Good luck with that, there's practically no cell signal at Fontana. If you have an actual GPS device (as in not your phone) I would highly recommend bringing that along. If you can come earlier and arrive during the day time it might be easier to see/find stuff.

Out of Hibernation - Getting Ready for ZDayZ 2016
 

Michael,

Deb and I are a go for the Sunday to Sunday trip to Fontana Village. I will again be driving the "MAZOC Support Vehicle and will be pulling the official MAZOC Bass Boat!

Have already been in contact with Jon & Pat - we'll be loading up a lot of the left over supplies from last year (flatwear, plates, cups, etc.), Since I've got the truck, I should have plenty of "mule capacity" so if anyone needs assistance with transport of "stuff", just let me know.

Looking forward to the trip - if anyone would like to join me for some fishing outings, just don't forget to pickup a North Carolina fishing license - you can get one just for a few days (as opposed to buying one for the whole year) - you can probably also purchase one at the Marina.

All from here for now.

My cousin might be joining us for the caravan. He's planning on coming down for at least the main ZDayZ event, but I'm trying to convince him to come down for the whole week. I'll have him register for the caravan if he does decide to come with us.

I might have to take you up on the offer to transport stuff. The C7 doesn't quite have the storage capacity of the Z. I'd probably bring over the stuff the day before we head out, if that would be alright with you.

Also, I'll pass on fishing for this year :icon17:

You mean "I'll pass on the standing, sitting, standing, sitting in a boat for hours at a time with no sign of aquatic life" don't you?

In years past, Fontana Resort has had some availability in the week leading up to ZDAYZ. They just start filling up Thur and 100% booked Fri-Sun. You could always try them and see if they do have lodge rooms. You cabin may even be available for the rest of the week.

For those following, I updated some of the information on the OP. I want to firm up the menus and such a little bit more before I edit that.

Also, do we have the MAZOC Banner in the hands of someone planning on attending this year?

I'll bring two chairs to the cabin and plan on leaving them for the week.

PLEASE REGISTER IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO!!!!

yeah I see myself getting there before sunset... fingers crossed.

Im still working on the Z, getting it ready for my zdayz... I'm a little nervous like a virgin on prom night...:ugh2::ugh2::ugh2:

Oh I could see the aquatic life, it was just super racist and refused to cooperate :roflpuke2:

Mr. President probably has it, I can try and get it from him when I go to drop off my stuff with the other Steve.

You 100% should get there before sunset. Leave super early in the morning if you have to. Fontana is easy to miss in the dark and you won't have any idea where to go if you even make it there. It's difficult to navigate at first if you don't have any help.

dude, how about this.. when Im close, maybe one of you guys can meet me somewhere nearby and guide me... (maybe, just a thought, if its not too much trouble)

We might be able to do something like that, but again there's the problem of very limited cell/data signal at Fontana.

when I get on the road, I'll have an estimated time of arrival, so I'll let you guys know when I'll be there.. I'll be on time.

A good idea would be for you to get a walkie talkie and set it to the channel we're using at Fontana. Then once you're there, you can hit us up on the radio and we can come find you. FYI this is how we all communicate with each other while we're down there. Much more reliable than cell phones due to the very spotty coverage.

Speaking of walkie talkies, anyone have a recommendation for a good one? I borrowed Steve's last year (which I still need to give back to him :p), but I'm looking to buy my own this year. I know absolutely nothing about them. I don't want to spend too much on it since I will only use it like once a year.

We have used Channel 5 with sub-channel 5 in the past.

I think any of the Motorola Series (Talkabout, etc...) will serve you well. You may want to get the kind that have the battery packs that can be traded out for "AA" batteries.

Blades, very good idea... is the crew staying at fontana village?

They always do, and the walkies will keep you in touch with everyone there, as well as while in caravan (within reason). I just picked up a set of Motorolas for about $45, and while I can't yet speak to how well they work, I can say they have built-in flashlights, which should be helpful for navigating Fontana at night! :p

will any motorola work? even if you have different models?

I got my eyes on a pair of motorola walkie talkies... (i can't fricken believe it, I'm going to fricken zdayz itches!!!!)

