<S> All, PLEASE, READ THIS ENTIRE POST!!!,
We at the 49th Fighter Group have had an amazing response to our, “Summer in the South”, get-together! We would like to reiterate that ALL current & former AH players are welcome to attend this event! We have even heard that the infamous Ace Dale “HiTech” Addink may join us for this shindig.
“Summer in the South”
2016
Things You Need to Know
Purpose: To meet & greet your AH friends & enemies for a weekend of camaraderie and conversation, and maybe even a lil game play!
Location: Guntersville, Alabama
Date: 8th, 9th, & 10th of July 2016
Main Event: Saturday, July 9th
Hotel: Wyndham Garden Lake Guntersville
2140 Gunter Avenue
Guntersville, AL 35976 US
1-256-582-2220
http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/alabama/guntersville/wyndham-garden-guntersville/hotel-overviewHotel Rates: $105 per night for lakeside accommodations if you state that you are with the 49th Fighter Group; may be cheaper for a non-lakeside room. Double & King rooms have been held for our group. Rooms are still available; please book them before they fill up!!! Seriously this is 2 weeks away!!!
Other Hotels: Other hotels are available in the area, as well as Guntersville State Park which offers Primitive Camping, RV areas, Cabins, and a State Park Hotel. Info for the park can be found at:
http://www.alapark.com/lake-guntersville-state-park
Local Airport Info for Fly-ins:The Guntersville Municipal Airport — Joe Starnes Field — is located 3 miles northeast of the city at 405 Buck Island Road. The new airport currently has a 4,000' x 75' runway soon to be expanded to 5,005 by early spring of 2016. The interim airport office is located in the corner of the easternmost T hangar.
Hours of Operation:
Seven days a week — 8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
Rental cars available, please call ahead for availability.
Fuel available: Jet A and 100 Low Lead.
Services provided by:
Guntersville Aviation at (256) 582-6087
Bob Martin, Manager
AirNav Info: FAA Identifier: 8A1
Main Event Itinerary: Saturday, July 9th, 2016
10 am: Meet & Greet in the Wyndham Garden Board Room (Room has internet access.)
11 am: Food/Board Room payment & preparation. Food will be catered by Kentucky Fried Chicken (We figure everyone likes chicken & southern fixings). The Board Room is being reserved because we southerners know that most people over the age of six enjoy a chair and some air conditioning in the middle of July in Alabama. If you wish to eat and/or enjoy the comforts of conditioned air a fee will be assed from you at this time to ensure that the food and room will be monetarily covered. At this point we cannot imagine that this fee will be any more than $25 per person for food and the use of the room, and will most likely be much less, but plan on $25 dollars to be safe.
1 pm: Lunch, or more heavy drinking….
2 pm till: Gaming in the Board room for those who wish to participate until they kick us out! (Bracketed DA fights, missions, and other gaming exploits may be expected. Bring your gear if you want!!! We may also have team on team or squad on squad fights in custom arenas. Maybe even an AH3 event/evaluation? )
2 pm till: Beers & BS at the gazebo, dock, and lakefront at the hotel! (We’re gonna take the hotel over like we’re sitting at the Bish HQ in our M3s!!!)
Food Options: You may order food through us on Saturday if you would like. You may also bring & cook your own food on an outside (hotel provided) grill if you would like. There is a Publix grocery store directly across the street from the hotel which should provide you with a plethora of options. (Be aware food is a taxed staple in Alabama, so don’t be surprised by that, but on the other hand we have NO BOTTLE DEPOSIT!) The grill mentioned above is a state park like, all-weather, iron BBQ grill provided by the hotel for paying guests outside of the 1st floor. It is our hopes that one of our attendees will let us use their grill for those of us who wish to cook their own food. That being said let’s go ahead and say, “Please limit your food options to those which can be prepared on a grill in less than 15 min, so that everyone will be able to eat in a timely manner. There is also a great BBQ joint and a Waffle House within spitting distance of the hotel.
If you want seafood, there is also an awesome place called Wintzell’s very close to the hotel which is well known for its seafood in Alabama.
http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/locations/Top O’ The River is another great place to eat if you like catfish and southern fried foods. It can be seen from the hotel across the inlet.
Entertainment: The Stearman NC55268 is a WWII era aircraft built in 1941. NC55268 was originally used as a trainer for the US Army Air Corps during WWII. This airplane was one of the airplanes used to train the Tuskegee Airman. The airplane has a current annual and is still flown regular. This aircraft and others may be viewed at:
http://homerwilsonvintagemuseum.org/ To my knowledge this aircraft can be hired for excursion flights. If you wish to participate you should call Bill Greenhaw. He can be reached at 256-572-8457.
Guntersville Lake is one of the top 5 bass fishing lakes in the nation. Bring your boat!!!
Guntersville has recently installed a small carnival venue featuring rides and other small attractions.
Guntersville State Park is very close and provides a large amount of options such as, hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, et, et.
Huntsville is 30 minutes away and has almost everything you could wish to do in a medium sized American city. It is well known for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center which I highly recommend you visit on Sunday. Huntsville also has various other points of interest which can be Googled at your leisure.
Travel Suggestions:If you can drive I would recommend you do because you will need a car to get around in Guntersville. If you wish to take a commercial flight and rent a car to get to Guntersville, here are three options:
Fly in to Huntsville, Alabama. This is the closest & most direct route, but is the most expensive.
Fly in to Birmingham, Alabama. This option is cheaper, but you have to fly in to Birmingham.
Fly in to Nashville or Chattanooga, Tennessee. These cities may be cheaper, and would be my choice if money was a concern.
I trust that this post answers any questions anyone may still have about what we are doing this July. I hope that everyone who wishes to attend can do so, and that it turns out to be a great event that we can start to do annually!
See you in July! <S>
49MERLIN
CO/49thFG
