PDA

View Full Version : MV V Update #6 Possible Optional 3 August 2007 Free Time Tours



Bluerauder
06-13-2007, 06:44 PM
Friday, 3 August 2007 offers a full day of free time available to individuals who will not be attending the MV V drag racing as participants or as spectators at the Mason-Dixon Dragway. Free time is also available following racing on or about the Noon timeframe. Here are some of the options available. Specify your interest (multiple choices possible) and we’ll see what we can put together.

If you are interested in leading a group – let us know.

Free Time Possible Optional Tours

Skyline Caverns/Skyline Drive (~180 miles roundtrip, approx 6-7 hours minimum). Skyline Caverns is located at the north entrance to Skyline Drive. Admission is $16.00 for adults and $8.00 for children ages 7-13. Kids 6 years and under are Free. Tour is about 1 hour in cave. Temperature in cave is a constant 54 degrees. More info here >>> http://skylinecaverns.com/AdmsInfo.htm. Enter the Shenandoah National Park – Skyline Drive at the Front Royal, VA entrance. Fee is $10.00 per private vehicle. Travel 32 miles to Thornton Gap entrance and then return. Option to go farther or stop for dinner at Panorama Restaurant depending on time available. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph, so you can roll down your windows, feel the breeze and experience every curve and turn of this beautiful drive. There are 75 overlooks that offer stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling piedmont to the east. Bring your camera and be prepared for frequent pull offs and photo ops. More info here >>> http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 1:00 PM, Arrive Skyline Caverns 2:10 PM, Begin Skyline Drive 3:30 PM, Turn-Around 5:00 PM, Exit Skyline Drive 6:00 PM, Arrive back at Hotel 7:15 PM.

Skyline Drive/Luray Caverns (~200 miles roundtrip, approx 7-8 hours minimum). Enter the Shenandoah National Park – Skyline Drive at the Front Royal, VA entrance. Fee is $10.00 per private vehicle. Travel 32 miles to Thornton Gap entrance and exit to Route 211 West to Luray, VA.. The maximum speed limit on the Skyline Drive is 35 mph. Plenty of overlooks and pull offs for photo ops. Visit to Luray Caverns and Car & Carriage Museum (combined ticket). Admission is $19.00 for adults and $9.00 for children 6-12. Kids 5 and under are Free. Senior 62 and over is $16.00. Group rates available for groups of 20 or more. More info here >>>> http://www.luraycaverns.com/ Stroll along the well-lighted, paved walkways that wind through the huge chambers to explore cathedral-sized rooms with soaring ceilings, towering columns and breathtaking stalactites, and then gaze into mirror-perfect pools. Cave tour is about a 1.5 mile walk and 1 hour. Co-located with The Garden Maze http://www.thegardenmaze.com/, a 1 acre maze of arbor vitae trees that is much harder than it looks and a lot of fun for the adventurous soles (pun intended). Optional side visit to the Virginia Military Institute’s “Hall of Valor” at New Market, VA. http://www4.vmi.edu/museum/nm/ VMI is the only military academy authorized a Campaign Streamer on the school colors for combat action. Return to Hagerstown via VA 340N/I-66W/I-81 North. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 1:00 PM, Begin Skyline Drive 2:10 PM, Arrive Luray Caverns 3:30 PM, Depart Luray 6:00 PM, Arrive back at Hotel 7:45 PM.


Charlestown Races & Slots (~80 miles roundtrip, approx 6-8 hours more or less as desired). Gaming, slot machines, horse racing, and dining. No admission fee. Just save enough to get home. :rofl: More info here >>> http://www.ctownraces.com/site/. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 1:00 PM, Arrive Charles Town, WVa 2:00 PM, Whatever 'till Whenever 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM or later, Depart 6:00 PM or later, Arrive back at Hotel 7:00 PM or later.


Antietam National Battlefield/Back Roads of Maryland tour (~40 miles roundtrip, approx 4-5 hours). $4.00 per individual, $6.00 per family. The site of the Bloodiest One Day Battle in American History where 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. Visitor’s Center, the Cornfield, Dunker Church, Bloody Lane, and Burnside Bridge. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Recommended reading “The Fields Turned Red” by Stephen W. Sears. More info here >>> http://www.nps.gov/anti. Return to hotel via the Backroads of Maryland. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 1:00 PM, Arrive Battlefield Visitor's Center 1:30 PM, Begin Battlefield Tour 2:30 PM, Depart Sharpsburg, MD 4:30 PM, Arrive back at Hotel via backroads of Maryland approx 6:00 PM.

