finally getting able to plan this...
When: Oct 3-4, 2015
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 3
?? - 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 4
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.
Picture taken by Kevin (ZGN)
2015 - October 3rd-4th
Hybrid Mode
