So, I'm thinking of going over to the Dragon tomorrow.

It would be my maiden voyage, and would love to have someone to motor with!

Would any of y'all like to join me?

 

What time are you planning on departing for the Dragon?

 

I'm flexible...whatever works for anyone that would like to join me!

 

Man, I wish I could, but I am soo busy tomorrow! Have a great time! It will probably be very busy up there tomorrow. And, there will be TONS of cops!

 

 

Does this mean you are headed to the Dragon?
We are leaving in a few minutes and heading to Bryson City for lunch then to the Dragon for a little video taping and pictures.
Then we are going to scout out some restaurants for next years MOTD.
If you would like to meet up somewhere give me a buzz you know the number.

David & Katarina

 

I'll meet ya for lunch! I'll call ya.

 

Youse guys watch out for the cops!

 

Who, me? Speed?

 

Well Floyd is not with us so they shouldn't be chasing after us..

Anyone else that wants to catch up we'll be at Soda Pops in Bryson City for lunch around noon, see you there if you decide to come.

 

I'm leaving Asheville about 10:30, and will check the forum again before I leave, if anyone from up here wants to go!

 

Soda Pops is a great lunch stop, sorry I can't make it today.

 

Dragon Con that is.

 

BWAHAHA!

 

You do know that there is a Minis Slay the Sleeping Dragon II - happening in Oct., right? Oct. 24th - 26th -
here's a link: http://www.tarheelminis.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1278

 

So, my maiden voyage on the Dragon today has been QUITE memorable.

After eating lunch in Bryson City, cabriopilot, his daughter and I went over to the dam and took a couple photos. It was a gorgeous day!

We went over to the Lodge, and made my reservation and deposit for MOTD 2009~ WAHOO! I got a 2BR cabin, in case someone needs a roommate.

All very nice, and rather ordinary, right? Well, I hope you are sitting down...

So, off we went to the Dragon. There were tons of motorcycles there today. We are happily motoring along, nearing the end of the Dragon, when I see this large black animal running out of the woods. I'm thinking WTH is that HUGE dog doing? (I thought it was like a Newfoundland or something?) It gets into the road, and I see that it's a freakin' BLACK BEAR running full speed, when WHAMMO! It runs straight into cabriopilot's MINI! It kinda bounced backwards, took a couple steps back, and then came forwards towards Lady G, but I didn't hit him. All of this naturally happened within seconds, but OMG!

We pulled over to asess the damage, where we found bear fur embedded in the dent! I'll let David report on the damage, but for now, I will leave you with a few pics of our day.

David, thanks so much for lunch, and for being my own personal Dragon tour guide. I'm so sad about what happened to your MINI!

 

And here he is depositing a piece of bear fur at the Tree of Shame!

 

Well I have to agree with what LadyGodiva said that if you did not travel up to the Dragon today you missed out on one heck of an adventure.
LadyGodiva and my daughter and I met up in Bryson City for some delicious Cuban Sandwiches from the Filling Station.
It was so nice out that we sat out front and watched as people walking by checked out our MINI's .



After which we drove up to Fontana Dam and then over to Fontana Village where toured around for a little bit.
Then up the Hellbender to 129 to pickup some souvenirs and then a little trip on the Dragon to Tennessee.
Before we left the owners of the Dragon Souvenir stand warned us about the TN Police.
So off we went to enjoy the 11 miles and 318 turns.
As always the Dragon proved to be very enjoyable and busy (as it normally is on a summer weekend).
As we approached mile number 10 of the 11 miles on the Dragon my daughter screamed "LOOK OUT"
and from the corner of my eye I could see a very large black dog running out in front of my MINI .
Well guess what?... It wasn't an extremely large mutant dog it was a black bear trying to run across 129 at an incredibly bad time...
BAMMMMMM!!! BOOOMMMMMM!!!! CRUNCCHHHHHH!!!!!! SMASSSHHHHHH!!!!
Get the picture? The bear ran right into my MINI hitting the left front bumper and smashing in my
drivers door then spinning around dazed and then almost ran into LadyGodiva's MINI before beating a hasty retreat back into the woods.



Well we pulled over at the overlook near the north end of the Dragon to survey the damage and although it was not as bad as I thought it was going
to be it was still damage to my MINI .
So that's my story and LadyGodiva is my witness.

 

YEOW! Glad to see you're alright!

Definitely memorable... Yeesh. And here I was thinking "Gosh I wish I'd gone to Fontana today".

BTW LadyG, Where be ye cabin? Near the lodge or out in no man's land?

 

I reserved it at the Lodge, they couldn't tell me which cabin I would have yet, but David was sure to request that it be near the ballfield if possible.

 

Oh, and cabriopilot said he was also impressed that I was keeping up with him quite well on the twisties!

 

Yeah! I had to Man-up real quick because the ladies were with me (LadyGodiva and my daugther) but as soon as I got home and closed
the garage door I let go such a loud yell that most of my neighbors have come by to ask my daughter about the squealing dog that must be in extreme pain.

This is just what I needed a few days before my birthday..
Oh well I know my friends will come through with a JCW Tuning Kit for my birthdayand that will make all things right again.

 

I was wondering when you were gonna blow...I thought wow, he is handling this unbelievably well...

You have every right to yell. And right before your Bday...

 

If only I could. If only. So when will Dilligad go to the doctor?

 

It was wonderful seeing a you all this weekend, albeit too short a time. David I am so sorry about your baby. I know it looks bad, but from the story, I was expecting worse. Thank God you guys are OK. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Art