This was our 3rd. "Fall Dragon" and while I missed not seeing the beautiful autumn colors this time, having it a month early allowed some of our Canadian friends to attend, so that made it all worth while.
Driving down and back with a few of my very closest friends made the entire trip so much more fun, and the "highway" time just seemed to fly by. I'm really glad we were able to join up with the large group in Kentucky, that was a real treat.
As usual the weekend went by much too fast, and I didn't get to meet as many new faces as I would have liked to. But as always, it's so good to catch up with old friends.
I want to thank everybody responsible for all their hard work at making this GTG the success it always is, and a special thanks goes out to Bill (SilverFox) for getting the whole thing started way back in the Fall of 07.
It's really ashame more XF Forum members living West of the Mississippi can't make it to this event. Because there is no way to accurately portray (thru photo's or video) the feeling one gets when navigating the Dragon at speed. Not to mention the "party" atmosphere of the XF crowd at the Lodge on Saturday night.
Even though we're a rather diverse group (thanks to our love for this fantastic little car) we all seem to be more like "Family".
I like to think of our comradery as a no cost "option" that Chrysler forgot to list on the window sticker. But one that's truly "Priceless".
Oh, and thanks for all the nice comments on my hood, that really meant a great deal to me.

 

Here's a big 2ND THAT COMMENT from Franc.

As always, it was great seeing you again my friend and look forward to the next. By then I better have my voice back. No, I wasn't screaming at the "pedestrian" drivers in my way.

 

John, like I said on the phone, I'm just glad you're alright and that Molly wasn't in the car with you. As you put it, it's just metal. It can be replaced. You can't so I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone that we are so thankful you are alright. Now you just have to decide which way you want to go... SRT or something with a stick because getting something other than a Crossfire isn't an option if you want to hang out with us! Steve got grandfathered in but that's just because his heart was in the right place but he just couldn't wait for our car to be built. LOL Let me know if there is anything I can do for you whether it's helping you get your things with your car right now or looking for a new one. I am at your service my Crossfire friend.

Take care and Godspeed!

 

Wow.... that totally sucks!

You have the right mindset though..... metal can be replaced....... you can't! That was one bad-a$$ Cross you had, I always admired it. I'm kind of anxious to see what you come up with next.

Glad you're ok John, and I still expect to see you at next year's WWDC!

 

I was not paying much attention to what was behind me and just talking with my wife and when I saw you it kind of suprised me for a second - glad you waved. Yours was only the second crossfire I've ever seen going my way on the highway in the 3 years that I have owned it. Believe it or not the other one was a couple of months ago in North Carolina and looked just like yours. Glad everyone got home safe.

 

You are the man and I will be calling you tonight.

This and the people here are the main reasons I am getting another crossfire. I worry about parts a little bit, but with a community like this, somehow you will always be able to get the stuff you need

Thanks Steve, I thought it was pretty nice as well, but starting with a graphite canvas, I think I can paint another badass picture as well.

We will be at the Dream Cruise, hopefully it does not rain too much and you can bring one of those large beasts with you....

 

Now for a change of subject (Sorry John)
Isn't this a beautiful car

 

Hi all....just returned from an extended Dragon weekend. Wha fantastic weekend seeing old friends and meeting new ones! Thanks to all planning members for a job well done! Gary...Saturdays run was Great. Enjoyed the front of the pack boogie taking on The Dragon! Adenaline dose starting to fade but looking forward to next year.

Lori-Ann

 

Pretty sure that was you behind be on Saturday, right? Excellent driving

 

My second favorite color behind Red.

(Not being snotty - damn near bought an N/A Coupe in that color).

 

Thanks JHM2K.....loved every turn! Say hi to Kim!
Hope to see you in Huntsville for the next No.Alabama Crossfire meeting.

Lori-Ann

 

boilerupxfire i told nick and rudy to let you know i have a truck and trailer at your disposal. just let me know what you need formn the car and nick and i will drive to the car and get it. you can store the stuff at my house until you decide how you want to get it

 

Damn, John! So sorry to hear about your car. I can't wait to see what you do to the next one, though. It's been said before, but I'll say it again, I'm just glad you & Molly are OK.

