Early thoughts for Fall run in the Smokies

No one told me how Peru is so ah...advanced???? I and my mind thought that I was back in Korea..maybe a brief case (I hope not) of PTS. Mud huts, thatched roofs, mud wall compounds, oxen for plowing, etc.. Crazy never had felt the stuff before, but now 50 years later! bummer!

Now... on to the BBQ search and destroy mission!

Please accept my apology. My Mother passed away on 12 June. Therefore, I've been away for awhile. Please send your ideas to either Lane or myself via email.

Aaron - I'm very sorry to hear about your loss.

Could I please get a mid-June check of who has made reservations at the Hilton, and who plans to come?

Aaron:

Lost my dad just a few months back. We all know how hard this can be. Just keep plodding ahead.

My wishes for strength in dealing with this.

Gordon

Lane - I've already signed up.

Condolences for your loss, Aaron! Keeping busy with a project like this cruise/event can be very therapeutic.

Sorry for your loss, Aaron.

Aaron, I'm sorry that I didn't express my condolences in my earlier post. I lost my father in '87 but still think about him almost daily. I am sorry for your loss.

Aaron, my sympathy to you. I lost my Dad in '74, less than a month after Sarah and I were married and my Mom in '87. I know the grief process well and I am with ya bro.
Hoss

Lane,

Booked and still planning on making it. Car is in the build stage, and I hear it is the building season in Knoxville.

Please come even if it's in your regular car. The people you will meet are quite a group.

Lane I will chat with Sandy about it this week. Likely yes.

Guys,

I already bailed, but glad I did. My new son was born last Friday and we're having a blast with him. I'm going to use up all my vacation on baby and baby trip to meet Grandma in Kansas, so I won't have the time to spare this year for the drive.

The sorting has slowed down on Natalie. I need to add a cable stop back to the left heat exchanger so that the heat works in the fall and I'm still waiting for the Michigan SOS to contact me so that I can finally put my plate back on the car.

It's a full on hoot to drive and I've put about 1400 miles on her, so far, since delivery on March 19th. I am REALLY looking forward to Carlisle next year.

Tom

Copy that, and congrats on the new addition! See you next May.

signed up at the hotel
may not be able to stay Sat night
Aaron, very sorry about your loss

Lane, just got back from Alaska cruise, no laptop, no newspapers, no contact with the rest of the world, greatest get-away ever! Back and now trying to digest everything that's happened. Over a thousand posts to look at and finally got to this one. YES Jan and I will be attending, any rooms left, haven't booked yet but plan to as soon as my payment for the cruise clears my credit card. Dam, it hot here in Florida compared to Anchorage!

I reserved a block of 10, and so far I only know of 3 or 4 who've made reservations, so there are plenty left.

Oh yeah, it's too friggin' hot here in Charleston as well.

Just made a very excellent drive North on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'd hoped to see the Catawba Roodys in bloom. No luck Linda and I were about 2 weeks late. Went as far as Linneville Falls and returned home via 221. Lunched at Mount Mitchell State Park (old time home cooking) at a fair price.

I am working on a route that will include getting off the Parkway. Fuel will be a problem. Crabtree Meadows was once a fuel stop. Gasoline transporters are not allowed on the Parkway. Said to be an environmental problem!Departing Asheville a FULL tank is a must. The sites to see along the ridge it self are:
Craft center, Mount Mitchel(highest peak East of the Mississippi), great overlooks, Craggy Gardens, Lineville Caverns, Lineville Falls,
and a must a photo of Speedsters crossing the Linn Cove Viaduct, Orchard at Altapass, etc. Now, time is the thing. Speed limit on the Parkway is 35 and 45 MPH.

More later!

Thanks for the scouting efforts, Aaron!

Must add that the Parkway is being repaired from all the bad winter weather and it closed at mile marker 400 or so. North route will be best. We were slowed several times due to guard rail construction and asphalt repair. The work crews will move to a different locale when the Fall weather hits.

The temperature was cool at the higher elevations. Some would have needed a jacket. It is a must in October.

I have an incomplete proposed route chart with mile post makers that I.'Ding each attraction.

I suggest that we have the BBQ dinner as we return to Asheville by an alternate route.

Comments...Now is the time.

Aron--I bet 5 people here don't know what roodys are. I know but don't think I can spell it!

I miss the tarheel state!

Jack,
Good idea...Your machine running? Dusty told me.
Roodys are Rhododendron. Craggy Gardens are ablaze with red in June...peak is the 2nd weekend.

Tom Raymond,
We need a volunteer to take a photo of the speedies as they cross the Lin Cove Viaduct.This viaduct is built around the mountain not on the mountain as a road would be! One of the World's engineering marvels.

Ideas please and Lane...how many have made reservations?

I will make reservations by Tuesday.

Alice and I just got home from a nice run over to Dallas to spend last night with friends. 27 mpg running almost 80 both ways. Sweet!

I have not been able to use the Speedy for 3 weeks---talk about withdrawal!! Missed 2 car shows too---suck city. Have been down for 3 weeks installing a new windshield after a dump truck sent a rock through my old one.

