FRIDAY AM EVENT: Cherohala Skyway Drive
 

Hello! Wanted to envite you on a Friday morning am drive out on the Cherohala Skyway. Phil has arranged this for the past few years but has asked me to do this. Those pesky lawyers getting in the way :)

Going to leave at 8:45 am on Friday from the Resort and head on out for the Cherohala/Tail of the Dragon loop. Will stop for gas as a first task for those of you that need to gas up. This is highly recommended as gas stations are pretty spread out. This will take the balance of the morning and we will arrive back at the Resort by around 2:00 pm, so you will have plenty of time to freshen up and then head on out to the Dam for pictures on Friday afternoon.

For those of you that haven't done this before, it's a fantastic drive and quite a bit different than the Tail of the Dragon itself. The Cherohala Skyway (Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN) offers sweeping turns and large vista views. It goes to a little above one mile up and we will stop along the way to take pics. We will also try to squeeze in a trip to some of the area's waterfalls as these are beautiful too.

We will take a break for lunch along the way (gas will be available here) and will end up coming back through the Tail of the Dragon, quite a great way to end up the drive. If you'd like, you can go directly to the dam from the end of the trip or go back to the resort, time permitting. I will probably hang out and then go directly to the dam but we will ensure you know the way back if needed.

If you are interested, sign up here:

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson

I'm in!
 

I've done this for the last 2 yrs, Its a awesome drive :)



1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve

Count me in, one of my favorite parts of the event :icon_tup:

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.

I love this ride, for me its the best group activity of the event

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask


Guys, can we NOT do Hardees for lunch this year? Stomach cramps on the dragon are not very fun...

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
____________________________________

Im in!

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14)Jerry K

Can't wait!!!!

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14)Jerry K
15)Robert Watson

I am there......

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14)Jerry K
15)Robert Watson
16)Michael Chu

Bump, Less than two weeks away :)



Couple pics from last years skyway drive.




Attachment 676345






Attachment 676346






FRIDAY AM EVENT: Cherohala Skyway Drive

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello! Wanted to envite you on a Friday morning am drive out on the Cherohala Skyway. Phil has arranged this for the past few years but has asked me to do this. Those pesky lawyers getting in the way

Going to leave at 8:45 am on Friday from the Resort and head on out for the Cherohala/Tail of the Dragon loop. Will stop for gas as a first task for those of you that need to gas up. This is highly recommended as gas stations are pretty spread out. This will take the balance of the morning and we will arrive back at the Resort by around 2:00 pm, so you will have plenty of time to freshen up and then head on out to the Dam for pictures on Friday afternoon.

For those of you that haven't done this before, it's a fantastic drive and quite a bit different than the Tail of the Dragon itself. The Cherohala Skyway (Cherohala Skyway, mile high legend from Robbinsville NC to Tellico Plains TN) offers sweeping turns and large vista views. It goes to a little above one mile up and we will stop along the way to take pics. We will also try to squeeze in a trip to some of the area's waterfalls as these are beautiful too.

We will take a break for lunch along the way (gas will be available here) and will end up coming back through the Tail of the Dragon, quite a great way to end up the drive. If you'd like, you can go directly to the dam from the end of the trip or go back to the resort, time permitting. I will probably hang out and then go directly to the dam but we will ensure you know the way back if needed.






If you are interested, sign up here:


1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14)Jerry K
15)Robert Watson
16)Michael Chu




.

Nice pics! Going to be fun for sure.

So, regarding food, I think we should stop in Madisonville TN. Instead of the Hardees, how about Bert's Grill?

Bert's Sandwiches & Salads

They have a lot of options and I called them to ensure they can take a crowd of around 30. They say no problem but if this is where we want to go, then I will call them again to get this set.

Along the drive, I'd also like to stop by the Bald River Falls as it's beautiful and a good place to take pics:

Tellico Plains Waterfalls

That sounds excellent David, thanks for finding that place! And stopping at Bald River Falls was awesome in 2011, we wanted to stop last year but were not sure were it was.

I'll be driving over friday, maybe early, so if I can make it in time I'll do this again.
It was great last year.

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell

Sounds great David, do they have a big parking lot for all the cars?
Just something to think about.
Thanks for organizing this!


Steve



.

