Fall Run on the Dragon TN/NC

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Yah still got nearly 2 weeks!!!

If worst come to worst, either drive the Golf or fly in. You can ride with me either way. If you want, I could pick you up in either Charleston (Friday morning) or Asheville (Friday early afternoon). Call me.

I have a short list of things I have to do to the car. I need to replace the rear brake lines (Ghia), I need the exhaust redone because it's leaking badly at the head, I have to replace the rear axle seals, swap the Dell'ortos out for the Webers, take it to an alignment shop and replace my rear brake pads.
In theory, that all should take two or three days, tops.
Meanwhile, there have been a steady stream of cars in and out, and the Hoopty hasn't been touched since I parked it following the Bug Out.

C'mon Corey....there are enough STAGS to allow you to put one foot in each of two cars and be the first to skate the Dragon' Tail....

I'll pick you up for the fitting, just name the airport, day, and time....

Leon C.

Leon, let's just say the guy I work with is a little ... quirky. It might well get done, but there might have to be some uneven pressure applied.
I generally trade my labor for his expertise, and lately it's been a little one-sided.

Cory, wrt Hoopty refits: I should call you and find out what's really up. Maybe there is a way I can help -?-

Earlier on in this thread I said I'd go on this sojourn, but I am going to be otherwise occupied by a visit to my kids/grandkids in New Mexico. Choices and choices. This is how it has to go. Would love to figure out how to do both, but can't be two places same time.

Bummer.

Don't want to upset anybody, but cast a gaze on the 10-day WX report for Tenn-ah-say...

It's improving from my vantage point. Long range forecasts are not worth much anyway. Remember Carlisle? First it was good, then it went south, so to speak, and look what we had.....it was BEEE-U-TI-FULL. Keep the faith and do a little "no rain" dance before you hit the hey each night. I'm sure Kathy will be highly amused seeing her fifty-something hubby dancing around in his P.J.s. A big mug of Guinness will get you ready to turn the bear loose...;-)
Hoss
dancin' with the stars
BTW, it's TAN-nah-say

TENNJOOBERRYMUDS por clearing dat up! I hope you pipple haff a good time on jorr treep!

Jim,
Juz be in tawkun tu Rokee tu mucha :)

Geez, Hoss.....

Haveta work to top THAT!

http://www.theta.net/nichols/smileys/dance_2.gif

But then the Yanks just lost, so:

http://www.theta.net/nichols/smileys/woot.gif

For the record WRT the Wrench, I once again donated a whole weekend (equivalent) to other people's cars, but this time with the stern caveat that I have GOT to go on this trip.
When I left the shop last night, the Sloppy Jalopy was nestled up next to the welder and the workbench, and the rear of the car was off and sitting on the garage floor. The jackstands were in place, pieces essential to the work sitting in the passenger's seat ...
And the man said it would absolutely, positively, be ready to roll not later than Tuesday mid-day.

On a sad note, someone brought the 2275 I wanted for my coupe in. It stared at me all day yesterday. Maybe glowered at me. It was mad.
The destination for thet mill is a light blue stocker with painted wheels that looks otherwise completely unmolested. It's about to get lowered and EMPIed. ... Too bad, really.

Oh, and Kelly and I had a fantastic feed last night at Savage Mill -- if you ever get the chance, it's about fifteen minutes southwest of Baltimore. Ought to be on the Zagat list, if it isn't already. And, natch'rally, we took his Red Baron for a spin afterward. Got my Speedster fix.
Thanks, young lad. It was a good time.

Incidentally, there must have been something on the telly a couple days ago about the Tail of the Dragon. Jim mentioned to me that he had seen something about that stretch of road being 11 miles and 318 turns or something -- he asked if THAT was where we were going. I told him it sounded right, and did that make any difference? He said he would move heaven and earth to make sure the car was ready.
That was kind of cool. I'm glad I didn't tell him I was going to Iowa. (No offense, Steve-O.)

one week and counting
forecast for Saturday is low in the 40's & highs in the 70's

please call my cell for for any last minute requests 423-612-2700

Any unclaimed rooms at the Talley Ho Inn go away on Tuesday !!

Tom

Tom, please keep the forecasts coming right up to about Thursday morning, willya?

I phoned Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville, NC today to confirm that we were coming and that we would be about a dozen for lunch (give or take). We are code named the "Speedster Group" and I let the guy know a little bit about us and our cars. I think he is anxious to see us.

One week and counting.....WOO HOO!
Hoss
ps. University of Tennessee stomped the University of Georgia today, 35 - 14......

Hoss, rain or shine, I will be leaving Thursday morning and heading south. At this point, I don't care if my car is 100 percent or not.
I'm going to go as far as I can south on 81 before I collapse in a heap at the roadside with a water bottle on my back; I should be about 8 hours or so into the trip by 3 p.m.
Any ideas on where to stay in the Johnson City area? That way, maybe I can meet you guys in the morning on Friday as you come together.
I figure that's about 400 miles at 65 mph, and I'll be ready to stop. I don't want to push it in Virginia.

Cory, no idea about motels etc. in the Johnson City Area. Maybe Tom will have a suggestion since that is closer to his stomping grounds. Do be careful in VA....they are serious about speeders and don't use a radar detector if you have one; you probably know these things already. Good luck and drive safely.

BTW, what time are you guys arriving in Townsend and are there any plans for "happy hour?" I believe that sweet bride will be joining us for dinner, so the count can be adjusted accordingly. Looking forward to see you all soon.
Hoss

Brilliant. I'm in for Happy Hour.

I hope to get to Townshend early/mid afternoon, perhaps around 3:00pm.

