YEP!! Just booked our cabin for the 10th anniversary of the Dragon!

[outnumbered]

Anything specific a first timer would need to know about this trip?

[Joel]

OK, OK, I get the message and I don't know why I waited so long to post the information. After all, it is January and we need something to look forward to during the winter months. We will be holding our 10th Anniversary Tail of the Dragon event from Thursday May 28 until Sunday May 31 in beautiful scenic Gatlinburg Tennessee. Tip of the hat (or finger of blame) to Chip Winter for starting all this 10 years ago. We have asked our good friends in the Carolina's Club to help us co-host this event as some of the scenic driving will take place in the great state of North Carolina. We are expecting a good turnout - last year's 75 Vipers were not quite enough - because you can't have too many Vipers. We will be posting a registration website to give us an idea of how many to expect. The site will be up soon with more details. The Greystone Lodge will be the host hotel once again and they should have all rooms updated by the time we get there. Stay tuned for more information. It will be an epic event - to say the least.

[outnumbered]

Do the cottages at the lodge have paved parking?

[outnumbered]

Reservations made!

[DaveW]

Do the cottages at the lodge have paved parking?

Sorry, Ron. There's only street parking except for red cars, which get to use the secured, climate-controlled garage at the Greystone...

[outnumbered]

Sorry, Ron. There's only street parking except for red cars, which get to use the secured, climate-controlled garage at the Greystone...

Just my luck!

[CarolinaViper]

Sorry, Ron. There's only street parking except for red cars, which get to use the secured, climate-controlled garage at the Greystone...

Dave,

I thought it was only for silver convertibles...that's why I got one like Joel's.

Jeff

[Leslie]

Yes, do tell, have always wanted to go on this trip!

Anything specific a first timer would need to know about this trip?

[ViperTony]

Yes, do tell, have always wanted to go on this trip!

Same here. I'm going to try and make the 12 hour drive this year.

[01sapphirebob]

yes, do tell, have always wanted to go on this trip!

same here. I'm going to try and make the 12 hour drive this year.

anything specific a first timer would need to know about this trip?

do not cross the double yellow line!

[DaveW]

Dave,

I thought it was only for silver convertibles...that's why I got one like Joel's.

Jeff

Youse guys get a pass, 'cause you both are so involved with coordinating our activities that, well, you deserve it; however, you will have to park along the wall near the back corner where there's little lighting so you won't deflect from our fabulous red cars... ��

[CarolinaViper]

I will have Donna bring a sleeping bad and sleep beside the car...just don't let her know. I told her we might go on a camping trip this summer.

[Schen]

I'm going to get some stuff together, maybe me and Sam can make some goodies as give aways.

Also, a buddy of mine that worked at Riley during the GTS-R program might make the trip as well!

--RS

[DaveW]

do not cross the double yellow line!

Bob IS SO RIGHT!!!

[Joel]

Those with good taste - aka silver car owners - will get special treatment but we will tolerate those with more plebeian tastes in colors. Be there or beware!

Dave,

I thought it was only for silver convertibles...that's why I got one like Joel's.

Jeff

[DaveW]

Those with good taste - aka silver car owners - will get special treatment but we will tolerate those with more plebeian tastes in colors. Be there or beware!

Can't wait, Joel! Had the most amazing time last year, thanks to you and your crew. Let me know if I can do anything for you guys. Maybe I should add silver stripes?

Dave

[Stretch]

Joel, thanks again for setting this fantastic event up!!!!



Here's some info for those thinking about attending for the first time.

Do it. 100% do it. Everyone I've managed to talk into going has either A) already gone a second time or B) planning to go a second time this year. I'd say at this point this list is approaching 20 people.

If you are a full day's drive, plan to drive to Gatlinburg on Thursday. If you're north of Tennessee (IL, IN, OH, KY, PA, MI, Ontario, etc) we will have a big convoy meeting in Cincinnati that Thursday to drive down together.
When Joel posts the hotel block information, call to get your room setup.

Things to bring:
- Hand radios if you have them, helps to relay information between cars. Get the FBI looking headsets so you can keep both hands on the wheel.
- Sunscreen
- Camera, batteries
- Printout of map / general directions. For the northern guys, I will email out the convoy info in advance so you can print it and bring with you.

