Atlanta Caravan to 2010 DGRRX
 

I had lunch today with Phil and some of the Atlanta rotorheads. The Atlanta caravan will be leaving Friday morning, April 16th, 2010, as some of us will be volunteering and need to be up there before the afternoon. The meeting spot will be at the Wal-Mart parking lot at Exit 4 off of I-985N at 8:30AM. I would like to leave the north end of Atlanta around 9:00AM. So get all your supplies in the car and be ready to roll by then. One important communication item is a 2-way radio, set on channel 7, as there is minimal to no cell coverage up in the mountains. Chevron Gas station is right there also. Map link here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.023518&z=16

Caravaning are:
ROTORX7Holly - Holly
Proxy One - Jeremy & Abigail
imazro_7 - Carlos and wife
RotoryPolo - Marco & Vance
ZGN - Kevin
daleclark - Dale & friend Phil
Estevan - Steve Crandall
notnauto - Kristy
papmagu - Simon
lwnslw - Joe
darthrotary - Ian & Sam
Rotarywall - Ed & Billy
9G Redline - Kevin & Cathy
Trexthe3rd - Mike

Planned Route: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...=UTF8&t=h&z=16

I shouldn't have to write this here, but I have lots of experience caravaning and yes, we are all excited to get to our destination, but let's do it safely and be sure we don't leave anyone behind. We do not have to stay in the same line-up all the time, but keep the following in mind.

CARAVANING COURTESIES:
1. ALL vehicles, especially the 1st and last, should have a 2-way radio, set to channel 7. Double check communication before leaving the meeting spot.
2. The lead vehicle should have a passenger to help navigate.
3. The last vehicle should have a passenger or know where they are going.
4. All vehicles should never leave any other vehicle behind, at a stop light, etc. Slow down until the vehicle catches up, and communicate on 2-way to the group.
5. All vehicles should keep an eye on the vehicle behind them and slow down, if need be, that way we do not lose anyone.
6. If you need to pull over communicate via 2-way, or if it is an emergency, try to get the attention of vehicle in front of you and pull over, when they see you are missing, they will let everyone know to pull over and wait. Then we can decide if all need to come back to you, or just wait at another spot.

In general keep count of everyone and the lead vehicle should be aware that all is accounted for by getting info from the last vehicle.

I might Join your caravan as I can't leave until Thursday night at the earliest :(

That's cool. Let me know if you guys want to come over Thursday evening and stay.

Pretty sure we will have Carlos and his wife with us too.

The Pensacola contingent might just meet up with you! Myself and my buddy Phil (no relation to Herblenny Phil :)) will be driving to ATL from Pensacola Thursday night then heading up Friday AM. I believe we'll be staying in the north end of town as well - we'd love to meet up and caravan up with you guys!

Dale

It would be great if you guys could join us, the more the merrier in a caravan.

Hi Dale. I haven't seen you since April 2002, when I was visiting Pensacola. That was the weekend I got a contract on my house in Tallahassee, then sold it and moved back to Georgia. It will be good to see you again. Wow time sure does fly. Do you know where you are staying yet? Several of us live on the north side. I can host some travelers at my house.

Holly

Hey Holly! Wow, it was that long ago? Dang!

My friend (Phil) has a good buddy who manages a Holiday Inn Express on the (I believe) north end of town. He's going to find out tonight what location it is. That actually could be a decent place to meet up as well.

Good thing is we'll be getting hooked up bigtime with the room that night, so that's not a worry :).

I'll keep you guys posted as I find out more!

Dale

this is great guys, like Jeremy said..the more the merrier and can take care of each other on the road if anything happens. Holly, I might have a 1st gen coming along with us as well. Hes my next door neighbor.

Talked with Steven (Estevan) at length the other night, as of now we're planning to drive up to ATL together Thursday, stay the night, then meet with the rest of the ATL gang to finish the drive to Deal's Gap on Friday.

