The Speedster trans mount repair is progressing, so I will probably be in it since you all wouldn't let me take the lazy man's way out. Just have to put the engine back in and hook it up.
I'm proud of you Lane !!!!!!!!'
I want to do this trip next year.
Alan Merklin posted:I'm proud of you Lane !!!!!!!!'
Me, too. It would've been easy to fish-out.
edsnova posted:I want to do this trip next year.
I want you to do it THIS year.
One week from today we will be on Phil's Dragon Loop Cruise. Yeehah!!
@edsnova, me too!
This trip will be on our calendar for 2018. We may have to miss Carlisle, for a wedding in Ireland.
Gentlemen (and Cory), Looking forward to next weekend's return to the WNC Madness. Sorry that Marty & Sandy can not attend, but we will certainly raise a glass (or four) to you, Hoss, Gordon and other dispatriots. I will be in attendance with trusty ol' BIGBIRD. Anyone who wants to second seat on Fri night, Sat etc, please let me know.
Impt (for oui): I need a rendevous point for Friday around 10 AM. Deal's Gap, Tellico Plains, or elsewhere. My cell is 423-612-2700.
Finally, thanx and kudos to one of our WNC Madness founders,"Hurricane" Lane for taking care of the weather !! 
Tom Raymond
One hurricane per year is enough for me, Tom. 
What time do you think you'll want to meet us? That'll help determine where. I figure we'll hit the road around 0900 or so. Phil, how long do you think the loop will take to execute, including lunch, biology breaks, etc.?
Just let me know the location of planned stops between 10 AM & noon on Friday
Snail mail addresses best for GPS
Driving time from Maggie Valley and back is 5.5 hours. We will stop for gas at least once possibly twice. We will stop at the beginning and end of the Dragon. At the top of the Cherohala. There is a great Mexican place in Robbinsville (no ETOH) when we get off the Cherohala. If we stop and eat we will be gone at least 8 hours. If we leave at 9am we will be back around 5pm. If anyone wants to meet up I would suggest the Tail of the Dragon gift shop at the beginning of the Dragon (28 and 129). We should be there about 11am.
We may want to stop for lunch between the Dragon and the Cherohala, maybe in Tellico Plains. This place looks pretty good.
If we want to wait until we are finished with the Cherohala maybe we can go to El Pacifico Mexican in Robbinsville.
I've never been to Tellicokats. Its on the river and looks pretty good. We should be in Tellico Plains by 1230-100. Might be a good time to stop.
So I should be awaiting your arrival beneath the Tree of Shame at 11 AM on Friday ??
We really wish we could do this trip THIS year, but, we can't.
Just cancelled our room. 
freshair1 posted:So I should be awaiting your arrival beneath the Tree of Shame at 11 AM on Friday ??
Yes
DannyP posted:We really wish we could do this trip THIS year, but, we can't.
Just cancelled our room.
I'll lift a glass in your honor, Danny. 
I really wish y'all could make it as well. 
Current plans for the Galat's:
We plan to be leaving Tuesday AM, and driving about 1/2 way, arriving at Maggie Valley on Wed. evening. Thursday, we'll go to Biltmore in Asheville, then come back to Maggie Valley Thursday night. Friday-Sunday is cruisin' with the boyz, Monday we'll head back.
That's the plan right now, anyhow.
You're going to love the Biltmore. It's hard to believe it was a private residence.
The Biltmore is pretty impressive in modern standards, then you realize it was finished in 1895, and the adjacent Pisgah National Forest used to be part of the original property.
They really pull out the stops at Christmas.
Well, I hope to see it this time, NEXT year.
Us too. We're going to schedule our cross-country trip to encompass Tour d'Hoe in early/mid September and hopefully this at the end of September, on the last leg of our trip. Maybe......
My car hasn't gotten much love since the twin-plug motor went in and my life blew up shortly thereafter. I needed some quality time in the garage to be ready for this.
- New adjustable right-seat for the first lady: installed
- Oil change: check
- Valve adjustment and valve-cover gaskets: check
- Tire rotation: check
- Grease job: check
- Adjust wheel-bearings: check
- Exhaust cut-out driver motor: replaced
We went for a quick spin to make sure Jeanie was happy with the seat (she is). Nothing fell off the car-- so far, so good. i'll likely throw the car back on the lift tomorrow, and re-check everything, then pack spares and tools in the evening, a couple of T-shirts and shorts on Monday, then and hit the road after the usual last-minute frenzy Tuesday AM. We'll probably cover 400 mi or so, then overnight in Knoxville or thereabouts. That's only 6 hrs of wheel-time, averaging 70 mph... but I promised Mrs. Galat we'd stop and smell the roses along the way. Pray for me. It'll be a new way of doing this.
We'll be at the Inn a day early, unless we've got issues on the road, in which case I'll have an extra bit of time to figure it out.
I'm getting jacked up.
I may get there a day early myself, Stan. My mother in law and I got our signals crossed and there is no room at the inn. I need to see if there is a room available or I may just drive up early Thursday.
The car isn't totally back together, but the engine is in and the hard stuff is done. I think it will still be my ride.
We're arriving late Thursday night, around 10:00 PM. Someone keep the drinking lamp lit.
A few of us will probably be out back by the fire pits solving the world's problems aided by refreshing adult beverages.
Have fun guys and take lots of pics. I have this trip the on the calendar for next year, feeling a bit jealous. Granted I'll be in Munich for Oktoberfest Friday then heading over to London through Wednesday.
The weather looks good............................ so far.
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I've got a pretty big investment in this trip. If it hails on me like it did to the west-coast dudes, I'll be grumpy and nobody want that.
I'll stare it down. 
I know I'm scared of you, Stan.
You guys suck. Only because we can't go......
Have fun, solve all the worlds problems.
Well, at least next year my ankle will be fixed!
Ok. This is forecast for Dragon/Cherohala loop this Friday. Please start gathering in parking lot around 0830. We really need to be pulling out by 0900. We will likely stop for gas for those who need it and then will proceed to the Dragon. More details later. I foresee at least 4 stops and then as needed. Before the Dragon, after the Dragon, lunch before the Cherohala and of course at 5000 ft at the top of the Cherohala.
See you Friday morning. I'll be getting in very late Thursday night.
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The weather in Maggie Valley looks VERY nice! Bring a jacket.
https://www.wunderground.com/f.../maggie-valley/28751
Pics or it didn't happen, gentleman(and ladies!).
Oh, there will be pics!
Stan - I won't be arriving until Thursday. I'm taking tomorrow to do the necessary cleanup and packing. Just too much going on to leave Wednesday.
Sounds fine, Lane. Plenty to do with my lovely wife for the extra day.
We hope to be leaving here in about an hour, driving a bit past half-way today. We'll see everybody soon.
For Lane or Carlos...and anyone buying cold beverages. I usually stay around the Dragon where the county is dry. No ETOH. Can beverages be bought in Maggie Valley? Or is it a bring your own?
Stan Galat posted:Sounds fine, Lane. Plenty to do with my lovely wife for the extra day.
We hope to be leaving here in about an hour, driving a bit past half-way today. We'll see everybody soon.
Drive safe Stan, and pack plenty of beef jerky. I am really bummed to miss this trip.
You said it, Joe. We are really disappointed. Car ready, reservations, dog sitter, all good. Then a little broken bone and a cast come along GRRRRRRR!
DannyP posted:You said it, Joe. We are really disappointed. Car ready, reservations, dog sitter, all good. Then a little broken bone and a cast come along GRRRRRRR!
Stoopid bones!
You guys will be sorely missed. <3