Anyone up for a 2012 Tail of the Dragon / Cherohala run?
Saturday, October 6th.
Yep, that time again for 318 curves in 11 miles and some of the most beautiful scenic byways you could ask for.
A group of us from around the Mooresville / Charlotte, etc area will be meeting at the I-77 Exit 42 Wilco gas station and leave there about 5:45AM bound for Asheville.
We’ll meet some more folks at I-40 Exit 44 Cracker Barrel on the west side of Asheville ~8AM. There are a couple of hotels at that exit 44 for anyone wanting to drive in the night before.
We’ll depart Cracker Barrel about 9-9:15 for Fontana Dam (we’ll still do the gas & restroom break after about an hour into it for the Cracker Barrel coffee contingent & gasaholics). We’ll make Fontana by ~11AM & meet up with any others there.
We’ll then leave Fontana about 11:15-11:30AM and make the northbound run on the Dragon. We’ll regroup at the end to cool down, swap lies and take in the scenery.
Just like the past few years, from there I assume the group will probably break off, with some continuing on further north for lunch, some looping around TN to run the Cherohala eastward in its entirety, some running the Dragon southbound to either Deal’s Gap or Robbinsville for lunch & then making a westward run on at least a portion of the Cherohala, etc... before heading back home or staying overnight in the area.
There appears to be some interest in grouping up at a hotel Saturday night to tour a little more of the Smokies Sunday morning. The group rates I’ve found so far around the Robbinsville area require minimum of 10 rooms and only run about 10% cheaper than normal rates, but if anyone has suggestions just let me know & I’ll be glad to check into any options.
It’s an incredibly fun day of fellowship & fun. Hope to see you October 6th!
I would like to do this drive again. Used to vacation at Fontana Village, so I've driven the road, but not in a Cobra! If I go, I would probably have to drive over to Asheville the night before, or perhaps all the way to Fontana Dam. I think you mentioned your meet-up place near Asheville, but you weren't as specific with the meet-up location at Fontana. Are you actually planning to meet at the dam site? As I recall, there is a parking area there, where people can park while visiting the dam. Is this the site? Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you on the 6th.
In the past the meet at the dam was in the parking lot near the top of the dam so I assume that is still the case.
In checking the room rates at exit 44, in W. Asheville, the Sleep Inn & Comfort Inn are around $135 +tax, as the FALL rates must have kicked in.
The rates at the MicroTel in Robbinsville are $64 +tax, more in our budget so we are talking about maybe getting over to Robbinsville on Fri and join the meet at the dam on Sat.
Bob - sent you a PM. So glad to hear you guys will be able to make it.
Yes, definitely at the same place as last time - at the upper parking area with the observation deck. Hopefully Smokey the bear cub is still alive, around, and will pose for some more pictures for us again.
Jack - from what area will you be coming? I've extended the invitation to Bob & the Raleigh crowd... if you're coming in from the eastern side of the state, you're more than welcome to crash at my place the evening before & just drive in with us Saturday morning.
I would definitely be there, but I'm already signed-up for the Z-Nationals in Georgia that weekend...
That's a incredible weekend... FFRs on the Dragon, Z-Nationals in Georgia, Sunbeam Tigers in Pigeon Forge... and probably several other get-togethers I don't know about...
Sherrell
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For those interested in overnighting it October 6th, 3 more of us reserved rooms at the Microtel in Robbinsville yesterday and the hotel advised there are only a few rooms left now. The number there is 1-828-479-6772.
We’ll then leave Fontana about 11:15-11:30AM and make the northbound run on the Dragon. We’ll regroup at the end to cool down, swap lies and take in the scenery.
To be clear, you will group at Fontana dam around 11:00 and head which way from there? Toward Robbisnsville NC or Deals Gap/Maryville TN.
Greg
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So many things going on this Saturday but it looks like this might be at the top of my list. Anyone planning on driving down from Knoxville and want to run together?
This is the latest forecast... Sun and clouds mixed with a slight chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 73F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Yeah, I'm really not liking how that weatherman changed his odds since earlier in the week. I'm photo-shopping all that green out of your picture as we speak, Greg.
No worries. As Bob said last year: "that just means 70% chance of not rain". We ended up drenched of course, but I almost think that just made us laugh that much harder.
Greg and Rob: just to confirm, all of the Raleigh area folks I know of that were planning to come have backed out for tomorrow too, so unless someone speaks up otherwise from online here, there probably won't be anyone meeting at Fontana Dam now...
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