Gettysburg National Military Park (~90 miles roundtrip, approx 6-10 hours). Entry to the park is free of charge. There is a charge for the Electric Map program at the park Visitor Center: $4.00 for adults (ages 17-61 years) $3.00 for children (ages 6-16 years) $3.00 for senior citizens (62 years and older) Children under 6 years old admitted for free. Group Rates: $3.00 per adult. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 (1-3 July 1863) that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy", it was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address. Recommended reading “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara. More information here >>> http://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 9:00 AM, Arrive Gettysburg Visitor's Center 10:00 AM, Tour Visitor's Center, Attractions and Electronic Map 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Lunch 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Tour various Battlefield points of interest 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Depart Gettysburg 6:00 PM, Arrive back at Hotel 7:00 PM. Alternate Itinerary after Racing: Depart Hotel 1:00 PM, Arrive Gettysburg Visitor's Center 2:00 PM, Tour Visitor's Center, Attractions and Electronic Map 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Tour various Battlefield points of interest 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM, Depart Gettysburg 6:00 PM, Arrive back at Hotel 7:00 PM.



Baltimore HarborPlace (~140 miles roundtrip, approx 9-10 hours minimum). Visit to the Baltimore Harbor and its local attractions. May only be able to do two of these due to time limitations.
• Ed Kane's Water Taxis (weather permitting) Age 11-64 $8:00, Age 10 and under $4.00.
• Maryland Science Center Adults $14.50, Children 3-12 $10.00, Seniors $13.50. Add $4.00 for IMAX.
• National Aquarium in Baltimore Age 12+ $21.95, Ages 3-11 $12.95, Seniors $20.95
• Port Discovery, the Children's Museum in Baltimore
• Top of the World Observation Level Age 13+ $4.00, Age 3-12 $2.00, Senior $3.00
More information here >>>> http://www.harborplace.com/html/. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 9:00 AM, Arrive Baltimore Harbor 10:30 AM, Browse Harborplace & Get advance tickets for Aquarium 10:30-11:30 AM, Lunch at Harborplace (lots of restaurants) 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM, Tour National Aquarium 1:00 PM-3:00 PM (depending on advance ticket time), Tour Maryland Science Museum 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM, Depart Baltimore 6:00 PM, Arrive back at Hotel 7:30 PM.


Annapolis (~ 180 miles round trip, approx 10-11 hours minimum). Visit the Capital of Maryland (no it really isn’t Baltimore) and the Home of the US Naval Academy. The Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center is conveniently located on the United States Naval Academy, just inside Gate 1 at the end of King George Street. You will need a photo ID to walk onto the yard. Also plan on a visit to the Annapolis Harbor area. You'll discover a treasure trove of historic attractions in Annapolis, an 18th-century seaport town where Colonial-era buildings abound. And, if you're a water and nature lover, discover a way of life indelibly linked to the Bay More information here >>>> http://www.visitannapolis.org/index.asp. Tentative Itinerary: Depart Hotel 9:00 AM, Arrive US Naval Academy 10:45 AM, Tour USNA 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Lunch 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (lots of restaurants to choose from in Old Town), Visit Old Town Annapolis and Waterfront/Harbor area 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Depart Annapolis 6:00 PM, Arrive back at Hotel 7:45 PM.


Other If nothing in the list above strikes your fancy, please post your alternative ideas here for consideration by the group

Will Explore on my Own

Not Interested

MaLo03
06-14-2007, 02:17 PM
nice.....me likes

ctrlraven
06-14-2007, 06:24 PM
I wouldn't mind doing the Antietam battlefield thing after racing, their are beautiful scenes to get great pictures with and of course its a part of history.

AzMarauder
06-18-2007, 10:05 PM
While I won't be attending, I will say that I've been to both Antietam and Gettysburg. I enjoyed both....

Antietam is much smaller... and a very picturesque battlefield and more suited for a shorter visit. I look forward to the time I can go back and see both of them.