FYI, I'll be cruising over to Asheville on Sunday to visit with my in-laws before heading home on Monday. If anyone wants to meet for breakfast on Sunday, I'm in.

Lane:

Kathy and I can do breakfast with you on Sunday, then we'll be heading back to Beaufort.

gn

Tom: Just confirming two (2) for dinner Friday night, and we'll find someplace for Dinner Saturday evening too (Lane, too)

Johnson City Hotels for Cory:

There are many places to stay at Exit 7 in Bristol, Virginia, plus scades of restaurants at that exit. These hotels, etc. are right off of the interstate. On into the Tri Cities, there is a Comfort Inn at the Tri Cities Airport exit (63 ??), plus a Cracker Barrel. We can meet you there for dinner Thursday night or somewhere along I-81 en
route to the Smokies on Friday AM. We are planning a fairly early departure on Friday.

Either way call my cell 423-612-2700 for more info.

Happy Hour at the Talley Ho is 5 PM on Friday.

Tom

One mini-Carlisle, comin' up!!!!

Tom, that's an excellent idea! Consider it done! I'll call you this evening.

Tom, I left a message on your cell.

Latest weather report for Townsend, TN on Saturday: Sunny, Hi 70, Lo 38

WOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!! Perfect, but bring a jacket.

Maybe a hat too, at least for the follicle-challenged. When we hit 5000 feet, it might be pretty chilly. Lane, the medium range forecast also says only 10% change of rain. Pretty darn neat. Hope it holds.

I'm way jealous, while you are out careening around the hair pins,
I'll be installing 21 flush light fixtures, 9 stats and a few other fixtures as part of the house renovations.
Have a great time and be safe! ~Alan

We'll be thinking of you and your renovations, Alan......


Sure we will...... ;>)

Alan who?

Hey at least hoist a beer in my absence...
Mt flared speedster WILL be done for Carlisle and WILL make future outings without fail..............."Yes dear, I'm coming to help with the painting":(

Well, the work thing has once again stabbed me in the heart. I can no longer be on the east coast until saturday afternoon, and then would have to try and get up there, so it would be late saturday. I won't be making that trip I am afraid. I have told my boss that there is an event called Carlisle coming up next spring, and if I have to, I will bring my resume with me...lol. Sorry guys, was looking forward to this.

James

I hear that WalMart has flexibility in their Greeter position :)

Have a great time guys and take lots of photos! I would consider making it with the non-Speedster but our schedule is really crazy right now.

ECB

Rats, James! I was looking forward to hooking up with you and caravaning from Spartanburg. Too bad they can't even let you take one day off work. It must be "nice" to be so indispensible. Next time you CAN get a long weekend off maybe you can bring your Speedy down this way. Several of us (me, Gordon, Hoss) are talking about a coastal event in early spring.

Jim! that sucks! Maybe you can make the HUGE gathering that Lane is putting together. HUNDREDS of Speedies from all over South Carolina. Kegs of micro-brew beer, Bikini contest, SC BBQ endorsed by Gov. Sanford hisself and a fresh, local shrimp roast, all in Lane's back yard. Don't miss it (I know I won't!)

ECB: Sounds like you're still in that "I've just retired and am trying to do everything I possibly can before......"

Before what?

You've got YEARS ahead of you. Slow down. Watch the Canadian Geese heading South. Tell those people wanting your attention that you're busy driving your Speedie. Plan your deep Winter escape to the Turks and Caicos (or at least to Vero Beach). Instead of planning on five things to get done tomorrow, just plan one (and then put it off 'cause you just wanted to take a drive instead).

It takes a year or two, but you'll get into the (slow) swing of this, too!

Lane: Call me. We'll meet about 45 minutes West of the I26/I40 merge.

gn

Checking in to see what's up here ... been on, under and around the car for the last 48. Lane knows the current score with the Wrench. Not happy. Munchausen's Syndrome, I guess, or that Trondheim thing.
Car nearly ready; every damned thing but the exhaust is working. I wanted the exhaust to work today. Instead, it's worse.
Tomorrow, muffler shop for new adapted pipe head-ends from old Bus headers Wolf gave me.
The score: Oil and filter; Done. Brake lines; Done. Fuses; Done. Tire pressures; Done. Fuel; Done. Throttle cable upgrade; Done. Tune carbs; Done. Add tranny fluid; Done. Change axle seals and backing plates; Done. Clean oil breather sponge; Done. Replace valve cover gaskets. Done. Make hangers for exhaust; Done. Plane header pipe head ends and reinstall; Done. Also worked on a Bug, removing stuff and cleaning, painting and prepping for a riveted firewall.
I wouldn't have gotten this far without Jim's help today -- at 8:20 p.m., it looked like I was good to go. ... and then we started the car up.
And now there's fire from around my pipe on number one. Tomorrow is D-Day minus one. It WILL be fixed. I don't give a $%^& who does the work.

We'll miss you James. Guys, let's take lots of pictures. Especially important will be one of the gang hoisting one in Jim's honor. Also one of us hoisting one in Jim's honor. Also one of us hoisting one in Jim's honor.....you get the idea, right?

Hmmm... The 1st Annual Jim Ward Memorial Tail of the Dragon Run. Has a nice ring, doesn't it?

Cory,

Use to run 81 from Bristol VA to Harrisburg Pa often with wife, three kids and a dog in the wagon. This made for plenty of "rest" stops. We averaged 8 hours every time for this run, both coming and going. Bristol - Johnson City are very close to each other.

Guys and right seaters, have a great time.

Townsend Forecast for Saturday, low of 42, high of 70, full sun !!

Get Er Dun................