looking down about 10º from vertical and there's this insane guy about to remove the little wooden stick which is the only thing keeping you from falling to your certain death. OK, so maybe it's only 45º, but you get the picture now. ;) :D

i'm in, when are we goin!!!!!!

<--- needs 2003 calendar to put on desk at work

Please not January 11th, that's the day I'm having my graduation party. Could we do it January 26th?

i'm good on the 26th....as long as its a saturday

the 26th would be fine with, and it is a saturday. So should we set it in stone and say that's the date?

Originally posted by Timberwolf
the 26th would be fine with, and it is a saturday. So should we set it in stone and say that's the date?

Yes let's.

All in favor say "aye" :D

Originally posted by Timberwolf
All in favor say "aye" :D

Aye! :)

aye :metal: :metal:

Aye! :) :cool:

sounds like we have a day, now how about a time? Do we want to go early and spend all day if needed?
Or do we go a little later so we can have some after dark runs? or...?

Decisions Decisions... ;)

Originally posted by Timberwolf
Do we want to go early and spend all day if needed?
Or do we go a little later so we can have some after dark runs? or...?

Their hours on Saturday are 10am to 9pm. I'd like to get some daylight hours in for picture-taking, and we all want to make sure we get good use of the "all day" passes we'll probably buy... but I also think it'd be nice if we didn't go bright and early at 10am. That way anyone who is coming from the east side of the state to join us won't have to get up at the crack of dawn to make it on time.

How about sometime in the early afternoon, like maybe 1pm?

Jan 26 is a sunday

By golly, you're right. Let's make it Saturday, Jan 25 at 1PM. :)

Originally posted by PhantomTA
Jan 26 is a sunday

ok, so how did we all miss that?

Anyway, you coming Dave? Any other East siders gonna make the trip? We always have to head east, time fo you folks to head west :D

Originally posted by Timberwolf
ok, so how did we all miss that?

My fault, sorry! :o I was counting in my head from January 18th which I knew was a Saturday, must have miscounted. Oh well.

We have to bug the east side folks to come, I think they need encouragement! :D

so its the 25th at 1 pm ?


is this right. sounds great.

I am in as long as I can bring the wife and my 6 year old!

BTW...let's not make too many Michigan area plans past the Winter. I'll explain why later...

Anyway...AWESOME idea!!

of course the wife and kids can come. I'm bringing mine :)

Soudns like a date! Saturday, Jan25th at 1pm!

Originally posted by JasonD
BTW...let's not make too many Michigan area plans past the Winter. I'll explain why later...

Jason, you tease!! :p

OK, so when technically is "past the winter"? The first day of spring is March 20, but sometimes there's still snow on the ground until April. When does "winter" end? :cool:

I have one semi big plan coming up..

Jason has the big one..

just sit tight

best way to get there from canada.:bow:

from canada? come across the tunnel or bridge at windsor and follow I-94 west for about 1.75 hours

If you are serious and want more exact directions, let me know

i will see thank you.

25th it is, and I will be there with at the very least my 6 year old son. Maybe the wife, if I can bundle her in enough clothes so she dosent whine all day, and maybe my 6 year old daughter. See ya all there. Also, how about bringing some of those CZ28 stickers for me Jay. You know, from the brick fund and all ;) The van has a few spots left that need covering up:p

Q

i will be comming with the g/f.:metal:

Rainy and I will be there. Looking forward to some sledding.:)

Is there any way we can have races to the bottom?:D

If I can make it... you guys won't believe the sled I am gonna be coming with. It's gonna be modded to the gills... I figure I'll hit at least a 9.30 @ 196 :D

I think I have to work that saturday... We'll see what goes on. :think:

Originally posted by RedIrocZ-28
If I can make it... you guys won't believe the sled I am gonna be coming with. It's gonna be modded to the gills... I figure I'll hit at least a 9.30 @ 196 :D

I think I have to work that saturday... We'll see what goes on. :think:

LOL, I know you're just kidding, but so noone gets confused...they provide the toboggans :D

Everyone still coming? only a week to go! Where do you all want to meet and what time? I was thinking maybe we should meet up at the galesburg truck stop on I-94 (exit 85) and caravan from thre. That way noone gets lost. Say 1pm?

i will be comming i just need directions from windsor.if you want to meet there i just need directions to there.thanks guys.

i'm still going... so exit 85 on I-94


right?

Originally posted by 97z28/m6
i will be comming i just need directions from windsor.if you want to meet there i just need directions to there.thanks guys.

Well, I hav come only one way from windsor, and that is the bridge. As soon as you come across there is a sign for I-94. Follow it west for about 120 miles to exit 85. There is a big Shell station with a BK in it, and a McDonalds right there at the exit. Can't miss it.

So are we meeting in Galesburg at 1pm?

Well, I'll plan on being there at that time for all who need some assistance finding the place. I'll probably get tehre a little before 1 and pull out around 1:15. This should give everyone a few minutes to gas up, use the facilities if need be, etc.
Echo Valley is only 10 minutes or so from there.

