SUSTAINING MEMBERS ONLY: GOtoberFest!!!

If you missed it, then you missed the passion, camaraderie and magic of our first GOtoberFest at the Mad River Lodge!

This event was a reunion and homecoming event for gay outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.   

We all came from distant points, hurrying along to arrive as soon as possible to enjoy the surroundings of the Mad River Lodge and to meet new and familiar faces once more. From the views extending for miles, the peak foliage and the comfortable accommodations, the Mad River Lodge was perfect our first GOtoberFest.    

Dan and Dave decided to hike up Sandwich Dome before the start and ended up encountering snow on the summit! Yes…winter is arriving early in the White Mountains.

Everyone began arriving soon after 3PM and after getting settled in the bunkroom joined us in the great room sharing appetizers and placed their craft brews in our communal cooler for our Beer Blast.

I particularly enjoyed our Potluck where the culinary outdoor talents of our members were in full display! I was just amazed how great all the dishes were.  Dishes included chicken teriyaki, grilled pork loin, baked ziti, eggplant lasagna, roasted vegetable, fall salad and a chocolate espresso cake. Gay men sure know how to cook!

We then went outside and lit up a massive bonfire as we looked up at thousands of stars above.  Jon and I lit up a pumpkin Sky Lantern that stayed afloat high into the sky for easily 5 minutes. Later in the evening, Jon and I shot off a bunch of fireworks that everyone enjoyed.

Sunday some members took a walk down to the Mad River from the house. Nate and John took a short hike at the nearby Smarts Brook Gorge. This was a fun weekend with an amenable group of GO members.  We’d like to welcome Bob at his first GO event.

Thanks to all that signed up and participated! All proceeds from overnight lodging was donated to GO. We raised $310! We had a fun and relaxing time. Hope to see you on our other trips real soon!

Mike and Jon            

This much anticipated event of the autumn season typically draws sustaining members from the region and neighboring states for a great time!

It's the perfect way to meet fellow sustaining members! 

All sustaining members are invited to our Potluck on a beautiful autumn day by spending the afternoon at Mad River Lodge. This is an event for sustaining members to kick back, relax, share a meal and swap stories of their time in the woods! The Mad River Lodge is a great venue with breathtaking views of Sandwich Dome and colorful fall foliage in the Mad River valley.

We are expecting a large turnout. We will enjoy a fun-filled day of playing, socializing, eating great food, and meeting up with old friends and making new ones.

Location

The Mad River Lodge is privately owned [Mike and Jon’s house], near Waterville Valley and approximately 3 miles off Exit 28 from Interstate 93. It is easily accessible to most of the major urban areas in New England and Quebec. It is approximately a 2 hour drive from Boston, 2 ½ hours from Portland, 3 hours from Providence, 3 ½ hours from Montreal and 5 hours from New York City.  

Please Post Pre-Event Activities

Before the event, we welcome members to post hiking trips nearby! Waterville Valley itself offers a number of hikes including Goodrich Rock, The Scaur, Snows Mountain and Noon Peak. Moderate hikes include Jennings Peak, Mt. Tecumseh and our adopted trail, Mt. Osceola. Closer to the Lodge is the ever popular Welch/Dickey Loop and the much easier Yellow Jacket/Smarts Brook Trails. If you would like to run one of these hikes but need help, contact us!

>>Click Here to Post an Activity

Beer/Wine Blast ~ 3:00PM

We’ll start off the party with our traditional Beer/Wine Blast! Bring a six pack of your favorite local craft beer or vintage wine to share in our communal cooler and sample what everyone else brought! We’ll have name badges and it’s a great way to meet the gang. Relax on our property, enjoy the spectacular views, or take a short walk to the Mad River to hang out by the water. Socialize and meet other sustaining members!

If you prefer to bring cheese/crackers or a veggie platter instead of something for the Potluck, we’ll have a table set up so you can share with everyone. 

We highly recommend to bring a lawn chair if you would like to sit. There will not be any tables for you to eat from.  

Potluck ~ 5:30 PM

Bring something tasty to the BBQ/potluck to share. Please focus on main dishes since we usually have so many appetizers and dessert that it gets thrown away; packaged food usually does not eaten. You can use our gas grill if you need to grill something, oven to bake/warm up something, our stovetop for cooked pasta and we’ll have lots of outlets if you want to plug in a crock pot.

Main entrees is where we typically fall short so please make this your first choice to contribute to the potluck. Vegetarian dishes and a description of the ingredients are appreciated. Pasta dishes are a good second choice. And everyone loves salads: potato, pasta or garden salad!

We usually have way too much dessert so please make this your last choice for the potluck. Please refrain from contributing packaged bakery items, bread, soda/lemonade, etc. Homemade food always gets eaten and we usually end up throwing away the packaged food.

We will provide paper plates, plastic utensils, napkins and serving utensils.

Campfire ~ 6:30PM

After the potluck we’ll light up a fire to keep everyone warm. 

GOtoberFest Fireworks ~ 7:30PM

Later on, it's relax time watching the alpenglow off of Sandwich Mountain followed by FIREWORKS!!!

Must Register on Website

The event is a great way to come out and meet sustaining members. Everyone must be a SUSTAINING MEMBER and register on the website in order to attend so we can communicate additional details as we get closer to the date.

Dogs

Dogs will be allowed if they get along with people and other dogs. Please put them on a leash when we are eating so they are not begging for food.

Lodging and Camping Options

This a fundraiser for GO so if you wish to stay at the Mad River Lodge Saturday night in one of our bunk beds, all proceeds will be given to GO. The cost will be $50 for Saturday night. If all eight bunks are taken, that means a $400 donation. 

We will also allow tenting at $20 per person or $35 for a couple with these proceeds also donated to GO. Otherwise, there are many lodging options nearby in Waterville Valley which is ten minutes away. Unfortunately, the nearby White Mountain National Forest campgrounds will have closed for the season.  

Rain date would be the following day, Sunday October 14th but we would be starting at Noon and have to skip the Campfire and Fireworks. We would also not be providing lodging/tenting for Sunday night. 

So come and enjoy the lovely and secluded natural environment of the Mad River Lodge 5 private acres along the Mad River…the gorgeous mountain fall foliage…a delicious Potluck, campfire and fireworks! Put the dates in your calendar! We’ll see you there!!!

Your hosts,

Mike and Jon