Bob: IM S6 posted:Stan Galat posted:Assuming the revised schedule, Jeanie and I are in as well.
That's great, Stan. We can form a presidential motorcade...
I'm head of security/sergeant at arms. So I've got Stan and Jeannie's back.
I'm sure we'll(Michelle and I) be up for a dinner as well.
Two days--right. I'll try to push that back but won't know anything until Thurs. When I do have to commit I'll give them the list I have at the time.
DannyP posted:Bob: IM S6 posted:Stan Galat posted:Assuming the revised schedule, Jeanie and I are in as well.
That's great, Stan. We can form a presidential motorcade...
I'm head of security/sergeant at arms. So I've got Stan and Jeannie's back.
I'm sure we'll(Michelle and I) be up for a dinner as well.
Danny--you and Michelle are on the list!
The Blue Ridge Deliverance ride is on Saturday.
As to Jack of the woods on Thursday, who knows. If I make it, and there's no room at the table, I'll jus hang at the bar. It's all good. I'd like to try and hang out fire side on Friday or Saturday night though.
I'm sure there'll be a fire Thursday night as well, Carlos. Jack thinks he can get us all back by 9:00.
To me the "fireside chats" could well have been the most fun part of the whole thing. Certainly they were the signature events last year.
My day-to-day is pretty complicated, with a lot of moving pieces and hard deadlines. When I vacation, I’m not looking for more complexity or obligations. When something gets too complicated, it takes a lot of maintenance to keep all the plates spinning.
To be clear, this simplicity of the event is it’s greatest calling card. The inn is clean, but it’s definitely not a Four Seasons. The roads are some of the best in the eastern United States, there’s a great breakfast diner right next-door, and several “decent enough” restaurants within walking distance.
If you’re looking for a high cultural experience, this probably isn’t the thing for you (and that’s OK).
We eat, we drive a lot, and we hang out by a campfire until everybody drifts away for the night. Some of us drive fast. Some of us drive more slowly. Nobody gets left behind.
I’m completely fine with going to Asheville (or not), as long as it doesn’t get complicated or cut into the real reasons I’m going.
Now, if it would just stop raining, already.
Back on page 1, Michael had mentioned the Grove Park Inn as an alternative Inn to the Biltmore in Asheville. Kath and I have stayed in both many times when we lived in SC and they are both wonderful. Grove Park seems more rustic (read that "in the country") than the glitter of Biltmore, but they are both really nice, have great rooms and terrific food. Both have Spas to help with the back kinks from long days of riding, too. They are undoubtedly more expensive than any place in Maggie Valley, but "Grand Dames" of the South, for sure.
The hotel in Maggie Valley is around $100 or so a night. Both the Biltmore and the Grove Park are around $400-500 per night, so yeah, I won't be staying there.
I was mostly suggesting the Grove Park Inn as a place to look at and explore rather than a place to stay.
The current Time magazine has an article about the 100 best places in the world to visit, eat and stay. One place was $50,000 per night. That makes $500 look like a bargain.
My wife and I are arriving on Monday. We will be taking in the sites and breweries of Asheville. My wife and I rarely go on vacations anymore since we took over the Charlottesville house after my son graduated from med school. We usually just go hang out in Charlottesville. So yes this is a fancy vacation for my wife and I so we splurged and will be staying at the Biltmore. Its a special occasion. Sept 24th is the 5 year anniversary of me trying to kill myself on the Cherohala Skyway. Still living the dream.
we havent traveled much last 5 years, ailing dog,,,he passed and we are ready to start traveling,going 1st class to Chesapeake Bay to my sisters,its only money..
my best buddy says:
i dont want to be the richest guy in the cemetary
If U dont fly first class, your kids will
Geez, Bob - I know all about canine members of the family. We were kept home a lot in the last ten years as our two Jacks became elder members and then passed. You do an awful lot for your pets, for sure.
That also reminds me, we went to this nifty Scotch Whiskey tasting event at the Grove Park Inn, one time years ago. They told me it was great. Sixteen different variations, a couple going back 50 years. I can't remember any of it.
It's quite rustic there, though, for you explorers, reminiscent of the grand lodges at National Parks out west. You could stop by for afternoon tea or just wander through the place, whenever. Several restaurants and bars on property, too. They'd love to have a few 356/550's out on the driveway for a spell. It used to be a Disney Vacation Club destination back in the 2000's - might still be. Now that we're back up here we head to the Kimpton in Boston.
I enjoyed the events we had in Asheville a number of years back, but I think people got a little tired of the same thing after a couple of years. After two years in Maggie Valley we're thinking something different next year.
DannyP posted:The main roads are in beautiful shape down there. Wide, smooth, so easy peasy. Not like the twisty 2 lane we'd be on all day.
Having said that, I'll have my Audi as well, we're flat-towing. As will Cory and Jeni, and Maddie and Ron. Plenty of larger capacity daily-drivers to jump in the back seat.
So don't fret, my gloved friend LOL.
and two more seats here as we also flat tow ( Dianne&Michael)
Jack Crosby posted:WOLFGANG posted:Maybe the rest of us can bring our spoons and washboards to accompany Jack.
Great, Stan---looking forward to meeting you and Jeanie in person!
Everyone still thinking about joining us fro Grub and Bluegrass please lemmee know asap so you don't get left out. There is no financial up front money needed from anyone as checks will be separate but I must finalize the numbers very soon so I can commit to a number when I speak with the Restaurant Manager this coming Thursday at 4 pm---2 days from now.
