AH Get Together El Campo Texas, October 18th 2025

[mdwest]

@PARA45
After we leave Texas we will be at Baton Rouge. We were going to go up thru Georgia but decided to go inland thru Tennessee to Chattanooga, Roanoke then into Virginia and fly out of Philadelphia. Figured we can see the coast at home but wanted to see the beautiful fall colours thru Tennessee.
Bob

If you’re going to Chattanooga, take about a 2 hour detour and go to the smoky mountain national park outside of gatlinberg…

Gatlinberg is a tourist hell hole… traffic is horrible and all of the restaurants and shops are always packed to the point of misery…

But by October the trails through the national park will be absolutely beautiful with the fall leaves coming in…

There are a wide variety of hikes available ranging from short and relatively flat.. to long and steep… but all of them are stunningly beautiful in the fall…

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If you’re going to Chattanooga, take about a 2 hour detour and go to the smoky mountain national park outside of gatlinberg…

Gatlinberg is a tourist hell hole… traffic is horrible and all of the restaurants and shops are always packed to the point of misery…

But by October the trails through the national park will be absolutely beautiful with the fall leaves coming in…

There are a wide variety of hikes available ranging from short and relatively flat.. to long and steep… but all of them are stunningly beautiful in the fall…

@mdwest
Unfortunately we have limited time.
We only have 3days to go from baton rouge to the coast of Virginia.
The first leg from Baton Rouge to Chattanooga is a fair haul so overnight there then Roanoke overnight and hopefully catch up with @Ridge Runner along the way. Then from Roanoke to see other AHers in Virginia.
Could easily spend a month in the USA but wife has relatives and friend to catch up in other countries.
Bob

 

[Flewis]

Someone needs to meet Bob in Philadelphia and help him thru that hell hole.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Someone needs to meet Bob in Philadelphia and help him thru that hell hole.

@Flewis
Only have to get to the airport to drop the car off then catch the plane.
Shouldn't be to hard.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Doesn't look like we are getting many takers for the get together yet.
Where is all them texicans hidin.
Bob

 

[Flewis]

Bob, if I am home at that time I will drive to Virginia and pick you up and take you there. Driving up interstate 95 will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Doesn't look like we are getting many takers for the get together yet.
Where is all them texicans hidin.
Bob

Well, I hope for a few more, but not that many I know within 2 hours drive also.

That’s how we measure distance here, how many hours takes get somewhere.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, if I am home at that time I will drive to Virginia and pick you up and take you there. Driving up interstate 95 will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

@Flewis.
Where about a are y'all at.
Bob

 

[Tbitty]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
Unfortunately, that trek is a bit far for me to make it down.
If'n you happen to make your way through/near Dallas area let us know, I bet a half dozen or so of us locals could find a way to do some lunch or dinner.
Though it sounds like you've got a full schedule, so safe travels as you journey through the states.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen
Unfortunately, that trek is a bit far for me to make it down.
If'n you happen to make your way through/near Dallas area let us know, I bet a half dozen or so of us locals could find a way to do some lunch or dinner.
Though it sounds like you've got a full schedule, so safe travels as you journey through the states.

@Tbitty
We will be landing in Dallas 17th Oct then going to Bryan to stay overnight before heading to El Campo.
Bob

 

[ActionBob]

Doesn't look like we are getting many takers for the get together yet.
Where is all them texicans hidin.
Bob

@Just Gina and I are REALLY wanting to make it. Trying to work out schedules.

@Mark Biggerstaff please put us down as definitely maybe

I mean it's only 3.5 hours drive so that's like right down the block to us

 

[Flbt]

@dchum
I have the perfect engraving tool to engrave it for you mate.
A 5" ANGLE GRINDER

Remember in the us the action not the barrel.
Unless you have the right paperwork

 

[Flewis]

@Flewis.
Where about a are y'all at.
Bob

Near Pittsburgh Pa but I will be in California most of the time you are here. I get home the day you leave. If I were home I’d drive to meet you maybe even to Texas

 

[sgt_zim]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - in Baton Rouge, depending on what time of day you pass through, you need 1 of 2 eatery stops, they're both right off the main highway, Interstate 10.

if passing through for breakfast, you need to stop at Coffee Call and have beignets - a fried pastry coated with powdered sugar.

For lunch or supper, you need to stop for a good sit-down meal at Drago's and have their grilled oysters.

Drago's is right on I-10, and Coffee Call is about a quarter mile farther south than Drago's, on the opposite side of the street.

You can thank me later for either one.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Just Gina and I are REALLY wanting to make it. Trying to work out schedules.

@Mark Biggerstaff please put us down as definitely maybe

I mean it's only 3.5 hours drive so that's like right down the block to us

@ActionBob and @Just Gina
I would be fantastic is you two could make it you are both very well regarded people in my book and I have had much pleasure giving y'all a bit of a laugh with some of my comments.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Near Pittsburgh Pa but I will be in California most of the time you are here. I get home the day you leave. If I were home I’d drive to meet you maybe even to Texas

@Flewis
We will be driving from the Fredericksburg area to Philly the day we leave.
The airport is only a few hours from where we are staying but have allowed 10 hours to get there. This should allow us plenty of time as well as have a bit of a look in the way.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - in Baton Rouge, depending on what time of day you pass through, you need 1 of 2 eatery stops, they're both right off the main highway, Interstate 10.

if passing through for breakfast, you need to stop at Coffee Call and have beignets - a fried pastry coated with powdered sugar.

For lunch or supper, you need to stop for a good sit-down meal at Drago's and have their grilled oysters.

Drago's is right on I-10, and Coffee Call is about a quarter mile farther south than Drago's, on the opposite side of the street.

You can thank me later for either one.

@sgt_zim
Thanks mate. Are they near Baton Rouge.
We will be catching up with that good ol boy @Rick HOlbert in Baton Rouge.
I've been talking to Rick on WhatsApp for a couple of years now and he is a true gentleman.
Everyone raves about Po Boys but they are just a prawn roll with Cajun sauce here in Australia.
My beautiful wife is looking forward to going across the king bridge over lake poncatrain ( know I've spelt it wrong) and seeing New Orleans.
Rick says he's a good cook so may cook up some nice Cajun food.
We are really looking forward to our trip and we don't overly like the tourist thing ,we do some.
We both prefer to get away from the tourist stuff and get to meet the locals and learn about the area from REAL PEOPLE. NT the painted glamour. You get a better feel of a place I think.
Bob

 

[Texas Sharpshooter Fallacy]

I'm interested in joining but not sure on my schedule yet. Put me down as a maybe, please.