NEXT WEEK THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD , DRAGON BOUND

 

I will not be able to make it this spring, sorry folks =(

We will definately be in St. Louis in June

 

Gary, I haven't been keeping up completely on the conditions for the Dragon. Do you want to convoy in an alternate route on Friday? Just an idea. We could go thru Tellico Plains. For anyone NOT wanting to go thru the Dragon on the way to Fontana can go this way. Break up into a second group if enough interest.

 

James,
Yes either the route you suggested or through the Smokey Mtn. National Park and through Cherokee.
I would say the route you suggested is the quickest and shortest way to the lodge.
The Dragon will be closed just south of the foothills Pkwy so the is no way to the lodge via the Dragon at this point in time.

Danimal and a few other are looking at new routes for our runs on Saturday and Sunday to avoid the spot on US129 that is closed.
The Dragon (twisties part) is said to be open by the time we arrive but just for runs back and forth with a turn around at the north end where it is closed.

 

The Dragon is still closed at the lakes or at the bottom, Susan and I will be going down Thur. Getting a room in Gatlinburg then over top Fri , Those that are thinking about coming In that Fri , there is a big car show going on that weekend in Gatlinburg so it will be slow go that way ,

 

Hey! who you callin' Old?
what a bunch of clubaldutching youngsters with your cute litle' cars. We'll be gunning for ya next fall if you survive dem S2's

 

UPDATE ON THE DRAGON ! Just check with DealGap.com The Dragon is still closed ,still working on getting the paper work done with NC & TN Look like this may take place later this week . with a Reopen for April 12 . The Dragon will still be closed at the lakes or the bottom of Dragon you run it from the top down and turn around and come back up , It seem the big thing is the EMS on the NC side covering this thing and all about Reponse time , if somthing were to happen , There you Have it , On side note for some that will not make it back this spring You will be Missed , you see it not so much about the cars for me anymore (EVEN IF THEY ARE GREAT CARS) but the great people that go with the great cars is what i look forward to seeing , You no longer new friends you old Friends , and for all you frist timers this is what you have to look forward to, it really great group of people , See at the Dragon

 

Slow Slow Slow ! No reponse time ! going to half to work on that Franc!

 

My feelings are the same....You will be missed
To all your first timers....Welcome !! You will enjoy this GTG I assure you.

Just to confirm .....
We are having a BBQ on Saturday night at the Chestnut room on the lodge property.
Bubba Burgers, Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Chips and soft drinks etc. will be served.


BBQ Night - Grillin' "Bubba Burgers"



Served buffet style - Bring an appetite and your own alcohol if desired

 

LOL....looks like I've had a few too many bubba burgers!!! Maybe I better stay on the grill and out of the buffet line.

Thanks Gary.

 

If the Dragon is still closed, no biggy. Its the weekend with all the people that count. There are plenty of roads in the area to enjoy (and passengers not getting sick).

Gary, We go home thru Cherokee and the National Park on Monday so are looking for a different way in.


James

 

OK...Then this route will be it

 

The GPS will show you a route shorter, but we did it last year when we got lost from the group. We ended up on several small gravel roads. Not good.

Here is how I plan to go:

I -75 South, exit 60
68 East to Tellico Plains
Eat lunch at Sweetwater or Madisonville TN
Left on 165 out of Tellico Plains
Turn right on 143 (Cherohala Skyway)
Turn left on 129
Turn right on 28 at Deals Gap
Fontana Lodge on right

Step right up if you have a better suggestion.

James

 

Well good luck to you all and may there be no rain or snow for that matter; just make sure you are all safe and I hope to see as many of you in June as possible.

 

Gary did I read somewhere you said the foothills parkway was closed at one point

James your route is the quickest with the situation of the closed roads
that will be the way I come in , I thought about going 40 over to 276 and going thru magie valley (19)over to 28 and up to lodge but not sure yet....

 

The Foot Hills are open !

 

Am I going to have trouble following these instructions?
.

Slight right at Calderwood Hwy/US-129 S Continue to follow US-129 S

About 17 mins

go 14.8 mi
total 174 mi

19.

Turn left at State Hwy 115/US-129 S Continue to follow US-129 S
Entering North Carolina

About 12 mins

go 10.6 mi
total 184 mi

20.

Turn left at N Carolina 28 S

go 0.1 mi
total 184 mi

21.

Turn left to stay on N Carolina 28 S
About 4 mins

go 2.7 mi
total 187 mi

22.

Turn right to stay on N Carolina 28 S
About 10 mins





I'm planning on driving the entire way without touching the interstate.

 

 

pictures worth 1,000 words



It looks like i'll be running straight through the dragon... correct me if I'm wrong. I've not been yet and this'll be my first time.

 

man, I'm lost already, and I ain't even comin'.......


then again, you never know who might be lurking in one of the black cruisers waiting for you on the Dragon......I might just show up anyway....

Lee, you coming down?????? I might have to change my mind if you are coming down....after all we are the fire starters....lol....