Appalachian road trip

Well, the world didn't end this week. Therefore, everyone should come up to the mountains in the spring to celebrate, and enjoy a great driving vacation.

I'm talking to you Robert, and Rich!

I would say to check your schedules and come up with a preferred week sometime in March-May. When we know how many people are 'IN' I will find a good place to rent.

Good times almost guaranteed!!!

If you haven't done it yet, driving the whole length of NC 281 is an experience not to be missed. We have a route to get there that is pretty awesome, and includes all types of scenery and roads...


BT
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We will definitely plan on it! I have several new places planned based on recommendations from the regional mappers here...

If anyone is worried about the driving pace or whatever, have no fear. I'm driving a relatively slow car, and have definitely relaxed my driving style in my old age. We also have lightened up a bit on the duration of the drives. What used to be a typical day of around 8-10 hours and 300+ miles has become more like 8 hours max and maybe 175-250 miles more typically. Fred and I did one long driving day in the fall trip of around 300 miles, but the total mileage for the week was around 1200 or so, and that was for 6 days.

If we can get a larger group of people committed to going, there is a nice place that will cost around $900-1200 for the week that can be split four ways (so $225-300 per person for the cabin rental). If it is just a few people then I would vote for the typical place Fred and I have rented that costs around $560 total for the week.


BT
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Haha, I guess I am not really old, I just feel old sometimes. Anyway, I'm about an hour north of Atlanta. I plan to scope out the routes ahead of time and take one day per week over January / February to make sure the drives will be fun. I got a new GPS that should allow me to do the mapping on my computer and load it directly into the unit, so I won't have to try and spot the roads by reading the street signs.

When I first starting coming up here I was all about hitting the road early, and driving until dark (at least). Now it is more of a fun vacation with lots of driving and some interesting stops and sightseeing along the way. The trip at the end of October was a blast, and while the weather wasn't the best we still had an awesome trip and found new roads to enjoy. We don't drive slow, but it is definitely within the ability of just about anyone I know. When we join the Lotus / Ferrari group from Atlanta I am one of the slower cars, but that doesn't bother me at all. Good tunes, awesome roads, and cool weather are the perfect combination for a relaxing get away.

The visit at John's house is always a highlight, and really the only luxurious part of the trip. It is one of the things that I look forward to each spring and fall. You just can't beat the hospitality!


BT

 

Dave, you should definitely join us for a few days at least. I know you would really enjoy the type of drives we will be going on.

I'm getting a new windshield on the car in about two hours, so I won't have to look through a billion little chips this time. I can't wait.


BT

 

How does May 11-17 work for you guys? The May calendar is booking up for everything past the 18th, and I have a college graduation thing to go to the weekend of the 3rd. If the dates are no good we can look for a different place to rent. I just know the usual place is really good for us typically.


BT

 

We are booked with the cabin from May 11-18. It is a very different rental market today than it was even just one year ago. The price is the same, but the availablility is really limited early. Already the place is pretty much totally booked for now through early June. Last year it was only about half booked even just a few weeks prior to the trip.


BT

 

You have a PM Dave.

BT

 

Woot! The weather is still cool. Spring has sprung, and the roads are calling your name John...

Looking forward to it! I just have to clean the car up and finish some mapping.


BT

 

Blowing Rock is kind of a far haul from where our cabin rental is (Brasstown near Murphy). If you would like to join up with us I would be glad to text or call with our planned route for each day you might be available and see if we can meet and enjoy at least a partial day route...

Let me know via PM or email what your best contact info is.


BT