The Run To The Top of The Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway mile posts are numbered North to South. The SOC speedsters will be traveling South to North, therefore. the mile posts reading will decreasing traveling North. The Parkway entrance will be at milepost 388.8 (US 25/Parkway).

MP 388.8 Starting intersection
MP 384 Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Visitor Center
MP 382 Folk Art Center
MP 364.4 Craggy Gardens
MP 355.4 Mt. Mitchell State Park (Rest Stop and Coffee) Hike to the top (6,684 feet, highest point East of the Mississippi)

Optional Route: The Diamondback Loop: (http://www.diamondbacknc.com/db_loop_route.html)

MP 339.5 Crabtree Meadows (Coffee and Rest top)
MP 334 Little Switzerland (Lunch or early Diner)
MP 328.3 The Orchard at Altapass
MP 320.8 Chestoa View
MP 304.4 Linn Cove Viaduct and Visitor Center

Fast return to Asheville via US 70s and I-40

Link no workee

It is the 226-A motorcycle route that goes left and down with more curves and zigg zaggs for several several miles it finally loops back into Interstate 226 20 or so miles down. DO a search for Diamondback motorcycle route. may be you can fix us a link I tried in vain.

Lane: Just chop off the last part of the link, use the Diamondbacknc.com instead. Works for me.

Looks interesting. Even if we can't make it this year, it could be a possible destination next year.

I'm going to pack a good coat. Could have a frost up there this weekend.. They are calling now for cooler weather..

If you guys do this again next year I'm a definite maybe. Only 9 hours from Baltimore!

Drag some more of those guys down with you. Cory's done it once, the rest of the Pumpkin crew has talked about it. I can pretty much guarantee we'll do it again next year.

Ed, Are you sure? I'm getting just shy of 8 hrs. from Harrisburg to Asheville.
OK I'm a definite maybe for next year.
I ran short of vacation this year or I'd be there for this one.
Hmmmmmm....
......but you never know!!

~WB

Yeah, it'd be a comfy ride in the Titanic there with the Speedy in tow.

The way I puter along and make frequent stops, It could take me six hours to get there..

Button up rain chance on thursday. But It will be clear the weekend .. BUT very COOL!!!

>HEY<

Raining already, as I scribal this tonight. Low in Little Switzerland is forecast for around 32F Saturday.

Damn, Now what is the real count people and cars? Surprise for all cars Friday night! .

Bill: 9 hours by the Google. This would be epic and I'm in no way expecting that Karen would agree to it. If I solo it's be great to have a wing man.

Re vacations...haven't gotten mine yet this year. I'm owed about three weeks, and can't roll it over till next... Not sure how I'll get to take it & still fulfill work obligations.

Maybe just retire like some of y'alls seem to have done. ;)

Aaron: I'm not too worried about the rain as it is expected to be gone sometime tomorrow. I might get wet on the drive up (like last year), but the rest of the weekend looks good.

As for a people/car count, I guess the only thing to do is to scan back through the postings and add it up. I know of six who have dropped out, so I think we're down to around 20. For dinner, that would mean 10-12 cars.

Waxed on waxed off and stuck my junk in the trunk. See y'all in Asheville.

Ok, now that's funny, I don't care who you are.

Sun's Out! Weather looks great

Got to go wax on, wax off!

Fun's over for a pretty long whiles. Merlot was badly damaged Friday afternoon as Linda and I were on the way up the Hickory Nut Gorge. Another vehicle crossed over the double yellow line(cutting a turn) only about 3 feet and side swiped us. The real problem is ...a hit and run! The North Carolina Highway Patrol did not investigate because it was a hit and run : Mine and Linda's word only. Hope that I don't get a lot of guff from Hagertys! Damage appears to be worse that I thought. Barry Hudson tailed me this afternoon from the Diamondback and told me that the rear was off-set! Pictures later!!!!

What to do!!!!!!!

THAT really sucks! Glad to hear you are both OK. That dirty hit/run bastard.

Wild Bill,
We didn't have time to look or see the vehicle. All that I saw a white sheet about 8 feet high moving along my side with my wife screamin' and crying. The driver door rear jam is shredded down about 3/8 inch with the, but the Beck is tough! The door works fine. The rear bumper along with the brackets are twisted. The speedo quit also. Know telling what else with my luck. I'm afraid that the frame may be bent. I plan on having Carey do the repair if possible. If not, we have no one around here that can do such repairs. Ebay...here we come??????

Your own insurance should pick up the tab to repair your Beck, make sure you have or file a police report.

Aaron, very sorry to hear about your accident. Glad you & Linda are OK & hope the insurance and fix go well.

Damn, Aarom--what a frikkin' bummer---I am so sorry to hear about this. Maybe a witness will come forward or if you were able to get the make & model-- maybe check with dealerships to see if such a car with a merlot colored dent(s) came in for repairs.

Hit and run. Rat bastard.

Very glad to hear that you and your wife weren't injured.

