Fall 2008 Weekend in the Smoky Mountains

Is the bike OK?

Don't know about the fire, but want to tell all of you that I am looking forward to our fall weekend, especially now that I have survived. Noticed chest pains increasing over the last several weeks, and despite no severe risk factors, decided to heed the signals and go to the hospital. That was four days ago. I now have three stints in two coronary arteries, with another catherization to go in a couple of weeks to fix the third artery. I should be discharged tomorrow. The event at Spring Carlisle next weekend will go on w/out me, but I will hopefully be getting the Mexico Blue IM out soon.

Life is precious, drive hard & enjoy every mile.

Tom -

Sure glad to hear you didn't ignore those chest pains and took care of your medical situation. Many men in the 40+ age group make the fatal mistake of brushing-off those pains as heartburn. BTW - The FIRST warning sign in nearly 75% of all fatal heart-attacks is SUDDEN DEATH!

Here's wishing you continued good health, a prosperous year and MANY miles of top-down Speedster cruising!

Peace - Out!

Ditto that, Tom. Good that you caught it ASAP. Too bad you can't make Carlisle, but we'll see you in October.

Another denizen of this board is a fellow named Aaron White, who's interested in joining us on the run. He also happens to own a bed & breakfast overlooking Lake Lure. We might want to consider adding his place in somehow for next year - or maybe even this year.

Tom, I'm glad you decided to get checked out.
I'll no longer be able to make the run this fall -- I'm going to have my son in St. Louis for the first two weeks of June instead. The vacation leave for the October trip got reprogrammed for my son's visit.
I think that means Lane is now in charge of the weather.

So plunk your son down in Da Hoopty and drive down to Aaron's B&B at Lake Lure. That way you'll get to partake of the mountains, and your son will enjoy a road trip with his Dad that he can brag about to his buddies. I may be able to get up there that weekend. My wife's folks live a short distance away in Asheville.

Tom, good man for heeding the warning and doing the right thing. Good health to you my friend.

Cory, sorry you can't make the Dragon this year. I'll have to find another sucker.....ah, I mean volunteer, to ride point through the course.

The fire damage involved 75 acres according to this morning's paper. The biker walked away but no word on the bike. Since it caught fire, the reason for the forest fire, I suspect it isn't in too good a shape. Maybe the entire burned out wreck will be hanging on the wall of shame for us to view in October.

OK Guys while at Carlisle, check in with John Hallstrand about our fall weekend in the Smokies, October 10-12 !!!

Gordon, John, and I talked it up for you, Tom. I think we'll have a few more cars this year.

OK, Gents,
Let me know who's planning to visit me at Linne `Ardan while before the Dragon Run. I'll lock down the dates, however I need to know how many well in advance. A Speedster is a must mode of transportation, of course. Just let me know.

Hmmm... Last year I spent the Thursday night before with my in-laws in Arden (Asheville suburb) but I could be convinced to do otherwise. Gordon should be coming up from Beaufort about the same time. Howzabout it, G-dawg?

Aaron, are you joining us for the run?

Of course, I have "blocked out" all rooms for that weekend Friday thru Monday (9 October-13 October). Speedster Owners Only!

Ziggy is ahead of everyone as about 3 minutes ago!

You might want to coordinate with Tom Raymond. I believe that he's already blocked out some rooms in Townsend, same as last year. I like the Linne Ardan (sp?) idea.

Gents,

Linne `Ardan is too far away from the main drive to be a gathering point for all! We would be a rest stop in route to the gathering for those driving from the North, Northeast and South. We (Linne `Ardan) are approximately 2 hours from Robbinsville, NC. A place were drivers like Tom, Lane, Gordon and Ziggy could breakup the drive if so desired.

Tom, take the new I-26 from Johnson City, TN to Asheville, NC and then 74a to Lake Lure. An overnight break at Linne `Ardan.

The Laird O' Linne `Ardan

I am seriously wanting to make the Dragon run!! I OD'd on Carlisle and am ready for more.

To pull this off I am pretty sure I should take my wife as co-pilot
and I'm interested in seeing about other spouses or significant others
who are doing this interesting trip.

