Ok, we are interested but not when it gets too cold. Late September maybe good. I know the leaves are still green but I'll take warm weather first. Sandy liked the Hilton Biltmore. We don't have to tour the Mansion unless more than half want to. Maybe we can hit some wineries instead. No boring car museums.
Early October would be perfect.
I would definitely do The Dragon Again---especially if Stan would join us. We never had a bad time there in the Smokies except that time we ended up in some damned back yard of a house
that wasn't a pizza place. The steaks at that one restaurant were sensational and the brisk air feels wonderful after a hot sommer. Dragon! Dragon! Dragon! Dragon!
It's maybe 1,200 miles round trip for me and Alice but I'd be up for that. I'd prefer the original place (Townsend?) to Asheville----by far.
I'll do Dragon too.
Dragon is a little old hat for me since I live so close to it. I liked Clint's idea of Eurofest and would definitely be interested in that.
Whats Eurofest Hoss? When is it? Where is it?
Here's a link to the event in South Carolina. I think both Lane and Tom Raymond mentioned this, right guys? I have not been but have been told by those that have that it's spectacular. BTW, the featured marque this year is Porsche. Cool, right? Hopefully, not all the owners will be the P-snob types.
Mid-September was ruled out because some of the folks who expressed interest couldn't make it. I like mid-October myself as September is still pretty hot down here. I'm leaning toward Euro Fest. If y'all want to do Asheville, Euro Fest is only about 1hr away at the BMW plant. Those that want to do the Dragon can easily make the side trip. There are so many things in the area that folks can kind of roll their own vacation.
Ok, as far as I am concerned it is official that the north GA thing planned for Oct. 11-12 is dead. Tom Raymond, John Hallstrand, and I are planning to attend the Euro Fest gathering in Greenville (1 hr. south of Asheville) the next weekend (18-19 Oct.). If y'all would like us to make this into a real gathering, speak now. We can discuss the Dragon or Asheville or whatever for those that are interested.
I am considering joining you guys if that's ok. I have the week off before. I would have to leave morning of the 19th to get home. Could meet you guys on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. When would you guys do the Dragon? If I'm going that way I would probably drive out to Deals Gap on Thurs the 16th and do the Dragon and Cherohala on Friday. I know those roads like the back of my hand. Let me know your plans. Regardless, I can do the Eurofest on Saturday.
You are certainly welcome. As for when we'd do the Dragon, the three of us have done it at least three times each and the last was less than pleasant due to weather and bikers. We would probably pass. However, it is so far a very free-form weekend, so we can make sure you get in a run.
I never tire of the smokies. This will be my 6th time. I'll do the dragon, Cherohala and maybe the ocoee on Thursday and catch up to you guys on Friday. Let me know where you are staying on Friday night.
Haven't gotten that far yet, but we'll keep you in the loop.
I have been busy in the last few days and haven't done anything, but let's make a couple of decisions. The weekend is set at the 18-19 or October. I will probably arrive in Asheville on Thursday the 16th and visit my inlaws, staying until Monday morning. That gives me three days for the Euro Fest, any cruises we want to do, and the associated comradery.
Unless y'all have objections (and other ideas) we can make Asheville the base of operations. I don't envision enough folks to get a block discount, but for those of you who want to stay overnight the Biltmore Park Hilton has always been good to us. I was originally just planning to be a spectator at the car show. Does that work for y'all or do you want to enter your cars? I would suggest Saturday for the show and Friday/Sunday for cruises. What say yee?
I know of four of us who plan to be there: Tom, John, Phil, and me. I'd love to have more folks join us. This one is not going to have a fully planned out agenda, so we can make it up as we go.
Jack Crosby, there's plenty of time to get in a Dragon Run if you want one. Friday would be best as I would expect it to be slightly less crowded.
The BMW plant is in Greer, SC, immediately off of I 85.
the plant is 70 miles from Asheville. I will depart Jonesborough at "0" dark thirty and head that way, perhaps having breakfast with any interested Ashevillians.
FYI: the featured marquee at Eurofest this year is Porsche
I forgot to add: I will travel to Eurofest on Sat, 10/19, and spent that night somewhere in the area, or return home (130 miles)
Why not plan on spending the night in Asheville, or wherever we make our base of operations. That'll give you a more relaxed day and more time to spend with your homies.