As for everything else at this year's Dragon, I can't say how much I love this event. Great friends, great driving, new friends, and great cars (and some good liquor too )!! It was great to meet those Dragon newbies - I'm sure you'll all be back next year. And it was great to hang out with all the Dragon veterans. I was gonna name names, but I'd have to put 80-some names down!

Special thanks go out to Gary, Danimal, Lisa and everyone involved in the CICCI cookout. Great job guys! Thanks! Of course, even more thanks to the event planners and coordinators: Gary and Danimal. What would we do without you guys.

Lastly, thanks to the aggressive group - we might have had a lousy run at the Dragon, but the rest of that drive was fantastic! (And kudos to you all for keeping up. )

I can't wait until next year. I may just have to sneak down there with the MINI folks in the spring, but it just won't be the same without all you guys there.

 

John & Molly we were so very sorry to hear about you reck .Rudy called us .You had an angel watching over you.Could have been much worse.I am so glad Molly was not with you. If there is any thing we can do,remember we are only 1-1/2 from the dragon.Pm me and I will give you our cell if you us to do any thing at all ,did you need us to get any thing out of the car ,etc? We are just a call away.If yous need to come back your more than welcome to stay at our cabin .Big Hugs to you both,Joanna & Allen

 

I was debating making a run up into the Catskills this weekend since I have Monday off...that was until my alternator took a poop. Had it checked this morning and only 11.53v under full load, eek. So having that repaired ASAP.

...if I can get it fixed I may be heading up there for a day trip if you're interested in joining.

 

This is the reason I am getting another crossfire.

Thank you both very much, I am still fighting with the insurance company, but once I figure everything out within the next few days, I will be calling.

John

 

Happy to here you got home ok John , Let us know what you are looking for and well keep a look out for it , Sorry it taken so long to reply been up to Galesburg Ill and back and head back on Sat, to take my mom & dad back home , So let us know if we can do anything for you, Ray & Susan

 

- pictures attached and also on signature

- will look out locally for John’s next XF since I have been so lucky in getting mine!

- in the last six weeks since I have been an owner - I never seen another crossfire anywhere! So it was like arriving in heaven when I pulled in around 8:40 PM and in the dark saw all these Crossfires at the lodge’s ground, some I already read about!!!!

- I missed most of the meetings since I have to take care a ten years and an eight years in my party and their dad and his gf. Can’t leave them behind since they all have become avid Crossfire fans since I got mine. But it’s worth it to see how happy they are during the trip and they think you are all awesome people.

- I did see Gary in person in the lobby the moment I checked in and said thank you and through him for everything to everyone. I went with Gary for the Saturday ride and enjoyed every part of it - except they should have banned all slow moving what-nots while we are there (-: Can not believe I have to wait another year for this !

- Within the last 6 weeks I saw this black Crossfire on a dealer lot, found this forum, read read read, bought the car, did Schedule B service, detailed the car, get the caliper painted red, etc, etc, bought this and that at this forum, and got to the Tail of the Dragon !!!!!!!!!!!! (Wouldn’t happen without you all and this forum)

 

Great weekend and some great memories.

I found these and obtained permission to put them on the site.
Courtesy of Tailofthedragon.com


Sobering thoughts for those that push the limits.


It's faster coming down when your brakes fail.

 

John & Molly - First of all What happened? Seccond I am glad to hear that you are both OK. Last I saw at about 10am Sunday when I left for an extended cruise on the Blue Ridge Pkwy, everything was fine so it must have happened after that. Please let me know if there is anything I can do in the Central Virginia area to help you paint your next masterpiece. Again so sorry.

OK, I am a bit late posting because as some of you know I am busy looking for a new job, nothing new to report there at the time. I had an uneventful ride home with the exception of about 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Pkwy. What a beautiful drive, and no traffic. That delayed me getting home until almost 9:00 PM though.

It was great to see all of the old friends, and making all of the new ones too. I am waiting for an adapter from Amazon to arrive so that I can start downloading all of the video that I took. I will post when it is all done, and will post a link to a small movie so you all can see some of it.

Thanks to all that came =)