Let's get a list going of who will be in the caravan. Add your name to the list:

- Dale Clark
- Steve Crandall (Estevan)

Dale

I have been updating the list in the 1st post Dale. That is good to hear that you guys will be joining us. I think I'm going to change the meeting location over to the 1st exit off of I-985. That works better so we don't have to all get on the interstate and immediately get in the left lane for the I-85/I-985 split. I will update the info at the top,

Sounds good to me, even closer to my house.

Sounds good, Holly - good idea updating the first post!

Is this where you're speaking of?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.023518&z=16

Looks like I-985 and Buford is Exit 4.

Dale

That's the location Dale. I'll update the first post with your link. Just turn onto Buford Mill Dr. there and then make a left into the upper Wal-Mart parking area.

Hey Dale, is Steve Crandall the same guy whose 1984 GSL SE is featured in the 2010 Mazda RX-7 Calendar, on the month of June?

Might be, he had a turbo FB before the FD.

Dale

Yes, Thats my old car.:icon_tup:
I miss her!

I can't wait to meet everyone!

Steve

Holly, my neighbor is not on the forum. You can just put him under my name...his name is Vance.

Thanks

Everyone, don't forget to bring a 2-way radio for communications. Cell coverage is very limited to none, for most of our drive and our destination. Set to Channel 7.

I will be joining.

^Cool... DGRRX is going to be insane! Can't wait!

Found out myself and Steve (Estevan) will be staying at the Hampton Inn Cumberland Mall. It's at exit 19 off 285, looks like it's a ways from the meeting place.

Any of you Atlanta folks know how far it is from there to the meet?

Dale

Looks like its about 35-40 miles Dale, almost all of which is freeway driving so id say it would take you about 30-45 mins to get there.

285 East to 85 North then off at 20 for the meeting place.

It's very close to my house Dale!! I can probably meet up with you guys around Cumberland area before we head up to meet up with the rest!!
Marco

Sweet Marco! That would also be a help to follow you there to the meet point.

Hell, I bet if you come on down we can skeeze you in to the free breakfast at the Hampton :).

Dale

Cool Dale, yeah lets do that....I will take up on your breakfast next time..lol
PM me your cell number..we will coordinate.

Peace

I have added our planned route up to Nantahala Village to the 1st post in this thread.

Holly! Looks like the Savannah Rotary Club is joining for the ride LOL! Even though its only Edd and I. But Billy will be with Edd and Sam with me! Booking her ticket into Atlanta today, and looking at hotels right by the meet for the ride up. I will call ya with the details as soon as they are made ;)

Ian, I left a message on your cell. There is no need for you to find a place to stay. I can accommodate all 4 of you. And I'm about 3 miles from where we are going to meet for the ride up. So cancel any reservations you have made, immediately. Let me know if I need to pick Sam up, I will be happy to help out.

updated list on 1st page.

Didnt make the reservations yet, and was thinking about a hotel room, because it will be the first time I will seen Sam in over a month lol, if you know what I mean! But talking with her tonight will see what we can come up with ;)

Sorry I didnt return your call, just got bombarded as soon as I got to work. Will holla tomorrow ;)

[QUOTE=darthrotary;114601]Didnt make the reservations yet, and was thinking about a hotel room, because it will be the first time I will seen Sam in over a month lol, if you know what I mean! But talking with her tonight will see what we can come up with ;)QUOTE]

Oh duh. I understand that now. If you need to mess up a hotel room before the next night... well OK. :) I wouldn't want you too keep the whole house up. lol Anyway, let me know what works for you.

Alright, here's my official RSVP for the caravan from Buford. So throw my name on the list. :)

New tires going on today!

Get your rides ready!

Man i'm so excited about this year!

Steve

Im indeed trying to get the rides ready, its looking more and more like im going to be in the RX2 as im waiting on parts for the RX7 and dont know if they will be here in time to get it all buttoned up.

Sweet Baby Jesus is it the 16th yet!?!

The Dragon is open, as of 8am this morning. WooWoo!

I have updated the list on the 1st post of the 1st page.

Looks like we have a good sized caravan going. This is exciting! Can't wait to see everyone on Friday morning. =)

^+1.

FD is doin' good, getting all the last minute things together and getting ready. Holy crap it's time already!

See you all on Friday bright and early!

Dale