Thanks---Jack
Two more here Jack (Michael & Dianne)
I met a local Beck owner here recently who tells me that he and his wife will be joining us. I'm trying to get him to introduce himself here. Steve and Jana Edgington in a yellow Beck. Don't know if they plan to make the dinner/music thing or not.
MikelB posted:Jack Crosby posted:WOLFGANG posted:Maybe the rest of us can bring our spoons and washboards to accompany Jack.
Great, Stan---looking forward to meeting you and Jeanie in person!
Everyone still thinking about joining us fro Grub and Bluegrass please lemmee know asap so you don't get left out. There is no financial up front money needed from anyone as checks will be separate but I must finalize the numbers very soon so I can commit to a number when I speak with the Restaurant Manager this coming Thursday at 4 pm---2 days from now.
Thanks---Jack
Two more here Jack (Michael & Dianne)
Michael & Diane---got you on the list. We're up to 25 folks with only 5-6 unheard from so far. I will have some details when I speak to the place this afternoon. Thanks!---Jack
Jack brought up a good point in a PM to me: we don't all have to head back to the hotel at the same time, so if you want to stay later in Asheville, feel free. I'll probably head back with the first group because a)I'm antsy and can't sit still for too long, and b)I really like the fire-pits behind the hotel.
This whole event is intended to be low stress, informal, loose timetable, etc. I fully expect that we'll eat many meals in separate smaller groups at different times and different places, all within walking distance. This year's headcount is at least twice the size of last year's, so trying to get us into restaurants as a group is more trouble than it's worth - at least to me.
About the only thing we'll do on any sort of schedule is start the cruises, and that will be ad hoc, usually agreed upon the night before so folks will be able to plan when to get up.
Everyone start their no-rain dancing and plan on having a great time in a beautiful place.
We will catch up with you guys at the hotel after you get back. :0)
a)I'm antsy and can't sit still for too long
Lane - If you get the urge, you just jump up and start a'dancin. Make sure you have on your high water pants in case the crick rises!
Carlos G posted:The Blue Ridge Deliverance ride is on Saturday.
As to Jack of the woods on Thursday, who knows. If I make it, and there's no room at the table, I'll jus hang at the bar. It's all good. I'd like to try and hang out fire side on Friday or Saturday night though.
Carlos---you can count on having a place with the rest of us!
Carlos I have already seen you will have a choice table---same for you, Danny. I hope you will join the group. Looking forward to seeing you both.
Hey folks, Jack has put a good bit of work into this and is being asked by the restaurant to provide a number so they can seat a group together. Sounds like they’re being accommodating so let him know if you’re going to go for dinner and some live bluegrass. He has some time yet, but the sooner he knows, the better.
Jack,
I am late to the chat here, thought it was all going down on Lane's TD'S thread. anyway, count me in on dinner and music fer sher. Seems I recall planting this little seed a while back, and so happy to see it sprouted and flourishing. Thanks for the leg-work. And Stan, this is only a complication if you let it. A bit of down home mountain music is going to be a balm for your frazzled soul, i gar-un-tee it.
RAVE ON!!
Furthermore . . .
I will second Wolfgang's implication about spoons and washboards, and hereby officially and publicly invite any and all of the attendees with musical talent, of any stripe, to pack along whatever instrument they may be able to play (spoons included) , and see if they can keep up with Jack's fingerstyle on the banjo. I am pestering him to bring his banjo, and there may be others willing to harmonize with him around the campfire. Whadaya say??
Hey Kelly, Jack would love to bring his banjo (that's worth as much as his car) if you will escort it on a chartered airplane. The banjo will be in first class. You, I'm afraid, will be in steerage. 
That's funny, Lane!
Jack Crosby posted:Carlos I have already seen you will have a choice table---same for you, Danny. I hope you will join the group. Looking forward to seeing you both.
I thought Michelle and I are already on the list(your 8/29 post a little above), Jack?
My wife Chris and I will be there.
DannyP posted:Jack Crosby posted:Carlos I have already seen you will have a choice table---same for you, Danny. I hope you will join the group. Looking forward to seeing you both.
I thought Michelle and I are already on the list(your 8/29 post a little above), Jack?
Yessir---you are all set. Looking forwad to seeing you!.
El Frazoo posted:Furthermore . . .
I will second Wolfgang's implication about spoons and washboards, and hereby officially and publicly invite any and all of the attendees with musical talent, of any stripe, to pack along whatever instrument they may be able to play (spoons included) , and see if they can keep up with Jack's fingerstyle on the banjo. I am pestering him to bring his banjo, and there may be others willing to harmonize with him around the campfire. Whadaya say??
Kelly---yes indeed---you are the one who came up with the idea of somehow having mountain music at the Smo event and thanks for that suggestion! Knowing what a cluster-you-know -what- is produced by one banjo plus some pots, pans and spoons, I'm thinking the music we'll be hearing will be at Jack of The Wood from a professional bluegrass band maybe plus one. In any event we should have a great time that evening. We'll get a final count Thursday morning when we gather to finalize plans for that day's cruise.
If you haven't checked it out yet here's the website for Jack of The Wood in Asheville. www.jackofthewood.com
The Mullis’ are in, so says Maddie. I just now found out about it. Been stupid busy.
Ron, I knew you were covered up with your trip to Greece and that you would have responded that you wanted to be included in the Pub and Bluegrass dinner in Asheville so I put you on the list myself. And when are you and Maggie not stupid busy? ? And good on ya!
I loved "Says Maddie". You have it figured out!
Say, what was the blurr I just thought I saw?? Oh, nothing, Just Mountain Maddie bakingcookiessawingtimberplantinggardensquiltingflyingtoGreeceandbuildingdecks, that's all. Pay no attention . . .
