Western N Carolina

Stan Galat posted:

We went for a quick spin . Nothing fell off the car-- so far, so good.

Sounds like an early 80's Harley I had.

@550 Phil, I just called them, and they are NOT a dry county. There is a gas station right next door that has beer and two ABC stores in the area. You will not be thirsty. 

We are leaving tomorrow night after I get home from work. The plan is to stop in Harrisonburg, VA for the night and continue on in the am.  We should arrive around lunch-ish on Thursday. 

So excited!!! 

Thanks Carlos.  I still may bring some local IPAs.  One thing these ex-military types in Norfolk can do is make good beer.

Danny.  Last time I did this trip I broke 9 bones in 17 places.  My Ducati didn't look too great either.  Took 8 titanium plates, 3 surgeries, 3 months of rehab and 2 1/2 years to heal .  4 years later I'm back.  You'll be back too.  Just heal my friend.

I should be arriving early Thursday afternoon.  This is gonna be GREAT!!!!!

Next year, Lane.

Next year...

Already looking forward to it, Bob.

As Carlos pointed out there is a CITGO gas station right next to our hotel.  It however is east of the hotel.  We will be traveling west.  I would suggest gassing up Thursday night or Friday morning BEFORE 9am.  Hope to head out 9am sharp.  There are good places to stop for gas between the Dragon and the Cherohala in Vonore, TN and also after the Cherohala in Robbinsville, NC.  Maggie Valley to Vonore is 102 miles through the mountains.  So try to have enough gas in your car to do that stretch before we leave the hotel.  Gunna be a hoot.

I already have a nice bottle of Irish whiskey for the late night philosophical discussions.

There is also a Quality Plus just East past the 276 junction. They have 93 ethanol free on tap, if your so inclined. I'm going to top it off there, on the way in to see you guys Saturday morning.

At least, that's what it says on Pure-Gas.org.

Have fun guys!  I am a little envious. 

As you should be, Marty.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr................,,,

You know Sandy is cute even when she's trying to look grumpy.  On the other hand, you are quite successful at achieving grumpy.  

In Louisville, just now. I'll tell you about the day sometime when it isn't so fresh.

We left at 7:00 PM instead of 9:00 AM, as planned. We're in the speedster, and about half-way there. Yay us.

Will be on the road at about 9:00 AM for a 3 to 4 hr drive......   

Leon - Are you leaving today or tomorrow?  I won't be there until tomorrow afternoon.

Stan - Yikes!  Sounds like you may need a vacation from your vacation.

Oh boy. I've left plenty of times late, but not ten hours. Oyyyy.

This is probably overkill but...here we go.  It is an hour drive from Maggie Valley to the Loop.  We will be coming in on 28 to the right.  We will travel counter clockwise around the loop including yellow and orange roads.  There may be places where you have no cell phone reception and no reception for creating new maps on your GPS.  You may want to bring a conventional GPS.  If you get behind or lost try and use this map.  I will give them out on Friday morning.  If you get separated try to give me a call and we will wait.  This is like riding motorcycles.  Follow the person in front of you and don't do anything erratic.  You could cause a chain reaction.  Many times you may be less than 100 ft from the person in front of you and you will not see them.  If you have to stop suddenly try to get off the road.

This is going to be awesome.  See you Friday morning.

Phil Luebbert  7576133465

Everyone drive in safe

I will be awaiting your arrival at the infamous "Tree of Shame" on Friday at 11 AM

Tom (423) 612-2700

See you then Tom. 

Woohoo!!!!!  The car is ready and loaded except for luggage.  I am stoked!!

Glad you were able to tackle the mount replacement, wish I could be there this weekend.

So plan for next year.  You're a lot closer now.

The eagle has landed, so to speak. Tomorrow: Biltmor with my lovely wife!

Sweet!!  Now get some rest.

Glad you two arrived safe and sound, and I hope the trip is everything you want it to be.

So this trip was definitely not in the cards for us.   Spent the last two days in the hospital.   My18-year-old just had his appendix removed.   Have fun guys!!!

An upgrade on my flight to Munich eased the pain of missing this trip. Have fun guys and sorry to hear of your past few days Marty. 

Marty:  We went through that with my son, Chris, at about the same age.  Hope everything is going well.  Don't make him laugh.......

Marie has moved on, a little water in the yard but good to go. The car is connected to the truck and we're off in the AM with a drive time of 6.5 hours and looking forward to some good weather.

Looks like a short period of possible rain mid-afternoon tomorrow.  The rest should be perfect with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.  Considering it was in the 90s and humid here today I am REALLY looking forward to the cool.

Hey Marty, I am making sure that you both will be here with us in some form or another.

Car is ready and packed. Doing some laundry now and plan on being on the road at 4am.

Hope to see everyone tomorrow evening.

Hope your son is feeling better Marty and lets get together when I get back.

Marty.  Kids heal so fast.  In a week he'll be back to baseline.

One thing that is always predictable about weather in the mountains, its always unpredictable.  We may see a little rain on one side of a mountain then none on the other.  It will be fine.

Tom Boney.  Still planning on being your copilot.  

If anyone is still up at 1030 or 1100 tonight I'll see you then.  Going to need a nightcap after 7.5 hours on the road.

It's 0800 and I plan to head out in an hour or so after traffic has died down.  If my recent repairs hold up I should be there around 1400-ish - probably in need of a shower is the first several hours will be toasty.  Wish me luck. 

Have e great weekend guys!   We're heading in the opposite direction this weekend for family stuff - Buffalo area - and will plan to join you next year.   Waiting for photos!

Hey Carlos, based on today's drive I think we'll want to shorten your routes a bit.  We did about 120 miles and that was a bit much for some folks.  Let's think about a total of under100.  We can talk when you get here in the morning.

I did not want to say anything but my initial thought was that the drive may be too long.  Regardless, I'm not there and you guys are.  Have fun and be safe

Here are some choices:

#1 Creekside to Sierra Nevada, scenic route without lunch stop, = 76 miles

I'd have to call the lunch spot to let them know we aren't coming.

#2 Creekside to lunch, shortened version of my first draft, = 60 miles.

After lunch plan A, Back up 215 taking Parkway to Sierra Nevada, = 60 miles.

After lunch plan B, down and dirty to Sierra Nevada skipping fun/scenic roads,  = 35miles