3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,500
Likes: 1,126
From: St Louis MO
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by James1549
Here is a quote from the DEALSGAP.COM site:
Daily Updates
Tuesday March 16
Ok gang sorry for missing a few updates, I have not been able to get to work. As most have heard US129 is closed from a landslide right near the Foothills parkway. Good news is the Dragon is not closed and you are still able to ride it. You can not get to us on US129 however you do have a lot of awesome routs to take.
First I recommend taking 441 south through the Smoky Mountain National Park. Todays pictures is from their as I passed by this morning. To me that is the most scenic rout to take as well as a lot of pull offs, nature walks, a welcome station and plenty of wildlife.
Second rout is 143 over the Cheerohala Skyway. Great views from there as well.
You can also use 129 from the south as well as NC28 from the south.
The only thing is you will have to turn around at the bridge and come back through the Dragon to get south again. Good news is you can do the Dragon twice.
Daily Updates
Tuesday March 16
Ok gang sorry for missing a few updates, I have not been able to get to work. As most have heard US129 is closed from a landslide right near the Foothills parkway. Good news is the Dragon is not closed and you are still able to ride it. You can not get to us on US129 however you do have a lot of awesome routs to take.
First I recommend taking 441 south through the Smoky Mountain National Park. Todays pictures is from their as I passed by this morning. To me that is the most scenic rout to take as well as a lot of pull offs, nature walks, a welcome station and plenty of wildlife.
Second rout is 143 over the Cheerohala Skyway. Great views from there as well.
You can also use 129 from the south as well as NC28 from the south.
The only thing is you will have to turn around at the bridge and come back through the Dragon to get south again. Good news is you can do the Dragon twice.
HOLY SNAPDRAGON BATMAN, WHY ARE WE STAYING HOME THIS YEAR?
Last edited by Franc Rauscher; Mar 20, 2010 at 01:18 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,500
Likes: 1,126
From: St Louis MO
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by Erzer
Limited video at this website
Link
Here is a better vid - you guys better keep an eye out for this guy
Link
Here is a better vid - you guys better keep an eye out for this guy
How do you drive into a rock slide with cops, flagmen and heavy equipment moving about in front of you? On a road in broad daylight at a 50 MPH speed limit?
I know "accidents happen" but I would hate to have to explain this to my insurance agent.
I also hate the thought that Andy Edmonds might still breed.
The comment by Jonthan Ball is true. Our country is "falling apart." But it's not the mountains.
It is the gene pool.
roadster with a stick
Last edited by Franc Rauscher; Mar 20, 2010 at 01:42 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,084
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by Franc Rauscher
Well doesn't that put the tease on. The Dragon with no Winnebago's, no old beater pick-ups with an over powered Ranger bass boat in tow, NO AQUA BLUE GEO'S TO SLOW US DOWN!
HOLY SNAPDRAGON BATMAN, WHY ARE WE STAYING HOME THIS YEAR?
HOLY SNAPDRAGON BATMAN, WHY ARE WE STAYING HOME THIS YEAR?
Thread Starter
|
Administrator / Senior Member / Retired
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,054
Likes: 1,540
From: Aurora , ILL
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
4 WEEKS TO GO TIL THE...
Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18, 2010
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________
Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18, 2010
__________________________________________________ ______________________________________________
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 5
From: Lexington Kentucky
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
hay Dan! Susan and I our going to try to come in Thru night , around 8:30-9:00 Pm , she get off work around 4:00 if not be early morning Fri, Really need some Crossfire Time , 
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 5
From: Lexington Kentucky
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Ok !! Just took a look at Killboy .com He reporting that Tenn. as closed the road ( DRAGON) at the TENN NC line and at the lakes this would be at the bottom of the Dragon , and get this !!! until 9/1 !!!! that not good !!!! as far getting to Fontana Village ! Look like Susan and I will be going through Gatlinburg Tn and over .
Thread Starter
|
Administrator / Senior Member / Retired
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,054
Likes: 1,540
From: Aurora , ILL
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
I just spoke with the owner of US129Photo.com ( a good contact of mine) and he said the date of 9/1 is a misprint.
He said the pavement has been cleared but there is still an unstable remaining rock ledge that they are going to blast and bring down and once that is done the road will again be cleaned and then reopened.
This is expected to be complete by 4/9 (1 week prior to our GTG)
I will remain in contact with him as the final weeks approach and get a first hand update on road conditions.
I will post updates here on this thread.
He said the pavement has been cleared but there is still an unstable remaining rock ledge that they are going to blast and bring down and once that is done the road will again be cleaned and then reopened.
This is expected to be complete by 4/9 (1 week prior to our GTG)
I will remain in contact with him as the final weeks approach and get a first hand update on road conditions.
I will post updates here on this thread.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,500
Likes: 1,126
From: St Louis MO
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by oledoc2u
looks like a closed road course to me....I will come down if this is the case...lol.....
For me it depends on the weather.
roadster with a stick
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,285
Likes: 5
From: Carmel, In.
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by oledoc2u
looks like a closed road course to me....
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 6
From: Kingsport Tn.
