Very well. I’m coming regardless. See you Wednesday!
Actually not a "lot" have bailed---maybe 3 cars. The only day that looks like a problem by my standards is potentially Friday and even that day could turn out ok. Hell if not we can go over to Knoxville and help get a few cars done! (Or lynch the owner.) The rest of the days show some sunshine ; Wed, Thurs, Sat and Sunday. Alice and I wouldn't miss this for anything. Great companion, great car and ok weather. Seems Cory could drive his daily driver if the Hoopty is inop and the same for anyone else worried about rain--like Lane and a couple of others are doing because it's really about the folks more than the cars. We'll be fine.
I checked an hour ago and Friday is the best day at only 40% chance of rain. Wed is 90%, Thur is 60%, Fri is only 40%, Sat is 50%, and Sun a great day at only 20%.
I've been following this for weeks. We "do" weather out here, as it's a huge part of daily life. Everybody has their own preferred site, but I've been watching Weather Underground for long-range forecasts, and the MyRadar app on my phone for the maps.
The pattern is not good, but it's not horrible, either. Wed. is the most problematic day, and Wed. is the drive-in day. It's showing 50%-60% Wed- Sat, and 20% on Sunday. Next week is more of the same.
I'm watching the weather between Peoria and Asheville, as well as Maggie Valley weather. There's a big front smack dab between us, running SW to NE from Mobile, AL to Buffalo, NY-- with the easternmost edge very close to Maggie Valley. At this moment, it's raining in Knoxville, TN, and not in Maggie Valley. The front is moving very, very slowly, predominately NE. Unless it breaks up, Jeanie and I will be driving though some rain to get there.
We're coming. Very reluctantly, I may need to trailer the car for Jeanie's sake. It's ready to go either way- I borrowed my buddies E-class diesel if I tow if we have to. I'll make the call on drive vs. tow tomorrow AM. I hate towing.
I talked to Tom Boney yesterday, and he's in. I got a text from Marty today, and he's out. Joe Fortino's out. Drewek is still in, as far as I know. That's it for the flat-landers.
Honestly, I'd have loved to meet those of you I don't know who aren't coming, but the low-key nature of this thing makes it better with a smaller crowd. Diners and restaurants will be WAY easier with a smaller crowd. The only thing that'll bum me out is if we can't drive at all, and I don't think that's going to happen.
I hope to see you all there.
Quite a few people have dropped out, but here's the roll call, to the best of my knowledge, as of 7:15 PM, 9/24/18. I edited Lane's list, with status updates in orange, attendees in bold.
Lane Anderson posted:
- Lane Anderson- In
- Leon Chupp- In
- Mike and Jian Ping McKelvey- In? (as far as I know)
- Marty and Sandy Grzckowicz- Out
- Phil Leubbert- Out
- Joe Fortino- Out
- John Hallstrand-?
- Cory and Jeni Drake- Out
- Stan and Jeanie Galat- In
- Danny Piperato and Michelle Parisi- In
- Tom Boney- In
- Tom Blankinship- Never was in
- Mike Warjas and Dianne Croxford- Out (good luck with the flood recovery)
- Kelly Frazer- In
- Carlos G- Man, I hope so
- Pieter Van Rossum- Man, I hope so
- Jack and Alice Crosby- In
- Greg (Wolfgang) Seitz- Out
- Ron and Maddie Mullis- In
- Rich and Thatsana Drewek- In
It looks like:
Speedsters: Me, Mike McKelvey, Tom Boney, Kelly, and Jack Crosby
Spyders: Danny Piperato, Carlos G., Ron Mullis
Coupe: Pieter Van Rossum
Misc. tasty rides: Lane (BMW 2-class), Rich Drewek (997)
That's 11 cars, the way I count 'em, and 9 replicas.
As someone who is blessed to live & drive the twisties of Eastern TN & Western NC all the time, I will tell you that we have had an unsually high amount of rain already this year. Our annual average is around 44", and we are already well into the 60's. But take heart, a lot of this rain, apart from the 3 days Florence dumped on us last week, is sporadic, and mostly limited to late afternoon boomers that occur and the end of a very hot day. I have friends that summer in the Boone/Blowing Rock area, and they have had a lot of rain this summer. It is now finally cooling off where you should expect 70s during the day & crisp 50's at night (my favorite top down temp).