Looking forward to this year's Smoky Mtns run---should we start a pool on Marty G's new ride? I'm thinking a Canuk machine!

Ok, How about a list of who is going on the run?

1. Jan and I will be there, I'll will make reservations this week.

Alice and I for sure.

Looks like the only way I'm going to find about Marty G's new ride!!!

Not sure how many are actually signed up, but the list appears to include:
- Me (and maybe Pam)
- Leon and Margaret Chupp (maybe)
- Jack and Alice Crosby (might Russ and Sean be coming?)
- Nolan and Jan Scott
- Marty and Sandy G. (no, I won't try to spell it ;-), and their mystery ride)
- Richard Pascale and his wife (whose name escapes me - my apologies)
- Felix Bircher
- Aaron White (and Linda?)
- Tom Raymond (and wife?)
- S. Teele (man of mystery - what's the 'S' for?)

Several folks have expressed interest, but are far from definite. If all of the above book rooms, our block of 10 will be filled.

If anyone else is a strong "maybe", let me know now so I can try to expand our block. If anyone listed above will NOT be able to make it, please let me know as soon as you can. Lodging in Asheville gets hard to come by as we get closer to October.

Lane,

have you worked out the routes for the fall weekend ?
If you are in Asheville this summer, perhaps we could scout out a few roads...not just the parkway

Don't know if I'm going to get up there beforehand or not, but Aaron's been doing some scouting and has several routes in mind. We are having some canine elder-care issues that are restricting our ability to travel a bit. I WOULD like to get up there for a weekend if possible, though.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any rooms in our block that are not reserved by 15 AUG go back into the hotels general availability, so if you're coming, please reserve before then. Given the list above, we may not have a problem, though.

Just booked my room, yeeehaw!

OK--room is booked for me & Alice. 10/28 will be our 28th anniversary of meeting each other!

We're looking forward to seeing everyone and this nice Speedster trip.

ROUTE PROPOSAL: Note that the numbers are distances along the route of travel on the Parkway.

This suggested route is for the comfort and its scenic views. Safety and enjoyment of ride are my utmost concern. There are many routes off and too the Parkway, but the 2nd seater will or may have a problem with car sickness. We must remember and observe the Parkway speed limits. Crossing the double yellow centerline will get you a ticket faster than you can say

Aaron, this sounds great! Is this one way, or the whole shootin' match? What's the total mileage and approximate time required given plenty of time for enjoying the stops?

UPDATE: Woops. I reread and saw that the return route is TBD.

Lane,

Looking at the easiest way to return. The BBQ place is on Tunnel Road in Asheville. Drop down to Highway 70 or 19E. The route up to Linn Cove Viaduct is ~90 miles. Remember it is a 35 MPH drive. Pick up 221 at Linnville Falls to old 70 or over to 19E.

I live off the BRP at about mile marker 270 - a bit further north than our leader's planned adventure. (Thanks guys for the legwork in advance!!).

If we are doing the run to the (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) Lin Cove Viaduct, can I lobby for the dates we would be heading that far north? If it is later in the stay, I could conveniently break away from the convoy and move towards the safety of my personal garage, tools, etc...

Can we get a plan of dates vs. cruising schedule?
Day one (16 Oct.?) = X miles in this direction and eating and socializing????.
Day two (17 Oct?)= X miles in this direction and eating and socializing ???.
Day three (wake up with a big hangover) and travel home???

This being my first trip with the group (granted my car is ready) I will HAPPILY follow the leader, and promise not to bitch!! Hell, I may even buy a beer or two for those who have the best story!

However, I would like to limit the potential "tow distance" to my house in the event my shakedown cruise with the gang does not go according to plan!!

-S.Teele (S=Scott)

Scott (thanks for solving that mystery), day 1 (16 OCT) will probably be the whole cruise day, with day 2 (17 OCT) as the Biltmore tour day. I expect day 2 to allow for free range cruising as the tour and lunch afterward will not take all day. Mass quantities of eating and socializing will occur whenever we are not actively driving. Who knows, maybe then too.

I will arrive in town no later than the evening of Thursday the 14th, but will spend that night at my in-laws a few miles away. I will have most of Friday free for cruising if you want to meet up somewhere. I am staying Friday and Saturday night at the Hilton, and back to my in-laws for Sunday night. That way I get a nice long weekend, spend some quality time with a great pair of in-laws, and have the whole weekend with Speedsterphiles.

Lane,

I will probably meet you in Asheville on Friday, as I live on 70 miles from all of this

Regarding the Lynn Cove Viaduct: "the spot" on the parkwway for pictures & there is a parking lot on the south end, plus an outcropping of rock may photo types (myself included) have shot from.
But as far as a destination is concerned, for those that haven't ever been on it, its about 300 yards long.......that's all.

I have even seen ads with tractor trailers on the viaduct.....not to worry.......all Photoshop.

I tell yah, the hot weather right now is making this trip even more enticing. I'm getting fired up and it's still three months off.

Tom: We can have lunch at Chelsea's. I'm kind of planning to have lunch there for the group on Sunday. They're great friends with my in-laws and have already said they'd love to have us all. Whadaya think?