I have invited some of my friends from Cars and Coffee and expect a couple to make it. This looks like it's gonna be a good time. I looked at the map and an alternative to Asheville could be Brevard as it is physically closer to Greenville as well as the Dragon (for those who are interested). IT is not located on an interstate, and I am not sure that the proximity to those places would result in a time advantage. I'm just throwing it out there.
I have looked at a couple of alternative hotels in south Asheville, and there are a couple of decent ones (Comfort Inn and Hampton Inn) near the airport and right off of I-26 for around $100/night or less. Without a block discount rate the Hilton was almost $400/night, so that is most definitely out unless you're feeling flush with cash.
Lane,
I am putting that weekend on my calendar. I have some friends in the Asheville area I've been meaning to see. Probably jump on the skyline drive and just keep going til I get to the smokies or melt the lump..
Rowan
Sweet. I think we need to just pick the hotels and let it happen.
Lane---Alice and I like Hampton Inns. Please consider a Hampton Inn. Great value, good breakfast and very comfortable.
There's a Hampton right by the airport. I'm game for that. Are you and Alice coming?
Ok, the Hampton it is. Contact info is as follows:
Hampton Inn & Suites I-26
18 Rockwood Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
828-687-0806
Rates for those dates are a bit higher due to the influx of autumn tourists. With an AARP discount they are $151. With a US Government ID (works for active or retired military as well as US Gov. civilians - ID required) $135.
Ok folks, I'd appreciate a show of hands to give me an idea how many are coming. I know of me, Tom, Hoss, Jack, and Phil. Anyone else?
I'm on the fence Lane. Not sure I will be doing this.
My plan
Fontana Village resort Weds and Thurs night at the Gap. Hampton Inn Fri and Sat.
John, If you don't want to make a long weekend you could always make a day trip and meet us at the show or for one of the cruises.
Count us in. My Speedster is jonesing for a nice road trip and so are we. I think we'll head over to Raleigh to visit our son, Russ and his family after then to Myrtle Beach to see our other son, Mike's family.
I saw that Rowan said to count him in a previous post.
How about Ron & Maddie Mullis--they are in the neighborhood?
Others?
Possibilities abound Lane. Now that Nolan and Jan are moving into our neighborhood, our street, in fact, I may have an additional reason to make the trip, even if it's just for one overnight (Saturday?).
John--big news--happy for Jan and Nolan as well as you and Sarah. Drive your Prius if Sarah doesn't want to ride the Red Man but I hope we get to see you for this event.
Ron and Maddie have been very quiet lately, so I don't know about their attendance. Y'all go ahead and make reservations. How many days will folks be staying? As I said earlier, I will probably do an extended weekend to spend some time with the in-laws.
Great to hear Nolan is becoming a Tennessean. Regarding the Hampton Inn, Fletcher, NC (Asheville airport), the lowest rate (using my Hilton Honors #, AAA! And/or AARP) is $274. Plus they are going to be banging away on renovations. I cannot figure out how to get a lower rate; besides its prime leaf hopper season
Lane--can you tell me the email adr for Ron & Maddie Mullis? I'll email 'em about joining us.
Maybe they haven't been on the SOC.
Lane, Maddie is on fb a lot. Probably a quicker reply there as Ron is working a lot and probably not checking in here.
I am now seeing vastly different rates for the Hampton Inn - over $250/night. I'll keep looking or y'all can look for something yourselves. I'm not sure what's going on with these hotels.
Lane
Do you know the address of the Euro Fest? Its a little confusing on the site. Just trying to plan the trip.
It's at the BMW assembly plant that is technically in Greer, SC. I don't have an address and have only been there once. Tom Raymond, can you help Phil out?
BMW plant in Greer. Got it.
Ok folks, through TripAdvisor.com (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hot...Carolina-Hotels.html) I was able to book the Comfort Inn (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hot..._North_Carolina.html) at $149.99/night.
Given the confusion about the availability I would recommend setting up ASAP.
Lane---are you saying Comfort Inn in Hot Springs, NC? And $149?
Thanks!
Nope - Comfort Inn Fletcher, NC, which is by the Asheville airport. Don't know what the hell happened with the link. Let me try again.
UPDATE: I'm beginning to hate TripAdvisor as the hotel isn't even showing up right now. Here's the contact info:
Comfort Inn Asheville Airport
15 Rockwood Rd.,
Fletcher, NC US, 28732
+1 (828) 687-9199
Here is the correct link:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hot..._North_Carolina.html
I am baffled as to what happened because I got this link from the posting on the Speedster Owners Facebook posting I did. That posting was a cut and paste from this one and yet the link changed. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!!!