I have, but not in the X. Always up for another round, though.

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Previously owned: '03 4.6iS Dinan Supercharged

I suspected you had done Deal's Gap...

Imo, maybe the most overrated stretch in the SE,
but I understand its allure. The roads leading into
it, from all points in western NC or, the Smoky Mtns
side of TN, are spectacular driving roads. The cops
have gotten real serious on those "lead in" roads,
however.

Just not much "room" or places around there for a
"meet" other than the jammed parking lot of the
Tail of the Dragon joint. And, weekends are a circus.
But, worth a thought.
BR, mD

How good can the Tail possibly be? I mean, I've been on some mountain roads in Central and Western VA that are pretty damn good and can't imagine it being better, unless it was something like the north end of the Großglockner Pass in Austra where it's successive hairpins like what one sees on Top Gear.

I'm not really interested in cop-heavy places either. I already live in one, and the point of driving to NC is to escape the enforcement.

True about the weekends, the 3000GT/Stealth group had a weekend meet where the TOTD was an excuse to hang out together at night and drink heavily. We stayed in the Americana Inn on the main drag at Pigeon Forge, TN. Man, that place was like a redneck's Las Vegas, haha.

The TOTD is hyped up, sure, but I found the fun in (moderately) spirited driving with friends. It can be a rollercoaster... with great views. There are always some good old boys watching, but I saw them targeting some of the crazies on crotch rockets. Photographers post up out there too, and will have shots of your vehicle online to purchase that evening, or the next day.

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Previously owned: '03 4.6iS Dinan Supercharged

Did this soiree ever come off? I live pretty close to TOTD, and have ridden it several times on my scooter. Even then, it was tedious......

One sunny Saturday, last year, my wife said .."Hey, let's drop the top on the Merc and do the Dragon.."... Even then, it was tedious...

I agre with MD, there are much more enjoyable roads than TOTD..... BRP, Cherohala Skyway, Highway 28 to Fontana Dam, 441 from Cherokee to Pidgeon Forge, with stops at the NC/TENN line overlook and Clingmons Dome, just to name a few...

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2002 X5 4.6is, Black Sapphire on Black
1997 328is, Black on Gray
2003 SL500, Black on Gray
UH-1H Helicopter, Yellow

Hey n2red, Could not agree more; there are dozens of fine azz two lane blacktops in western NC. As for a western NC meet, it would be fun,
but let's wait until I get back on the Mtn in late April, and imo, a May or June shot is potentially nicer, weather-wise, at any med-high elevation.

We need to put our thinking caps on for a "location"; something besides an out of biz mobile home sales ctr.

Is that you driving those choppers with the water buckets whenever we had a fire in the past few years (before wet '09!) ?!

I always wonder how the natives feel they burn "briars & brush" everyday; wood chippers are pretty low on their list, I guess.

NEway, I would like to hook up with you when I get back to Eagles Nest Mtn!
GL, mD

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Ol'UncleMotor
From the Home Base of Pro Bono Punditry
and 50 Cent Opins...

Our Mtn Scenes, Car Pics, and Road Trip Pics on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627297418250/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4527537...7627332480833/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45275375@N00/

My X Page

Yep... That's me..... Fought a fire on the western side of the Eagles Nest about 4 years ago Put about 25 buckets or so on it. Took two helos and about 60 ground guys to keep it from turning ugly...... fortunately, there are several ponds around there that are suitable for helo's with buckets.

Worked the Allen Creek Fire (That burned from Allen Creek all the way up to the tunnel on the BRP) fire last year for four days straight.... some old cooter decided.. "Ya know... If'n I pour somma dis gas on at brushpile, that bastard'll burn in nuthin' flat..."..... 475 acres later we got it stopped.

I did notice that one (or several) of your shots of Waynesville were taken from the BRP overlook, you clever devil....

Dan

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2002 X5 4.6is, Black Sapphire on Black
1997 328is, Black on Gray
2003 SL500, Black on Gray
UH-1H Helicopter, Yellow

n2red,
Thank you for your daring and valiant work! I remember that fire well: it was down just below Little Mtn,
and we watched you zooming around and dipping your water buckets into the ponds that border LRCC,
just below us. If that fire had gotten out of control the whole mtn would have gone up; it was tinder dry that summer.

You guys have ballz and, serious skills!
Dillsboro: good little town. We go there, and through it, regularly.

I look forward to getting back; this season here in FL has been ugly and the people start annoying me, by now. Lol!
BR, mD

I'm open to new roads.

Going to tow the wife's track car to the 3000GT Nationals this year, which will mean driving across the Appalachians. Not as fun at towing speed, but should be great scenery!

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Previously owned: '03 4.6iS Dinan Supercharged