DAFers are returning to the heart of Gold Country for a weekend trip on October 11-13.  After landing at Columbia Airport (O22), you will have the option to camp at the airport's well-equipped campground, or stay at an historic inn in nearby Sonora.

Lodging.

• Camping.  You will be able to park your aircraft jsut outside the campground.  Camping fees, including tie-down, are just $8.00 per aircraft per night.  The campground has restrooms and shower facilities.  We will also be renting out the campground pavilion for the weekend.  The pavilion is a large building that houses a fully-stocked kitchen with refrigerators, stove, cooking utensils, etc.  
• Hotel.  DAFers not opting to camp can stay at the historic Sonora Inn in Sonora (about 5 miles from the airport).  We looked at lodging options in Columbia, but these are very limited and do not offer private showers.  The Sonora Inn isn't large and can book up, so make your reservations soon.

Transportation:  I have confirmed that Enterprise in Sonora (209-533-0500) will drop cars at the local FBO for pickup and that we can leave the cars at the FBO on Sunday.  Hertz in Sonora (209-588-1575) will do the same if you are a Hertz Gold Member.  Since Enterprise will not be picking up the cars until Monday, you will be charged for three days rental.  However, I am pretty sure that Enterprise will be offering a very good weekend deal ($9.99/day) that will be available in October. This post-summer offer may not be advertised or available until September.  With respect to campers, we will need to have some form of transportation in order for us to get to Sonora and Jamestown on Saturday night.  I am exploring a group transportation option, but campers may need to rent cars as well.  More info on this to come.

Itinerary

Friday Evening: Happy Hour and Dinner at the campground. I am exploring a catered option for the dinner that would reduce to food that we would need to bring. The campground pavilion has tables and chairs and is big enough to house our entire group for a sit-down dinner if we choose to eat inside and can be set up for socializing and impromptu dancing after dinner. 
Saturday Morning and Afternoon: Morning is free. We can then all meet at Columbia to have lunch and see the old town. There will also be a Fall Craft Fair exhibiting on Saturday.
Saturday Evening: Happy Hour at the Sonora Inn followed by dinner at the Willow Steakhouse in Jamestown (about a 10 minute drive from downtown Sonora). The restaurant has a nice banquet room that will easily accommodate our group.

Miscellaneous:

• Walking required.  The campground is located across the main runway from the airport entrance. In order to get to the campground, non-campers will need to park in the FBO parking lot, go through a pedestrian security gate and walk to the campground (about 2000 feet). Not a big distance, but probably not for anyone with ambulatory issues.
• Pavilion rental fee.  The pavilion rental fee is $150 for the weekend.  This fee will be shared among the attendees and should range from $5 -$10 per person depending on the number of participants.

This is going to be a fun fly-in in a beautiful part of California.  Please register below if you are planning on coming (DAFers opting for the hotel need to make their own arrangements).