23rd Annual Tow Hill Training Session
at
Pirmann Residence
Port Matilda, PA
November 13th through November 16th, 2009
Training Event and Retired Musher Reunion
This Event Will Offer:
- Training on closed loop trails - private use, sled dog teams only
- Free lodging for the first thirty-two registrants
- Campers encouraged
- Park in one place for the entire week-end
Event Description:
This is a "fun" training and social event. Mushers are encouraged to come and stay all four days. Day trippers are welcome. R.S.V.P.
Trail Description:
Closed loop trails - private use, sled dog teams only. Mechanized teams welcome all four days. Lots of opportunity for passing - overtake or head-on. Forest trails, 8 feet or wider, rolling terrain. Pick your distance. You can run 1/4 mile or stay out there all day, and you are never more than 1/3 mile from the lodge! For the first time in over 10 years, we have a NEW trail. Still needs some grooming work, tho. We also have another bunkhouse. We burned some of the beds that were in the Lodge.
Entry and Event Fees:
There are no tent, cabin, electric, shower, etc. fees.
Event Organizers:
Ginnie and Scott Pirmann
Email: halfmoonrealty@aol.com
Phone Number: (814) 692-SLED (692-7533)
Event Information:
Come for as many or as few days as you can (or like). Park in one place for the entire week-end. Free hot water. Free lodging for the first thirty-two registrants. Campers encouraged.
We do not cancel for intermittent rain, only for floods. To date, we have NEVER postponed or canceled. No rain date.
Event Registration Notes:
If you reserve and later decide not to come, LET US KNOW! That's what R.S.V.P. means! [Somebody may want the bed we reserved for you]
Event Rules:
There is NO SMOKING permitted in the buildings, however, smokers are encouraged to (quit) come and participate. There is NO LITTERING permitted on our property. You must dispose of your butts in the burn barrel, NOT in a recycle barrel. Bring "inside" and "outside" footwear. We do not track the gravel thru the house. We also do not prune or otherwise mutilate living trees. Anyone determined to have done this will be ordered to leave at once.
Food:
Breakfast:
We eat Saturday, Sunday, and Monday breakfast in the lodge. Ginnie makes egg casserole on Sunday morning and people bring other breakfast munchies to contribute Sat-Mon.
Lunch:
Lunch is at your truck.
Dinner:
This year, there is a Penn State football game, so we plan to eat here Friday evening. Ginnie and Scott will provide the grillin’ stuff.
Saturday is our (famous) Pot Luck night. Please inform us as to what you will be bringing.
Please tell us if you are coming for Friday or Saturday dinner, and HOW MANY [and who] are in your party . Please give us an E.T.A.
Onsite Lodging:
We have indoor sleeping accommodations for thirty-two (more or less) guests. Bring your own pillow, sleeping bag, mug, towel, and wash cloth. Bring a change of clothing, including shoes, because we provide a room for you to change clothing prior to entering our home.
Camping Information:
If you wish to camp out, that is fine (encouraged).
Hosts' Checklist:
- Made reservation
- Will/will not be there Friday dinner
- Will/will not be there Saturday dinner
- Pot luck dishes you will bring
- How long will you stay?
- Need a bed, or camping?
- How many vehicles?
- How many people? [their names]
- How many dogs? (don’t need names)
- Your lunch
- Your rig and petrol for it
- Dogs, harnesses, chains
- BOWLS, DOG FOOD
- Maps, GPS
- Your Mug
- Your Pillow
- Your Sleeping Bag
- Your Beverages
- Swap Meet - bring stuff you want to sell or trade
Event Registrar:
Ginnie and Scott Pirmann
Email: halfmoonrealty@aol.com
Phone Number: (814) 692-SLED (692-7533)
Contact anytime.
If you reserve and later decide not to come, LET US KNOW! That's what R.S.V.P. means! (Somebody may want the bed we reserved for you)
Directions to the Event:
The "from SE" and "from NE" take you by Beaver Stadium. Friday night/Saturday morning arrivals will want to avoid this. The "NE" people can take old 220 from the MILESBURG exit (after Bellefonte exit) and proceed south on OLD 220 to Port Matilda. Nothing that easy for the SE people - come early Friday or VERY early Saturday.
From the Southeast:
Rt 322 west AROUND State College to Rt. 550 south. (follow signs to Waddle, Rt. 550) Road construction has been completed. Left onto 550 at Uni-Mart, 4 1/2 miles thru Stormstown to WAY Fruit Farm. Left onto Smith Road, 0.9 miles to Tow Hill Road (on the curve). Left onto Tow Hill Road, go 0.2 mile, Left onto UNI ROAD to Tow Hill Kennel.
From the West:
I-80 to Woodland exit 123 (old #20) right onto Rt. 970, left onto Rt. 322 EAST (Steep downhill approaching 322 - BE CAREFUL!) Go thru Philipsburg (NOW A FREEWAY coming into Port) take PORT MATILDA EXIT, then straight thru light at Port. From Southwest - Rt 220/I 99 to Port Matilda exit , right off the exit ramp, straight thru light at Port.
From the Northeast:
I-80 to Bellefonte exit, Rt 220 south to Rt. 322 west [this is all future Interstate 99 highway], Follow signs for Waddle/Rt. 550. Turn left at Uni-Mart (blinking light), Rt. Pa. 550 south, then follow "from southeast".
From Port Matilda:
Cross over small mountain ridge 1.9 miles to Rt. 550. Left onto 550 North for 0.9 miles, then Right onto Smith Road. 0.9 to Tow Hill, left 0.2 to Uni, left to Kennel.