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Tail of the Dragon - Fall 2014

 

Great pictures James glad ya'll made it back with no troubles. Maybe I'll get to go someday
Ken

 

Some of the photo companies are posting... http://us129photos.com/, http://killboy.com/, http://129slayer.com

 

Thanks James, My battery in the camera after one picture at the dam. (I know, my dumb) With your help and some others I will save the pictures I didn't take.

 

Another great Dragon. I want to publicly state that leading newbs thru the Skyway run at a Tourist speed was as much fun as hitting it hard - and I had no worries of the law this time. While I spent the last part of today running full out on the Dragon with Jeff, I had as much fun with you first-timers on both Saturday and Sunday! I keep saying it, and it is SO true: first timers make the weekend. I truly, TRULY mean that.

You all made my weekend with your after-run smiles, questions and enthusiasm. A wonderful first-timer, Klieto, bought my lunch, and said, "Thank you for doing so well at leading us..." Again, you all made my weekend.

 

A note of thanks to Gary and all the other leaders that made this another great event! I missed seeing a few friends, but made more friends! Glad to see that many are realizing the pleasures of the "Tourist Class" mentality and pace. We really do drive through some beautiful scenery and it's great to just sit back and enjoy it. There is also a time for speed and agility... and tickets.. Hope to be back in the spring, God willing.

 

First I want to concur with great enthusiasm, what PIZZA Guy says. Mark, you are right on it when you say the newbies make the Dragon meet interesting and fun. What a great bunch of new folks in our family. Welcome all.


My guests, Mike and Maria ( Mustang Mike) talked incessantly about how everyone welcomed them to the group and the joy of friendship they met the entire weekend.


My thanks to Gregg for getting my sick puppy back on the road and what a story from the actions of Chuck and the apply named "KIMpossible!" getting Dianna back into the action. Kim, you should have talked him in to coming years ago. If I may be a bit bold,,,,,"He is a Keeper."

We made it back to St Louis last nite about 9:30. tired and a bit sore from the drive. The gremlins are still loose in my Crossie but the engine ran strong. Got up this morning and fired it up. A little pressure on the throttle and the excitement came right back. What great cars these little mongrels have become.


I do hope everyone got home safely and are already making plans for their next adventure. We have a Spring Dragon for the Hardy enthusiast in snowsuits, and a June CAA that promises to be a real screamer. See you all there!


And hopefully next fall.

 

Wayne, I am so glad you came along on our little jaunt to Rainbow Springs and Standing Indian. Sorry the county had a barricade on my gravel road. Maybe next year.


Your gift came home with me but, I will be seeing our host again by Thanksgiving and deliver it then.

 

Franc,

Thanks for the great run on Thursday. It was good to kind of get my feet wet.

 

My second Dragon was a blast and thank you to all of the people who took the time to make the plans for this wonderful weekend! I enjoyed meeting the group again and getting to know some of you better and meeting some of “the regulars” for the first time. And.. It was great to meet all if the first timers! I can say that now since this was my second TOD.

I always enjoy seeing the cars assembled in one area for a group picture. I see the pics from years past and I can almost feel the anticipation for the weekend the group must have been feeling. I think part of the fun of the weekend for a newbie IS seeing all the Crossfires together like that. It was an amazing site to see and the time taken to assemble the cars is well worth it. Thank you to all of you who directed, pointed, gave clearance gestures to get us all in and out on time. I am drawn to the group shot posts of past years and welcome the opportunity to be in a picture that will be posted for years to come.

What are the odds of this happening? After the groupshot we pulled away to line up with the leader of the run we chose to go on. There was the usual mini-drivers meeting, the meeting to say hello and all get on the same channel on the radios kinda stuff meeting. Well, I chose to run with Pizzaguy, AKA Mark and after he gave us the rundown for the day he started scanning the drivers, counted cars and scanned drivers again it quickly became apparent EVERYONE in the group was new to the Dragon except Mark and myself. ALL NEWBIES! What are the odds? I immediately got promoted to senior TOD participant and was assigned the duties of taking up the rear making sure we were all together. We had 8 cars with 13 people with only two people having been to the TOD before.

Thank you Mark for leading and for the great tips on how to drive a “more spirited” tourist run through the Dragon. All drivers said they wanted to make it a spicy run through, so Mark did. We had 8 cars in unison that made the entire Dragon at speed because the timing of the 3 cars we came upon were timed right at pull outs and they quickly moved over for us. It was sooo seemless I had to ask Mark if we came up on anyone because from the back of the pack it just felt like we were on it the whole time. What a great way to end the day! (I am sorry I missed out on the "Sunset Cruise"! Not the boatride, the run. Sounds like it was awesome.)

I REALLY enjoyed hearing what the first timers had to say about the roads, the fun they were having, their cars, how they found the Crossfire and how they found out about TOD. I hope everyone had a safe trip home.

I am glad I stumbled upon Franc and Mark talking routes, roads and stuff Saturday night. Sundays run was awesome!

 

Yea, we have a new "Sunset Cruise" for Saturday now - I wlill tell the story of how it came about when I get home, but we have one new guy who inspired me (almost INSISTED) that we "go drive some where" and out of his energy, a new 30 or 40 minute drive was born.

I guess the Dragon run lit him on fire!

FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT COMING IN A FEW DAYS - but Spring 2015 will be April 2 to 6. You can call for a room now. Rates are extended for those who get in early or want to stay a few extra days to hike, shop, drive around, etc. So if you mention the Crossfires, you get the discount from March 30 to April 8 (and probably longer if you want.)

Thanks for the feedback, you guys!

 

I have no idea who you are talking about...]

 

We do...

 

I would be remiss if I did not mention Greg, AKA MrMiata, and his help on my Crossie. In what appeared to be classic CPS failure,,,,,He got me back on the road with no parts expense.


Clearly a good friend to have if you own one of these redheaded step children with which we all seem afflicted.


Greg, no issues, no engine lights all the way home. Thanks!

 

+++++ to what Franc said.
You should have been there to see the look of disappointment on Greg's face Saturday evening when he found that Chuk138 had already fixed Diana's water pump problem .

 

Yea, let your car break down or act up at a Draqon and you will have guys in competition with one another to fix it first!

 

Sounds like a usual Dragon event....tickets, car repairs, exploring, and making new friends... Glad you all made it out alive.... Maybe next year... I have to learn to say "NO!".

 

Make it soon. Kentucky is not far away and at 61 neither is the reaper.


The dragon must be on your bucket list.


See ya next fall.

 

At 61, neither is the reaper.....thanks buddy..... Look in the mirror....lol

 

Susan and I made home safe and sound , we had great time, went out on own Sunday, found new route , maybe we can show it in the spring, thanks to all for a great weekend