B3R '09 - Oct 24th - 25th

[lt1_fd3s]

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

Due to heavy rains, engineers determined that a high risk of slides existed in the area, necessitating this emergency closure. The closure will be in place until further notice. Pisgah Inn remains open and accessible from US Highway 276 at Wagon Road Gap.