2014 - October 4-5th

[lt1_fd3s]

When: Oct 4-5, 2014
Where: Asheville NC to Cherokee, NC via Blue Ridge Parkway

Ok, just reserved the group sites... we are going back to Smokemont Campground in the Smoky Mountain National Park!!! just a few miles from the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway on US 441...

I'm doing this a little earlier in the month so we can have a few extra minutes of sunlight and possibly a little warmer temps...

Those who have came in the past know how I am... and how I do things. I enjoy the group effort and everyone helping out to make this a great event. This involves setup, cooking, clean up, etc... DO NOT RELY ON ANYONE BUT YOURSELF FOR YOU TO HAVE A GOOD TIME!!! if you have questions about anything, please ASK!!!

The biggest part of the larger group get together is happening from Saturday evening and Sunday morning...

Saturday - Oct 4
?? - 6pm - make your way to Smokemont Campground in Cherokee NC
6 pm - At Smokemont Campground, start the fire(s), prepare for the cookout and the evening.
* Anyone who wishes to help with the grilling, please, don't hesitated to help out the others. We've all been to cook outs before, so this tends to run pretty smoothly.

Sunday - Oct 5
Breakfast - Individual Effort!!! - in other words, it's on you, go to cherokee, bring something, it's up to you...
10 am - For those who wish to do it, we will leave from Cherokee, back on the Parkway to Asheville. We will make 2 main stops for 15-30 min
- 1st - figure it out on the way! =]
- 2nd - just past Pisgah Mountain Inn (~mile marker 408)

The stop at the Pisgah Mountain Inn is where I will consider the end of the event. This helps keep the GA folks from driving too far out of the way to get back home. Anyone who wishes to follow with me the remaining few miles back to Asheville are more than welcome...

As we grow, things are going to change... this year I'm not going to lead a convoy on Saturday and everyone stopping in the same places as a group like I have in the years past. Not many of the over looks had space for everyone to park last year... This year no one is on "my schedule" on Saturday and I invite you to make your way down the parkway at a pace you enjoy, stopping as often as you like to take in the beauty of the area. And I will see you at the campsite later that evening.

Below I am posting my Saturday schedule, for anyone who wishes to "be like a native"... Anyone is welcome to join me for all or part of my trip, but I'm serious when I say I won't stop often or for long... just stop at a few of my fav little spots...

What I'm doing...
8:30 am - Breakfast in Asheville, NC - Cracker Barrel (west asheville - 5 Crowell Road Asheville 28806)
9:30 - 10am - Gas up, final checks on the car and gear...
10 am - Get on the road, head up down Smoky Parky hwy to Pisgah Hwy (NC hwy 151) to the Parkway and go South...
* I'll probably make one or two short stops - 10-15 min stops - and then continue on my way...
~ 1pm - Arrive at the campground, check in and claim our group sites.
1pm - 6pm - hang out, get lunch in cherokee, get food for the evening, collect fire wood...

If you have any questions, please ask... I know that Holly and Jeremy usually coordinate the ATL crowd...

If you would like a list of hotels in the Asheville area for Friday night, let me know, and I'll give you to look into.

http://www.blueridgerotaryrun.com/images/b3r09/IMG_0408.jpg
Picture taken by Kevin (ZGN)

[t_g_farrell]

I'll be there!

[BrettLinton7]

Me too!

[rgould]

Count us in. We are looking forward to this always fun weekend! Thanks for reserving the group camp for us.

[FC Zach]

:seeya: I look forward to this Tray! Count Kelli and I in!

[FC Zach]

I'll probably drive the daily this year, is that acceptable? :driving:

[t_g_farrell]

I'll probably drive the daily this year, is that acceptable? :driving:

As long as its a Rotary. :D :lol: :lol:

[speedjunkie]

Damn, this makes me wish I was still on the East coast.

[lt1_fd3s]

you can drive across country speedjunkie =D

[speedjunkie]

Not without an engine lol.

I went to Deals Gap last April. I think I'm gonna limit cross country trips to at most every couple years lol.

[lt1_fd3s]

HI PEOPLE!!! this is 2 wks away!!! so yeah, i need to start just get a head count! see how are numbers are looking this year and when people plan to be in the area!!!

[ROTORX7Holly]

I posted an Atlanta caravan thread.

[t_g_farrell]

Beer is brewed and there is still some cider. Tray better get a helmet this year!

[FC Zach]

Ha Ha awesome!

[FC Zach]

Hey Mr. Farrell, kind sir. . . I'll be bringing some Nashville craft beer if you'd like to trade beer for beer. . cough (I like your beer :willy_nilly:) cough cough LOL

[FC Zach]

I'll also be bringing some of Tennessee's finest (clear, corn, whiskey. .) if you'd like to try :)

[rgould]

We should be in Asheville early Fri. evening - staying at the same Country Inn & Suites on Brevard Road as last year. No Kim & Bob this year, but another FB friend is planning to make the trip from Indiana.

[FC Zach]

We'll be 6 min away, staying at the Country Inn & Suites on Old Haywood Rd Friday night.

[lt1_fd3s]

so those who will be in friday evening... would you all like to meet up for dinner? based on what time everyone gets in?

[t_g_farrell]

Hey Mr. Farrell, kind sir. . . I'll be bringing some Nashville craft beer if you'd like to trade beer for beer. . cough (I like your beer :willy_nilly:) cough cough LOL

I'm sure we can work something out Zach, plus you have that whiskey as well. :cheers2:

[t_g_farrell]

Aaron Brown (from up in Mt. Airy NC) says he will drop in for the breakfast and a drive down
the parkway. He's visiting friends in Asheville that weekend.

Maybe he can drive to the wally mart in Brevad and see the OGTA crowd as well.

[FC Zach]

I'm sure we can work something out Zach, plus you have that whiskey as well. :cheers2:

Yay!! ! :cheers2:

[FC Zach]

so those who will be in friday evening... Would you all like to meet up for dinner? Based on what time everyone gets in?

yes!! !

[t_g_farrell]

I'm starting to prep for the trip. Gotta get the gear out, sort thru it, air it out some.

Weeee!

[88turboii]

nice! so i havent driven my fd since DGRR haha. popped the hood and rats had eaten into some of the wiring and interior has serious water leak and mold issues. have my work cut out for me tomorrow. hopefully be able to meet up for dinner tomorrow night

[t_g_farrell]

Packing starts in 30 minutes or less! :)

See you all at the Cracker Barrel in Asheville.

[t_g_farrell]

Don't forget that I will be going down to meet the ATL crowd in Brevard. We can pull off at
the rest stop across from the trun to 276 to get organized if needed and then head down
from there.