no he was scared he couldnt keep up right Nathan?

and Mark or Phil do yall have any videos with me??

 

I've posted them on facebook, got one or two with you from Phil's camera.

Search "nihongoguy" on Facebook, or click here:

Phil up the hill - YouTube

I'm working on loading the one following this, the one we chased the VW!

 

Hi all I got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon a day ahead of schedule and am resting comfortably. Thanks to all for the prayers and thoughts they made the difference. I am touched and blessed with the outpouring from friends and crossfire forum members. Now armed with a strong blood flow restored to my foot I am facing the battle to heal the diabetic wounds. Keep thoes prayers coming as you guys have been awesome.

I really enjoyed this spring Dragon and was determined to get some good driving in. Nick thanks for leading a fast group and allowing me to hang out at the back. I enjoyed running with Howard and Nick again two guys that I have shared some incredible runs with in the past.

The new guys were fun and good drivers. It was great to see your enthusiam and I am sure you are now hooked on these awesome runs and will not miss a future Dragon.

Lisa don't hurry on getting the wheel back. I am just glad I could help. Doc said no lifting over 5 lbs so just more work for Linda

 

I did not. I was perfectly content running with Mark. It was a blast and I will try my best to make it to the Fall meeting.

Great, I'd like to see that one! In the car it seemed like I was a lot closer to the group. From the video it looks like I'm a country mile away!

I'm glad to hear you are doing well. Hope to see you at the next meet!

 

Lisa, I enjoyed driving the Moonshiner at midnight.... WHEEEEE!!!! I also enjoyed our conversation, and being able to help. This is an amazing group of people

 

Ha...frightened! Lol. Since I only put 200 miles on the car prior to coming down I didn't want to explore the limits with a tree 2 feet away. I'll save limit exploration for the track next month where I have a grass run-off and a tire wall!

Hope to see ya at the next one!

 

Great to hear! i pray you have a quick surgery and cant wait to run with you Nick and Howard this fall! hopefully i will be able to stay the whole time

Thanks Mark! And can you give the link to the Facebook page?
Haha excuses excues but for sure looking forward to the next meet!

 

Try this:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2211.../?notif_t=like

Or search Facebook for "Chrysler Crossfire Owners"

 

Jim that info sounds great you will be back at 110% before you know it...If you or Linda need anything .Im just a call away,,,,,heal quick my friend.

 

Jim. Glad you are recovering. Won't make the dragon this fall. Wife booked a vacation to the islands. Same weekend. So who knows maybe we will be down there in the summertime. Keep your chin up. Your big foot will be back on that throttle in no time. Looks like Carlisle will be my only XF gtg this year. Except for trip to Chicago. It's going to be a boring year.

 

Howard thanks for the words of encouragement and the phone call this morning. Always great to hear from you. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks Doc, sorry we will miss seeing and running with you at the fall Dragon.We have certainly had some great runs and times in the past. Good luck at Chicago 1/2 mile. You will have a blast for sure. I had wanted to join the group at Clayton GA 1/2 mile but not in the cards this time. I am still hoping to go as a spectator and support the Crossfire guys and Steve.

Med up date to all. I have been home for 3 days and it has been a week since the surgery. I was back to the wound Doc's yesterday and we hit a small bump in the path to recovery. I had noticed a small brownish circle had appeared in the middle of the sore on my small toe. You guessed it, it was the bone. Doc said it's got to go and I can say I did not spend one moment of worry or second thought. So I will see the surgery doc for his follow up tomorrow and will make arrangements for the amputation.

I am in great spirits and focused on saving the big toe. My trust is in The Lord and I will be healed.Thanks again for you thoughts and continued prayers.

 

I'm the person who spoke with Joey about our use of the common room at the lodge. To my thinking the Chestnut Room was not a solution for our group. It put us in the position of driving in the dark, partly on US28 while having consumed alcohol. Although it's a short distance it isn't a walk but more of a hike if on foot. Several people work to put this event together for us, that I had concerns in no way is meant to diminish my appreciation for their efforts.

Since the first GTG we've driven all day then returned to the Lodge parked and locked the cars for the night. That combined with our take over of the common room is why Fontana was the best location for our GTG. If we splinter into groups, meeting in cabins, outside in the parking lot or in a hotel room, the TOD's success at melding all ages, backgrounds and personalities will be lost.

