Tail of the Dragon - GET ON BOARD NOW!

[Brian GTS]

Brian, did you see my note earlier about putting us down for the Ackley run?

Yes sir. Everyone that replied had interest in Ackley so Ackley is in the itinerary for everyone. If some others want to run the Dragon a THIRD time on Saturday and not do Ackley, then that's fine too. The itinerary was e-mailed last night, but may as well publish here too:

Thursday 5.29
- Carolinas VOA Convoy to Gatlinburg
- 4:00pm - Arrive in Gatlinburg - Check into hotel.
- 6:00pm - Dinner at the Park Vista Grill
- 8:00pm - GET GAS NOW! Top off your tank regardless of level. Trust me!!!

Friday 5.30
- 7:00am - Breakfast at the hotel
- 8:00am - Meet in the parking lot of the Greystone Lodge fully gassed up (again, recommend getting gas the night before)
- 9:00am - Day 1 of driving the Smokey Mountains begins. (Gatlinburg -> Pigeon Forge -> Deals Gap -> Tellico Plains) This includes the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.
- 12:00pm (about) - Lunch in Tellico Plains (Get more gas!)
- 1:30pm (about) - Head back to Gatlinburg and do the Tail of the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway AGAIN!
- 5:00pm - Meet in the Greystone Lodge parking lot
- 5:30pm - Leave for dinner at the Crystal Creek Grille

Saturday 5.31
- 8:00am - Breakfast at the hotel
- 9:00am - Meet in the Greystone Lodge parking lot
- 9:30am - Day 2 of driving. Scenic tour through the Smokey Mountains.
- 12:00pm (about) - Lunch at Douglas Lake at an AL/TN member's lake house
- 4:30pm (about) - Arrive back in Gatlinburg
- 5:30pm - Meet at the staging area for the parade
- 6:00pm - Parade starts, dinner afterwards at the Cherokee Grill

Sunday 6.1
- Breakfast & drive home.

[CarolinaViper]

Brian,

Last year when you guys met at the Cracker Barrel, did you have a hard time getting tables. If so, Donna and I will leave about 30 minutes prior to you passing exit 75 on I-40 (the exit were we live) and try to arrange tables and parking for the group.

On a different note: Weather predication here is the same as for the TOD. Today they predicted a 30% of rain...all we got was a five minute shower around 5 PM. Seems like the weather is nice during the morning... until 2 or 3 PM then we get a little shower between 4 and 5. Its really hard for them to predict in the mountains or so the weather people say.

[No hemi]

It wasn't hard last year( but we were only 4 people, lol), any help will be appreciated this year.

[PatrickB]

Change of plans for us guys - as it stands right now, we're coming up EARLY Friday morning! Brittany made some arrangements with her work and as of now she has Friday off. So now, I'm thinking we'll leave at like 4am or something to meet the group either for breakfast or wherever the meet spot is to leave for the Dragon runs. So are you guys meeting at a Cracker Barrel or just meeting at the hotel parking lot?

[Brian GTS]

Change of plans for us guys - as it stands right now, we're coming up EARLY Friday morning! Brittany made some arrangements with her work and as of now she has Friday off. So now, I'm thinking we'll leave at like 4am or something to meet the group either for breakfast or wherever the meet spot is to leave for the Dragon runs. So are you guys meeting at a Cracker Barrel or just meeting at the hotel parking lot?

Great news Patrick!!! On Friday morning, we're meeting in the Hotel parking lot at 8:00am along with the Ohio convoy.....fueled and ready to pull out at 8:30am to do the Dragon.... There will be about 35-40 Vipers leaving at this time. After we do the Dragon, we will be meeting up with another large group of Vipers at Tellico Plains. I have no idea how many are in the that group, but I bet we'll add at least another 20 or so.....awesome!

[PatrickB]

Great news Patrick!!! On Friday morning, we're meeting in the Hotel parking lot at 8:00am along with the Ohio convoy.....fueled and ready to pull out at 8:30am to do the Dragon.... There will be about 35-40 Vipers leaving at this time. After we do the Dragon, we will be meeting up with another large group of Vipers at Tellico Plains. I have no idea how many are in the that group, but I bet we'll add at least another 20 or so.....awesome!

