Hello and welcome to the 2023 edition of the Friday Cherohala Skyway drive!

https://cherohala.com

I am happy to return this year with my father in law to DGRR. I am coming in from Morocco - that's right - so if you are on the fence, thinking it is too far for you - then think again! Come on down and have a great time.

It's become a tradition on Friday morning to do a drive on the Cherohala Skyway - one of the best scenic routes in the area. Where the Tail of the Dragon is a multiple turn road, the Cherohala is a sweeping panoramic drive going up to heights of over 5,400 feet. Yes, there are some good twisty roads leading to Cherohala, but the beauty of the drive is enjoying the panoramic views along the way as well as the waterfalls in the Bald River area, near the end of the Skyway.

As per past caravans, I propose we leave the Microtel at 9:30 am sharp, take the Skyway tour and end up for lunch at the end of the Skyway. This year, I propose a change from our past lunch stops in Madisonville to trying the Tellico Grains Bakery shop here - https://tellico-grains-bakery.com.

After lunch, we will head to the Tail of the Dragon for a run thru the Tail and end up in time for the picture taking at the Fontana Dam in the late afternoon.

That's it. Hope to see you there!

 

I am in!!
The last couple years in your absence we have been stopping in Tellico Plains to check out an old Muscle car private collection. I have arranged that to also be available to the group this year. It is well worth the stop!

 

Penciling it in!

 

If this is your 1st time coming, I highly recommend this drive! It is one of my favorite parts of DGRR!

 

Rain or shine this is always a great drive!!

Also!!!
If you’re going on this drive make sure you fill up that morning before we head out

Steve

 

Glad to see you'll be back state side for this one David! Bringing that awesome 3-rotor FD again?

Tip for the first timers coming down - this drive is great, one of the best parts of the whole DGRR experience!

 

Hi Pete! Very happy to make it again this year. Coming all the way from....Morocco. Not the car, but me.

Yes, the plan is to bring the 3-rotor. It is undergoing the DCT transmission swap, so hopefully it will all be buttoned up by the event. Fingers crossed.

 

Will be great to see you and your fantastic ride! That is a great addition - the Muscle car collection - and I look forward to seeing it.

 

I am in! And Tellico Grains Bakery looks like an excellent choice. While I have done the Skyway on other trips to the area, I have yet to do the Skyway Drive during DGRR, so I am excited to do it in the FC.

 

Glad to see you coming out this year!
Skyway is one of the best drives at DGRR 👍

Steve

 

Should I bring the dually rear end? Yall think I'd get more traction with it?

 

For me, I enjoy the day more than driving on the Tail. But I have had the opportunity of doing that a bunch of times.

 

You'd be surprised what you will see out on the Tail. The best I've seen is a semi-truck trying to go thru. Crazy.

 

Yeah for me the dragon is just too crowded on the weekends to make it really enjoyable…. Good thing we have the surrounding roads to enjoy that aren’t crowded

Steve

 

I don't even take the rx3 on the dragon on Saturday.... too much traffic!

 

165 cars registered so far!!! looks like a great turn out!! I am stoked!

 

Hello! Anyone interested in a Cherohala Skyway Caravan on Friday of the event? I've been out of the scene for a while, but will be attending again this year - maybe with a running car/maybe not - and for me, the Cherohala drive is a must-do item.

What do you think?

 

I'll definitely cruise it 2 or 3 times over the weekend with my group. If Dale isn't doing his normal arrangement I might be able to get Benny to put a route together.

 

I'm in for the Skyway drive as always, my favorite part of the whole DGRR experience!

Glad to hear you can make it again this year David, no matter what you end up driving!

 

See you there David, sounds like fun.

 

You know im in David!! I just hope to see that black FD of yours up front!

 

Well, some of that might be up to you, Nick.

 

I think we all just assumed Dale was leading it again? I'll be there Friday morning for the Skyway for sure. Also, I know everyone usually stops at Iron Works for lunch. I'm usually at the end of the line so it's packed by the time I drive by. Tellico Grains is a damn good spot too.

 

Yes, I just wanted to make sure it was on. I'll be at the hotel by 9 am. See you all there!

 

Howdy David... I'm in like Flynn!