Bluerauder
06-22-2007, 04:12 AM
:bump: Only 40 more days !!!

Bluerauder
06-23-2007, 05:54 AM
Tentative Itineraries and Times posted at the end of each tour description. This is just for planning purposes for the interested groups and can be tailored or adjusted to fit the needs, wants, and desires of the group. :)

Mike Poore
06-25-2007, 07:26 AM
Depending upon how hot a day it is, The battlefield(s) can be a dry, sweltering hell.

Luray Caverns are spectacular, beyond description and arguably one of the finest the nation has to offer.

While Skyline drive is a wonderful trip, it can become somewhat tiring, although there are many places to exit, once you've had enough fun, and want to take a quick trip back to Hagerstown.

Also there's the East Broadtop narrow gauge railroad tour from Orbisonia, PA, which some may be interested in visiting.

http://www.spikesys.com/EBT/

Also, there's always Mike's secret tour to Camp David, on the back roads, where we're sure to discover the secret service dudes hiding in the nearby woods. I warn you though, if you are prone to doing stupid things, like burnouts at the front gate, not following directions, getting out of your car to take photos, or stopping to screw with the very serious federal agents, you could end up in a long serious chat with those fellows, and get your car impounded, to boot. :rolleyes:

Bluerauder
06-26-2007, 04:25 AM
Depending upon how hot a day it is, The battlefield(s) can be a dry, sweltering hell.

Luray Caverns are spectacular, beyond description and arguably one of the finest the nation has to offer.

While Skyline drive is a wonderful trip, it can become somewhat tiring, although there are many places to exit, once you've had enough fun, and want to take a quick trip back to Hagerstown.

Also there's the East Broadtop narrow gauge railroad tour from Orbisonia, PA, which some may be interested in visiting.

http://www.spikesys.com/EBT/

Also, there's always Mike's secret tour to Camp David, on the back roads, where we're sure to discover the secret service dudes hiding in the nearby woods. I warn you though, if you are prone to doing stupid things, like burnouts at the front gate, not following directions, getting out of your car to take photos, or stopping to screw with the very serious federal agents, you could end up in a long serious chat with those fellows, and get your car impounded, to boot. :rolleyes:

So does this mean you are volunteering to lead the tour group to Gettysburg with the return trip back through your "secret" backroads.

Temperature in the caverns at Luray and Skyline is a constant 54 degrees. On a hot August day, it is worth the price of admission just for the cool. :coolman:

I have been on Skyline Drive countless times and have never found it to be tiresome. Of course, the tentative tour plans only call for the first segment from the Front Royal entrance to Thornton Gap (about 32 miles) with maybe a brief stop at Big Meadows rest area. No other exits between those two points.

My first trip to Skyline Drive and Luray was in 1955. I was a mere 5 years old; but I can still remember it some 50 years later. However, some of the pieces got "jumbled" in my memory like the fried egg stalagmite formation in the cave. As a kid, I thought that those rocks were hot enough to cook eggs.

Just remember that stalaGmite (G=ground up) and stalaCtite (C=ceiling down). ;) Don't know where this stuff comes from .... it just leaks out occasionally. :rolleyes:

Haggis
06-26-2007, 09:12 AM
Your getting way ahead of yourselves with all of these options. Reign it in a little, before we get in over our collective heads.




Mike Poore:
:neener:

Ken
06-26-2007, 09:25 AM
Also, there's always Mike's secret tour to Camp David, on the back roads, where we're sure to discover the secret service dudes hiding in the nearby woods. I warn you though, if you are prone to doing stupid things, like burnouts at the front gate, not following directions, getting out of your car to take photos, or stopping to screw with the very serious federal agents, you could end up in a long serious chat with those fellows, and get your car impounded, to boot. :rolleyes:Do you have something to share with us? or is that a story for the lobby of the hotel? :beer:

Ken

Bluerauder
06-26-2007, 11:18 AM
As of 23 July 2007

It looks like two organized tours can handle most of the 28 interested folks that are interested in attending one or more of such road trips.

Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns (20+1?)

