Come Join all of us at the 15th Annual Fall 2020 CROSSFIRE "Tail of the Dragon"
In the Mountains of North Carolina (off HWY 28 just 9 miles south of the Dragon's South end)
Official website - CLICK >Tail of the Dragon
__________________________________________________ _________

PLEASE POST IN THIS THREAD IF YOU WILL BE ATTENDING
Please provide your name(s) and city and state
Please indicate your arrival day (am/pm) and check out (departure) day
You will then be added to the attendance list in post #2
__________________________________________________ _________

About the event:
Enjoy the accommodations at the Fontana Village Resort in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.
Enjoy meeting other members and experience some incredible driving in groups around the Smokey Mountains.
This get-together (GTG) is for drivers of all skill levels and driving interests.
Route leaders will be taking individual groups on daily routes that vary from a relaxing drive in the mountains, to those that might make some passengers (and even DRIVERS) hold on tight.


Room reservations

If you think you are going to call and get a room two weeks before the event - you aren't, the lodge will sell out by July or August. PLEASE do not message me or Gary this Fall asking us to help get you a reservation , we couldn't before and we cant now.
We have added Thursday night to our room block for those who want to arrive a day earlier than the majority of folks who will arrive Friday
Check-in time is 4:00PM - Check-out time is 11:00AM

Just call (828) 498 2211 and ask for the reservations desk.
Tell them your booking with the "Chrysler Crossfire Group" to be certain to get our reduced group rate.

Our discounted room rates are:
$92 + Tax (without any additional fees) for rooms with either 1 King or 2 Queen beds in the lodge or Garden units (these are adjacent to the lodge).
When making your reservation your credit card will be charged $92 + Tax (One Night) for a deposit
Reservations must be made by August 1 to get a room at our group rate.

Consider sharing your room with another attendee to reduce lodging costs; room shares can often be found by mentioning in your post in this thread that you are interested in a room share. Cabins are also available at a reduced rate on a case-by-case basis but not as low as $92 a night.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
Reservations cancelled within ninety days of arrival and up to thirty days prior to arrival date will be charged a $50.00 cancellation fee.
Reservations cancelled within thirty days of arrival will result in a forfeiture of your deposit.
AVOID CANCELLATION FEES:
Please keep in mind that we always have last-minute attendees looking for a place to stay
(and the lodge WILL likely be booked as we near the cutoff date ).
If you must cancel, announce it in this thread before contacting Fontana Lodge
There may be someone here who will gladly take over your reservation.
Once they choose to do this for you ....you can then call the lodge and ask them to give your room to the other guest by providing their full name
Your credit card will be credited once they have the new credit card info from the person who takes over your reservation

CLICK > Google Maps
Set your GPS to:
300 Woods Rd.
Fontana Dam, North Carolina

This will bring you directly to the Fontana Lodge


CLICK > to see Spring & Fall Dragon Attendance History

If distance to this event is a problem consider flying into Knoxville and renting a car
It's only about a 75 minute drive to the Lodge where we all stay
There is always a passenger seat open for you to ride along in a Crossfire and enjoy the fun
This event is not to be missed I assure you
CLICK > Tyson McGhee Airport












BELOW IS A TYPICAL AGENDA FOR THE WEEKEND - this is not gospel, but its close!

 

Attendance List -First time attendees in ALL RED!
Each line represents a car, if you are bringing more than one Crossfire, tell us, as we plan the event based on how many cars AND how many people will be there.

Pizzaguy - Mark - Bentonville, Arkansas - Thursday PM - Monday AM
Valk - Gary - Aurora, Illinois - Thursday PM - Monday AM
Cap10Rob - Rob & Julie - Bargersville, Indiana -Thursday - Monday
James1549 - James & Tammi - Cincinnati, Ohio -Friday - Sunday
Crystal - Crystal - Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Thursday PM - Monday AM
Crystal - Marc - Baton Rouge, Louisiana -Thursday PM - Monday AM
TammyS - Tammy & Tee - Hartville, Ohio - Thursday - Monday
Ashleypash - Charlene & Don - Jacksonville, Florida - Thursday to Monday
deerhunter - Mary & Carlos - Powder Springs, Georgia - Thursday to Monday
IamFink2 - Pat - Laurel, Maryland -Thursday to Sunday

dedwards0323 - Dennis & Roberta - Upstate South Carolina -Thursday PM to Sunday AM
Dicky46 - Rick & Connie - Clinton Township, Michigan -Friday - Sunday
bmccubbin - Bob - Olathe, Kansas - Thursday - Monday
Crossfirerush - Jim & Mary - Clinton Township, Michigan -Friday - Sunday AM
Cjmz888 - Chris & Josie - First Capital, Ontario, Canada -Thursday - Monday
nemiro - Neil & William - Holt, Florida - Thursday PM - Sunday
mickey5469 - John & Ella - Gainesville, Georgia - Thursday - Sunday
Daddy Cool - Nancy & Philip - Woodstock, Georgia - Friday - Monday
wildmanmopars - Dean - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday - Monday
loriwildman - Lori - Nashville, Tennessee - Thursday - Monday

