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Trip to Tail of the Dragon and assorted Notches along the Blue Ridge Parkway
So I couldn't get a ride out to RRIV and the RGruppe boys are playing up in New York State on my anniversary so I decided to plan a trip of my own down to visit some family in the Asheville NC area at the end of September. I've heard about the Tail of the Dragon, and on my last shot down 81, it seems the Blue Ridge Parkway goes on for miles running along the mountain range. Both seem like nice windy roads to exercise my 69 E.
I'm leaving on 9/27 from Mass. and trying to stay off the highways as much as possible. Taconic Parkway, Delaware Water Gap are two off piste runs and then its down I78 to Cumberland Md. A fellow Early S poster suggested taking the 219 through the West Virginia Forests down to Blacksburg and then head on into my brothers place in Maryville, Tn on I81. I'm planning my trip on the Dragon on thursday. All the way out to Frankilin and back is a 5 hour trek. Anybody down there want to join in the fun?
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joe ------------------ '69 911 E Targa - aka "RoxiE" |
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09-22-2011, 02:55 PM
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Location: WNC
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Sorry I don't have a 911 YET, I am looking. However, I do live on the most beautiful part of the Parkway near Grandfather Mountain. I must suggest taking a little Porsche side trip around US 221 from Blowing Rock to Grandfather Mountain, then get back on the Parkway and visit the Linn Cove Viaduct. This bridge was designed in Germany and is similar to curved bridges found in the Alps. The first picture is from US 221, the second is from the Viaduct itself. All of the roads in this area are perfect for the Porsche purist. You will enjoy!
Regards, Mike  
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09-23-2011, 03:39 AM
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Location: Cridersville, OH
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I'm considering a day run up to the Dragon next Thurs. and could meet up with you somewhere. I'll pm you my cell number.
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75 911 Indian Red- RUFWAN2B 2000 Boxster 2000 & 2007 Dobies www.stahlwerks.com Cages and preparation for your Porsche “People who never make mistakes must get tired of doing nothing” Bill : The origin of the orgy of Porsche |
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09-23-2011, 03:48 AM
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Cool... I'm leaving out of Maryville and running along the Foothills Parkway. Noy sure if this google map will post correctly, but once we get to Topoco, we're going to continue on 129 & 64 out to Franklin and then loop back.
View maryville dragons tail to franklin in a larger map Got your PM. 
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joe ------------------ '69 911 E Targa - aka "RoxiE" |
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09-23-2011, 04:43 AM
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Cool, I'll try and hookup with you somewhere in route.
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75 911 Indian Red- RUFWAN2B 2000 Boxster 2000 & 2007 Dobies www.stahlwerks.com Cages and preparation for your Porsche “People who never make mistakes must get tired of doing nothing” Bill : The origin of the orgy of Porsche |
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09-23-2011, 04:53 AM
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Quote:
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joe ------------------ '69 911 E Targa - aka "RoxiE" |
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09-23-2011, 04:56 AM
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Get off my lawn!
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It is a beautiful part of the country.
 I took my favoirite picture of my car in that part of the world. No Photoshop work needed to make this a perfect place to photograph a 911!
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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09-23-2011, 05:15 AM
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Location: Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg
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The boys from Top Gear were not impressed with the speed limits along the Blue Ridge...
Top Gear Season 15 Episode 7 New York Special 720P HD FULL VIDEO - Car Videos on StreetFire
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'88 Carrera 
Last edited by bdisco; 09-23-2011 at 05:40 AM.. |
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09-23-2011, 05:37 AM
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Get off my lawn!
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The speed limits are low for sure. One thing that I always do is consider the yellow line as a concrete wall. It makes the curve more fun at legal speeds.
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Glen 49 Year member of the Porsche Club of America 1985 911 Carrera; 2017 Macan 1986 El Camino with Fuel Injected 350 Crate Engine My Motto: I will never be too old to have a happy childhood! |
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09-23-2011, 05:45 AM
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Location: blue ridge mountains
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I will be out of town this coming weekend, but you should have a lot of fun. I live a mile from Little switzerland and you will enjoy it I'm sure. The heart of the Blue Ridge is between Asheville and Blowing Rock and I strongly suggest that route. Myself, the "tail" is overrated. The most entertaining drives I've experienced are 226A from Little switzerland to 221/226, head south on 221/226 towards marion and turn west on 70. A couple of miles down take another right onto 80 north. Follow 80 all the way to 19e. Right on 19e and a few miles down, left again on 80 north...go as far as you like and find your way home from there. You will not be disappointed. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I would love to get together, but I will be in Charleston. I can suggest lots of lodging/dining/shopping along the way...or anything else.