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by VALKRYDERGUY
I just spoke with the owner of US129Photo.com ( a good contact of mine) and he said the date of 9/1 is a misprint.
He said the pavement has been cleared but there is still an unstable remaining rock ledge that they are going to blast and bring down and once that is done the road will again be cleaned and then reopened.
This is expected to be complete by 4/9 (1 week prior to our GTG)
I will remain in contact with him as the final weeks approach and get a first hand update on road conditions.
I will post updates here on this thread.
He said the pavement has been cleared but there is still an unstable remaining rock ledge that they are going to blast and bring down and once that is done the road will again be cleaned and then reopened.
This is expected to be complete by 4/9 (1 week prior to our GTG)
I will remain in contact with him as the final weeks approach and get a first hand update on road conditions.
I will post updates here on this thread.
tHIS IS gREAT NEWS Thanks Valk for keeping us informed ,, WOO HOO
Howard
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 5
From: Lexington Kentucky
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by VALKRYDERGUY
I just spoke with the owner of US129Photo.com ( a good contact of mine) and he said the date of 9/1 is a misprint.
He said the pavement has been cleared but there is still an unstable remaining rock ledge that they are going to blast and bring down and once that is done the road will again be cleaned and then reopened.
This is expected to be complete by 4/9 (1 week prior to our GTG)
I will remain in contact with him as the final weeks approach and get a first hand update on road conditions.
I will post updates here on this thread.
He said the pavement has been cleared but there is still an unstable remaining rock ledge that they are going to blast and bring down and once that is done the road will again be cleaned and then reopened.
This is expected to be complete by 4/9 (1 week prior to our GTG)
I will remain in contact with him as the final weeks approach and get a first hand update on road conditions.
I will post updates here on this thread.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 13,952
Likes: 1,278
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by Franc Rauscher
Well doesn't that put the tease on. The Dragon with no Winnebago's, no old beater pick-ups with an over powered Ranger bass boat in tow, NO AQUA BLUE GEO'S TO SLOW US DOWN!
HOLY SNAPDRAGON BATMAN, WHY ARE WE STAYING HOME THIS YEAR?
HOLY SNAPDRAGON BATMAN, WHY ARE WE STAYING HOME THIS YEAR?
Was it my driving?
Last edited by pizzaguy; Mar 26, 2010 at 03:13 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,422
Likes: 4
From: IL
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Last edited by 70GT6; Mar 28, 2010 at 03:25 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,471
Likes: 843
From: Upstate SC
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
If The Dragon is still closed for our spring rally, then attached is an alternate route that would take us along a good section of the BRP, a stopover at Chimney Rock (Last of the Mohicans movie was filmed here) & a final leg on US 28N out of Franklin, NC.
I've got another route that goes South, would take us to Hiawasee Lake/Dam, northern GA mountains and then the final leg on US 28 North out of Franklin, NC. It's posted elsewhere in The Forum.
I've got another route that goes South, would take us to Hiawasee Lake/Dam, northern GA mountains and then the final leg on US 28 North out of Franklin, NC. It's posted elsewhere in The Forum.
Last edited by dedwards0323; Mar 28, 2010 at 07:08 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,500
Likes: 1,126
From: St Louis MO
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by pizzaguy
I don't know, WHY are you staying home this year?
Was it my driving?
Was it my driving?
The CAA event has many of our week ends tied up wih planning and prep.
Crumpy is in CT and can't go.
I am in recovery from an accident to my driving foot.
I need new front tires
I need to review our property in Ava Mo to prepare a building site, a well and determine a lake site.
Spring Dragons always have rain
Money is tight
Pick one!
I am still trying to sneak away for a Sunday morning with the guys and gals. We shall see
Thread Starter
|
Administrator / Senior Member / Retired
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,054
Likes: 1,540
From: Aurora , ILL
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
Originally Posted by dedwards0323
If The Dragon is still closed for our spring rally, then attached is an alternate route that would take us along a good section of the BRP, a stopover at Chimney Rock (Last of the Mohicans movie was filmed here) & a final leg on US 28N out of Franklin, NC.
I've got another route that goes South, would take us to Hiawasee Lake/Dam, northern GA mountains and then the final leg on US 28 North out of Franklin, NC. It's posted elsewhere in The Forum.
I've got another route that goes South, would take us to Hiawasee Lake/Dam, northern GA mountains and then the final leg on US 28 North out of Franklin, NC. It's posted elsewhere in The Forum.
Thanks for looking out for all of us here.
I am currently in Hawaii on spring break and will return home on Easter Sunday....but I'm following along with the thread here and any developments as we approach our weekend GTG
I still want to plan the Fontana Dam visitors center on Saturday morning for a photo shoot prior to making our Saturday run.
Our Sunday run through the Cherahola Skyway would normally return via the Dragon as well so not sure if we can do this with an alternate route back or not.
I really would like to keep this part of our itinerary with an adjustment in the route for any other road closures.
Thread Starter
|
Administrator / Senior Member / Retired
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,054
Likes: 1,540
From: Aurora , ILL
Re: 3rd Annual Spring 2010 - Tail of the Dragon GTG - April 16, 17, 18
More info can be found here: Dragon is closed due to landslide