Sorry that so many of you have bailed, but I understand the trepidation to drive a Speedster hundreds of miles in foul weather. This outing has been Lane's baby for many years, and I know you will have a great time.
I wish BIGBIRD & I could join you, but I committed to Rennsport at Laguna Seca many months ago. Weekend after this, (10/4-6), I will be joining 40 other Audis for their mountain getaway.
Travel safe & enjoy. Maddie, I still owe you at least a 1/2 bottle of Johnny Walker Blue Label. Cory will not attend, so I am expecting Leon and Jack to keep Lane in check !
Tom Raymond
“Cory will not attend, so I am expecting Leon and Jack to keep Lane in check !”
Nope, never gonna happen. 😈
We are in but I didn't drive the Speedster. We are in Gatlinburg now.
Stan Galat posted:Quite a few people have dropped out, but here's the roll call, to the best of my knowledge, as of 7:15 PM, 9/24/18. I edited Lane's list, with status updates in orange, attendees in bold.
Lane Anderson posted:
- Lane Anderson- In
- Leon Chupp- In
- Mike and Jian Ping McKelvey- In? (as far as I know)
- Marty and Sandy Grzckowicz- Out
- Phil Leubbert- Out
- Joe Fortino- Out
- John Hallstrand-?
- Cory and Jeni Drake- Out
- Stan and Jeanie Galat- In
- Danny Piperato and Michelle Parisi- In
- Tom Boney- In
- Tom Blankinship- Never was in
- Mike Warjas and Dianne Croxford- Out (good luck with the flood recovery)
- Kelly Frazer- In
- Carlos G- Man, I hope so
- Pieter Van Rossum- Man, I hope so
- Jack and Alice Crosby- In
- Greg (Wolfgang) Seitz- Out
- Ron and Maddie Mullis- In
- Rich and Thatsana Drewek- In
It looks like:
Speedsters: Me, Mike McKelvey, Tom Boney, Kelly, and Jack Crosby
Spyders: Danny Piperato, Carlos G., Ron Mullis
Coupe: Pieter Van Rossum
Misc. tasty rides: Lane (BMW 2-class), Rich Drewek (997)
That's 11 cars, the way I count 'em, and 9 replicas.
Thanks, Stan. As the "lead planner" maybe Lane has an update or knowledge of additions or otherwise to the list. Sometime Wednesday I will be asking for a show of hands on attendees for dinner and music at Jack of the Wood so I can let them know so that we get the best seating and service. Looking forward to being with everyone.
Jack Crosby posted:As the "lead planner" maybe Lane has an update or knowledge of additions or otherwise to the list. Sometime Wednesday I will be asking for a show of hands on attendees for dinner and music at Jack of the Wood so I can let them know so that we get the best seating and service. Looking forward to being with everyone.
I'd imagine anybody who's there will go, Jack. As you can see, we hang pretty loose on this.
Trailering is not an option for me. I plan on leaving Chicago Wednesday morning around 5 central.
I have never had the car in the rain, so if it starts raining,I am just going to take my time and work my way to Maggie Valley.
Hopefully I will get there at a decent time on Wedensday evening and be able to say hello to whoever makes it.
If not ,I will be ready to go on Thursday morning.
Bones
Lane Anderson posted:“Cory will not attend, so I am expecting Leon and Jack to keep Lane in check !”
Nope, never gonna happen. 😈
Why keep him in line, when it's so much fun to watch him get out of line?
DannyP posted:Lane Anderson posted:“Cory will not attend, so I am expecting Leon and Jack to keep Lane in check !”
Nope, never gonna happen. 😈
Why keep him in line, when it's so much fun to watch him get out of line?
Lane is only dangerous with a wrench in his hands 😂
Ouch! Do you feel that burn, Lane?
Obviously, we are up and getting set to head out. Raining here. So glad I washed the car...........
To all y’all: THBFFT!!!!!
Out of here Weds. AM....... See you all there....... 
Hey Tom Boney. If I can grab a shot gun maybe I can still do the Dragon/Cherohala on Friday. Top and windows. Why didn't I think of that?