Just about any of the FRS/GMRS 2-way radios that are 22 or more channels should work. Most of us have Motorola radios, but Cobra makes a good product. You can get a good set for around $40-$60 easily on Amazon.

There are some really cheap brands on Amazon (Floureon), but I don't know how well they work.

Just ordered a pair of motorola radios from Amazon

thanks fellas...

I just purchased my walkie talkies.. I picked up a brand new set of motorolas online for $25..

I talked to Chris who said that he will be joining us from Sunday to Sunday. He said he filled out the form so you should be able to put him on the list as well.

Hi friends! VABAM sent me here... I am still working out my trip but I may be interested in joining your caravan if you have room for a Canadian :p

I guess I have a few questions... how long is the drive from your departure (let's say you guys leave at 6am) to Fontana? and uhh... what's the intersection? I need to see if there are any motels around for Saturday night.

and what time are you planning on leaving the following sunday?

Sorry, no Canadians allowed! Lol jk :p

Here is the address for where we are departing from along with a Google Maps link for the route we will be taking down to Fontana.

Starbucks, 12599 Fair Lakes Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22033

Route to Fontana

We leave from the Starbucks in Fairfax, VA at 6 AM and it takes us around 12-14 hrs to get down there. We do make frequent quick stops as breaks along with a longer break for lunch. If you were to do the drive with minimal breaks (only stopping for gas) it takes about 9-10 hrs.

We usually leave around 6-7 AM from Fontana the following Sunday. Last year I decided to go ahead of the caravan and just drive back on my own. Saved a couple hours that way since I took minimal breaks and had to go about an hour past Fairfax to get home. Took me about 10 hours.

Hope this helps!

thanks for the info! I think I might have to pass up on the caravan... :(

I will be making a few rounds to the cabins to meet everyone!

Got the warden to let me of of work, will be heading down on Wed. Hope to be able to join the caravan back on Sunday.

Just registered!

Am I the only one excited for zdayz??

:icon08:


Hey blades, what cabin is everyone in? Man, Im afraid Im not gonna be able to find you guys..

Cabin 660 is MAZOC headquarters. Just give us a heads up on when you expect to get there and we can come find you.

got it, thanks!

Just FYI, Jon and Pat rent 660, so they're they only ones who stay there, but they are kind enough to allow MAZOC to use it as home base and that's where we cook meals, keep food and beverages, and generally hang out.

Ani!! haven't seen you around in ages! I'll get to meet you! maybe at registration or before? lol



I'll be there sunday-sunday (well leaving before dawn) I'll swing by before the event to say hi to everyone... mind you I'm just a shy little Asian kid so don't bite guys :ughdance: wouldn't mind going for a cruise with everyone pre-event or just cars n chill!

also do you guys mind sharing what radio channel you will be using with walkie talkies so I can see if you guys are around?

Yeah, I let my premium membership lapse. It'll be great to meet you! I promise I'll be gentle. :p

I usually caravan down with MAZOC, but I won't be this year because I'll be coming from Murfreesboro, TN on Monday - my baby sister is getting married there Sunday evening. (She's getting hitched at a brewery, and serving breakfast for dinner for the reception - could I have a cooler sister?!?)

The earlier part of the week is pretty quiet, so I'm sure I'll meet you before registration. I'll have to look up the radio channel MAZOC uses and send that to you.

:iagree:

Also whatever you do, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PHONE THERE OVERNIGHT WITH AN ALARM SET TO GO OFF VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING!!! :rofl2:

we should get some of those "hello, my name is" stickers...

good idea or no?

:icon08:

When you pick up your stuff at registration, you get a badge with your name on it. That won't be until the actual event starts though.

I think I'm going to be a token Asian kid so.... yea

if you see a 5'5 Asian guy with another 5'2 Asian girl that look like typical Asians then uhh probably me :tup:

or you can just have an awkward experience thinking its me but its not :roflpuke2:

Nah there will be other Asians there, especially once people start rolling in for the actual event. I'm also technically Asian (south Asian) so you won't be the only ones there. :icon17:

yay!

I tan quiet quickly lol in 1 week I was confused for a Korean, then Japanese, then philipino or thai then a carrot. :ugh2:

I'm Chinese lol