Aaron, I'm vry glad you and your wife are okay.
The Special Edition crew can work miracles on the car, but you'd be awfully danged hard to replace.

Our Thanks to all.
This occurred on a blind curve and the white pickup with a bed cover was the culprit. I was totally surprised that the NCHP trooper didn't think it was necessary for an investigation. Also, no witnesses around. The trooper said to call if I needed a report!

I'm still in what might be call "a state of shock". It's incomprehensible to me that a human being would leave such an accident scene on an isolated mountain road. I am suspect that the vehicle had to be driven by an illegal immigrant without a driver license or insurance of any kind.

Most mountain folk would have stopped. We did have several great folks that stopped and directed traffic while I picked up the scattered trim parts and flatten stainless hubcap. A couple of Latinos stopped and offered assistance and also use of their cell phone. My thanks to all for the help!

Lucky just ain't the word for it! 4/6 more inches over at impact, Merlot would have spun into the passenger side were there were very large rocky road cut. We had more than luck riding with us!

Accident reported to Hagertys. Much to my surprise, the agent said that more and more State or Highway patrol troopers are NOT investigating accidents that do not involve injuries!!!

Take note and carry a camera for photos just in case!

I have pictures of the damage and will post them here when I get back home to my own computer tomorrow. Other than Aaron's lousy luck, this was a perfect extended weekend and one of the best events I've enjoyed with my car. We will DEFINITELY do it again next year.

I apology to all for my, well for lack of better words...attitude! One of my worst days occurred on the way up Friday. My head is still not on straight.

I'm still Mad as H>>L. You know what would make me feel better...get my hands on the driver of the vehicle!

I guarantee next year will be a 100% better.

Aaron - sorry to hear that some chicken-shit-double-dirty-rat-bastard was too much of a panty-waist to stop and own up for his FU! I'm glad to hear you are safe and uninjured (aside from rattled nerves).

Amazing that the Highway Patrol blows off your involvement in this hit & run.

Hopefully you had some time to get in a good run with the group before the mishap. Hope the Merlot can get back on the road soon and better than ever!

No apology needed, Aaron. I don't think I could have been as cordial as you were after what happened.

It even made me mad.. I'm just hoping you calm down get it fixed. forget about the ordel and just enjoy the car. The car CAN be fixed and be nice again. I'm sure of it..

I'm with Lane, Things happen, How you picked up the peace's and just kept going and put mess like that behind, said a lot . I don't think I would have even came. I would have probabley bowd out. and went home. You hung in there and lead the Diamond back the next day.. That's tough!!

I just wish we had more days to continue the adventure..and see all the sights ..
WE got a lot done!! and I had a great time. Got to socialize ,, Meet greet and swap Idea's Got to really test my car, and determin Idea's for ways to improve it.
I got home at 7:30 there were 3 wrecks on 40 that delayed me by at least a hr. Otherwise nice.

I have discussed the repair with Carey...He's the only one that I would trust to do the job! The speedo broke and the engine developed a miss as if water was in the fuel immediately after the accident.

The left rear fender quarter panel appears to be moved or pushed in toward the right. I think that she's a mess. Again, Carey and crew build one hell'va tough car. Photos later.

Thanks to ALL...put a camera in your "go bag" so that you have evidence just in case the law does no t or refuses to show!

Accident Photos: note the braking line and were Merlot is setting on the road. I was hugging the curve apex when the hit and run struck.

More Photos...damage

Damned. Ain't gonna buff out either.

I'm sorry this happened.

Aaron, the main thing is that you and Linda are OK....
the tub can be fixed. Unfortunetly Hit & Runs are becoming common place in our society, happens daily here on the West coast...It shows the new lows we have hit in our value system....

Vince,
Unfortunately, you are right about our society and how much it has changed. I've been reading a book "Our Southern Highlanders". The author lived with the mountain folk for several years...a real lesson in true Southern Hospitality. A great way to really find out about us mountain folk. The book was written in 1900!

Linda and I had a special co-pilot along with us 15 October. Thanks to All and we'll make things workout, God willing.

Hi Aaron,, I'm sorry I missed your call.. My phone was in a vacume packed quarintine as my mom insistied, all my things, wash and dryed everything that came out of the car including ME! UHHH BOY!! She is very bed bug aphobic.. She even NUKED all the paper Goods. I got a second bag of Apples at Black Mountian and half of the produce went to my friends the Vestals Oh and Mom Thanks You and Linda for taking me in the way you did on short notice, as so do I.

I believe Cary will make you very happy again. Just don't give up on it.

Guys,, I had a heck of a good time.. But I want to come back in May If possable and add to the adventure with Grand Father Mountian, Linville Gourge, and maybe BOONE. and anything else thats in that area That I havent seen or done .. We will see...


Oh Lane I do believe that was indeed Gloria Vanderbilt that was hitting on you as we got to our cars after the tour.. Do a search for Gloria Vanderbilt photos and see for yourself..

Yea for Barry!!! Linda and I got his Mom's real, old fashion fried pies!! Thanks to ALL.