Final Reminders and Updated Driveway Conditions

Final Reminders from President Van...

"#1 bring mugs

#2  everything changed overnight.  The driveway is almost unrecognizable.  I’ve seen some things in my time but this takes the cake.  Apparently the contractor we hired to build the driveway tried to save a penny and used Chinese drywall. That’s all I can say at this point. I hope this doesn’t deter you from coming to the Elk toss in a few hours. 75th year!  Cheap drywall or not!"

Weather Forecast and Driveway Conditions

Looks like it will be a perfect day for Elk Tossing - cold with a strong wind blowing right in your face for the Elk Toss, lows around freezing, highs about 40, chance of flurries or snow showers. Check out the Danville weather forecasts from the National Weather Service, Weather Channel, or Accuweather for more information.

For the first time in many years, the driveway should be completely free of snow and ice, so we do not expect any problems getting to the farm.

Also, we wanted to remind everyone that the Wagners are graciously hosting the Elk Toss again this year, and we want to keep them happy so we can have the event there next year. A few reminders for people coming to the Wagner Farm...

1. As mentioned previously, No Dogs Allowed. The Wagners raise rabbits, chickens, and a peacock named Kevin, and they have already had several animals killed by dogs. The Wagners also do not want to clean up frozen dog feces from the yard after everyone leaves.
2. No Smoking inside the barn. Also, please do not toss cigarette butts in the yard, as the chickens will eat them, get sick, and die. Please throw your butts in a designated butt can.
3. Drive and park carefully. The grass areas could get soft and possibly muddy later in the day, so drive accordingly. Parking is limited, so carpooling is recommended. Also, watch out for children and the previously mentioned animals.
4. Also, please help clean up trash before you leave the Wagner Farm.

Driveway Update - February 18

With only one week until the Elk Toss, we received the following driveway update from Van...

"I’ve never seen it so good.  If you have been waiting for the best driveway conditions in 37 years, your day has arrived!  Imagine a dusting of light gravel overlapping a tightly packed 10 inches layer of 2A modified limestone.  Under all of this, a small layer of clay on top of shale bedrock.  Folks, it doesn’t get any better.  In closing, I would ask all able persons to bring 1 bucket of gravel to spread on lower driveway where pipe was laid last month.  PS I’m serious.  Just spread it in the pot holes and places that do not fit the description above."

Blog Comments and Driveway Update

Please do not be scared to post comments to our blog posts. We like to hear from our members.

Also, we have had several questions about the February 13 Driveway Update post. At this time, we can only report that there is no new news. We will provide any updates as soon as they are received.

Driveway Update - February 13

From President Van...

"Over the weekend 2-3 inches of snow fell causing icing on the driveway. If conditions do not improve, the the 75th Elk Toss will be cancelled. Check back for details."

Driveway Update Update

We have received some additional information about the driveway update that was provided yesterday:

From Mr. Wagner:

"It has come to my attention that some people misunderstood by what I meant by saying Tamara and I were "laying pipe". I hope the attached picture will better explain our driveway improvements.
-Count Van Wagner"

Groundhog Day Driveway Update

Happy Groundhog Day. Here's the most recent update on the driveway conditions from DGS President Van Wagner:

"Tamara and I are pleased to share with you that we spent all of New Years Day laying pipe. The sheer size, length, and diameter of the pipe will astonish you. I am happy to report the driveway is well."

Update from Van: "I have pictures and video of us laying pipe to share upon personal request."

Driveway Conditions - January 11

As we celebrate Aldo Leopold's birthday today, it is important to consider the driveway conditions at the Wagner Farm.

The official driveway conditions report for January 11, 2012:

"Amazing."

75th Annual Christmas Eve Driveway Report

From DGS President Van Wagner...

I am pleased to report above-average conditions for the Wagner driveway for December 24, 2011. There are two slight hazards worth mentioning. First, a small icy patch where spring water is freezing on the shale bedrock. This does not appear to be a big enough issue to warrant the creation of another Shale-Ice Committee as in 1998. The second issue is a toilet flange on a stump above the driveway. This cast iron device could potentially become unstable and land on a windshield. I have several people looking into this situation later this afternoon. Feliz!

Driveway Conditions Update - December 13

Every year, it seems like we have had concerns about the driveway conditions at the Wagner Farm. So this year, we are going to attempt to provide semi-regular updates of the conditions until the 2012 Elk Toss. We know that conditions can change in the next 10+ weeks, but we feel that you can use all the information that we have available.

Van Wagner, our official Danville German Society Driveway and Parking Conditions Inspector, submitted the following driveway conditions report earlier today:

"There are bodies all over the place."

Not sure what that means, but at least there is not any ice, snow, or flood damage at this time.

Wagner Farm Driveway Conditions

The Wagner's driveway is expected to be icy in some areas once again this year. The rain of last night and today will help a bit, but it is expected to re-freeze tonight. Therefore, as always, please try to drive a 4WD vehicle to the Wagner Farm or carpool with someone who has a 4WD vehicle.

When driving up the driveway, please follow the advice in an email from Van that was sent before last year's event:

"My front wheel drive Saturn has been fine...but people CAN NOT STOP HALFWAY UP TO SMELL THE ROSES AND THEN TRY TO GO AGAIN. My driveway is like a marriage, you have to commit. Like a marriage, there is ice, there are ditches, it is wet is places, you'll have arguments about drinking, you have push on because at the end is a glorious mountain top with space and sunshine."

Hints: drive at a consistent speed on the hill, don't follow another vehicle too closely, let someone else drive if you have never driven on snow/ice, have fun.

Much more parking has been made available for this year, so that should not be a problem like previous years, but we still recommend carpooling as much as possible. You can leave vehicles at the Pine Barn Inn parking area while you are at the Wagner Farm.

Driveway Conditions at the Wagner Farm

Judging from the quality and frequency of his emails, Van is really excited about the Elk Toss this year. Here's another great one, which will also help you in getting to the top of the driveway at the Wagner Farm:

"My front wheel drive Saturn has been fine...but people CAN NOT STOP HALFWAY UP TO SMELL THE ROSES AND THEN TRY TO GO AGAIN. My driveway is like a marriage, you have to commit. Like a marriage, there is ice, there are ditches, it is wet is places, you'll have arguments about drinking, you have push on because at the end is a glorious mountain top with space and sunshine."

What he is trying to say is that there is some snow and ice on the driveway and it is uphill, although it has been improving over the past few days without new snow. 4WD vehicles will help, but the key is to maintain a steady pace on the hill. Do not be scared. The driveway should be in much better conditions than the past few years.

Oh, and when you get to the top of the hill, parking is limited, so try to carpool as much as possible.

This message was brought to you by the DGS Traffic and Road Conditions Department.