How many cars are you bringing?

 

Announcing a new run to most ...being run on Saturday with the lead person "Lars Keller"
This run info was provided to the Dragon Planning Committee to be added to the agenda for this Fall event

As I said earlier today in a previous post there will be sign up sheets on clip boards in the lobby beginning Thursday night and through Friday to sign up for the runs you choose to go on.
There will be sign up sheets for all runs being offered


From Lars:

Crossfire Enthusiasts: Fall 2016 Crossfire Event Fontana Dam Planned Multiple Stop Winery Run Information

In past years, a few of us independents have ventured out on our own routes and runs with three or so cars & couples. During the last Crossfire event at Fontana in the Spring of 2016, I assembled and led a last minute formed group through East Tennessee to several wineries. A great time was had by all. I think we have 5 or 6 in our group. We had tried to visit four different wineries and take a break for lunch. Lunch became a time consuming event where we stopped, so we will plan a little better for this Fall’s run and provide the restaurant advanced notice so that they can be prepared for our group. We also became bogged down in traffic in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg creeping traffic that consumed a lot of our time as well. This Fall the run will be completely avoiding Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg areas due to tourist traffic congestion.

Our October 1st, Saturday run will take us South from the Fontana Lodge to Hayesville, NC then to Young Harris, GA, then to Blairsville GA and then to Murphy, NC before we return to the Fontana Lodge. This is going to be about a 7 to 8 hour total time run, with 4 to 5 stops to include a lunch stop in Hayesville, NC. We are planning our route to arrive back at the lodge no later than 6:00 pm.

Depending upon the number of cars participating for this run, we may need a Co-Leader that will run in the middle of the pack and lead the portion of the group with them should the entire group become separated. The larger the number of cars, the easier it is to get other non-Crossfire traffic in between us and we can become separated. Should this occur the front group will eventually find a location to pull off the road and wait for the lagging group to catch up, then we will resume our group run as best as we can. Everyone is encouraged to bring two-way radios to maintain communication between the cars in the group.

This run will be led at or near the posted speed limits or slightly faster when the roads travel permit.
This run will not be an aggressive, high speed, or driving challenging route for any driver.

We travel an established route, visiting several wineries with vineyards and excluding the tasting room only retail type stores. Most locations have a beautiful winery view with country scenery and outdoor seating areas to enjoy while visiting the winery and sampling their wines. Many decide to purchase wines individually. Usually with a group we can get a multi-bottle purchasing discount. There are wine related gifts and decorations for your home. Many of us wind up acquiring those as well.

Planned Winery Route

1. Fontana Lodge Start: Leave lodge no later than 10 AM, Saturday. Earlier would be better if possible.

2. First winery stop is Eagle Fork Vineyards & Winery, 8 Cedar Cliff Rd. Young Harris, GA . Phone 828.389.8466. This winery is located just East of Hayesville, NC. Arrive +/- 11:30 AM. Travel distance from lodge is about 73 miles and about an 1 hour 30 minute drive from Fontana Lodge to winery. 45 minutes is allocated on our schedule for this visit. Depart for Hayesville NC Lunch stop and Eagle Fork Vineyards & Winery +/- 12:15 pm.

3. Next stop is for lunch in Hayesville, NC. This is about a 10 minute drive West of the winery. There are several restaurants we can choose from to include BBQ, Subway, Pizza and a Hamburger place. We will take a vote and determine which one before we leave the lodge so we can give them some advance notice of our arrival and number of guests to expect. Our schedule allows for a 45 minute lunch stop then we will resume our route. We will depart Hayesville at +/- 1:00 pm for the Crane Creek winery.

4. Our second winery stop is Crane Creek Vineyards, 916 Crane Creek Rd, Young Harris, GA 30582, Phone 706.379.1236. From Hayesville, NC lunch stop this is about 10 miles and a 15 minute run. Arrive about 1:10 PM, allow a 45 minute visit and depart around 2:15 PM.

5. Our third winery stop is Odom Springs Winery & Vineyard, 637 Odom Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512 Phone 706.745.3094. This run is about 21 miles & 30 minute run from Crane Creek Vineyards. Arrive about 2:45 PM, allow a 45 minute visit and depart around 3:30 PM. (Note: If anyone elects to exclude the fourth winery stop at Nottley River Valley Winery, the run back to lodge is about the same distance as if you make the fourth winery stop. If you exclude the stop at Nottley River valley, you should arrive back at the lodge about 45 minutes sooner than if you make the fourth winery stop either individually or as the group. Opting out of the Nottley River Valley stop should put you back at the lodge shortly after 5:00 pm. We plan to take a group vote regarding the fourth stop and is also dependent upon our time schedule late in the day.

