B3R '09 - Oct 24th - 25th
 

http://www.blueridgerotaryrun.com/ti...tleBlueRed.jpg

Cliff Notes:
- When: Oct 24th - Oct 25th, 2009
- What: Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Cherokee
- Where: Friday night: Asheville, Saturday night: Smokemont campground/Cherokee.

Ok, I'll finally make a thread, with right about 4 weeks lead time.

Again, I'll be doing my annual run on the Blue Ridge Parkway, from Asheville, NC to Cherokee, NC (approx 90 miles).

The idea is to start off Saturday morning, catch a bite to eat in Asheville and then start the cruise about 9 - 10 am. Stop along the way for pictures and stretch our legs.

I'm planning to camp out in the Smokemont Campground in the Smokey Mountain National Park on Saturday night. Last year I reserved a group site for up to 20 people, but since I don't remember how much lead time I need to do that, nor do I have the time to get out there to do it (can't reserve group sites online), I'm not getting the group site again. You will need to reserve your own camp site for Oct 24th!!! Probably in Loop B. It is $20 a night.. I have reserved site B023 for myself and up to 3 others. Site allow up to 2 cars and 6 people.

If you want a hotel, that will be up to you to find one in Cherokee.

Lodging Friday night in Asheville will be up to you. I can provide a place to sleep for a few people, LET ME KNOW!!! these will be First come-first serve. And I'm not completely sure how many I can support. And I can't promise a bed or couch, just a free roof over your head for Friday night at either my house or my parents. (they are cool with it... those who came last year know...)

Breakfast - ~8am Sat morning:

Cracker Barrel in Asheville
34 Tunnel Rd
Asheville, NC 28805-1230

I am going to ask that we do not try to get one large group of all of us. My reasoning for this it in the interest of time, not only in getting tables, but also for getting food. So pick a handful of people you wish to sit with and get a table. Also it will help if people are showing up at different times.

After breakfast, we will do the last gathering in the Ingle's parking lot across from the entrance of Cracker Barrel. There is gas right there so people can top off before we head out.

I am talking with Kevin (ZGN) about setting up a live feed for this event as well.

List of who's coming - campsite:
1. lt1_rx7/traynham - B023
2. Bryan + 1 guest - B025
3. N.RotaryTech - B005
4. 88turboii/gxl90rx7 - B005
5. t_g_farrell - B021
6. Sandrock
7. ZGN
8. ROTORX7Holly
9. Proxy One/PureMdMa - B028
10. 1twistedrx7
11. mclean02

updated, check OP... road closures... detour route listed...

UPDATE!!! - 10 / 21 / 2009
Due to closures on the parkway, we will make a slight detour. We will meet up with some people around NC 191 and then take that exit off the parkway (in west asheville area) and make our way to NC 151 to get back on the parkway. more details below

as listed per http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

You just posted this, nice. Anyway as far as I know I'll be there.

it originally didn't look like I was going to be able to make this into something bigger than just me doing it this year. but after chatting to a few people who are interested, I decided to follow through with it, even if only a few show up...

I may be able to make this and camp over as well. I'll post back once its definite.

Did you post this on the "other" forum as well?

i've started the list!

Is the drive spread over 2 days? Or just a Sat. haul and rest at the end? I may make it if I can finish up the car.

the idea is to leave asheville sat morning and drive all the way to cherokee (approx 100 miles) on the parkway. we will camp out and then head back the same way sunday morning. the drive takes about 2 hours to drive straight through, but i do plan to stop and hang out, take pictures and just take our time getting there.

count me in, I will try to make this.
Also I an printing up another batch of RCC shirts. $15 each shipped, or $10 in person.

Same as the ones we got at ZoomFest or different?

Will you bring them along then?

They are a little different.
http://www.rotarycarclub.com/rotary_...pictureid=1097
http://www.rotarycarclub.com/rotary_...pictureid=1109

Ok, bring 'em. I'm down for a new one.

Do they have 3G wifi?

some bits of the parkway have good signal, camp site didn't have much from what i remember last year. guess we'll just have to see how it goes!!!

you and the wife? or just you?

UPDATED WITH SATURDAY MORNING BREAKFAST INFO

or just read here:
~8 am Sat morning...

