Hi Gary, do you know whether Alyce has received the remainder of Laura and i's lodging payment ? I should be paid in full, and mailed to Alyce along time ago.

Mike R

 

Coalvalleyer Mike here

Laura and i will probably meet everyone coming to LeClaire assembly. We all should figure a prospective time of morning to meet and fuel up.

 

Yep, you are fully covered and good to go.

--

 

Frankly, I haven't thought that far ahead yet to this level of detail. Someone must be really itching to get going!

We've got ample time to get to Shelbyville that day so the departure doesn't need to be at an ungodly zero-dark-thirty hour in the morning. I'm thinking wheels up and off around 8:30-ish from the LeClaire exit BP maybe? Other suggestions?

 

They have bears?!?

Every road posted and/or talked about here looks amazingly fun! I am barely able to contain my excitement

 

Bears! Yes, we saw a mama black bear and her cub cross the road in front of us and then 10 miles later we saw another black bear. We hiked one day and when I had hiked enough and Peggy wanted to go farther I said I would wait for her by a falls. 5 minutes after she disappeared up the trail I saw another bear cross the trail she had just gone up. A little while later a family with 2 small kids came up the trail and we could still see the bear up a couple of hundred feet milling around. When I said I was pretty sure I could out run the 2 kids they quickly headed back down the trail. 1/2 hour later when Peggy came back down the trail I told her the story and she had not seen anything. Yes, all the roads are awesome

 

ROFLOL!

Reminds me of that saying, "I don't need to be faster than the bear. I only need to be faster than you."

 

Countdown clock to our LeClaire departure.

 

Here's another option for our route library -- a half-day trip to Cades Cove...

http://tinyurl.com/o47rlwl

Some information about the place: Historic Cades Cove Loop

Includes another crack at Steve's recommended Old Scenic Hwy 73. Some of the other roads would require extra careful motoring as they're really back in the boonies, and only a lane-and-a-half wide in some spots...but very scenic...

 

Cades Cove loop is a 1 way road thru some pretty remote areas so speed is not an option but some neat scenery and they have a working grist mill that grinds flour if anyone is in need of some flour. Worth a 1/2 day trip for sure.

 

We are really looking forward to the week, and are avidly following the discussion. We will join up at Le Claire, and do have a reservation at the Ramada at Shelbyville also. The suggestions are looking great, and the Cades Cove loop Is especially interesting!

 

Geez...nearly three weeks away still, and I've already started living and motoring vicariously via the wonders of Google Earth --

The TN side of the Dragon

Wyndham Smoky Mountains Resort

 

The waiting is such torture!!

 

So for the Friday a.m. group, did we decide on an 8:30 am departure from the BP at 212 South Cody Rd in Le Claire?

(The BP across the river in Rapids City is a bit closer to the freeway, but gas is more $$ in Illinois...)

 

Just got the official "okay" on my leave request for the week. I will be working until 3 on Friday the 20th and now I need to decide how ambitious I will be Friday night. I will aim for at least halfway.

 

We are good with an 8:30 departure time. In fact if I had my druthers I would leave now or yesterday.

 

0830 sounds good to me. The BP in Le Claire is great.

 

Is there anyone leaving Saturday morning? That would like to hook up and motor together. More the merry er. I hate to see the Friday group have all the fun.

 

From reading the earlier posts it looks like 05MINI is departing the Dubuque area around 6 am on Saturday, and Little Rebel is leaving Des Moines about the same time; both passing through Davenport for points east. You might be able to hook up with one of them or, at the least, stay in contact via phone during the day so you know if you're likely to cross paths.

I'll re-send the phone list with NAM IDs too. I always forget that I have an advantage when it comes to knowing who is who.

 

8:30 is fine with us!

 

My mouse pad at my office in Greenbelt...

...it pretty much says it all...

 

Love It!!!!

 

Hi 2nd Gear
Its Coalvalleyer Mike, you would'nt happen to have the phone number of the Ramada Inn where you've made your reservations ? I think i'll make some there also.
Mike

 

Mike, Ramada Shelbyville Ky. Try 502-633-9933 or 800-992-2694

 

Pepe is in DSM getting oil change, etc in prep for the smokies...thanks to Jeremiah, I am driving a sweet 2013 racing green coupe...and I am getting a little attached