Ok great - we'll plan to be in the parking lot of Greystone by 8am or earlier. Looks like that's about a 3 hour drive for us, so we'll leave before 5am and meet you guys there. Brian I may give you a call or shoot you a text when we're close.

I assume plenty of gas stations in the area of the hotel?

See you guys Friday!

[Brian GTS]

Ok great - we'll plan to be in the parking lot of Greystone by 8am or earlier. Looks like that's about a 3 hour drive for us, so we'll leave before 5am and meet you guys there. Brian I may give you a call or shoot you a text when we're close.

I assume plenty of gas stations in the area of the hotel?

See you guys Friday!

Gas stations in the hotel area are a bit scarce actually. There is one as I remember, but not that many pumps. They always advise on filling up the night before rather than morning. I bet it will be crazy busy. Best bet is to fill up somewhere just before you arrive to Gatlinburg. You got my cell....if not, you'll have it in a caravan e-mail being sent out this morning.

[Stretch]

For gas stations..... if you leave the hotel and turn left at the big traffic light back onto the main road through Gatlinburg and then drive the winding road back to Pigeon Forge, there is a huge red gas station on the right about 1 or 2 traffic lights into town. I try to hit that one because it's big and has plenty of pumps.

[Brian GTS]

Below are the tentative caravan arrangements for Thursday! I've arranged the times so we can have a safe and relaxing drive to Gatlinburg....and so that nobody has to get out of bed CRAZY early. I've attempted to arrange these stops based on general locations of members along the way. I want to thank Dave and Jeff for their planning advice with a couple of these stops! Appreciate it guys!

Thursday, May 29, 2014 - Caravan Begins

Kangaroo Express
100 Factory Shops Road
Morrisville, NC 27560
Arrive: 8:30am
Depart: 8:45am
Members: Craig, Mike, Al, Jeremy, Seth, Shawn, Brian, Paul (joining in route)

Mobil 1 (Exit #184)
2375 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd
Clemmons, NC 27012
Arrive: ~10:00am
Depart: ~10:15am
Member: Dave

Sheetz (Exit #150)
1244 Wilkesboro Hwy
Statesville, NC 28625
Arrive: ~10:45am
Depart: ~11:00am
Members: Rush, Rich, Bill

Cracker Barrel (Exit #44) - LUNCH!!!
5 Crowell Rd
Asheville, NC 28806
Arrive: ~12:30pm
Depart: ~2:00pm
Members: Angel, Dan, Jeff, Kristian

Greystone Lodge
559 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Arrive: ~4:00pm
Depart: Sunday Morning!

You may feel free to call me in route at any time. My cell number is 724-822-9625. Can't wait!

[Brian GTS]

Brian,

Last year when you guys met at the Cracker Barrel, did you have a hard time getting tables. If so, Donna and I will leave about 30 minutes prior to you passing exit 75 on I-40 (the exit were we live) and try to arrange tables and parking for the group.

On a different note: Weather predication here is the same as for the TOD. Today they predicted a 30% of rain...all we got was a five minute shower around 5 PM. Seems like the weather is nice during the morning... until 2 or 3 PM then we get a little shower between 4 and 5. Its really hard for them to predict in the mountains or so the weather people say.

Jeff, that is a great idea! If that offer still stands, we plan to arrive at Cracker Barrel around 12:30pm. It looks like there will be about 28 members. Maybe they can put together some tables? If not, that's okay too. Really appreciate the help!

[Ninjakris]

Don't wait for me at the last stop. I won't be there until midnight or so. I appreciate it though.

[Brian GTS]

Don't wait for me at the last stop. I won't be there until midnight or so. I appreciate it though.

K....feel free to shoot me a text when you get in. And try to fill your tank that night as well. Safe travels!

[CarolinaViper]

Jeff, that is a great idea! If that offer still stands, we plan to arrive at Cracker Barrel around 12:30pm. It looks like there will be about 28 members. Maybe they can put together some tables? If not, that's okay too. Really appreciate the help!

