Fall 2008 Weekend in the Smoky Mountains

Do you think you could talk him into joining us?

Hey Tom---Jack Crosby here---please add me and my wife Alice to the group---I'll make a reservation at the Talley Ho today.

Also, my son Russ is finishing the frame off restoration of his bug
and would like to join us too with tis wife Brenda.

Thanks and regards----Jack

Looks like we will have a great group. Currently enjoying a fabulous vacation / work: Started with Tiger's last stand at Torrey Pines, then shot the NASCAR race at Infineon (Sears Point). Now enjoying our Condo overlooking Point Lobos in Carmel. Damn I wish I had the IM out here. Driving on US 1 along the coast yesterday crossed a 356B coupe followed by an original speedy (at least I thought it was orig)

Looks like the Talley Ho is getting filled up. I'll check w/ them next week & see if we can add rooms to our group (originally 12 rooms)

Tom

Bump, again.

All of you who are planning to come PLEASE reserve your rooms. It's not uncommon for October to be a sellout for all hotels in the area, if the fall colors are pretty.

Alan Merklin, Bill Drayer, and all the guys from the northeast: I sure hope that you can make it. Bill, convince your boss that you already bought tickets or something. You'll regret it if you can't come.

Cory: What's yous status? Last posting said you couldn't make it (nooooooooooooo!!!)

Wait!

I'm a Southeast Guy....(got the "Redneck" driver's license to prove it)

But I'm up in the Northeast for the Summer......

Should I reserve a room as a Northeastener or as a Southeastener??.....

I'm so confused.......

Should I bring beer??? Northeast or Southeast????

Oh, Wait! Southeast beer sucks!!!!

Never mind......

Almost forgot!!!
I am also a "REDNECK" driver!!! Haven't changed from my TEXAS Dr.Lic to NH, yet!!! I've tried to lose my Southern Drawl, but the NE folks still make fun of me! Soon enough, I will: Paaaark the Caaaar!

Double OOPS.... Sorry! Should be CARLISLE... Not Carlilse!!! Blame it on the wine, not my typing!

OK... really was going to try to get to Carlilse this year (my first as a Speedster owner... my brother was stationed at Carlilse Barracks for 2 years and I never made it!) but we also have plans for the NCA-PCA on OCT 17-18 at the Balsams! Can't do everything, I guess! Wish we could!
On a side note:
Gordon... another thread said you "lost" your GI ear cannisters! (feel sorry for the guy if you ever catch him!) My Dad is an "old" (affectionate term!) aviator that says he might have a few "stuffed in a drawer somewhere"! (I asked if he had any.) I know the old ones have sentimental value, but if he can find an extra pair: he says, "No problem!" for me to pass them along to you! I know they won't be the same as the ones that were taken, but if he finds some: let me know if you'd like them! It's be great to pass something along! Happy & safe driving this fall to everyone!!!

Gordon - I consider you a southeastern guy in the fall, since you set out to the mountains from Beaufort. But bring some of that northeastern beer - maybe 60 cases of it in your Super Duty.

I dunno, Lane.....if I bring the new kit down to finish it in Beaufort there won't be a whole hell of a lot of space back there for much Wachusett Octoberfest beer, believe me!

That 60 case number comes from the dimensions of the case and the dimensions of the pickup bed. Should fit, so they say.....It's just a matter of priorities of what gets to ride back there ;>)

Sue: I would LOVE to have another ear plug cannister. Send along an email and I'll give you an address here in Mass. You guys up at Pease or what??

I got my cannister from a friend who was a Long Range Recon Patrol guy who went out riding in my Dune Buggy in the early 70's and figured I could use those plugs more than he did. All those LRRP guys were (are) a little strange, just to be out there wandering around in hostile neighborhoods for weeks at a time. He and his guys went out once in Cambodia and never came back.

Anyway, try to make that TYP356 get-together at the boat museum on the 26'th - GREAT group of people....unfortunately, we won't be able to make it as our dog-sitter is booked and we can't take the two Jacks in the Speedster with us at the ame time (not enough room and they drive us nuts).

gn

May be two Spyders this fall.....I've been trading e-mail with a fellow in Atlanta who owns an older Beck....Now if Vicki Varr drops in, we're gaining on youse guys.....

Keep tryin', Leon! We need to build this up.

Sean Howley of Maryville, TN., has expressed an interest in going. He has a Perry Spyder. Maybe we'll be outnumbered in years to come.
No response from Greg Teeple of Nashville (VS Speedster).

I'm not sure yet. It's not looking good for me 'cuz I traded my vacation picks for this fall in order to be with my son in June and July. There's also the possibility that Teresa might solo to Colorado in September.

Lane,

You still have an open right seat? Looks like I will be in NC by then.

Excellent!!!

Smoky Mountains Tour Update:

We are only 8 1/2 weeks away from a glorious weekend in the Smokies
Very Important Update: Thus far the following folks have checked in to confirm their reservations at the Talley Ho Inn: Raymond, Anderson, Chupp, White, Campbell & Crosby (2 rooms). The following folks have indicated their attendance on this forum, BUT HAVE NOT CONTACTED the TALLEY HO INN: Nichols, Dewalt, Merkin & Howley.

