*PICS* Tail of the Dragon 2014!

[01sapphirebob]

So this year I took the plung and did the Tail of the Dragon with the AL/TN region of the VOA. WHAT A BLAST! This is an event you HAVE to do if you havent done so yet. I will admit that I was a bit nervous as I have hear many a horror stories about the dragon and to boot someone lost their life the week before the event. With that being said though I could not wait to drive the dragon and see what it was all about.

Our day started at about 7 am getting the car packed and ready for the road.


We then topped off our tank, met up with someone and started the drive down to the meeting point with the rest of the group in KY.



We met up with everyonme at Chipotle in KY for some lunch, stretch our legs, and get fuel for the road.






We got on the road and made our way through KY and on to TN!



ANother stop for gas in TN and then we pressed on.



It's always cool to see a Viper on the road. When theres about 20 of them...it's EPIC!





We made our way into town and to the hotel. It was a welcome site. the ride down went smoothly but a needed rest from driving was welcome site.








The AL/TN region planned a dinner at a hotel that had a beautiful view of the mountains. So after checking n a relaxing for a bit we madfe our way over to the other hotel for so food.





We ate, had some after dinner drinks and then it was off to bed to get some rest. There was dragon slaying to be done in the morning.

The day began with breakfast at 7 a.m. We quickly ate as the group was to meet in the parking lot at 8 a.m. and wheels up at 8:30





The dragon is about two hours from where we are staying. No problem though...when you are driving with 30 or so vipers it makes it all worth it!


So this was my first year so I didn;t know the routine but from what I understood my group was running the event backwards. Normally everyone meets at a Cracker barrel in Knoxville and then drives over to the dragon. They do the dragon and then the Skyway. Well we headied straight for the skyway and then ran the dragon. Fine with me.

We made it to the end of the skyway and everyone parked and relaxed for a minute.






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[01sapphirebob]

From there I don't have many pics as I was too busy concentrating on driving the dragon. HOWEVER...my wife (without me asking) took some video of me on the dragon. I will admit the footage probably isnt that impressive. It was first time driving the dragon. I was nervous. If you attended one of the many safety meetings you know that rules #1,2,3,5 and seven are "DO NOT CROSS THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE."



So after all the fun on the dragon we made our way back to the hotel and got ourselves ready for dinner at the Crystal Creek Grille. Dinner was great and the view was awesome. Some 45 Vipers in the parking lot for dinner.









The next day brought even more vipers together. The group numbered almost 75 cars. We were running "The rattler." A stretch of road in NC that is much like The dragon. We took this road to a AL/TN members lake house for some lunch.









So after lunch and a bit of socializing everyone headed back to the hotel to rest a bit and get ready for the parade through dowton Gatlinburg.


Cars were staged and ready for the parade.




Then the parade got underway. What an impressive site and sound!


Then we made our way through town to dinner.


A special menu was prepared for the club!


After a fantastic dinner and some even better conversations everyone made their way back to the hotel and then out for the evening to have some refreshments and reminisce about the past few days events.

We got back on the road at 7 am on sundy to make the long drive home. It was a great weekend and I have already marked my calendar for next year. If you have not slayed the dragon yet I highly recommend it! See you for the 10th anniversary next yet in '15

[daytonprowler]

This is what it's all about folks!

[City]

What a GREAT review Bob! Thanks so much for taking the time to post this up. Looks like you were very lucky with the weather. Love the "YEEEHA" plate!

[FLATOUT]

Damn! That looks like fun!

[No hemi]

It IS FUN, if you haven't done it, you are missing , the Al/TN guys/gals do everything to make you feel at home, and it's 2 full days of absolute driving and spectacular views, highly reccomend (sp.) it, this was my 2nd time, and it was even better than the first.

[01sapphirebob]

Forgot to mention that a coupke of those are actually videos. Theres one on the dragon and another of all the cars running waiting to start the parade AND one of the parade

[uvbnbit]

Glad you decided to join us. Sucks having to go home after a weekend like that and yes, mark your calendars for next year. We'll try and take it up a notch. . .
Thanks for sharing pics

[GreenVenom]

Great Writeup and pics!! Thanks for posting. Fantastic weekend with an always great group of people!! Truth told I was worn out and sore since I'm in such pitiful shape from last 2 1/2 years of rehab work. But, it was worth it! Can't wait to do it again

[Mopar Boy]

Nice job Bob.

Yes, I will have to plan this for next year. Although I do have a question. How the hell did Stretch manage to make it into like 40% of your photos? Its like where is Waldo but 2 feet taller. LOL

[Stretch]

I was all over the place having fun!

[C.J]

Bob, thanks for sharing the photos, and it was great to meet you and Lindsey (sp?). Looking forward to seeing y'all next year.
- Craig

[Thatcarguy]

Nice write up. Just added this event to the bucket list!

[Leslie]

Awsome description of trip! I want to go next year now!

[C.J]

Your ACR would have had a great time!

[ViperWally]

No write up here, just thought Id throw up all the pics I took in case anyone wanted them











Staging for Parade

[ViperWally]

here are 2 SSG didnt have a chance to line all of them up for shots everyone was all over the place LOL










Staging for the Lake House







Keeping them inside




SEXY Brian LOL

[ViperWally]

Taking over EXON they sold ALOT of 93 fuel today.





On the Dragon


Have to upload videos from GoPros



Brake prior to the run











Staging for something cant remember

[ViperWally]

3 of these TA were there Say WHAT



Everyone sleeping



More to follow when I figure out the Go Pro cameras and steal my Wifes phone

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

What a GREAT THREAD ! Thanks Bob n Wally

[J TNT]

Great Pics ! Thanks for sharing !

[gerch85]

Awesome pictures!

[NSviper]

Just landed home, checking out the great photos from Bob and Wally. Not much to add, except for this one..... which I thought was pretty neat, to show the local wildlife, showing they rule the roost!!!!

[01sapphirebob]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I cannot tell you how much this event was. As I mentioned in another thread it was pratically like a NVE. I will be back for next year. Is it 2015 yet??

[herbbone]

Wow. This is something myself and wife have to do. Great pics. Maybe next year. Thanks for posting.