The parkway north through Linville to Blowing Rock is beautiful and the Linn Cove Viaduct is amazing. 221 from Linville to Blowing Rock around the eastern side of Grandfather is a most spectacular drive as well. Madmax knows. By the way Madmax, hows that 930 running? I was at lowes in Marion and when I pulled out, you were parked at the Verizon store...I would've stopped but was on a mission. |
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09-23-2011, 05:57 AM
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Quote:
-e.
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Black Widow Blk on Blk '86 911 "...the secret to Porsche: we do things others cannot" |
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09-23-2011, 06:51 AM
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If you do get to Boone, take 194 North off 421, then take a left on Meat Camp road. We have a house about five miles up Meat Camp, and it is a beautiful drive, some of the turns doubling back on themselves near Elk Knob State Park. The leaves are starting to change and it should be beautiful in a couple of weeks.
Don Ivey '87 Carrera |
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09-23-2011, 07:54 AM
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Just did that drive last weekend, I followed a friend from Beckley WV who knew the whole route. Just out of Beckley we took 16 then 58. I can get the adjoining routes if needed which brought us to the snake and eventually Little Switzerland. If you can, stay at the Little Switzerland Inn. Really nice place to stay with great food, bar, tennis courts and... If you do not have re enforced rear sway bar mounts on your Carrera keep an eye on them. My '88 tore one the last day we were down there. These roads are "race track like" and yes the Blue Ridge Parkway is worth avoiding, many other good roads surround it and will still get you to Little Switzerland route 226A. Week days were very light traffic, Saturday & Sunday we had to turn into hooligans to get around the traffic.
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09-23-2011, 08:38 AM
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Location: blue ridge mountains
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spooldup...white coupe with a certain webpage on the rear deck, 9" Fuchs? Saw your car last weekend when my wife and I went to the Little Switzerland Inn for dinner...if it was you.
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09-23-2011, 08:42 AM
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Yep, that was me. First time I ever had to park one of my P cars dirty, drove me nuts til I could wash it!
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09-23-2011, 09:00 AM
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Location: blue ridge mountains
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Don't sweat it. Alois Ruf visited my shop years ago when he was in the states...Charleston of all places. My shop's owner has a 79 930 with Ruf front spoiler parked in front. That car is solid as a rock and is driven almost daily and is covered in rock chips. Ruf look at it and my owner commented that he was embarrassed of the way it looks and Ruf replied "that is the red badge of courage...these cars are meant to be driven". Your car looked good to me.
I hope you enjoyed your stay and if I can help upon any future visits...let me know. |
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09-23-2011, 09:32 AM
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Thanks, I did buy this car because it was not "perfect". It's a nice car but all the other Porsche's I own or have owned were garage queens. I just decided it was time to buy one I could drive after all the years of owning them & looking at them sit. Thanks for the offer, my next trip down I will contact you if needed for additional routes to find.
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09-23-2011, 10:12 AM
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Check out this little clip, you'll get the idea about 221. Just don't tell anyone about it.
Highway 221 looking backwards - YouTube @whalebird: Unfortunately, not my 930, not yet anyways. Presently looking for a 78-80 "hotrod" project. Last edited by madmax54; 09-23-2011 at 10:48 AM.. Reason: added note to wbird |
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09-23-2011, 10:43 AM
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226A is a fantastic ride up to Little Switzerland...
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09-23-2011, 10:51 AM
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This is all fantastic info!!!!
I didn't plan on spending much time on BRP due to the speeds but I knew that the access roads to the top and surrounding the mountains would be more fun and challenging. My plan is to head north out of Asheville mid day Sunday. Should I jump on the BRP there, or head east on 40 out to marion and grab 221 to there?
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joe ------------------ '69 911 E Targa - aka "RoxiE" |
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09-23-2011, 11:51 AM
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1969 Porsche 911 E 3.0
Carrera
2017 Porsche Macan GTS
Black Widow
Targa!