Please call 800-448-2465, ask for Mary Grace or Mike. We have six (6) rooms left open within our block. Make sure you tell them you are with the "Speedster Group".

Tom, If you mean Sean Howley, I doubt that he will be needing reservations for the Talley Ho since he lives on Maryville, which is even closer than I am. Also, I don't think that he monitors this website, so I will be keeping in touch with him via e-mail.

John,

Thanx for the clarification. Gordon & Alan, please make your reservations ! We look forward to seeing you.

Tom, pm sent, business is off the wall busy, not sure if I'll be able to get away at this time. ~Alan

Noooooooo!!!!!!!! Not you, too?!

C'mon, Alan, it's still far enough away to squeeze a leeeetle time off into your schedule.

Glad business is good, tho. Maybe you could work in a delivery along the way, and partially pay for the trip.

Hey Tom Dewalt, if'n ya wanna ride in my right seat, you'll need a hotel reservation. I ain't sharing my bed wit' youse!

Bump!

Hey, what about Bruce Stump? ECB, aren't you retired? You should have plenty of time for this.

Lane,

Can't make it. The Speedster is wounded. Plus it's the Annapolis Boat show weekend (my other distraction) and a never-miss for Hotfoot and I. Maybe next year.

Ok, seven weeks from today my week-long "Dragon Run weekend" starts with a drive up to Asheville. Since this is as close as we get to Carlisle down here in the south, I'm getting stoked. Since I'm psyched, I'll bump this up by talking about my itinerary.

WED, 10/8: Drive to Asheville and visit with in-laws

THU, 10/9: Cruise over to Lake Lure and spend day and night at Aaron White's Linne Ardan B&B overlooking the lake. This is the area where they filmed "Dirty Dancing". Probably drive around the area a bit, perhaps on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

FRI, 10/10: Aaron and I will drive over to Townsend, TN to meet the rest of the crew. Anyone who wants to join up with us along the way can. Gordon, we can meet at your friend's place again, if you want. I know a much better route over to Townsend than the one we took last year.

SAT, 10/11: Do da Dragon!!!! Also drive some of the roads in the area as well as having some fine eats just past Deal's Gap.

SUN, 10/12: Drive over to Hoss's place and stay at Casa de Hallstrand for the evening.

MON, 10/13: Go to SAS with Hoss and see the Subytub, aka, Tubaroo manufacturing facility. Take pictures for Nolan and whoever else asks for them. After lunch, drive back to Asheville.

TUE, 10/14: Go home.

Lane.... The wife and I will be waiting for the crew the evening of the 9th......See everyone on the tenth if not sooner....

Are y'all coming over to Lake Lure, or staying in Townsend? Aaron has closed his B&B so that it's available to us Speedster (and Spyder) folks. As far as I know, I'm the only one committed to stay there, so I know he has room.

Wasn't sure if I had previously posted this clip of Leon, but here it is anyway (bummer that the picture quality is so bad on YouTube)...

I wish I could go............

Lane.....As of now, we're booked into the Talley Ho 9th - 13th....However, we can probably work something out.....Send details on the B&B......

Danny...I wish you could go also...I'd just love to see that car of yours turned loose out there, even at "LOW" speed. (sublight)...Say hello to Lenny for me.....By the way did the new coilovers work out???

Hope to catch you later....(yeah, right...)

Leon, I'll send you Aaron's email when I get home this evening. You can check with him about a room, and he can give directions.

Yes Leon, Lenny called me to say he got a brand new car. I said what did you buy? He says I got a new Spyder, the ride/handling is THAT much different! I thought that also when I put them on mine, so it's a good mod for older Vintage Spyders. Greg uses Bilsteins now w/different trailing arms, but that would have been around $1000. Ours cost less than $600 to do each.

Danny, tell your boss that you're pretty sure you're going to be sick in the middle of October. You and Jenn need a trip down south.

Lane, it's not work, I have my kids that week. No way I can bring them and/or cram them into the Spyder.

Excited to see all of this activity around the Smoky Mountain weekend. Lane, Aaron, what plans do you have for early on Friday the 10th ? As I am two hours NE of Townsend, I can easily get to a lunch gathering between Asheville & Townsend

I have no plans for Friday morning as yet, but I would love to make it a cruising day like Saturday.

Hey, Lane A. Is Pam going to be there? I would like to meet the person who keeps you between the white lines.....

That's unlikely unless she quits her job (which I'm trying to get her to do). She's not at all happy with her micro-managing boss, and I think she needs a sabatical. If that happens, she might join us. As it is, she doesn't have enough time off for the other things we have planned this year.

Lane---we may be coming through Asheville on the way to the Smokies. Maybe we can ride fromm Asheville or Lake Lure together? Anyone else?---Jack

Where are you coming from, Jack? Asheville (NC) is on the east side, a couple of hours past the Smokies. Are you maybe thinking of Nashville (TN)?

If you ARE in the Asheville area, you're certainly welcome to drive with us.