John---how 'bout Sarah? Is there a list of attendees so far?

I really enjoyed the time with the Speedster folks at Carlisle. I don't expect that there will be a local to AR gathering anytime soon so if I want to yuk it up with youse guys (and gals) I gotta come to you.

Washed and waxed the Speedie today---first time after PA and it looks better than new. Needs another 2,000 miles on it I'm thinking!----Jack

Hiccups I think. J.

Jack, Sarah plans to attend the Dragon run this year. She was unable to attend last year, other than the Friday night dinner, because she was leaving for Indianapolis the day of the run. Gordon, is Kathy coming again this year?

There are 12 rooms reserved at the Talley Ho Inn, Townsend (where we stayed last year). All one needs to do is call (see earlier post for #'s) & say you are w/ the Speedster Group.

Thursday night is a possibility, but I had offered a Thursday night cookout at my place in Jonesborough, for those descending from Northern climes. I guess we should wait until a month or two out to coordinate Thursday plans. About that time I will have a better head count, so Hoss & I can make restaurant plans.

Since I'm coming up from the south, I'm game for Thursday at Aaron's place. Tom, I trust you already have me pencilled in for the run this fall, right?

Lane,

Who else from down in the Low Country would come with you? We only have 3 rooms. Ziggy has one.

Aaron

Possibly Gordon Nichols and his wife. Gordo, you in for Linne Arden? Also possibly Kevin Haskins if we can ever get his to one of our events.

Well.....I finally got around to looking at this thread!

Kathy had a great time last year and I think is up for going back. The Tally Ho Inn was just fine, but we would probably stay with some friends in Waynesville earlier in the week and show up whenever the fun starts (Friday?) We will be trailering up so as we get closer and things begin to firm up we'll better know what we'll be doing and when.

gn

Gordon, I would like to put you, Kathy and Pearl in the front on the leg across the Cherohala Skyway. Kathy has a good eye for photo op stops, certainly better than mine. Please say yes.

Cool Pic, Hoss!!

Wife says she wants to come this year......Hope more of the spouses appear....

Pat and I will be there. I just made our reservations at the Talley Ho Inn and am looking forward to the drive and fellowship.

Lane,

You have been "penciled in" for months. Please reserve your room at The Talley Ho Inn

OOPS! Done!

Aaron - I may drive up on Wednesday, spend that evening with my inlaws in Asheville, spend Thursday at your B&B, and then we can drive over to Townsend on Friday. How does that sound?

Lane,
OK by me! I just got back from Tennessee with a brand, spanking, new Tennessee title. So great to work with someone who knows what's going on in this World.

I drive to McMinnville via The Cherohala Skyway. Wee! 60 MPH into the long sweepers and a drift across the yellow gives a hell'va adrenalin rush. Even the bikers were impressed.

My invitation is open to all Club Mermbers.

Booked in for the tour....Wife along for the ride this time.....See every one there....

So how many do we have so far? There's me, Aaron, Leon (and wife), Hoss, Gordon, Tom Raymond, and ???

I've heard comments from Bill Drayer, Kelly Frazer, Alan Merklin, and others. Are y'all coming? Cory, if I recall correctly, you and BERT can't make it this year, right?

Sarah plans to join us this year and I just fired off an e-mail to Sean Howley from Maryville to see if he is available. I thought Cory was a possible for the event. I seem to remember that Bert was giving him a nudge at Carlisle and I sure hope that they can come.

Well...I was sitting on the fence and seriously thought about it. I was sched. to be off that week, but the brainiacs at work decided to change my work sched. back to 5 days/week.

Noooooooooo!!!!!! Tell 'em you're going to be sick that week, or something.

BD tell them, based on the work schedule THEY made, you have previous plans :)

I just got an e-mail from Sean Howley and he is in, unless something comes up that trumps doing the run. Sean's car is the yellow Spyder.

Who's yellow Speedy is that? It looks like a nice one.

That's VS belongs to Greg Teeple. He attended Carlisle in 2004 but not since. He lives in Nashville and has been on a couple of drives with me. He was also my breakfast partner and "escort" through that town when I was on my way to Knotts in 2005.