Interesting point...wonder if anyone can do this on Monday the 10th? Get out of the weekend traffic

 

Out of town on 6/10 unfortunately. Could do Saturday if better, but I guess Saturdays and Sundays will be the same.
If the Dragon is too busy, let's continue to provide alternatives in the area. Haku had also a couple of suggestions!

 

SM ATL, have you driven route 169 on the way to Helen??? You got some amazing roads about an hour north of you. I use to head up there once a month when I lived on Atlanta.

I wish I could join you guys on your trip to the Tail of the Dragon. Was there a few years ago....pretty awesome experience.

 

I'm ok for either the Saturday or Sunday...maybe even for an overnighter and stay at either Blue Waters Mountain Lodge on Santeetlah or Snowbird Mountain Lodge right the Cherohala. If anyone is up for making it a two day drive let me know.

Since we'll be there I think it may just be fun to do the Dragon anyway...at least drive it once. Slow or fast with or without traffic we just play it by ear and enjoy the company and cars. There are a bunch of roads in the area that will be fun to drive. I'll go through my maps and make some suggestions next week.

 

This keeps getting better and better...

 

Bump!
We are about 6 participants at this point.

 

Serge,

Have you driven Hwy 60 to Blue Ridge off of Hwy 19? It appears to have a lot of twisties on it. How is the road surface?

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

 

So are we aiming for 1 or 2 day (over nighter)?
If 1 day, Saturday or Sunday?

I'm up for any option and am looking forward to the meet. I'll be going through the drive options this week and will hopefully come up with some suggestions.

 

I'll do Sunday for sure. I could also drive up Saturday and spend a bit more time.

Maybe we leave the options open:
-the meet up itself would be around 10AM on Sunday: introducing ourselves, 1hr drive, lunch, 2-3 hrs round trip + photo sessions , farewell
-for those who are interested, we could travel up and arrive around 2 or 3pm, have a longer spririted driving session in the afternoon, a dinner at a nice place that has a good selection of wine and sleep a bit in Sunday morning.

What do you think?

 

We are headed to Walland, TN by way of the Dragon on,Thursday for the weekend. In addition to driving the Dragon will be driving several alternative roads in the area as well. Any potential hotels that need to be checkout while I am in area. Group still planning drive for weekend of 8/9 June?

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

 

W, if you're around Lake Santeetlah you may want to stay at Bluewaters Mountain Lodge. Its a smallish lodge run by Mike and Maury and Porsche NA uses it often. Great roads around there as well.

 

I'm up for for the overnighter. As I'll be coming from the Chattanooga side I could meet up somewhere along your route and join up to your schedule. As per my previous post I'd suggest staying at Bluewaters Lodge on Santeetlah Lake. A lot of fun drives around it including the Dragon. Its a small quiet lodge with very safe parking. We would need to book early as the season will be in full swing. PCNA uses it and their gathering last year was interesting... men in blue tracked down a bunch of them to the lodge and nabbed them for very "spirited" driving ;-) Long story.

Let me know if this works and if there are enough of us I could try for better room rates if we do a group booking.

Update: I just called them and at the moment they have 4 rooms available. IMO, we have a couple of days before they will be booked up.

 

I'm in for Sunday, I'll have to talk with the boss about Saturday. That may be difficult for me as its our anniversary..."Happy anniversary, Honey, would you mind if I leave you alone Saturday night and drive to western TN to run the tail of the Dragon?" Doesn't roll of the tongue very easily. I'll let you know.

 

Haku,

Thanks for recommendation, we are actually staying at Chilhowee Mountain Retreat, www.chilhoweemountainretreat.com near Maryville. It is small first class B&B (3 rooms) run by a great couple. We will checkout Bluewater for next time. Brunch on Sunday at BLACKBERRY FARM

Sent from my iPad using 6SpeedOnline

 

hehehe!.... but then again... if you're used to sleeping in the doghouse!!

My wife will probably come along and wants to hang out and chill at the lodge whilst I'm out playing with the boys.

Sounds good. Sometime I'll check out the B&B as well. BB Farm sounds super. I was unaware of it so thanks for the tip.

I just checked out Chilhowee Mountain Retreat and it looks fab. I think we'll try it out soon.