I promise I will show up with fresh new front brakes and at least one new tire!

 

If that happens again, he can use Wanda!

Clover

 

Someone who did not know me might read these threads and get the impression that I came up to the Dragon poorly prepared with a poorly maintained MINI.

For the record, I chose to bring a set of tires that were towards the end of their life and I knew that they would be ugly and nearly bald by the end of the weekend. I actually did measure the tread depth before leaving home and determined that they had plenty of tread for one weekend of dragon slaying.

As for my brakes, a faulty caliper chose to grind a single inside pad down to nothing. Blame MINI for that one!

You can worry about the nut behind the wheel though

 

Loved using Wanda at Midnight last year! Thanks clo!

 

I'll second that... We may tease the crap out of Yucca for the tires, we all know the reasoning (and yes the logic too) for running with the tires he had. As for the brakes... that's was out of your control too, you're just unlucky!

 

Actually, I AM lucky since my brakes chose to start making terrible grinding noises AFTER I finished motoring for the day and was on the way back to my cabin.

And I can take the teasing. My skin is a lot thicker than my tire tread and brake pad linings combined!


****Does this thread still have anything to do with helping find rides and new friends for our upside down Australian friend? If so, my offer still stands to accept a passenger. *********

 

 

I was wondering when that picture was going to show up!:l ol:

 

Damn you Papparazi!

 

 

There's just no escaping them!

 

how about the sign in the background "public safety"

 

HMMMM... I thought that shaved tires were faster than stickers.

Cheers,
Jack

 

Hi All

Sorry I have not been around, I just had some problems at work that I had to take care of or I was going nowhere, but they are now fixed and we are full steam ahead.

Any how I want to book accommodation at Fontana (or somewhere) in the next few days so has any one got any suggest on where and what I should book (rooms or Cabins)?

I am still unsure about where to land, Washington, Atlanta or Knoxville, as I do want to do some sighting see before heading to the Dragon.

Thanks for the offers of rides over the dragon, that's great but it just looks like I might have to change my travel insurance policy to include adventure activites.

Greg

 

Hiya, Greg! Washington DC is quite far from the Dragon area. You'd be better off flying into Knoxville or even Birmingham, AL, instead. Atlanta is doable, but is an intense airport, being the Southeastern hub.

Perhaps you could fly into Birmingham, rent a Mustang, and motor up to the Dragon with the Alabama MINIs, led by YuccaPatrol?!


Clover

 

If you want sightseeing during your visit, Washington may be a great place to start! You could spend weeks there alone - Smithsonian, monuments, etc. From there, drive to the Dragon via Shenandoah and/or Blue Ridge Parkways, but allow plenty time for low speed limits and fantastic views.

You'd better get crackin' on Dragon area lodging. Fontana must be full by now. Go here, and click on "Accomodations" at the top, and start surfing:

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

Good luck, and see you there!

 

hey snoppy

Fontana is the place to stay.....
but i heard there all booked up, but you should call them anyway
sometimes they set extras aside or have cancellations
but there are other places to stay in the Smokeys, as well (like Tapoco Lodge)
you can follow Daiuy sugestion and start with clicking on Accomodations at
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/
btw: plenty of places to site see in the Smokeys, fly into Knoxsville
also: if you planing on renting a kar, rent the sportist kar they got, lot's o'twisties

 

Hi

Does any one know how good Fontana is at replying to emails? As I trying to get some info and book via email, but they have not replied to my email.

thanks

Greg

 

Snoopy,

I know it may cost a small fortune for the international call from down under, but they are excellent at answering their phones. Immediately tell them that you are calling from overseas and you can probably be done with your reservations in about 5 minutes.

 

They happen to SUCK at responding to e-mails. Sorry, I LOVE them -- but there's this ONE guy who gets the e-mail and he is in a "laid-off" period because this is totally off season for them.

However, I am happening to call them in the morning (yes, for a room update) -- I'll tell him to go find your e-mail for you. Perhaps that will help.

Hugs,
PB

 

Thanks for that, As giving them a call is a bit hard, my daylight is your night time, so unless I get up at 1am in the monring I will never get them in office hours.

Thanks
Greg

 

i think they have someone in the office 24/7 (it is like a hotel)
my first time there i rolled in there in the middle of the night