The annual FLTC Fall Campout is three days of hikes and two evening programs, usually in a more rustic setting.

2019 Fall Campout

September 20, 2019 – September 22, 2019
Fred’s Inn & Restaurant in Norwich, New York
Hosted by the Bullthistle Hiking Club

The Bullthistle Hiking Club is looking forward to hosting an enjoyable FLT Fall weekend September 20-22, 2019. The event location is Fred’s Inn & Restaurant in Norwich, New York. Not only is there on-site lodging available, there is a full bar and restaurant (special note: you cannot bring in outside alcohol into bar, registration area or banquet hall).

We know that no one will go away hungry from the Friday or Saturday night buffet dinners. Fred’s Inn is known for buffet meals with plenty of food from salad, entrees, hot sides and desserts. After full days of hiking, participants will be able to relax in the bar (cash) and then attend the buffet meals with entertainment that will make your visit to Norwich truly memorable.

We have made an effort to include activities for those new to hiking, non-hikers, and the veteran hikers. We have provided a list of lodging for you to make your own choice based on your preferences. Chenango county offers fabulous Bed & Breakfasts, numerous campgrounds, and several hotels.

The event location has a limited number (25) of rooms available.  We have arranged a discounted rate of $69 per night. Individuals interested in this option should act fast and contact the Inn at 607-334-9282. Be sure to mention the FLT hiking event that you are attending. All rooms have mini-fridges, TVs, hairdryers, irons, coffeemakers, microwaves in every room and internet. Fred’s Inn will allow a limited number of small, tear drop size trailers, to dry camp in the parking lot. Contact Peg Fuller, BHC President at 315-653-7345 or [email protected] for details.

Schedule Of Events

Friday, Sept 20, 2019
11 AM Registration Opens
12 PM-2 PM Hikes depart, see schedule
5 PM Social hour, Cash bar available
6 PM-7:30 PM Buffet dinner
7:30 PM Presentation by Henry Drexler

Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
8 AM Registration opens
8 AM-9:30 AM Pre-paid bag lunch pick up
8 AM-9:30 AM Hikes Depart
5 PM Social hour, cash bar
6 PM-7:00 PM Buffet dinner
7 PM-7:30 PM Remarks and awards
7:30 PM Presentation by Rick Brockway

Sunday, Sept 22, 2019
8 AM-9 AM Pre-paid bag lunch pick up
8 AM-9 AM Hikes Depart
9 AM-Noon FLT Board meeting

 

Registration (online or mail-in)

Online: http://www.bullthistlehiking.org/p/flt-fall-weekend-registration.html
Mail-in: FLT 2019 Registration Form

 

Lodging Information:

Lodging: http://www.bullthistlehiking.org/p/fall-weekend-lodging-options.html

 

Driving Directions

Fred’s Inn & Restaurant 5149 NY-12 Norwich, NY 13815 (please use side entrance)

Easily accessible on Rt. 12 Norwich. It is 1.5 miles south of Norwich Walmart.

From the south:
Interstate 81 N. Take exit 6 for US-11 toward NY-12/Nimmonsburg/Chenango Bridge. Continue onto NY-12 N (32.0 mi). Destination on the left.

From the north:
Interstate 81. Take exit 10 for US-11/NY-41 S. Sharp right onto NY-41 S (14.0 mi). Turn left onto NY-26 N (1.4 mi). Turn right onto NY-23 E (7.4 mi). Turn right onto County Rd 10 (9.1 mi). Turn right onto County Rt 4/Georgetown Rd. Continue to follow County Rt 4 (2.3 mi). Continue onto Georgetown Rd (3.7 mi). Turn left onto NY-12 N. Destination on the left.

From the east:
Take Interstate 88 W to exit 13 toward NY-205 N. Turn right onto NY-205 N (2.1 mi). Turn left onto NY-23 W. Follow Rt. 23 west to Norwich. Turn left onto NY-12/N Broad St. Continue to follow NY-12 through Norwich. Destination will be on the right.