Safe travels Danny/Michelle. You do have a toneau, right? Or at least drain holes in the Spyder, right? Weather most of the way is going to be crap. We are into third day of rain here in DC. Dreary dark drizzle w/ periods of actual rain. FWIW, gal at the Lodge in MV said weather there has been kinda nice there recently, partly sunny mid 70s. I got my blue tape on . . . Will overnight tonight in Charlottesville, then head on down Wed.
I have a feeling that I won't be missing the Speedster as much as I expected to. Top, windows, real working wipers, and A/C are all great inventions.
Is there anyone staying in Asheville and going on the Friday drive? Maybe I can bum a ride out to Maggie Valley.
550 Phil posted:Hey Tom Boney. If I can grab a shot gun maybe I can still do the Dragon/Cherohala on Friday. Top and windows. Why didn't I think of that?
Bring your car. It’s just a car, it’s going to get wet and dirty at some point.
We just pulled into Lebanon, TN which is about 35 miles West of Nashville--very easy 450 mile run. The best two tanks for MPG were at 30.2 and 30.5 running mosty 75-80 except during some rain patches.. Musta been that bottle of Seafoam I put into the tank this morning. About 100 miles West of here we hit some moderate rain for about 45 minutes except for about 10 minutes of quite hard rain. The various fixes to get this car rain resistant worked well with a tiny bit getting in until I stopped and put the drivers side window in. The forecasts of rain for Memphis and Nashville were wrong---I hope the same forecaster is the one calling the M'G' Wx.
250 miles remaining to Maggie valley so we expect to hit the Lebanon outlet mall--a really good one---in the morning, and launch towards M.V. around 10 or so.
Looking forward to seeing everyone!
Me too, Jack.
I expect to be pulling in around 3:00 tomorrow. I plan to stop in Asheville for a bit to visit with my mom-in-law to see how she’s doing. I’ll stop back by on Sunday and spend the night at her place before heading home.
The trailering decision was a good one. We pulled out Of Morton at 2:00 PM, and just pulled in a luxurious Days Inn for the night (just north of Louisville, KY.)
We has rain for most of the afternoon. The rain for at least an hour can only be decribed as “Biblical”.
Lane Anderson posted:Me too, Jack.
I expect to be pulling in around 3:00 tomorrow. I plan to stop in Asheville for a bit to visit with my mom-in-law to see how she’s doing. I’ll stop back by on Sunday and spend the night at her place before heading home.
Good luck to all of you and we hope for the best of weather for you intrepid enthusiasts. Laner....I just got word that Aaron White is looking for y'all .....
Rain everywhere it seems, at least the summer up north was nice.
Hope the drive clears up and turns out at least dryer for you guys on those cruise days. Carlisle was so wet this year it kind of fizzled out but we still enjoyed the company. 
I think the entire southeast is in the process of becoming an extension of the Gulf of Mexico. This has been one crazy year.
David, if Aaron is looking for us, please let him know where we're staying. I haven't heard a peep out of him in several years.
I don’t know if anyone is dining in Asheville. My wife and I went to this Tapas restaurant last night. Incredible.
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Hitting the road now....Maggie Valley in about 3 1/2 hrs..... See ya.... 
All of you:
SHUT UP AND DRIVE LIKE CRAZY!
You can post results later.
Looks like the WX for Friday afternoon and Saturday will be good....enjoy and be safe !
...and you and i should be there, Alan...
X2 enjoy and be safe, everyone.
Sucks rocks that we are not there.....Carlisle 2019 !
Alan Merklin posted:Sucks rocks that we are not there.....Carlisle 2019 !
Now, if we could do something to get Stan there. 
Something about being Cool that time of year~
Wish I was there. Hoping this weekend give you the sunshine.
Meh. Leaves are just beginning to turn in central Massachusetts and I have a 50’th high school reunion this weekend. I guess right here is the place to be for me.
Have a great time in the Smo’s, everyone!
Congrats on your reunion. Ours was last year, not a bad turnout.
It's on my bucket list...New England in the fall. I had better hurry.
Enjoy your weekend.
We’ve got a decent guest room, Art.
intersection of I90 and I395 in Massachusetts (and you can still unnerstan us when we speak).
Leaves will be peaking here in about three weeks.
Think about it.
Today is gonna be wet. Very wet. So we’re scrubbing today’s cruise and moving it to tomorrow. Folks can do some driving today if they want but most of us will be going to the Wheels Through Time museum. Still gonna be fun.