6. Our fourth winery stop will be Nottley River Valley Winery & Vineyards, 1150 Old Culberson Rd, Murphy, NC 28906, Phone (828)837-7822. About 13 miles & 25 minutes from Odom Springs Winery & Vineyard. This stop can become optional due to our time schedule late in the day should anyone want to get back to the lodge earlier than the planned 4 stop route will allow. The return route to the lodge from Odom Springs Winery goes very close to the Nottley River Winery. Arrive winery about 4:00 PM, allow a 45 minute visit and depart around 4:45 PM.

7. The last run is back to the Fontana Lodge from which ever winery is the last stop for you individually or the entire group. This is about 67 miles and 1 hour 15 minutes back to the lodge from Nottley River Winery. Arrive back at Lodge around 6:00 PM.


Regards,

Your Winery Run Group Leaders

Lars & Joyce Keller
2005 SRT6 SSB Roadster
License Plate: CRUZN42

Lawrence W. (Larry/Lars) Keller, Cell: 404.245.5481
Email: Larskeller@comcast.net

 

There will be sign up sheet in the Lobby even for my Friday Morning runs (Dragon and Road to NoWhere) - but since some will roll in that very morning, if you plan to go with me FRIDAY MORNING to the Dragon and/or the Road to NoWhere - please post in this other thread link here >>https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ll-2016-a.html

NO REAL NEED TO POST IN THERE IF YOU ARE ARRIVING THURSDAY NIGHT, just if you are rolling in Friday morning.

 

A little less then few weeks we will be heading out to the Dragon , as I look back at few Dragons of the past at parts that have give out ,Water pump , pulley , few rims , I'm sure I missing few others , and with the age of our cars ,I always put to together a few small parts and tools that can help out with out making a long run to get a parts . I tell you what I have in my REDCROSS bag to help out, CPS , TB, a few pulleys a used belt to get you where you need to go to get a new one, tool set , so if any of you that may have few extra laying around and have the room drop them in the trunk and help somebody out in need and if we all are lucky we will not need them Thanks Ray

 

You the man Ray. Company is sending me to the Indianapolis 500 Track on Oct. 1st. They thought I needed to watch the Red Bull Air competition. You know, I have to hang out at the suite and watch damn airplanes fly thru pylons at 200 mph while drinking beer and such. But, I would rather be in the mtns of TN. But, duty calls. You all have fun. Someday I will say NO to such duties and get back down there. Ray, I applied at UPS in Indy. Maybe regular scheduled runs will net me time off lol.... Have fun buddy....

 

I always travel with my tools, extra CPS, a used but good belt and even a front tire mounted on a limited rim. Counting down the days in great anticipation!

 

Good see your still hanging in there Doc ,Ya I would say UPS will pick you up for peak season work but you will be on call most of that time, but they will work your butt off during that time as seasonal work , Been in joying Crossfire and Corvette both are Great cars to drive , and ya you need to get your Butt back to the Dragon so we can have cold one , Found out from a few Friends that have past on, that life is short and can change in Sec. so we need to live it to the fullest every day , your our one of the people we miss during the Dragon , be safe truck driver Ray

 

Well the oil changed new belt re greased front Driver seat and now only thing left is a detail and good clean inside , must say Susan and I are past ready for our Vacation time in the Mtn. see ya all soon !

 

I think we have another that need put on the list she over face book ,

 

Sounds great. Appreciate the response. I'm likely to do both then. As far as the lunch spot, I'll let everyone know where / what it is and anyone who wants to is welcome to join us. Looks like a pretty neat place. Heres a link on google maps.

 

So, thanks for letting me know about this.. I have paid for my dinner, made my room reservations, and cannot wait to meet everyone. I have a red 2004 coupe, live in Knoxville, TN. I will arrive early Friday morning.

Sheila Rains

 

Thanks Shelia,
I have added you to the attending list
and as you said on FB I have added you to the BBQ list for Friday

 

How come the address is in Jenner, CA?

 

Odd, like James said, it says it's in California - but it sure isn't.

Anyway, that's not really on our way, just a bit out of our way - but we've got a lot of time - so let's DO IT!

 

That's strange. On my screen it shows the one in NC. Anyway, here's the address:
13077 W Hwy 19, Bryson City, NC 28713


and hopefully a picture.

 

rivers end is a good place, its at the white water center in the gorge.we have been their many times.parking may be a problem.park on the other side of the river and take the foot bridge if is crowded.see you at Fontana.

 

Good to have you ob board Sheila, great to see so many new faces. This year will be a blast, you will have fun for sure

 

SPECIAL NOTE:

I now know of thee people driving non-sports cars to the fall Dragon. These people intend to ride along and get to know the car, us and the event/roads. If your right seat is available, please consider volunteering to let one of them ride along! Contact me here, on Facebook, or mention it to Dee at check-in.

Thanks!

 

If any Dragon attendees should have to cancel their reservation due to unforeseen circumstances, PM me and I may be able to take over your room. We're looking for a lodge or poolside room.
Thanks!

 

I may have a shotgun seat on Friday. Cathy is joining us this year but wants a SPA DAY on Saturday
or Sunday. this is about 90% certain.


I won't really know until Friday evening.