I've got my reservations made at the Fontana hotel for the 9th and 10th of Nov to go to the Tail of the Dragon Get Together. I believe a few others from around the area are also going and I was wanting to see if we couldn't put together a Crossfire caravan to drive up to N/C next month. The route is not decided yet.
It seems from Orlando that by GPS the quickest way is to Atlanta and then up 400 to N/C.
The other route would be Orlando, to Jax, to Savannah, and then maybe to Augusta following 28 almost all the way to N/C.

I've made the Orlando to Atl trip many times and it's a very easy quick route. Staying on interstate as much as possible would be the quickest without a doubt. The worst traffic would be on 285 around Atl, but we would only be going about 25-30 miles or so on 285.

I'll have a confirmed route within a week so that everyone will know. I would like to leave Orlando about 7-8 ish on Friday morning since it will be about 11.5-12 hour drive up there depending on the back roads around the GA-N/C border and up to Fontana, not counting stops for lunch and gas.

If anyone would like to see about caravanning up as a group, lets talk about it.

 

John, if I am able to work it out, I will be going up 95N from Jacksonville to 26W into western NC. Friday, 9 Nov would be the travel day. Still working on getting the time off and details firmed up. Will let you know as soon as I can.

 

I checked mapquest tonight and it's about 6.5 hours from Savannah - without going through Atlanta at all. That is always a plus. If anyone is going through Savannah, a caravan would be fun. Let us know.

John and Shawn

 

John/Shawn...95N if I can make it.

 

I played with map quest the other night and I found that it's almost the same going either way from Orlando. By looking at a map it sure looks a lot longer going so far east into S/C before you start heading northwest to Fontana.
John & Shawn, I'll get with you to coordinate our trip up. I'd like to try and leave my house about 7-8 and that should put us up to the 95/16 intersection about noon. About how far are you from that intersection? That should leave us about 6 hour drive up from there.
Dan, We could meet you about 11 someplace on 95 just before the ga line or maybe even at the Ga visitor center, depending on how far you are from there. Savannah should be about an hour from there, right?

John

 

John, it's not looking good for me making it...but I'm still trying to figure out a way to make it work. I am right at the state line so the GA welcome center at exit 1 would be perfect. It's about 1 1/2 hours to Savannah from there...about 112 miles. I'll keep you posted.

 

John for me would be better to go 75 through atlanta exit ga-5 this will take me to nc-129 about 9 1/2 hours.

Dennis

 

As a transplanted Floridian who lives in Western Carolina, I would suggest that if you are coming up on I-75, that you come up to I-575 and take that north. When 575 ends, continue on the same road until you get to Blairsville, GA. At the first traffic light in Blairsville, turn left - you are on the Murphy Highway, also known as 129. You can then follow 129 through Murphy NC, Andrews, NC, and then Robbinsville, NC.
That is simplest and quickest route to the "Tail."
Do not come up I-95 to I-26, use I-75 through Atlanta. Come directly through the center of Atlanta on 75 (Do not use I-285, it is so much slower) directly to I-575.

 

I would have to drive 100+ miles due west to get to I-75...not an option. From NE Florida the only way is that way...without going many miles out of the way. If your not flying...you don't have to go through Atlanta...LOL!!!

 

Atlanta is a piece of cake to drive thru. As long as you know where you're going it's not a problem. The traffic on 285 and going thru downtown on 75/85 just flies most of the time. I drove in from MS last weekend and came into Alt on 20, took 285 south to 75 and did this on a Monday at 6:30 pm. Not the first problem or slow down. Drive fast to flow with traffic and know where you're going. Easy!!! I've driven thru and around Atl many times over the years and never worry about traffic there.

 

Danimal, I assume you are in the Jax area. I was just down there visiting family and it was still quicker down to I10 and east to I-95. Don't be afraid of downtown Atlanta, traffic usually moves pretty well.
If you have more than one person in the car, you can use the HOV lane and that nearly always moves quickly. Obviously, you don't want hit any city including Jax or Orlando at rush hour.
However you decide to come up, have a safe trip.

 

Thanks for the Support Guys(Gals?)!
Yup, it is easier to go through ATL on I 75 than around it on I 285, we do it all the time back and forth from Murphy, NC to Delray Beach, Fl (735 Miles, about 11.5 Hours).
The Dragon is about 90 mins from Murphy, maybe a little less.
See yo'all at the Dragon!

Bill (SF)
(Somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean)

 

Hi From Murphy, NC!

1 hour+ from the Dragon

Any other Floridians for the Next Fri, Sat & Sun Meets at the Dragon(Fontana Dam)?

Got two (FL)'s reconfirmed so far: (25 Total Reconfirmed from 11 States & 12 more tenatives)
The Toy
old man

Please email me at address below for any help in directions & lodgings or read & post to:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=17547

Thank You!
Bill (SilverFox)

<< "See y'all on the Dragon!" The Dragon-Slayer

 

The Tentative Schedule of Events for the 3 Day Tail of the Dragon Meet:
(r11/04/07)

Friday Nov 9th
Fri 3PM Hook-up @ the Fontana Village (FV) WildWood Grill Restaurant Parking lot. (There were 50 Mini-coopers in it this afternoon)

Fri 4PM "Free time" or R/T Run the Dragon, dark at 6pm (Time change)

Fri 6:30 PM Drinks at the FV Bear's Den Lounge or Wildwood Grill Bar(?)

Fri 7:30 PM Dinner at the Fontana Village (FV) Mountain Bistro (Hi End $$)(Open 5PM to 9PM) (Dinner Reservations Recommended)
or the FV WildWood Grill (Mid $)(open Noon to 10PM)

Saturday Nov 10th
Sat 8:30 AM Breakfast at the FV Mountain Bistro (5 mins from the 10:00 AM Dam Meet)

Sat 10:00AM Meet & Group Photos by "killboy"(?) at the Fontana Dam will probably last until 11:30AM ( so late is OK ).

Sat 11:00AM (2) "Special Surprise" Guests & Photo Ops at Fontana DAM

Sat 11:30AM Round Trip Dragon run & back to Fontana Village (FV) Wildwood Grill at approx 1:30PM for lunch (or should we do lunch before we go on the Dragon Run for those that missed breakfast?).

Sat, Also Ice Cream & hot dogs etc at the FV Ice Cream "Parlor", for a PM Snack.

Sat 2:30PM (2.5-3 Hr) Cherohola Skyway Run 5,200+ ft NC to TN Border & Back.

Sat 7:00-8:00PM Dinner and Drinks at the FV Mountain View Bistro & The Bear's Den Lounge(High end $$)(Open 5PM to 9PM) (Dinner Reservations Recommended)or WildWood Grill & Bar(Mid $)

Sunday Nov 11th
Sun 9:30 AM Breakfast at FV Mountain Bistro

Sun 11:00 AM Repeat RT Dragon Run (or one way for those going West, North or Northeast home from the Dragon), for those New or Repeaters.

Sun 1:00 PM Lunch at the FV Grill or Bistro for those still here.

Sun 2:00 PM "Surprise Run - Drive a Little, Swerve a Lot" almost all along Whitewater Rivers or Lakes, for those who want to Drive & See more of this Beautiful Area on or before their way Home!

Also:

I will locate 1 or 2 Car Washes in Robbinsville, 25- 30 mins away from FV.

There is a Texaco Gas Station at Entrance to FV & one on NC side of Dragon at Deal's Gap.

That's the general framework for this 1st Years' 3 Day Meet.

Any ?'s, comments, ideas, etc?

Thank You!
Bill (SilverFox)

<< "See y'all on the Dragon!" The Dragon-Slayer