Terrible, terrible news, the most tragic news of our kind...I heard that part of the BRP is shut down due to Frances and now with Ivan coming, who knows what's going to happen! The news was saying that it could take almost a year to get that part back up and open. Our beautiful BRP is taking a major hit! Maybe if we picket Ivan, he'll go away!

What are we going to do for drives now if it gets that bad??

Smokey, hope all is well with you guys up there! Just brace yourselves and hopefully you'll be okay!

What is up with our hurricane season this year?????

Michelle

 

I was up there this past Sat. The Parkway north of hwy. 276 was blocked off. hwy. 276 was closed 2.7 miles past the Parkway. I had not heard the extent of what caused the closure. I hope that it does not take a year to reopen! I love the area around Graveyard Fields.

Chris

 

Bummer! And to think that just a couple of weeks ago, we were motoring there..

 

Photos in the papers show that part of the road actually collasped and washed away. I was on that stretch this Summer - very sad but I'm sure it'll be back up to Motoring snuff soon enough. Hope everyone in the Western part of our State makes it through Ivan OK - you are certainly in all of our thoughts.

 

Lost a portion about 3 miles South of where Hwy 80 turns off. You guys remember Hwy 80, don't you? Think brakes lights!

The only way to Mt. Mitchell is from the Asheville side. From what I've heard that was the only "mudslide" that affected the BRP, the other was a major one that shut down I-40 at the top of Black Mountain. The fed's are saying a year and 11 million to repair the parkway, so needless to say, I'll be scouting out other routes.

I think that all the other closings are/were a precautionary measure to reduce the possibilities or injury. If you had seen the amount of road that slide down the mountain and the height in which it went, well let’s just say "Holy crap that's a long way down!"

Frances hit WNC rather hard, in a lot of our favorite motoring areas and many of our smaller towns. Lots of concern with Ivan. Our place is fine despite 12 + inches of rain in 24 hours, I'll let you know when this one is over how everything and everyone is doing.

As I type now, we've had 2 mandatory evacuation: Green River Cove area in Polk County - We motored that area last Eurofest and the town of Canton in Haywood County - We motored up hwy 151 a few times with Dragon folks and m2c2 folks.

Hope all our friends in FL/AL/GA and SC are doing well.

 

Thanks for the first hand details Smokey -

Glad to hear that you are personally weathering the storm(s) OK. Keep us posted.

 

Couldn't agree more! Glad you are doing okay!

 

If anyone's interested..

Friday 24 september 2004 & Sat 25 september 2004

A few Lotus Elise's, S2000, WRX, Miata, MINIs at the dragon...

 

Man, why does all the good stuff happen when I'm moving and when Shaun of the Dead comes out??? Sorry, but that movie is a must!!!

Oh well...gotta admit I do love the Vampire in your name!!! Rock on!!!!

Vampires rule and zombies are a close second!

Michelle

 

Hey Dave,

I think we can squeeze through!




What do you think?



On second thought, I think I'll pass. The good news is they are shortening their estimate on repair time, from one year to 6 - 8 months. Like most construction projects only time will tell

 

All I need is 6 feet baby.

 

Hello all ! From what I have heard of long term damage to Parkway is as Smokey had indicated. However it is my understanding there are 3-4 places the roadway collapsed between Mt Mitchell and Linville. For the up to date condition and closings on the parkway there is a information number that could be called. Before making any excursions might suggest calling 828-298-0398 for reference. Highway 151 (Pisgah Highway) came through in pretty good shape but quite a bit of flood damage in neighborhoods bordering.

 

Thanks, gonna be in Charleston Fri/Sat and possibly Sunday. Bringing Tootles down for her first service date.

 

Only when they're not looking.

 

The following Parkway sections are open: from mile 0 to 305 at Grandfather Mountain, mile 308 just south of US 221 at Linville to mile 317 at Linville Falls and from mile 325 to 334 at Little Switzerland. The road also is open from 375 at Ox Creek to mile 412 (US 276) and from 443 at US 23/74 near Waynesville to mile 469 at Cherokee. Sections between Asheville and Mt. Mitchell State Park are expected to open next week.

 

Parkway Rockslide
The rush is on to get a major rockslide cleared up from the Blue Ridge Parkway so it will have as little impact on leaf season as possible.

Heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Frances sent mud and debris crashing down on the parkway at Milepost 413.

That's right along the Haywood-Transylvania County line about 4 miles south of the Pisgah Inn.

The parkway is closed for about a 30 mile stretch from Highway 276 to Balsam Gap so drivers will avoid the slide.

The hope is to get it cleared... no later than mid-October


Here's another update and hope it helps