85euro928

This goes out to anyone who is traveling from the north and would like to join our caravan down to SITM.
My plan is to leave early Thursday morning (6/5) and be in Waynesboro, VA that evening around 6PM for dinner, drinks and BS. I’ll be traveling from Long Island so if anyone would like to meet me along that leg of the trip let me know. Friday morning at 8AM we will meet at MM 1 at the head of the BRP and travel down to Banner Elk. Back in April I spoke with Kevin and Glen at the Hershey Swap Meet and Kevin had some suggestions for the route down that included some of the BRP and another equally treacherous bit of highway Hopefully Kevin will chime in here with his suggestions. Also, it would be good if we can get organized and agree on a hotel to stay at Thursday while in Waynesboro and book that now rather than later. Feel free to PM me.

M. Requin

Take a look at the hotels at Exit 94 on I-64, that's the area most folks have stayed in in the past. There is also a choice of restaurants right there, a very good (IMHO) Mexican restaurant, an Outback, etc. This location also puts you right down the mountain from MM1 (I'm right down the mountain on the other side, 7 miles actually, so I know this area pretty well- PM with any questions!

This is the first year since '08 I can join the group heading south on the BRP (although after the first few miles I'll likely be way behind, old fart that I am) so I am really excited about hooking up on Thursday evening- it's a great beginning to a great weekend!

And one note: for those of you who haven't been on this section of the BRP, MM1 is NOT the first parking area off the Parkway, it's the second! Look for the sign...

85euro928

Martin,
Glad to hear your coming, and don't worry about being too slow or too fast, that's what the radios are for. In 2012 I stayed at the Hampton Inn but since I won't have the wife with me this year I think I'll look into the Days Inn as I'm not as fussy as she is.

Glen McCartney

Thom, not sure yet if I am heading down earlier and passing through Pinehurst for a few days before heading over to SITM.

But last year, what we did was meet and stay around Harrisonburg, VA. Waynesboro is also a good place to start the last leg down on Friday. From there Friday morning we took Rt 81 to Rt 77 and got off for lunch in Fancy Gap, VA. There is a great deli there and it is just off the Blue Ridge Pkwy. After lunch we took the BRP down the rest of the way to SITM.

The BRP from Wayneboro all the way down is just too long and frustrating with some of the vehicles that are on it. Fancy Gap on down was pretty good. I should know sometime next week if I an going to Pinehurst first or not.

Adamant1971

I may join. I was going to do the Alcoa run again this year, but would really like to check out the BRP. How many hours of driving is it on the BRP?

85euro928

Depends on how fast you're going

85euro928

Glen,
Thanks for the info and let me know what you decide.

Adam,
I will map it out this weekend and let you know how far it is.

M. Requin

A recommendation- the Hampton Inn is at the Fishersville exit, west of Exit 94. eats are Sheets and McDonalds. I highly encourage getting together at any one of the hotels at Exit 94- much better choices, and closer to MM1!

M. Requin

Also, I completely understand the Fancy Gap option- the BRP can be tedious, pure and simple (also damn beautiful!), I wonder if there is some way the two caravans (if it develops that way) could meet up on Thursday evening? Staunton is the logical place, and it is a very cool old town, good restaurants, etc. (And so you won't sound like a foreigner, it is NOT Stawnton as in awesome, it's Stanton as in flat...)

Bilal928S4

I just booked a room. Unfortunately I will be traveling on Friday. Have fun you guys and be safe.

85euro928

Martin,
Staunton looks like it could work as well. Regarding the BRP, from just looking at the map on my phone it looks like the BRP from Waynesboro all the way to Banner Elk would be an ambitious drive I'm going to map it out on my computer so I can drag the path around a bit and see what the differences are. Most likely they'll be some going one way and some going the other.

85euro928

Bilal,
I've seen you drive; you may just pass us on the way down

M. Requin

The BRP is one of the most beautiful drives there is, but the speed limit is 45, and there are lots of campers, bikers (including the very novice), etc., so if you want a fast route, this ain't it. But it is amazing, and you should do it at least once. That said, Fancy Gap south is a great way to go, too (except for the I-81 part...).

fraggle

Meh you can do the whole parkway to banner elk!

Glen McCartney

There could be two options those that want to do the BRP from MM1 and those who want to jump on in Fancy Gap, they can probably sleep in and everyone meet for lunch in Fancy Gap to finish up the rest of the run to Banner Elk.