993inNC

That's okay, detail not necessary Mine will still be track ravaged with streaks of tire marks all over it. Love to have ya, the more the merrier. Come on.


JC, yeah, there's a basic plan in place, still working on the final details. Looks like a day thing only (of course you could come early, stay late and still participate, whatever you wish).

So far, the plan looks like we'd meet at Newfound Gap (Top of the national forest) for a meet and greet. Hang out for a while to get to know each other/pics etc..... Drive back to Gatlinburg for lunch and then drive down to the tail. Times not yet set, but thinking roughly 10am meet, be to lunch by 12 (gives us an hour to hang out and a hour to get to the lunch place). Eat, leave, do the 'Tail and then decide what if anything to do after that.
I think the only time to adhere to would be the meeting time, all else can happen as feels comfortable.

Hope you decide to attend too

AtlJimK

I'm in.

Have you seen this>
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

"March 14, 2010: The rock slide on US 129 is located between the Dragon and Happy Valley Road/Foothills Parkway. Removal is scheduled to take several weeks. The road will likely be blocked completely at times, but for now there is one lane open with flaggers. There is no guarantee the one-lane will remain open and as of today we know of no way to check ahead. The only alternatives are the Cherohala Skyway which got more snow this morning and US 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains. Remember it’s a long way to backtrack if the road is completely closed."

95 NC 993

Wonderful! Yeah, just too much rain over the past year and it hasn't stopped for 3 days again. This coming week should dry things out (sunny forecast thru the end of the week) which will let the crews work to open the road. If the Foothills Pkwy is not open by March 27 we can always still meet in the same place but then go to Cherokee for lunch, then the 'tail of the dragon' via the NC side. It is a good ride and would include the 'Hellbender' on 28. I think there is a web site for that too. It would require the same route back though. No problem here but it is about an extra 2 hours of driving over the original plan. That's only if the Foothills Pkwy is still closed. There is very little traffic on the parkway in March and one lane would be at most a 5 minute delay unless the construction crews are holding up traffic for longer periods. Let's keep checking the 'TOTD' site to get updates. Excellent source of info.

993inNC

Thanks for chiming in Dave (Dave is our man in the area and helping to coordinate this.

fpena944

Hey Chris - I'm in...Sorry I didn't confirm sooner!

993inNC

Cool Its been a long time, no see. Can't wait to check out the "new" ride

993inNC

The weather so far is looking only so/so for the 27th. How would everyone planning on attending, feel about the idea of Sunday instead? The weather may be better

Hamotee

At this point Sunday is better for me anyway.

95 NC 993

I'm OK with any day but predicting the weather in the mountains is a 50/50 proposition 'day to day', never mind one week from now. I wouldn't put much thought into whatever forecast you listened to. Today was supposed to be clear and nice this morning. It was raining.

993inNC

LOL ^^^^^^^^^^^ yeah here to! So much for weather forecasting Wish I could be so wrong in my business and still get paid
Just thought I'd throw the idea out, just in case and as a backup.

95 NC 993

... and yesterday and today are just incredible days! Clear blue skies with temps actually reaching 70 degrees. If today, Saturday, could only be next Saturday we will have one fine driving day!

993inNC

been watching it, getting better. Maybe we'll get lucky. I'll be fine with no rain, overcast is fine, just no wet stuff!

fpena944

I prefer Saturday but would be okay with either day as long as the weather cooperates.

993inNC

Well my continuing to check may be a futile effort. Today Saturday is shaping up to be the nicer of the two w/e days (it was Sunday a couple of days ago). I may not have internet access once we are at the cabin so I'll be able to check until Wed. morning. Dave (95 NC 993) and I will be in contact by phone once I'm there so we'll get it figured out. Lets just hope the entire w/e ends up nice, I hate rain on during a vacation!

NaroEscape

Chris,
really would have liked to do this, but I too will be at RA for the PCA Club Race. Unfortunately, not racing as my race budget is on hold for a while. Nadine is working the race (Timing and Scoring) and as Zone Rep, I'll be 'observing' the action.

When are you heading back home? Or, better question, when might you be heading somewhere through Charlotte? Still got lots of 914 stuff for you to take off my hands...