jchcharley - John & Connie - Ludlow, Kentucky - Saturday - Monday
osofast2 - Ray & Susan - Lexington, Kentucky -Thursday - Monday
Perezjo2 - Melbourne Beach, Florida
Erzer - Eric & Ruth - St. Charles, Missouri - Friday 9/24 thru Monday 10/4 - Really?
TeamSapphire - Kara & Dorothy - Pensacola Florida - Thursday PM - Tuesday AM
Dusty - aka Annette - Autryville, North Carolina - Thursday PM - Monday AM
#### - Scott & Rachel - New Albany, Indiana - Friday - Monday
nemiro - Neil & Donna - Holt, Florida - Friday - Sunday
xfCliff - Clifford - Dayton, Ohio -Thursday - Sunday
Eric Xfire6 - Eric - New Carlisle, Ohio -Thursday - Sunday

TTaylor77 - Tom & Denise - Circleville, Ohio - Thursday to Sunday
pnorton215 - Michele - Blairsville, Georgia, Thursday PM - Sunday PM
pnorton215 - Phil - Blairsville, Georgia - Thursday PM - Sunday PM
Donze - Ralph & Susie - Gonzales, Louisiana - Thursday PM - Monday AM
G3kt4eva042115 - Gordon - Oliver Springs, Tennessee - Friday - Sunday
AnthonyM - Anthony & Missy - Gaithersburg, Maryland - Thursday PM - Sunday AM
cajunxfire - Don - Mandeville, Louisiana - Thursday - Monday
massgold - Patrick & Christine - Port Colborne, Ontario - Thursday - Monday
(Friends of massgold) - Gates & Gail - Stevensville, Ontario - Thursday - Monday
bigdog1742 - Mark & Janice - Knoxville, Tennessee - Thursday - Monday

iceball - John & Angie - Cincinnati, Ohio -Thursday - Sunday
larskeller - Lars & Joyce - Acworth, Georgia - Thursday - Monday
Saul Klien - Leonard - Melbourne, Florida 2004 - Friday - Sunday
Len Coppold - Melbourne, Florida - Friday - Sunday
roberto - Bob - Dallas, Georgia -Friday - Sunday
Turbo-Duck - Gary - Ashland, Ohio - Thursday - Saturday
SRQfun - Michael & Carolyn - Sarasota, Florida - Thursday - Monday
Matildabay - Jeremy & Johnna - Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania - Thursday - Monday
TwoNonBlondes - Sonya & Tonya - Chattanooga Tennesee - Thursday - Sunday
#### - Chuck & Marie, Moraine, Ohio - Wednesday - Sunday

Foster - John - Murfreesboro, Tennessee -Thursday - Sunday
#### - Glenn & Pam - Boone, North Carolina - Thursday - Sunday
Callred - Chuck & Marie, Moraine, Ohio - Wednesday - Sunday
####- Kimberly - Clarksville, Tennessee - Friday - Sunday
oakwood_xf - Tricia & Darrell - Oakwood, Georgia - Thursday - Saturday - In her SLK350!
#### - Lorene & Theresa - Carmel, Indiana/North Topsail Beach passenger: Knoxville, Tennessee - Friday - Sunday
davezipter - Dave & Vickie - Amberg, Wisconsin - Friday - Monday
Kleito - Charlie - Kennesaw, Georgia - Friday - Sunday
#### - Melanie & Angie - Erlanger, Kentucky - Thursday - Monday
zip439 - Steve & Jessie - Abbeville, Alabama - Wednesday - Tuesday

htimothyh - Tim & Jeanette - Lake Orion, Michigan - Thursday PM - Monday AM
bamqp - Brad & Al Mason (Son & Father Team) - Parishville, New York - Thursday PM - Sunday AM
#### - Brian & Beth - Palm Coast, Florida - Friday - Sunday
Tom3120 - Tom & Patti - Lafayette, Indiana - Thursday - Sunday
#### - Sue & Sonny - Apollo Beach, Florida - Thursday - Sunday
The Brothers Madigan - Allen - Phoenix Arizona - Thursday - Monday
The Brothers Madigan - Patrick - Phoenix Arizona - Thursday - Monday
Birdzilla - John & Joan - Port Orange, Florida - Thursday to Monday
#### - Tim & Ellen - Holland, Michigan - Thursday - Monday
Ralph812 - Donald & Julia - Brighton, Michigan - Friday - Monday

Batmanmiami1 - John - Miami Florida - Thursday PM - Sunday AM


Jodi Oldes (Lincoln, Califonia) flying into Knoxville and riding with Bob McCubbin all weekend Thursday - Monday

 

As your drive north down US129 in North Carolina, you eventually cross the state line into Tennessee. The first 11 miles in Tennessee consists of 318 curves and is the actual “Tail of the Dragon”. This stretch of road consists of nothing but curves – no intersections, no driveways, no homes and no businesses – nothing but trees and curves.