Cracker Barrel in Asheville
34 Tunnel Rd
Asheville, NC 28805-1230

I am going to ask that we do not try to get one large group of all of us. My reasoning for this it in the interest of time, not only in getting tables, but also for getting food. So pick a handful of people you wish to sit with and get a table. Also it will help if people are showing up at different times.

After breakfast, we will do the last gathering in the Ingle's parking lot across from the entrance of Cracker Barrel. There is gas right there so people can top off before we head out.

I just asked her and I don't think she'll make it. Driving through 4 states over a very short period of time does not make her a happy camper. She is still looking for a full time job. I won't know if I can make it for sure until maybe a few days b-4.



When is proxy/jeremy leaving from ATL?
Also Anyone else interested in comming from Birmingham or the surrounding area?

???

see OP... list of who is trying to make it this year...

I see the list is growing. 2 more weeks to go !!!

Its a possiable trip for viperx7 and myself. I`ll chat with him tomarrow and see if he`s free that weekend.

:icon_tup: hopefully you two can make it and i can check out the REW 10AE (that completely caught me by surprise at DGRR!)

i reserved B005, we already have 2 cars, but if anyone needs a place for a tent youre welcome to it

kevin, im in for a shirt in L

awesome!

They should be printed by this Friday/Monday

kick this thing off in a few days!

ok, i'll be nice and warn people, the temp has dropped the past few days, so be prepared for 30 degree weather at night (if not colder by then...)

Tray, not going to be able to make it. Back to back Nor'Easters up here kept us from getting anything done over the w/e. We still have about 2/3's of the boats in the water with one w/e left. Sorry my friend. I'll be down late Nov for the personal tour ;)

Also, you have a PM with my email addy to re-add me to your BBM

yeah it was below 32F here in central Alabama last night.
If i make it I'll pack the shorts and t-shirts :)

Dang, I wish I could make this.. but I can't leave for the weekend.. I could go for one day but I'm now debating about the track day..

hard choice presented are we.

wasn't the Speed For Sell event Nissan only at first? and now its an open track event for anyone?

Phil, your injury wouldn't prevent you from enjoying a nice cruise on the parkway... even if its just Saturday...

Kevin, beat and abuse your car where it might break... or enjoy a nice leisurely cruise with friends and finish off with camping?

Tray,

My injury seem worse today than last night.. I can barely walk now and I need it elevated. I don't think i could do the track day nor this one..

Injury?

he's been kickin' some ass!!!

no problem phil, get yourself fixed... the parkway will be there when your all better and you're always welcomed to come up and have me play tour guide (ask Jamin and Toby)

What about dinner plans for Saturday? Need to figure out what to pack in the cooler besides beer :)

last year we had a cooler of food we forgot at the house!!! so me and greg ran into cherokee and picked up food for grilling at the camp site. then we discovered the fun of putting out a flaming marshmellow with various sodas... caramelized soda on marshmellow = YUMMY!!!

hot dogs - hamburgers - fire wood - chips - smores

Dude you have it backwards. A leisurely cruise would be way more abuse than running at redline all day. If i make it I'll have to be at redline at least twice or she won't be happy.

i was thinking a mid-night run!!! =] and you can hit red-line there... i understand track days are rare... and the parkway is always there (may not always be open, but is always there...)

Who is leaving from the ATL, GA area and what time?

ok SC people are meeting in columbia at Rush's on Harbison Blvd at 6:30PM Friday. we will caravan to Asheville from there

I was thinking of meeting up with some ATL people but I guess no one is comming

updated, check OP... road closures... detour route listed...

UPDATE!!! - 10 / 21 / 2009
Due to closures on the parkway, we will make a slight detour. We will meet up with some people around NC 191 and then take that exit off the parkway (in west asheville area) and make our way to NC 151 to get back on the parkway.

as listed per http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

8 miles south of the 191 access to the parkway, the road is closed. Nice concrete barriers and everything. But the road re-opens 4 miles north of the NC 151 access to the parkway, 5 or 6 miles total i believe. The detour is considerably shorter than if we had to make our way to 276 and we miss only about 16 miles of the parkway. Some of the people on here know 151 well...