This is what he shared with me: last fall he was walking by the reservation desk when a glass jar of homemade spirits (illegalmoonshine) was held up next to his head and loudly offered for sale. Joey explained the liquor license is in his name, if anything were to happen it would effect not just Fontana Village Resort but also Joey.

Joey said the XF group has become like family to the Fontana Resort. No other group had this extra perk of using the common room as we have for years. He is more than willing to work with us so long as it abides by the law/rules of the State Liquor license.

I am not a big fan of paying retail for my brew, but it's better to do that than divide the group. We can still bring and drink our own alcohol in our room. I do not believe after all these years Joey chose to "profit" off us, nor do I believe he presented options based on profit.

 

Agree 100%

 

I did not realize this, and now I completely understand...

I have had mixed dealings with Fontana, some incredibly good, some not so much. Overall, I think it fits us best. I personally prefer to bring my own, because they generally do not sell the bourbon we enjoy in the bar, and since my friend owns a brewery I moonlight at, we also like to bring beer to share with our friends. It is too bad that because of past events these privileges have been taken away, but rightfully so. As stated before, I don't think any other group gets the same treatment we get in regards to the lobby area, but that is no longer the case.

I will continue to bring my own and hopefully fly under the radar, if we are in the lobby for an extended period of time, I certainly have no problem buying a few drinks from Fontana, but I am hoping he will be as cool as he has been in the past, as long as everything is under control and looks on the up and up

 

I agree 100% with her whole post!

Well, as far as I can tell, if you don't offer it for sale, there will be no problem.
(But I agree with everything else you said, John.

 

Looks like I will be having a Bud on the beach in Punta Cana for this years dragon. Maybe next year.

 

Thank You for your clarification here Ann as this is exactly what Joey told me last Fall
This is exactly what lead to the ban on our own alcohol period !
We had a good time for 5 years while it lasted....
We will need to have a good time together without open outside alcohol in the lobby and I think it is reasonable to say we can and we will
Thanks you all for understanding this matter and if you disagree with these new rules then you might reconsider joining us in the lobby after dinner in the future or plan on purchasing your alcohol from the Bears Den Lounge at Fontana Lodge.

 

My perspective is that the "hooch" that was openly showcased & offered for sale in the lobby was an illegal activity. And it's not just an issue at Fontana Lodge, it's essentially an illegal activity anywhere in the USA. So it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone with our group or any group that the consumptions of personal libations openly on the premises is going to be severely curtailed. We can continue this practice in the privacy of our rooms,, which is OK with me.

So I completely understand Joey's stance on this issue. It's not about making more profits. It's about keeping his liquor license to sell & consume inside the facility. And the facility can be closed down for specific periods over violation of this liquor license. Many businesses have restrictions on having alcohol consumption outside on the property. So this restruction isn't all that uncommon.

There will be those that continue to "push the limit". They will convey the image that our group is unrulely, unmanageable and lacking any regard for local laws. It will end up getting us banned from Fontana Lodge and no one wants that to happen. So make sure in the future that you're willing to take the risk! There are potentially serious consequences for Fontana Lodge & our group!

 

just to clarify. it was my jar of "pineapple pie" that was confiscated at the lodge. while i bring it every yr i have never offered it for sale. it was for consumption and gifts for friends i knew and made every yr. never have i offered it for sale, but i was held responsible for the "ban" on drinking at the lodge.
i was told because it didnt have a liquor tax on it it wasnt allowed. imo the same could be said for drinking a rum and coke in a glass that was brought from the room. the jar was sitting on a table with not much more than fruit in it when joey reached over and took it. i spoke with him and decided not to push the issue so as to ruin it for others.

 

Having been in the Food and Beverage Industry, I fully understand and appreciate the fact that consumption of any alcohol not purchased through the licensed vendor is illegal. I myself am guilty of sampling some wonderful "spirits" that night.
Personally, I think that this subject has just about been beaten to a pulp and into the ground. As to who is at fault...Well......, as adults that know there are laws regarding the consumption of alcohol not purchased through a Licensed Vendor in a public area, I feel we (anyone who had there own in the lobby) all are guilty. Whether we were loud and rowdy or even if we were "civilized" and sipping Champagne, it was/is against the law. And we put a very nice gentleman and the entire property at risk. Not only could they have lost their Liquor License,they could also lose their Lodging License and could have been completely shut down and we would have had to vacate immediately.
So perhaps we can now direct our attention towards the fun that we have driving our wonderful cars, and the friendships we make with others that we otherwise would never have met and let this matter be in the past and a lesson for us all. Never assume