Very little of our weekend is spent on the Dragon, this area consists of almost nothing BUT wonderful roads – the Dragon gets most of the press, but the fact is, most of us have a favorite road or drive up here and it often is not the Dragon.

A worthwhile video about the Tail of the Dragon . . .>> Drive the Tail of the Dragon


When we speak of “The Tail of the Dragon”, most of us really mean the whole weekend. The Dragon consists of driving some wonderful, fun roads that feature more than fun curves. We will drive routes that take us up above the clouds and down into forests with wonderful waterfalls and other such natural beauty that this area is known for.

The weekend also means spending time with a group of people who all have at least one thing in common: The appreciation of a unique car with an involved pedigree. We will be sharing food, fellowship, fun, inside jokes, and often, several of us end up fixing someone’s car in the lodge parking lot – it happens almost every time.

Some tourists become upset when they pass photographers on the Dragon and other roads in the area, but this is all part of the fun. You can order high-resolution photographs of your car as a souvenir of the weekend. The major photographers are listed here; note that you can search their sites by date and approximate time. Killboy and US129 Photos usually also subdivide the photos in folders that contain ONLY Crossfire photos – so finding yours can be quite easy. If we have enough cars and make enough runs past the photographers, special offers will show up on the sites below targeting our group – watch for these special offers when visiting their sites AFTER the event. Most offers and photos are posted by the Tuesday after the event.

http://www.killboy.com/

http://www.129photos.com/

http://129slayer.com/129Slayer/129_S...on_US_129.html

 

PLEASE be aware that I now work for a company that rents radios. I will have at least nine and maybe as many as twelve spares to loan to those in need. Please do not buy cheap WalMart or Amazon radios for this event - they cause issues for others when the radio locks on transmit or goes into alert mode. I will have spares to loan out every day as well as a charger setup in my cabin. Just return the radio to me each evening for charging and we will be good. The Midland mobile below continues to be a favorite for those who would like to have their own high power radio.

Radios, the Dragon, and YOU!

You need an FRS/GMRS radio. At this time, the Midland mobiles are no longer recommended, as the failure rate out of the box is nearing 50% and receive audio in current products is terrible.

 

Here are some maps of possible runs as well as points of local interest. As the event draws near, run leaders will make their plans for what they will be offering. Not shown below are: The British Run, Bridal Veils Fall Run, Classic Franklin Run, Modified Classic Franklin Run, Franc's Off Road Adventure and many others. ANYONE who volunteers to lead a run is welcome to do so.


Driving style or 'class'
Most of our runs are suitable for most drivers, but you will have the most fun if you stick with groups that drive like you do. We have four general classifications and you can use "Pizza's Sunset Cruise" to gauge your preferred style. More information is offered at the Driver's meeting - but please know that EVERYONE is welcome at the Tail of the Dragon meet and you WILL have a good time!

To be clear: Our "Pants on Fire" runs have resulted in multiple citations at every event in the last two years; some drivers have received multiple citations at the same stop. If you go with those groups, be prepared and consider it part of the fun.


Pizza's Sunset Cruise
Pizzaguy came up with this one by accident, some six or more years ago. There is no map, and the run lasts under an hour. This one is offered most days at 5pm. If you dont know your 'driving style' or skill level, this run can safely help you determine just what group you belong in.


The Cherohala Skyway / Dragon Run


If it is your first time, no trip to the Dragon is complete without this one. You drive the entire length of the Cherohala as well as come home thru the Dragon. There are several options for this trip, you may visit a popular waterfall, a winery or "The Lost Sea" (where you take a boat ride on an underground lake).

https://www.tnvacation.com/local/tel...ld-river-falls
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cher...a/?recid=35130
https://thelostsea.com/


Wheels Thru Time


"Wheels thru Time" is a motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley. You can preview this destination on Youtube - even if motorcycles are not 'your thing', this is a very enjoyable day of driving and time with friends. We usually spend only 1-2 hours in the museum - but I, personally, could spend a day here.

https://wheelsthroughtime.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/wheelsthroughtime


