Hi everyone! I'll be leading a group of 15 Miatas from the Mass Miata Club to next years (2010) MATG. We'll be arriving Tuesday evening, and I expect we'll do the Dragon and Cherohala loop on Wednesday.

On Thursday we're going to do the Forest Heritage Scenic byway: http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/12821/stories/64821 and you're invited to join us!

Here's the preliminary route we'll be taking: Click here

These are some seriously twisty mountain roads - we'll be crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway twice. The plan is to stop outside of Brevard for lunch at Hawg Wild BBQ. There are several waterfalls to stop at (one we can go swimming in) and time permitting we can swing by Clingman's Dome in the Smokies on the way home.

Post a reply if you're interested in joining us and we'll see how large a group we'll have. We can stop along the way to pick up people staying at places other than the village.

Driver's meeting at 8:15AM and leaving no later than 8:30AM. Those of you in Robbinsville, meet at the intersection of 143 and 28 at 8:45AM. More details as it gets closer.

Zoom zoom

Looks like a great run!
You can count on this Canadian and his wife to be at the start.
Any idea on the mileage to be driven and were will it start. The Ice Cream shop at Fontana is always a good place to meet in the AM?
Will be arriving Wed afternoon, Staying at Fontana, fourth Year!

Ron & Dee Kennedy
Kitchener Ontario

Cool! Mileage is around 220 for the run, starting from the Ice Cream shop sounds good. We'll figure out what time later.

Looking forward to meeting you then.

Hmm, yeah this sounds like a good run too. I'll be watching this one, I've got 313 days to make up my mind.

I just took a second look at the map and the route crosses the BRP four times...

Looks great. I'd like to make a couple of comments.

I've never been on the road but I have heard that Rt 19 through Delwood and Maggie Valley is congested and slow going.

Goggle shows 5 1/2 hours driving time. Adding lunch and stops, this could take 7 to 8 hours. I'd leave at 8 or 8:30 to be sure of getting back by supper time.

If you wanted to add a side spur, where Rt. 276 crosses the parkway take the parkway north to Rt 151. Take 151 down the hill, turn around and go back up to the parkway and return to 276.

I come in on Thursday. I'll consider coming a day early for this.

Good info - I'll have to check this out. We could take 74 both ways, or take 19 in the morning if it is less congested then. I thought it might be more interesting to not take the same route there and back.

I suspect we will be leaving earlier than 9:00.

Thanks.

FYI, not butting in here....
If distance/interstate/4 lane roads bore you, turn left at way point C onto US 276N back towards Waynsville. It cuts off all the 4 lane driving & is a Great road + you can still get to Maggie Valley if you want to include that in your run.
I'll be arriving Wed. & may just make this run.

Actually that's what I intended but Google maps
seems to have changed it. I'll post another map
link...

Thx.

Here's the corrected map:
Click Here

Sounds fantastic!! We'll be there the Saturday before and are staying in Fontana for the week. Sooo excited! This will be my 3rd and Jeff's 4th..so we'll see you all there!

Came over the news this week, there's been a Lot more than usual rain/snow in the NC mountains & there was a large mud slide in the Maggy Valley area. Sorry I don't have the details just that some residents were warned away from their homes for the next couple of weeks. Hopefully all will be well by July.

I'm sure the snow will be melted by July

I just wanted to confirm the thing about Rt 19 through Maggie Valley. I've been through there many times and while it IS a scenic ride, it IS most definitely slow. There is a lot of traffic through there going towards Cherokee and Gatlinburg, plus there are a fair amount of people who vacation there as well, and that's pretty much the only road through Maggie Valley, so it usually stays pretty crowded.

Because I'm staying at the Phillips in Robbinsville I'm not going to drive all the way to Fontana just to turn around & go back the way I came. So I'll be waiting at the Cafe in Stecoah along NC28.

So What time are y'all leaving Fontana?

We're not going anywhere near Robbinsville. Leaving Fontana we'll be travelling east on 28 towards Bryson City.

I was going to suggest people staying in Robbinsville meet us at the intersection of 143 and 28. Is this where the Stecoah Diner is (or close by)? If so then that sounds good.

I expect we'll probably have a drivers meeting at 8:15 and leave the village by 8:30AM. That should get us to the 143 intersection by about 8:50, so figure to be there at 8:45 in case we're a little early.

Yes the Cafe is just down the hill from 143/28 intersection about a mile or so. There is a long straight before we get to the 4-lane part of 28 & the cafe is about mid-way down on the left & has a good sized parking lot..

Just a Question re the Run
You have a drivers meeting at8:15 Am leaving at 8:30 am?
Being on holidays and eating breakfast at 8:00 am, is the meeting not rather early? Hey were on holidays?
could not the meeting be 9:15 am then go from there?
Just a thought
Ron&Dee Kennedy
Kitchener Ontario
Canada

As mentioned in a post above, it will be a long day and people will probably want to get back for dinner if they want to also go on the evening Cherohala Skyway run.

It's looking like there may be a large number of cars going which will slow things up, and/or we may break up into two groups.

Since this will be the first time doing this run I'd like to err on the side of it taking longer and therefore leaving a little earlier. Sorry...

count me in for this run

Okay, with a month to go here are the final details:

Meet at the Fontana General Store no later than 8:25 for a 8:30 departure. There shouldn't be much need for a drivers meeting other than splitting into two or three groups if we need to. Print out a copy of the map and directions from the link in a prior post if you want.

Those of us with CB radios will be on channel 10. If you have FRS radios bring them and we'll choose a channel for them at the start.

We'll pick up folks along the way at the intersection of 28 and 142 and at the Stecoah Diner - just fall in with the rest of us.

We'll probably drive US 74 there and back to avoid the Maggie Valley traffic, and make a pit stop around Waynesville, probably in both directions. Anyone know of a good ice cream stand to stop at on the way home?

Zoom zoom...

Based on your last post Jon I'll be at the diner @ ~8:45. Should be plenty of time before y'all arrive. Hmmmm....... Not sure if they're open for breakfast.... I'll check on my way in on Wednesday.

Jon,
Thanks for leading the Forest Heritage run, especially the spirited run on Rt 215.


Doug

Doug - I had a great time, and want to thank you for your local advice, and Ken for your support.

Will post a group photo when I get home in a week or so.

Here's a picture of us on the BRP

Jon, thanks for the run. Had a big time. Also thanks for posting the photo.