Brian - Talked with the manager today...their policy is not to reserve tables until the entire party is there but related he would do what he could but he will not be there tomorrow. Donna and I are going to arrive at the restaurant about 12:00 to see what we can do. Maybe the on-duty manager really likes Vipers and will be more accommodating. If we can't all sit together, I will at least try to reserve five or six tables so we all can order and eat at the same time.

The link below is Asheville's weather forecast during the time we will be there. Looks good driving up until 3 - 5PM then maybe some rain.

If you are going to get to Cracker Barrel early or later than 1230 call me at 828 442-3393 or better yet, when you get to Mile marker 110 call me (that will give me a 30-minute lead time to get to the restaurant).

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourb...xtbeginIndex=6

Jeff & Donna

[Brian GTS]

Brian - Talked with the manager today...their policy is not to reserve tables until the entire party is there but related he would do what he could but he will not be there tomorrow. Donna and I are going to arrive at the restaurant about 12:00 to see what we can do. Maybe the on-duty manager really likes Vipers and will be more accommodating. If we can't all sit together, I will at least try to reserve five or six tables so we all can order and eat at the same time.

The link below is Asheville's weather forecast during the time we will be there. Looks good driving up until 3 - 5PM then maybe some rain.

If you are going to get to Cracker Barrel early or later than 1230 call me at 828 442-3393 or better yet, when you get to Mile marker 110 call me (that will give me a 30-minute lead time to get to the restaurant).

http://www.weather.com/weather/hourb...xtbeginIndex=6

Jeff & Donna

Jeff, thanks for checking into reservations! I'll definitely call you at MM110...thanks again.

[C.J]

Brian, thanks for getting us organized. That is not an easy feat!

[PatrickB]

Wish I could make the main caravan with you guys tomorrow - but you guys are coming right by my office so I'll wave to you as you pass..

We'll be in the parking lot waiting on everyone Friday morning...can't wait to see everybody!

[billp]

A big thank you to Brian, Janelle and all our fabulous members for a super fantastic event. This was our first weekend trip with the club and definitely won't be our last. Here are a few candid snapshots. These are all downsized message board friendly versions. I have posted the full size versions better suited for downloading, printing &/or tablet viewing in a private album on my Flickr site. If you should have any problem accessing the photos through the URL below, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/epawelko/w9451f/

Bill & Elaine
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[billp]

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[billp]

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[billp]

A perfect ending to a perfect weekend event! Our thanks to Brian, Janelle and the NC Highway Patrol!
warning_ticket.jpg

[DaveW]

A perfect ending to a perfect weekend event! Our thanks to Brian, Janelle and the NC Highway Patrol!
warning_ticket.jpg

Hey, Bill. I apologize for Paul and myself driving so slow returning from Gatlinburg on I-40 for all those hours . Maybe the trooper just wanted to check out your beautiful car!

[C.J]

Bill, thanks for sharing those photos! And thank Elaine for capturing some good shots.

Amazing that you got a warning ticket from the NCHP. They are not known for issuing warnings.

See you next time you're in Raleigh to check out the lift.

[billp]

Hey, Bill. I apologize for Paul and myself driving so slow returning from Gatlinburg on I-40 for all those hours . Maybe the trooper just wanted to check out your beautiful car!

No need to apologize!! we had a great run on 40! My trouble start when some 20 year old was tail gating me inches from my rear bumper. I than turn off to let him pass and he almost hit me!
So then i snapped and was going to run him down, but my wife calmed me down (he had a young child in the car to) I should have gotten his license plate and report him to the Cops! So maybe they could straighten him out before he gets him self killed.

[billp]

Bill, thanks for sharing those photos! And thank Elaine for capturing some good shots.

Amazing that you got a warning ticket from the NCHP. They are not known for issuing warnings.

See you next time you're in Raleigh to check out the lift.

Yea, we had a great time with everyone! and I must say, you have one amazing young lady great job Craig!!!!

[C.J]

Yea, we had a great time with everyone! and I must say, you have one amazing young lady great job Craig!!!!

Thanks Bill, but my bride gets most of the credit.