^Yes, they've got plenty of parking so we are okay I think. Will double check though. All I need now is a running car :)

I wish I could do this.. but looks like I'll be too busy..

Just to be sure, what time you guys planning to get to fontana dam?

If I recall the previous 2 years we got there between 1 and 2? Don't quote me on that though...

Phil, what time do you want us there? I am guessing we can be there by 3-3:30 so that should be good right?

We should be at the lunch place by noon and roll out of there by 1 pm or so.

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin
19) Dale Clark and 1 more car from Pensacola (Jon)

I'm up for the Bert's Sandwiches. Hardees isn't the best place on earth for a burger :).

Thanks for putting this together, David! I was the fearless leader last year, only had 1 or 2 turn arounds due to navigational errors :).

Dale

My pleasure Dale. It's going to be fun. Looking at a 30% chance of rain right now but that will certainly change between now and then. Hope for sun.

Bert's sounds pretty good. I am going to call them to ensure they are ready for us. Thought about preordering as that would speed things up. I'd be happy to do this if we can ensure everyone shows.

How about this? If you know you are showing for the drive, then send me your food order from the menu. I'll compile this and send it on to Bert's. The morning of the drive, we can compare these orders and adjust based on the no-shows and the additions. At least this way we won't have to wait too long once we get to Berts.

As for getting lost, I was planning on driving the route early next week if I have time. We shall see. Wanted to take my wife out that way anyway.

I just did the reverse trip this past Saturday (started on Tail of the Dragon and came around and started Skyway on the Tellico Plains end). There is currently some contruction on the road so hopefully they will have completed it by next week. It goes to single lane gravel for a short bit, looks like part of the road got washed out. But enjoyed the route.

Originally Posted by DaleClark

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin
19) Dale Clark
20) Pensacola Jon
21) Michael Jones

David - sincerely thanks so much for stepping up and organizing this - every year I always say "I want to join those folks" then I don't for whatever reason (cough....too shy....cough) but this year man I am doing it! I'll PM you my car's food order :lol:

^ My pleasure and glad you are joining the caravan. It's a good time and pretty laid back. You'll see some of the best sights around and get to hang out with fellow rotary heads :)

I'm in!

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin
19) Dale Clark
20) Pensacola Jon
21) Michael Jones
22) Tommy Drane

Im hoping to make it!!

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin
19) Dale Clark
20) Pensacola Jon
21) Michael Jones
22) Tommy Drane
23) Cameron Hall

Hey guys. PM me your food orders so we can ensure that the food is ready to go once we arrive at Berts. Robert, I have yours :)

Thanks for offering to do a pre-order on sandwiches! I will probably just wait until I get there, not sure until that moment what I'd be hungry or in the mood for :).

To bump this to the second page, here's the restaurant with their online menu -

Bert's Sandwiches & Salads

PM David Hayes if you'd like to pre-order a sandwich.

Dale

I'm in. just got car back together so it looks like i'll be able to make it this year

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin
19) Dale Clark
20) Pensacola Jon
21) Michael Jones
22) Tommy Drane
23) Cameron Hall
24) Luke Bailey

1) David Hayes
2) David Benson
3) Steve
4) Pete M.
5) Wendy Meshelle (Added from Rx8club)
6) Bob Todd (Added from Rx8club)
7) Steve Trask
8) Marco Lau
9) Mike Simonovich*
10) Erik Cardenas (Tem120)
11) Suky & Gordon Monsen
12) Kevin H
13) Josh H
14) Jerry K
15) Robert Watson
16) Michael Chu
17) Tim Farrell
18) Jamin
19) Dale Clark
20) Pensacola Jon
21) Michael Jones
22) Tommy Drane
23) Cameron Hall
24) Luke Bailey
25) MFilippello

Sorry to bring up the food order stuff, but if you would send me your orders we could really speed up the process of lunch. I have orders for:

1) Robert
2) Wendy

The rest of you are slackers :)

Guess I'm one of the slackers :lol: If you're taking lunch orders, I'll have the chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries. Thanks for organizing this David :icon_tup:

Pete

^ Too funny, not anymore! I have food orders for:

1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle

Keep them coming!

Heading out now to drive the route and meet with Bert's so we have no surprises on Friday.

