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The date can be set by popular vote.

As far as how long of a stay every one is doing. That's up to you. I'm only offering my guide service for one day, in this area. Sierra Nevada can be the destination on that cruise. I've been there many times and the food and beer is very good. They pulled out all the stops when they built this place. They sometimes have live music too. http://www.sierranevada.com/br...arolina/brewery-tour

The Biltmore is pretty awesome too. I've done the house tour many times. At Christmas, they really go all out with the decorations. There is a winery and a few restaurants and pub type places on the property also. I saw BB King in concert there before he left us. You will spend some coin here though.   http://www.biltmore.com/

There is a multitude of things to do in Asheville. I just never go there. I like the simple small town life of Brevard near the forest.      https://www.exploreasheville.com/

Breweries are like water falls here. There are too many to count. There are 3 in the small town of Brevard. Asheville is eat up with them, from big to small.

 

Labor Day is the 4th of September, so I don't think we can do it before then as it's just to blamed hot.  I'm going to recommend the weekend of the 30 Sep/1 Oct.  We can work from there.

I have relatives in Arden (Asheville suburb) so I will probably make a long weekend out of it, staying in the area at least 4 days.  I recommend giving yourself 2 full days at the very least, more if you can.  There is PLENTY to do and see.  Once we have an idea of how many are interested we can develop some sort of itinerary and pursue accommodations.  We may want to spend a night or two in/around Asheville and one (or two) deeper in the mountains.  Y'all put forward some ideas.

In the spirit of practicing what I preach, here are some ideas:

  1. Definitely include the Sierra Nevada brewery.  Maybe some others if time allows.
  2. Take one day and drive over to do the Rattler.  It's much like the Tail of the Dragon but better and much less crowded.
  3. Go see the Wheels Through Time Museum.  For those who haven't been before this is a real treat.  For those who have, it still is.  We might be able to do it on the same day as the Rattler as the museum is in Maggie Valley, which is near one end of the Rattler.
  4. Those that want to do the Tail of the Dragon can do it.  I've driven it four times and I think that's enough.

Ok, now it's your turn.

Last edited by Lane Anderson

Suggestions? As my kids will tell you, everybody's entitled to my opinion.

I've never been in this part of the world, but I'd like to go. A trip like this would give me a reason, which I apparently need to make it happen.

But we've been at this point before, trying to set this thing up. When we try to plan an event by committee and vote, nothing ever gets nailed down. We flop and twitch and go back and forth, ("No, the third weekend is bad for me-- soccer tournament", the fourth weekend is bad-- mom and dad's 60th anniversary", etc.). What we need is a definite plan, and then to stick with the plan, no matter what.

It's 10+ hrs for me-- I can't/won't commit the time and money for a, "hey, let's all meet up behind the tobacco-shed for ham-hocks after work."  meet. Something like this is going to cost >$1000 for me. I'd like to come, but I need a plan.

It's got to be at least 2 full days, formally planned, with cushion days on the front and back end for those coming a long way who want to experience the area. There has to be a mix of things to do for drivers and right-seaters (who may be supportive, but not all that interested in spending a week straight getting car-sick on mountain roads). There HAS to be the opportunity for a significant amount of driving for the left seaters-- these are legendary roads, and I'd like to drive them in the car I've spent a quarter of my life on.

Carlos lives here and knows the area-- but he's made it clear he's only in for the drive portion of the program, and only for a day. Lane has a reason to go, and has offered to organize with somebody's help.

We need somebody to be in charge, and set some firm dates and an itinerary. The longer we dither, the less likely it'll be to happen.

Last edited by Stan Galat

Agreed.  C'mon folks, let us know if you're coming.

One thing to consider is that if we want a reserved block of rooms, a deposit is usually required.  I nearly got burned on a 4-figure deposit a few years back, so I need to know ASAP the level of interest, or we can all do our own lodgings.  The latter would be easiest for the organizers (looks likes Carlos and me).  If there is sufficient early interest I'll see if we can get a reduced rate without deposit, but I won't count on it.

550 Phil posted:

I'm interested too.  My problem is I have to make vacation plans 9 months in advance so my weeks are already set until 12/17.  If this were a yearly event it would be easier to plan for.  We used to go late Sept before Memorial Day.  That way kids are still in school and its too early for leaf watchers.  Its a pretty quiet time.

Sorry.  Dumb statement.  Meant to say go after Labor Day  when kids are back in school and before leaf watchers.  Late Sept is pretty ideal.