General things to expect in the daily itinerary:
- Hundreds of miles of driving through beautiful roads in TN and NC.
- Some of the best roads and more well known are the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherahola Skyway.
- Dinner in the evening with all your new Viper friends.
- Parade through Gatlinburg where traffic literally stops at the site of all the snakes driving through.
- Sunday everyone leaves to make the journey home.

People drive from all over. Literally. All the states I listed above were represented in our convoy last year meeting in Cincinnati. The farthest guy drove from Nova Scotia. Dedication!

Rules for having fun and being safe on this trip........ Which will be repeated (again, and again...... and again) when you arrive.
- DO NOT cross the double yellow line.
- Do not.
- Do not.
- Safety first. Not kidding. We want you to have fun and take you and your Viper home safely.

There have been a couple cars that have gone slightly off the pavement in the past. Everyone is ok, but we do not want a repeat. Someone dies on that road every year. Last year only 1 week before we made our trip. So for real, SAFETY FIRST.

DO NOT cross the double yellow line. DO NOT.

[Loud]

If you're north of Tennessee (IL, IN, OH, KY, PA, MI, Ontario, etc) we will have a big convoy meeting in Cincinnati that Thursday to drive down together.
........
People drive from all over. Literally. All the states I listed above were represented in our convoy last year meeting in Cincinnati.

Who else was there from IL? I thought I was the only guy the last 4 years.

Having done the same trip a few times already, and as much as I love it, I am wondering if I should drive somewhere west this year.

As Stretch mentioned, not crossing the double yellow has to be on everyone's mind at all times on the dragon and skyway. Also, if this will be your first time, do not drive at your full capability, dial it down a little to enjoy it more before going full blast [if you even want to do that at first outing].

The Blue Ridge Parkway is another awesome road from Virginia to Smokies. One of America's best by-ways. And beauty is the lack of traffic immediately following the long weekend. Each time I've attended this event, I drove down the BRP in its entirety with a couple others and I wouldn't do it any other way.

A

[Stretch]

You know you're probably right. I was talking to a guy last year who was in IL and then had to bail a couple weeks before the event. Hopefully he can join us this year.

[C.J]

The Blue Ridge Parkway is another awesome road from Virginia to Smokies. One of America's best by-ways. And beauty is the lack of traffic immediately following the long weekend. Each time I've attended this event, I drove down the BRP in its entirety with a couple others and I wouldn't do it any other way.

Very true. Great drive, great scenery, very unique experience. Make sure you can stop and grab lunch at the Pisgah Inn (right on the BRP). Great food.

The other tip I learned from my first ToD last year was that your passenger needs to have a strong stomach or take Dramamine. My daughter nearly lost her breakfast on the Dragon...luckily (and I mean luckily) there was a paved parking area on the ToD where we stopped and let her walk around and feel human again. I was happy that no cookies were tossed in my Viper and happy she felt better quickly. There was one other time where she was turning green on the Cherohala Skyway, and pulled over to let her decompress again. I took it slower after that.

[NSviper]

I see the count down is on. I'll be there again for the third year in a row. Its a Great time with great people. I just hope i can make the trip down this year with some other Canadians.

We are going down again this year. But down through New England. Maybe we can convince Rob and his dad Bernie to attend this year....

[Stretch]

We are going down again this year. But down through New England. Maybe we can convince Rob and his dad Bernie to attend this year....

You may have the longest trip locked in again this year!

I've been bugging Mopar Boy & his dad to join us for the last few years. Keep bugging them, sooner or later they will cave and join us

[Leslie]

I am gonna bug him too!
I will be driving from N. Indiana so I would probably meet up with tho Ohio group.

You may have the longest trip locked in again this year!

I've been bugging Mopar Boy & his dad to join us for the last few years. Keep bugging them, sooner or later they will cave and join us

[Stretch]

I am gonna bug him too!
I will be driving from N. Indiana so I would probably meet up with tho Ohio group.

Yes do it!

There should be a few cars leaving from the Indianapolis area that you may be able to catch on the way down to Cincinnati. Last year we had about 18 Vipers driving down 75 together. It was a beautiful sight.

[DEADEYE]

Hahaha, Ronny had my face green! I almost blew chunks...more than once.