 

After Dinner Presentations

Friday Evening
Henry Drexler, will present on the history of Chenango County and the local landscape. Henry is a self-taught contemporary artist from Chenango County, NY. His artwork is inspired by that experience, the rural landscape and his interest in gardening and local history. He has been represented by galleries in Lexington, MA, Lambertville, NJ, Bethesda, MD, and Alexandria, VA. Presently, his work can be seen at the Smithy-Pioneer Gallery in Cooperstown, NY. He served as a trustee and deputy historian of the Chenango County Historical Society. Henry and his wife, Anita, live in the Town of Guilford, NY. They have planted thousands of trees and developed the 63 acre property using permaculture principles to encourage a rich diversity of plants and wildlife. He has photographed his gardens and the Chenango County landscape for over 40 years and draws upon these photographs for his public presentations. In 2006 he decided to methodically photograph all the dairy barns in Chenango County. This led to the creation of an archive that now contains over 22,000 images.

Saturday Evening:
Rick Brockway, will present on “Hiking and other Outdoor Adventures”. Rick was raised on the family farm outside West Oneonta where he learned to love nature and the out-of-doors. Rick climbed mountains, fished the rivers and streams and hunted deer and bear in the rugged back country. He was a licensed Adirondack guide for over 20 years, leading people into the wilderness both on foot and on horseback. He has hunted and fished in Alaska and northern Quebec above the Arctic Circle as well as across the United States and Canada. These exploits led him to being the Outdoor Columnist for Oneonta’s Daily Star for the last 18 years and has been published in a dozen different outdoor magazines including Big Game Adventures (published in Alberta, Canada) and Fur-Fish-Game. He was a staff writer for Fly Fishing New England and Mid-Atlantic Fly Fishing. To celebrate his 60th birthday, Rick put on a backpack and hiked across the Adirondacks on the 125 mile Northville-Placid Trail. At 70, he climbed all of the 35 High Peaks of the Catskills, becoming a member of the Catskill 3500 Club.

 

Meals

Pre-ordered grab and go lunches for Saturday and Sunday contains a bottle of water, fruit, wrap, dessert.
Wrap choices are:

  • Ham with cheese, lettuce, tomato, mustard.
  • Turkey with lettuce, tomato, honey mustard.
  • Veggie (multiple veggies with hummus).

Friday night buffet: salad bar, vegetable lasagna, Italian sausage with peppers & onions, sirloin beef tips with mushrooms in Merlot demi-glace, pork loin in gravy, butternut squash, Mediterranean mixed vegetables, oven roasted seasoned red potatoes, scalloped potatoes with ham, mozzarella sticks, breaded toasted ravioli, and a dessert bar.

Saturday night buffet: salad bar, chef carved baked ham and roast turkey carving station, chicken marsala, vegetable lasagna, Swedish meatballs, seafood Newburg, sweet corn, herb stuffing, sautéed green beans with roasted red peppers, honey roasted red potatoes, breaded vegetables, breaded macaroni & cheese bites, and a dessert bar.

Breakfast is on your own, ask at registrations for recommendations.

 

Hikes

See the Hike List for a complete listing of hikes each day.

 

T-Shirts:

Price: $20
Order Link: http://www.bullthistlehiking.org/p/shirt-order.html
Description: Shirts are 100% wicking poly, are available only in the color shown, and can be purchased only through pre-order.  Click the order link for more information or to order your shirt.

 

Area Attractions

Area attractions include the Northeast Classic Car Museum, Rogers Environmental Center, Wolf Mountain, Black Bear Winery, Good Nature Farm Brewery & Tap Room, and many more.  See the list of Area Attractions for more information and links.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the weekend transportation for hikes work?

You will go to Fred’s Inn on Rt. 12 in Norwich.
Go to the registration table (side entrance to banquet hall).
We will check you in and provide your name tag and other information,
The hikes will meet right in that parking lot by the gazebo.
We will ask for volunteers to drive. Some hikes have a lot of people some hikes have a few people.
Some hikes require a car drop. Your hike leader for each hike will know the specifics of that hike.
They will have directions too.

How do the meals work?

Someone will be at the registration table all day Friday and Saturday. If you purchased a prepaid lunch for Saturday or Sunday, that lunch will need to be picked up at registration that morning. Prior to the evening buffets (prepayment was required) and presentations, there is a full service bar open all day and you are welcome to relax after your hikes.  The restaurant itself will be open during the event so if you are not participating in the prepaid meal, they have a full menu with great food available.