Just as the title says. Last we had several folks step up and lead some day drives. Doesn't take much work and is a great way to meet some new people. So if you interested, shoot me a pm or email.

and remember...ask not what can the Dragon do for you, it's what can you do for the Dragon

 

I was a DDV last year and it was a blast. However this year I'll not be able to be away from my booth so I'll need to pass the Maps and info I have from last year to anyone that wants to lead the Devils Triangle Drive. We had over 30 MINI's and everyone had a blast. PM me for details. FYI it's an ALL Day event. Here's the details from last year and I can get you the maps too.
http://www.minisonthedragon.info/Devilstriangle.html

 

I don't think I'm staying over in the area this year but I'd be happy to lead drives Friday/Saturday/Sunday to various destinations in the area as desired. For the most part, these destinations would keep you from daytime Dragon event activities but have you back in time for dinner. A few I've done in the past.....

A BBC (Brewery, Bakery, Cafe) run to Sylva, NC
Lunch and a short bit of shopping in Highlands, NC
Lunch at Jarrett House in Dillsboro,
Gatlinburg and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

Although I haven't lead a group to this area from the Dragon, I'm also quite familiar with Devil's Triangle.

A few new possibilities for anyone interested.....
The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, TN
Cades Cove


Anyone interested, let me know desired day and destination. Just be warned that I seek the crooked path.

Cheers,
Donna

 

I would be up for the Lost Sea Adventure trip on Thursday, 30 April instead of going on the Zip Line Excursion. If any one else would like to come along I think the rate would be better for 20+ people as a group. I don't mind being a Day Driver for it. Start the beginning count at plus 3 for this one.

How long does the drive take? It appears you can by going through Robbinsville and the Cherohala Skyway. What is the best route?

Also, We could do the Skyway early and return to Robbinsville in time to catch the 5pm Dinner at Lynn's Resturant. If we get 20 + going on this then we might overflow Lynn's place. hmmm. Any comments?

 

Depends on what you want to do. I'll stay with leading a zipline group on Thursday because I'm a zip line freak.

To do the Lost Sea, I was thinking 129 toward Robbinsville but taking a short cut through Joyce Kilmer to the Cherohala. Then slightly bypassing Tellico at the end, through Ball Play to Sweetwater. Return trip up 411 to 72 to 129 and run the Dragon back. Running it that way, estimated time would be around 2 1/2 hours over and 1 1/2 hours back (rest stops not included) The reverse works too.

 

I have never been to MOTD, nor do I have experience leading any groups, but I would make a great first mate, lol. So if anyone wants to lead a group and would like a helper, I'm your man. Then in 2010 I can feel comfortable doing my own.

*EDIT* i think i can talk myself into leading a drive if there isnt enough willing bodies.

 

Has anyone ran this route? I've ran half of it before (Gatlinburg to the Dragon via the Foothills Pkwy,) so its something I wouldnt mind trying to lead.... Plus, i love Gatlinburg. and seeing how its a BIG cruising scene it would be really sweet to see a string of MINIs roll through. good place to get a bite to eat before completing the loop back, too.(its almost exactly the halfway point) what do you guys think?

its about a 4 hour round trip (with no stops) and about $9 in gas in a MCs.
Has it been done, or being done? good or bad idea? If it happened i'd like to do it on Saturday I think. Hopefully after the ice cream run and before the farewell dinner, but thats open for discussion.

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/4-Q3z5m_A3hw8T

 

I've been in and around it a good bit. Also, I think someone else has run it with an early launch time at previous Dragon Runs, which helps with slow traffic. On a Saturday afternoon through the Park sometimes it's hard to even get up to the speed limit.

It's doable but if you run it after the Ice Cream Run you would be hard pushed to make it back for dinner. If your followers went on the ICR and then continued on around from there it would probably make more sense. But then that may have been your plan. I can't tell by your map but old 19 from Bryson City to Cherokee would be my recommendation, rather than the 4 lane. FYI, you can add at least an hour to the drive for group travel/stops, plus the time for any food stop.

Also, if 441 from Cherokee to Gatlinburg wasn't full of slowpokes, I'd probably take 73 from Sugarlands back to the Y in Townsend, instead of Wears Valley. If 441 was full of pokies then 73 will be also.

It'd be a nice run. You should do it.

 

This was the Sunrise Drive on Saturday Morning last year, was it not? It was awful hard draggin my butt out of bed at 6:00 am after drinkin' beer till 2:00 am. But it was worth it..

 

I posted this idea last year and didn't get much response, but thought I'd try again. I will be leaving bright and early on Sunday- heading to Indianapolis by a scenic route TBD. So. . . any interest in a one-way drive from Fontana heading roughly north? Possibly one last drive through the Dragon and meander from there before getting serious about heading for home. I'd volunteer to plan a route (this is only my 2nd MOTD so I don't know the terrain especially well yet), and let people break off where ever it suits them, for their individual destinations.

Posting this just to gauge interest. . .

 

I ran that route one Saturday from Knoxville all the way around and back to Knoxville, with lunch and eating ice cream while wandering around Bryson City, I was pretty beat when I got home. It took about 5 or 6 hours and I guess a little less from the Dragon and back. But on a weekend in the Summer it will be really busy heading towards Gatlinburg that it wears you out trying to drive it. If I make it out to the Dragon this year it will probably just be for Saturday with no stay over, and I'll help you Donna if I'm able to and you need my assistance, assuming you even do one.

 

I added a new drive this week: The Road to Nowhere
"Fontana Lakeside & The Road to Nowhere" will take you on some nice winding back roads near the S & N shores of Fontana Lake. Then we'll travel into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on The Road to Nowhere that ends at a 1200 foot tunnel into the mountainside. We'll have some scenic spots for pictures and have a picnic in front of the tunnel (bring folding chairs or a blanket). The adventurous can hike through the tunnel (flashlights recommended).
We'll be leaving on Thur 30 April at 10AM, come join us!
Sign up and details here http://www.minisonthedragon.info/200...o_nowhere.html

 

i woudl do it if i was closer

 

FYI: Paving on Newfound Gap Rd, also known as 441, through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was slated to begin today and last through mid June. I would not recommend any drive through the area using 441 due to lane closures for this project.

 

There is a restaurant in Highlands, NC, that I have always wanted to try. I have been told by many that it is awesome..... The Rib Shack.

The Highlands Rib Run will depart from the Fontana General Store @ 9:30AM

After lunch you will have an option of what to do next, check out the info.

(We will be back in time for the Brewswap! )

 

This isn't a bad route, but you are missing one of the most beautiful roads in the USA, Little River Rd, by not ducking down into the Smoky Mountain Park a bit earlier.

This route looks a lot like my Scenic Smoky Mountain Drive from MOTD 2006 or the Sunrise Smoky Mountain Drive from MOTD 2008 (same drive, different time of day). See the first post on this thread for PDF links to drive packets with turn-by-turn directions, mileages and everything you would need to make the complete trip: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...mountains.html