Grandfather Mountain Games

**Jeremiah** · 27th February 06, 07:16 PM

Depending on if our usual family vacation occurs, my sister and I are looking to attend this event as well.

**clancelt** · 27th February 06, 07:38 PM

We got a hotel in Boone this past year due to a new member in the family, she was only 1 year old. I didn't think the camp grounds were the right way to break her in

The hotel worked out, lot of our clan were there. We had a good steak house next door and made that our nightly dinner stop. Even here, this close to GM a group of kilted men drew attention. I even had more than a couple locals ask me what was up with all the people in kilts!!! Stopped at that old general store outside of Boone and actually had a lady stop me and ask if I would take a picture with her, wife there and all. She then tells me she is a local and a MacDonald, but has never been to the games.. pretty wild.

Anyway, if you can camp it's a blast. Get there early or you'll camp in the mud if you can find a campsite at all.

A note about the hotels, unless you work a deal before hand expect to pay out your **** for a room and book it early. Most of the hotels and B&Bs close by are sold out early. We tried to book a B&B in early Jan and couldn't find one. Hotels are still a easy find up until early may.

It's a great game to go to, albeit a bit costly.

We will be standing this one out this year and heading to the Loch Norman games. Same feal, little cheaper.

There is a lot to do around GM, and it's very pretty. We took our daughter to the Tweetsie railroad and had a blast, I think that counts as one of the oddest "Hey lets check that out" moments I've ever had just cruzin down the highway. (If you have kids and add that to your GM todo list, make sure to ride the old ferris wheel. It'll scare ya!)

**macsim** · 27th February 06, 08:48 PM

Looks like I'll miss Friday this year due to my new job. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend trying to get a tent. There are simply too many tents now and a couple of years ago our clan ended up on the hill all by ourselves because the application got lost in the mail. Also, if you come check road conditions. I just saw that Hwy 421 will be undergoing construction throughout the summer and 321 is frequently closed these days for various repairs from all the mudslides and bad weather a while back. Hopefully the DOT will keep things moving for this large event.

Tell you what though....if anyone here wants to use our tent as a "home base" feel free to do so. I offer you the hospitality of the Clan Fraser tent. We try to get 2 tents each year and if you don't have a clan to call your own we'll adopt you. I'm sure the society would accept any donations to help defray the cost (it's $250 per tent) but regardless, bring some food and come on by and visit. (It's sort of like homecoming at your friendly neighborhood Baptist church....you bring a dish to put on the table and you get to try everything everyone else brought.) The tentative plan right now is that someone else will be there on Friday to at least put up the banner and set up a minimal display and then I'll come in Saturday for the rest of the event. I did manage to meet up with 2 guys from X Marks last year but perhaps a central meeting place would be a good idea.

I'll try to post again as the weekend draws near. GMHG is what it is - a humongous event that is worth the effort but please understand the inconvenience you may experience with travel, accomodations, cost, weather and crowds.

**Jerry** · 27th February 06, 09:10 PM

I've always wanted to attend this event, but I think I'll haave to pass due to my wife's health issues (COPD). July in NC is very hot and she can't yake a lot of walking in that heat. s for myseldf I can't handle it as well as i once was able to either.

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 28th February 06, 01:29 PM

If anyone needs some help with research on places to stay just let know.
I will give you some details on the area.
If you are camping or going for the day remember the
Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared"
It usually is quite comfortable on the Mt. but a summer Thunderstorm is
always a possibility. So a Good raincoat is highly recommended.
It you are going up for the Celtic Jam on Friday night I would be prepared for
some cool weather. I have seen it be 55 and Foggy.

**bubba** · 28th February 06, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Kiltedmusiclover

It you are going up for the Celtic Jam on Friday night I would be prepared for some cool weather. I have seen it be 55 and Foggy.

Ya call that cool? Gotta have thin blood!

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 1st March 06, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by bubba

...55....Ya call that cool? Gotta have thin blood!

Bubba you are right.
What we call cool you guys call summer.

A Carolina summer is an average of 88 F and 90% humidity.
If you go to the Mt. dressed for this type of weather and find 50 to 55 F and rain it can get chilly in a hurry.

**HeathBar** · 28th February 06, 06:51 PM

I've been twice, '99 and '00. The first year I went by myself. And didn't know anyone there. By Friday night, I had lots of people to call friend. I camped on the (then) non-curfew side A.K.A McRowdy. But as KiltedMusicLover stated its now has a 1 AM curfew.
If you camp in a tent, take lots of tarps. I learned a new word there, "Tarpology". The science of rigging different size and color tarps to make a (somewhat) waterproof cover. Yes, expect it to rain.

You will have a good time.

**Mike n NC** · 28th February 06, 08:03 PM

Just to add a note on motels. There are a lot of overlooked motels in the surrounding area. We stayed in N. Wilksboro at a Red Carpet Inn and drove about an hour. Everyday rates, they weren't crowded and a couple of good places to eat close by. Clan Home, the wife's family, puts on a great, country style, home cooked feed on Saturday night if you can get yourself invited.

Note: when I say an hour or half hour drive, I know the area very well since a lot of my family still live there and I am used to the curves. Your time may be a little longer if you don't know the roads.

Mike

**MacMoose** · 14th March 06, 02:57 PM

I have to echo Kiltedmusiclover's comments regarding GMHG. I have been going for the past 5 years, camping on the "quiet" side...and running over to the wilder side for the odd visit. Best of both worlds, if you ask me. (Frankly, after 10 minutes of a drum circle, it gets old anyhow!)

I also work at GMHG. My buddy and I represent Clan Lumsden, so if you DO make it up, stop by and have a dram.

If you are camping, venture to the Western end of the "quiet" side, look for a road lined with flags of the world (and other places)....this be "Clan MacVillage", of which I am a semi-fine and partially-upright citizen. Once again, look for me if you come by...always a dram on hand. OK, many drams.