I would bet that DCMM has a caravan heading down there. Check the DCMM forum

 

Does anybody know the minimun check in age at Fontana? I definately want to make it to MOTD this year, but I have a problem if I'm not allowed to check in. Since I'm only 18. Unless I can room with someone? Please?

 

I would suggest you call Fontana Village and ask. 800-849-2258.

 

Sure there will be a early bird or two too. (not tutu, the Short Bus'd look good in a tutu... a guy not so much so ) I went down a day or two early last year and was glad I did. Being my first time there it was good to get in some practice runs on the Dragon before everyone got there.

ShortBus, I'll be glad to take you for a run... You're petite and won't slow me down!

I'm booked at the Inn the nights of the 2nd thorugh the 7th...

When it gets closer we can set up some times to check in at the parking lot in front of the rec center for other early arrivals or something.

 

i think i'm going on Wednesday... but i might have a guest :P

 

If you leave on the 3rd maybe we can meet up on the way down

 

I'll caravan with anyone that wants to... especially since i suck at directions.

 

As I recall the only tricky part was the turn off to Rt 129 South from route 411. 129 and 411 are the same road for a bit then 129 splits off a bit west of Maryville. I think that was the only part that threw me.(coming from the NE). It wasn't marked too well. There was a sign for the Fontana resort and that tipped me off that I had missed the turn just about the same time the GPS figured it out.

I'll be up for a caravan if anyone's going when I am. Plenty of time to figure that out though.

 

I currently intend to drive down Thurs morning, and drive back Tues morning. I'd be happy to join a DC caravan to or from on those days.

 

Anybody from NJ or above want to drive down together?

 

From DC, whats the time/distance thing? Does everyone do it in one day (One LONG tiring day I imagine) or break it into one long day and a couple hours the next morning?

 

Just a bit over 500 miles... 538 from Alexandria... I did it in one day last year. Left pre rush hour to get beyond Manassas before the rush hour got going. Took myself lots of rest stops, long lunch stop etc. Figure 8 hours driving plus rest stops and break time.

 

What's the schedule like for the Dragon? I know that individual events will move around, but what's the general schedule???

Maybe something like:

Thurs evening: everyone shows up and checks in - some food event?
Friday morning: drive on dragon
Friday afternoon: some non-dragon drive
Friday evening: midnight run
Saturday Morning: ???
Saturday AFternoon: ???
Saturday Evening: ???
Sunday: Does it even go until Sunday or does everyone take off on Sat. Evening?

I've never done the Dragon before, so I don't want to miss anything big by showing up late or having to head out early because I didn't know...

 

Ditto, help us Dragon n00bs.

 

Out of DC area, as of right now thinking of leaving Thus. morning (early), and taking breaks and changing drivers so it wont be so tiring and coming back on Sunday.

 

It'd be nice to see the Michigan contingent that isn't going the weekend before, to still meet up the morning of Thursday, May 4th for a good caravan down to the Dragon, like in years past :-) It's always cool to meet up with the Indianapolis, Ohio, and Kentucky MINIacs too B-)

 

how far is delaware from you. i might have plans to be up there early in the week then head to the dragon from there. well see. normally we just drive up from birmingham.

 

The 05 Dragon went something like this:
Thrusday was meet and greet dinner
Friday parade run down the dragon in the morning and other run that day and a chili cook off that night
Saturday was the 3 state run and a farwell dinner that night and bonfire
Sunday some people left that morning others left later and other left on Monday.

 

We're still working that part out and don't want to mislead anyone so we're not talking...
I believe there will be some more solid idea of what's going to happen later this month after another planning meeting.

 

1. My longest road trip ever driving was to MD and back to Richmond before i drove to the dragon. I think it was about a 9 hour drive to the dragon. Left around 3 pm one day this past fall, and made ti to the room at the dragon by midnight. It was just me and one other mini, so we just took a couple breaks (i never needed to fill up :P but she did). It wasn't that bad.

2. I've never been north of MD, so i have no idea how i'd meet anyone above it :P

 

The Midnight run was also on Saturday night.

Steve

 

I just can't believe how soon it is. We'll be there

I'm so excited to see so many old friends and new faces.... and of course get my 06 on the Dragon

 

Agreed. Not sure how many of us there will be yet. Too bad you can't make it with us #1. As far as I know it will be Jimmy from Minot, Rob, Kathy (&family?), Tiff & Mike, and me. Jody is a maybe right now.

 

I've got a group from Dallas, heading out early on Wednesday morning... making it to Nashville (about 10-20 miles south of there) by Wednesday evening. On Thursday morning we drive down to Chatanooga, TN and hook up with a group from Houston around 10:30am or so.

Are there any MINIs from GA or FL that want to join us for a 150 mile romp through the back roads on our way from Chatanooga, TN to Fontana Dam?

 

I'm the one from the Houston Group that has been throwing out ideas with agranger from Dallas. Anyone from Houston going up?