10th Annual Southern Appalachian Expedition (SAE)

Southern Land Rover Society (SOLAROS)

by: Robb Sundmaker

November 15-17, 2003 were the dates for SOLAROS' 10th Annual Southern Appalachian Expedition. SAE was started as a gathering of a few Land Rover enthusiasts from the Atlanta/North Georgia area in 1994 to camp for the weekend and make a run up Rich Mountain.

The site of the first SAE was at David Porter’s property just a mile outside of the center of Dawsonville, GA, so it was only fitting that the event returned home for its tenth anniversary.

The event has grown from under ten Land Rovers to 105 in 2003.

Among the festivities were:

• Night rides both Friday and Saturday nights
• Traditional run up Rich Mountain
• Beginner rides through Nimblewill Gap (we just missed the closing of Anderson Creek by one day)
• Beginner ride to Suches
• Multiple rides around a 200-acre piece of private property made available for use by a friend of the club that was convenient to the campsite
• Mud bog competition (Yes a Rover got dirty)
• Saturday night buffet with a raffle, auction and awards ceremony following.

The event was a great success thanks to a number of volunteers and we received many compliments from the participants.

Among the states represented there were GA, FL, AL, SC, NC, TN, VA, NJ, PA, MO and MD with Land Rovers that dated from the 1950s to present-day 2003.

Until next time, champagne wishes and caviar dreams!