I have food orders for:

1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle
6) Eric H. - 1) All American burger 2) Baked potatoe with salad bar.

Drove the route yesterday and it's going to be a great time. Even though it was raining, beautiful scenery for sure with a nice ending run on the Tail of the Dragon. Had the wife and dog with me in the wife's Miata so we didn't blast thru the Tail but that was a good thing as the TN cops were out in full force. Going to have to watch that on Friday. Also saw two motorcycle guys that went over the rails. They were fine but their bikes not so much so :( That's the result of a little rain on the road with over aggressive driving.

Ate lunch at Bert's to test it out. Food is fine (better than Hardees) and Bert and wait staff very nice and helpful. Good lunch spot with plenty of parking and right around the 1/2 way point so I'd say we give it a shot. Not gourmet food but okay.

Keep those food orders coming and I will see you on Friday!

1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle
6) Eric H. - 1) All American burger 2) Baked potatoe with salad bar.
7) Tim F - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with fries (not chips)

Thanks for organizing this. Added my order.

Added my order :)


1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle
6) Eric H. - 1) All American burger 2) Baked potatoe with salad bar.
7) Tim F - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with fries (not chips)
8) Steve C. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich all the way, with fries

Thank you.

My order was the #6 , It was a bit strange since I have no idea where the H came from .. but the wierder thing is .. for some reason there is a link to Ebay when you click my name :scratch::scratch:

1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle
6) Eric H. - 1) All American burger 2) Baked potatoe with salad bar.
7) Tim F - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with fries (not chips)
8) Steve C. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich all the way, with fries
9) Mike S. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with chips

1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle
6) Eric C.. - 1) All American burger 2) Baked potatoe with salad bar.
7) Tim F - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with fries (not chips)
8) Steve C. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich all the way, with fries
9) Mike S. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with chips

Eric, I probably had a typo with the "H". Pulled your info off of the DGRR website. It's "C" right? As for the links, I have no idea. They seem to add by themselves. Just noted my name on the first post now has the following link: "The Body of David Hayes by Ridley Pearson ". Does this not bode well for our Friday cruise? :)

LMAO! dont worry man me and my friend were having a nice laugh about it , and yes C is fine but when its time for the bill H is even better .

Dale, whats the exact route you are taking from the lodge over to the skyway?

1) Robert - BLT with chips and a medium soft drink
2) Wendy - Driver - Club sandwich sub fries for the chips Navigator - Chicken Time sandwich add both cheese and bacon plus add a side of Fabulous Fries
3) Jerry - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich.. minus the tomato
4) Pete - Chipotle chicken sandwich with a side of fries
5) Tommy - Chipotle Chicken sandwich, with fries, no onion or pickle
6) Eric H. - 1) All American burger 2) Baked potatoe with salad bar.
7) Tim F - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with fries (not chips)
8) Steve C. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich all the way, with fries
9) Mike S. - Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with chips
10) Luke B. - 1) All American Burger with fries
11) Riya B. - 1) Toasted Italian Submarine Sandwich with chips

Just a thought, with the current forecast, does it not make sense to swap the Friday and Saturday day time events? The rain is really going to put a damper on the drive not to mention the photoshoot at the dam.

If the weather seem bad can you guys move it to Sunday?

^ Don't think so Phil. Most guys are leaving then so I say we do this on Friday. How about the picture at the Dam? Let us know if you are going to move that to Saturday.

The drive is great regardless. Just drove it last Sunday and it rained part of the way. Still a great trip.

So it's a go Friday rain or shine. The route we will take to get to the Skyway will have us turning left out of the resort and then taking a left on 28 as if we were going to the Tail. We will then take a left at 143 and cut across to Robinsville. It's the Skyway from there.

I think this is a really quick moving front. I bet we don't even see rain the entire day.

Moving it to Sunday won't work, everyone is ready to head home that day. No one will want to
do a 5+ hours trip and then get back in the car and head home for another multi hour trip.

Swapping the Sat and Fri events seems pointless. Look at last year. It rained at the car show
Sat all day but out on the dragon it was dry most of the day, no rain. Its the mountains, weather
is part of the fun :)

^ What he said. It looks like it will rain but regardless, it's going to be a really good drive. Come on out and let's do this thing. See you Friday.