Originally posted by Timberwolf
Well, I hav come only one way from windsor, and that is the bridge. As soon as you come across there is a sign for I-94. Follow it west for about 120 miles to exit 85. There is a big Shell station with a BK in it, and a McDonalds right there at the exit. Can't miss it. thanks i will try to be there for noon to eat as i will gas up in canada.i will be in a 99 ford escort.

I'll be in a dark bluish/purple 99 dodge ram with a aluminum tread plate tool box and black ladder rack

Originally posted by Timberwolf
I'll be in a dark bluish/purple 99 dodge ram with a aluminum tread plate tool box and black ladder rack

I've got a white '90 Taurus with rust accents :p :cool:

i'll be in a 94 white caddilac!!!!

around 12:30

it's kinda funny as this is a f-body meet and no one is bringing one.:eek:

I dont need to bring any sleds??? Even for the kids. Or can I bring them if I want? Just curious as I am getting packed and ready. Also, how about some directions for us GR people, who are coming around noon and will meet ya there.

Q

Originally posted by dreamer1q
I dont need to bring any sleds??? Even for the kids. Or can I bring them if I want? Just curious as I am getting packed and ready. Also, how about some directions for us GR people, who are coming around noon and will meet ya there.

Q

you can pack the sleds if you want, but as far as I know, they provide it all. It's basically toboggans and tubes as far as the hill bombing goes :) At least thats how I remember it from about 15 years ago

as far as coming from GR, I am not sure you're best route. It's kind of in the country between galesburg and kalamazoo. The 3 ways I know to lead you that way are from Sprinkle Rd in kalamazoo, I-94, or G Dr.

Best bet might be to run a mapquest on it...

How about an address so that I can plug it into Mapquest?

Either the gas station or the sled hill would be fine.
-Jacob

Here's directions from their site.. www.echovalleyfun.com

From the East (Detroit, Jackson):
I-94 west to exit #85 (35th St.) Turn right on 35th St. to the 3rd stoplight (M-96). Turn left on M-96 to 33rd St. Turn right on 33rd St. to H Ave. Turn left on H Ave. Echo Valley is on the right hand side, 1 mile down the road.

From the West (Chicago, Benton Harbor):

Take I-94 to exit #80 (Sprinkle Road). Turn left on Sprinkle Road. Take Sprinkle to the 9th stoplight (H Ave). Turn right on H Ave. Echo Valley is on the left, 3 miles down the road.

From the North (Grand Rapids):

Take US-131 south the Plainwell exit (M-89 east). Follow M-89 into Richland (12 miles). Continue straight through the stoplight in Richland. Turn right on H Ave. Echo Valley is 1 mile down the road, on the right.

From the South (Indianapolis):

Take US-131 north to I-94 east to exit 80 (Sprinkle Road). Turn left on Sprinkle to the 9th stoplight (H Ave.) Turn right on H Ave. Echo Valley is on the left, 3 miles down the road.


The first set of directions is what we will be taking from that truck stop at exit 85.

Jacob, you're best bet will probably be to come down I-69 from Lansing to I-94 and then head west.

COOOL, thanks and see ya there.

Q

Originally posted by dreamer1q
COOOL

Why yes, it is. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's cold.

But it'll be fun anyway.

;) <Bugs Bunny>Ain't I a stinkah?</Bugs Bunny>

Is there going to be any snow on the ground?:(

Originally posted by 95 Z-28 LT1
Is there going to be any snow on the ground?:(

The toboggan runs are ice...no need for snow :D

Sweet!:D

hotels:where are the cheap ones in US or CANADA.

Originally posted by 97z28/m6
hotels:where are the cheap ones in US or CANADA.

Wow, dude, you're really serious about this!

I'd recommend looking into some of the hotels on Sprinkle Road. You can go from Echo Valley to Sprinkle and then just shoot down Sprinkle to any one of several hotels. Here's some numbers for you (all are the 269 area code):

Best Western 381-1900
Clarion 385-3922
Comfort Inn 381-7000
Country Inn & Suites (actually on Kilgore Rd. but I'll be going home that way so you could follow me) 382-2303
Days Inn 381-7070
Fairfield Inn 344-8300
Holiday Inn Express 373-0770
Red Roof Inn 382-6350

There's also a Denny's and a Perkins and some fast food places, so you don't have far to go for breakfast if you want to hit the road the next morning.

And for the person who asked about it, yes we have snow!

didn't think i was serious :p anyways how much are the going prices.thanks see you tomarrow.

Originally posted by 97z28/m6
didn't think i was serious :p anyways how much are the going prices.thanks see you tomarrow.

I would think you could expect to pay somewhere from $40 to $70 per night depending on the hotel and what you want in the room. I can't recommend one over the other because I live here so I've never stayed in any of them! But the Holiday Inn Express is fairly new I think, so it's probably cleaner than some of the other places.

See you guys at exit 85 at 1pm. The wife can't make it, but I will be bringing my 6 year old punk and Jacob is riding shotgun with me.

See you there!