Ok folks, here's the schedule I have in mind.  I plan to drive up Wednesday and spend an evening in Asheville with my good buddy mother-in-law.  Thursday afternoon I will drive to Maggie Valley and stay at the hotel whose name I forget but will have by the end of the day (sorry).  I plan to stay there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.  Friday will be the tour of the Wheels Through Time Museum, followed by the cruise on The Rattler.  Saturday will be Carlos' cruise of the Brevard area, ending up at the Sierra Nevada Brewery near Asheville, before heading back to Maggie Valley.

@Carlos G, please comment on the Saturday idea as you know that area better than I do.  Let me know if we need to make some changes there.

Sunday would be for those folks who:

  • Need to head home
  • Want to do some free exploration in the mountains
  • Want to tour Asheville sites such as the Biltmore

If you've never been to the Biltmore I heartily recommend it.  I can make recommendation on hotels in/around Asheville for those that want to stay a night or two in that area.

As I said earlier, I will get the name of the hotel that I intend to stay at in Maggie Valley out before tonight.  I'm just drawing a blank right now.  I don't currently plan to go for a group discount, but it isn't an expensive place.  There are also quite a few others within short distances if that one gets full.

None of my business since I probably can't get off work and probably won't have my spyder by then.  But this would be my Saturday suggestion.

From Maggie Valley head to 28.  Maybe stop by Fontana Dam on 28.  

Tail of Dragon starts at corner of 28 and 129.  Stop at cool souvenir store at that corner.  Continue on 129, The Tail of the Dragon.

When off the Dragon take a left on 72

Left on 411

Left on 360.  360 to Tellico Plains

Left on 165 (this turns into 143).  This is the awesome Cherohala Skyway.  Stop somewhere near the top to gaze out on humanity.

Take 143 to Robbinsville .  Awesome little Mexican restaurant in town.

Then take 143 back to 28.  Back to Maggie Valley.

One of the best circles on earth.

I crashed coming off the Cherohala Skyway acutally traveling the opposite direction, west, in the rain.  This trip takes you west on the Dragon and East on the Cherohala.  Will likely send a chill down my spine when I pass that area again.  But I'm actually anxious to do it again.

I'd tend to agree with Phil. I know there are about a roads better than the Dragon, but the Dragon is a box I'd like to tick. I'm going to drive it, be it on this Saturday or another day. I'm not taking off a week of work, driving two thousand miles, being at the gate, and leaving it undone.

I had a CA 1 box I needed to tick as well. There are better roads in California (which Terry and Joel Schlotz know all about) , but there's only one PCH.

Last edited by Stan Galat

Gunna see if I can swap work and vacation days with someone.  I could even bring my Abarth.  To tell you the truth the Cherohala may be my favorite road of all times.  Great sweepers at incredible elevation.  No switchbacks like the Dragon.  The Cherohala is very relaxing and beautiful.  But to have a nice circle that includes both of them is great.  When I did my motorcycle trips we would usually do the circle twice.  Clockwise and counter clockwise.  There are many other cruises but this was my favorite.  It will take all day.  So you have to be committed to a long cruise.  We used to stay at Fontana villiage so we were on the circle.  

I think the Rattler looks very cool and it keeps you closer to Asheville and civilization i.e. breweries.  The Dragon/Cherohala circle is strictly for those who want a pure driving experience. 

The Rattler was the unanimous favorite last year when a bunch of my track buddies and I did that and the Dragon on the same weekend (from Maggie Valley).  Still, howzabout we plan on the "Fear the Yorkie Loop" on Sunday for those that want to.  I'll head to Asheville afterward - maybe.  I might just stay an extra night in MV. That gives us three driving days.  Sound like fun, right?

I've done the math.  From Maggie Valley to the Dragon to the Cherohala Skyway and back to Maggie Valley is 5.5 hours seat time.  That should provide enough time to eat lunch, souvenir shop at the Dragon, scenic stop on the Cherohala and maybe even Fontana Dam.  Now I just need to get the time off.  

Didn't mean to hijack the thread.  And maybe this is not the best cruise for cars.  I always did it on motorcycles.  Then it was all about the ride and getting that knee down to the pavement.  Dry county where we will be going so no ETOH.  I'll do whatever.  But it is one hell of a ride. 

I've done much, if not all, of that route, Phil, and it's great for cars as well.  The Cherahola would be great on a Big Wheel.  It's just gorgeous.

I plan to post hotel info tomorrow.  It would be helpful if those of you who felt pretty sure that you were coming could PM me or somehow give me a shout out so I have an approximate idea of our size.  I expect that we will be spread across a couple of nearby hotels.

I usually work on Sundays, and the end of September being pretty busy around here, I don't think I can change that. The Saturday of the 24th, I have to be the neutral support mechanic for a bike race, so that puts me out for that day.

If the consensus would rather do one of the other drives on the Saturday instead of my back road jaunt, you ain't gonna hurt my feelings. I would just meet you guys where ever is needed.

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