03mmmonroe
1stmerc
Bluerauder (lead navigator)
FastMerc
FreddieH
james79stang
Ken
Knine
Larry Staunton
Mesencephalon (maybe, possibly and it rains I'll do the slots)
Mongoose (priority to Gettysburg & Antietam)
Motorhead350
Pantheroc (or on his own)
Pat
Rayjay (changed to the Luray tour)
STLR FN
Tddpop
Joe Walsh (if amenable to Luray vice Skyline Caverns)
SC Cheesehead (agreed to switch to Luray vice Skyline Caverns)
Vkirkend (has agreed to switch to Luray vice Skyline Caverns)
ctrlraven (has swithced to Skyline/Luray vice Antietam)
Razzberry
MV V Photographer
MM03MOK ??

Gettysburg National Military Park (6)

BigDogJim (can help with tour)
Glassman99
Hdirish50
Johnkuhn
Mike Poore (has offered to lead the Gettysburg group)
Ralph Sr.

Charles Town Races & Slots (2)

Ggt4
Merc
Mesencephalon (maybe if it rains)

Antietam National Battlefield (1) Ctrlraven (considering switch to Skyline/Luray)

Baltimore Harborplace (2-3)

ALF (coming with BDJ maybe)
BigDogJim (not arriving until Saturday)
Redster

Annapolis (1) MIDNITEMARAUDER (indicated on his own)

Not Indicated (1) 03SILVERSTREAK (indicated on his own)

FastMerc
06-26-2007, 01:12 PM
Do you have something to share with us? or is that a story for the lobby of the hotel? :beer:

Ken In a group we all look like feds:D

Mike Poore
06-27-2007, 12:50 PM
In a group we all look like feds:D

EXACTLY! The last time we did my secret back way trip, they had us on video for about the last 5 miles up through the woods, and were waiting. My friend Larry said we caused quite a stir, because they thought we were an unexpected motorcade from the site "R" group, using route "R". It was all the more confusing for them, because the first family was in residence that weekend, and they couldn't figure out who the hell we were. :D

ctrlraven
06-28-2007, 06:50 AM
I'd be game for the stirring up the feds thing lol.

Bluerauder
06-28-2007, 08:11 AM
I'd be game for the stirring up the feds thing lol.
Why don't you just jump on the tail end of the Skyline Drive trip? We will probably do the Gettysburg + "Special " run in the fall when the leaf peeping and fed watching is easier. Last time was October 2005. :D

rayjay
07-03-2007, 08:35 PM
Although I'm interested in Gettysburg, my 10 yr old daughter will love the caves. So I'll probably switch to the Skyline Dr/caves tour. Gettysburg at say Columbus Day would work for me.

Mesencephalon
07-20-2007, 11:10 AM
If I change To Drag Racing (spectator) and it rains I guess I'd try to go hit the Casino. But I decided that this is Marauder time, not Civil War time, so I should be out taking pictures of Black Beauties and etc. Im sure the drag strip has food & drink ... :beer::burnout:

Redster
07-30-2007, 08:29 PM
We are considering the Baltimore excursion although we were thinking of the harbor tour and trying to find the locales for the old Homicide TV show. Any tips on parking in that area? We were going to stop by the drag strip first, so won't join the 9 AM tour.

Cheers

Breadfan
07-30-2007, 09:04 PM
I'd really like to do the Skyline cruise, so count me in on that please.

Bluerauder
07-31-2007, 05:00 AM
I'd really like to do the Skyline cruise, so count me in on that please.
Gotcha covered Mike. Did you mean to check in here?? >>>> http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=37112 to take advantage of the group rate?

Mike Poore
07-31-2007, 02:07 PM
Gettysburg will be a hot sweltering hell, on Friday. 90+ degrees, and no wind.

Spending most of it in your comfortible Air Conditioned MM will be the best bet. I plan to take us directly to the book store at the visitor's center and get the Cassette tape or DVD for the wonderfully produced self-guided tour(s). They're less than $20

Out of the car time will be held to a minimum, and for the most part be short walks across various parking lots, or at monuments you want to see, close up, and at Boyd's Bears. Take your water bottles and fruit drinks with you.

Hopefully, the First Family will be gone from Camp David and we will be able to complete my secret back door tour, without having the Secret Service dudes looking for bad stuff in our cars.

A word of warning .....if you're carrying......leave it in your hotel room.