The Devil's Triangle


This one is super fun, but can be a LONG drive. We often start out from "K" and go right to "J", as that cuts two hours from the drive (and the Cherohala Skyway is a run all it's own, as described above). In fact, there are at least three variations to this run, but all end up doing "I-F-G-H-I" on the map, which is essentially the actual "triangle". The Devil's Triangle is named for the fact that you may wreck your car on the "triangle" but its still a fun day - just ride back to the lodge with someone else! (Ok, just kidding - the triangle is NOT that bad, now that they have repaved the road - but in the days where 1/2 of the outer lane was missing, oh boy......................)

https://devilstriangletn.com/


The Church Run
The Church run started in 2018 in Honor of Johnathan and his Sunday morning devotionals he led for many years until his passing in 2015. Each year we choose a different denominational church.
Stay tuned for details on this year's activity.


Skylift Park / Skybridge Run
This one is about a 2 hour drive / 75 miles from Fontana lodge near Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg can be a very congested area but this new attraction might just be worth the trip. The Skylift ride is about $20 per person to take you to the top where you can then walk across the suspension bridge with no additional cost.

https://www.gatlinburgskylift.com/skybridge


Look Rock Tower
This is something we visit every year, either on the Cherohala Skyway Run, the Devils' Triangle Run or as a Friday or Sunday Morning quicky destination. You leave the lodge and head thru the Dragon, then turn up the Parkway and go to the top of the hills. It's about a 25 miles drive one way, ending in about a 1/2 mile walk uphill to the base of the tower.

The Foothills Parkway and Look Rock


Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Only a few miles from the Lodge, this forest was set aside long before any of us was born to honor a poet killed in World War I who penned the poem "Trees".

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsn...a/?recid=48920


Bryson City, NC and "The Road to NoWhere"

This is simply a beautiful lunch/shopping destination. We often go to the end of "The Road to NoWhere" on Friday, and stop in Bryson City for shopping and lunch. This gets up back to the lodge by 2pm to greet those arriving on Friday afternoon. The story of this famous road is below in the link.

https://www.greatsmokies.com/road-nowhere/

 

From 2013 - the only video of mine on the Dragon that LOOKS fast...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZNg...PiI_NuapmR1VU0

From around that time, Nick and Jason going the other way...

Franc's Friday Dust Run (also known as "Franc's Off Road Adventure") from 2013....
No worries we only follow paved roads after that one experience !!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvW...ature=youtu.be

 

Robbinsville, NC reported 12-15 inches of snow in the past 24-hr period! Now that is a snowfall anywhere!!

 

So what you are saying is that we should NOT consider an event in November?

Anyway, I think I have the thread up and ready to go. If you have a reservation, please post the details (listed at the top of post #2) and I will add you.

 

I'll be there as usual, Thu-Mon. Room reserved before I left.

 

Ashleypash Charlene and Don Jacksonville Fl Thursday to Monday. First time!

 

Please add Mary and Carlos Diaz from Powder Springs, GA arriving Thursday departing Monday

 

I'm already on the list and I'll be there !!
Valk - Gary - Aurora, Illinois - Thursday PM - Monday AM

Now most of you probably watch a "trailer" for a movie to preview the attraction
This is a "Trailer" for a preview of just some of what you might see if ya come and join us
Awesome video courtesy of Andrew (AKING57)

 

Joe and Kerri - Tolland, CT - Thursday to Sunday.

 

I'll be there not sure who will be with me or maybe solo, but I'll be there! Pat, Laurel, MD - SSB Roaster Thursday thru Sunday.

 

We will plan on being there.

Dennis & Roberta - Upstate SC - THU PM to SUN AM

 

My book is booked for Thursday-Monday.
Bob McCubbin - Olathe KS
2005 Alabaster Roadster

 

KDW4Him - Klay & Kathy - Alma MI - Thursday to Monday

Copy and paste ease....

 

Dave and Kristy Walgren - Gunzburg - Charlotte NC - Planning to attend Thurs - Monday Reservations made
2021 First time together 2005 Limited RoadsterConfirmation Number: 78447

Arrival: Thursday, September 30, 2021 4:00pm

Departure:
Monday, October 4, 2021 11:00am

 

Jim & Mary Karam will attend (2nd time around for us)...was a blast last year...so looking forward to seeing familiar faces and putting names with faces...room booked Thursday pm through Sunday am. Thanks Mark for all your work on promoting this event. We're so wanting to turn the corner on this pandemic shutdown. Stay healthy and safe all!

Regards,

 

Attendance list updated - thanks all for your participation.

I'll be back in a one bedroom cabin this year again - it's a bit inconvenient when I wanna DRINK cause I can't, as I must drive back to the cabin at bedtime, and costs a few dollars more, but it sure is nice to have room to plug in all my chargers and get organized.