Tail Of The Dragon - Meet/Road Trip, August 17th & 18th 2019 Options

[NetsToy]

Hey Celica Family,

I'm organizing a Tail Of The Dragon meet for the weekend of August 17th & 18th 2019!

So, for those who don't know, the Tail of the Dragon is a stretch of road between Tennessee & North Carolina that's 11 miles long and includes 318 curves! THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN CURVES! That's insane! Anyway - This road attracts motorcyclists and car enthusiasts from far and wide, who all want to experience this road. I've always wanted to go, so I decided to put a group together. I'm super excited for a weekend away with a bunch of friends & Celica's!

I've created a Facebook event for this, but I wanted to put this here for those of you who are not on the FB.

If you're interested in going, let me know!

I will add details here as I put them together. I'm currently working on the itinerary.

[Box]

Hmmm, does it have to be a Celica? >.> <.< My brother and I have been meaning to do the TotD for awhile now, but something keeps coming up. Either I don't have a car and/or he's wanting to put parts on his first. Though the rate things are going that's how it'll be again this year anyway...

[NetsToy]

Hmmm, does it have to be a Celica? >.> <.< My brother and I have been meaning to do the TotD for awhile now, but something keeps coming up. Either I don't have a car and/or he's wanting to put parts on his first. Though the rate things are going that's how it'll be again this year anyway...

All cars are welcome! The more the merrier!

[enderswift]

I plan on going that weekend. Are you guys staying at Fontana?

[bryanf]

I will try to go that weekend.

[Box]

Hmmm, does it have to be a Celica? >.> <.< My brother and I have been meaning to do the TotD for awhile now, but something keeps coming up. Either I don't have a car and/or he's wanting to put parts on his first. Though the rate things are going that's how it'll be again this year anyway...

All cars are welcome! The more the merrier!

Ahh ok cool. Will largely depend on if I have another Miata by then(and my fibro, among other things), since I don't feel like hustling the Firebird through the TotD.

That and if he could get off work... One of these days we'll do it.

[punkxrckprincess]

I plan on going that weekend. Are you guys staying at Fontana?

No plans have been set we need to figure all that out.
My $$ saving suggestion was rent a big house airbnb we all split.

Also I feel like I am missing something- is one end of the dragon more desirable than the other? I figured we would be staying at the 'close' end and driving one way and driving back but I see a lot of NC suggestions.

[bloodMoney]

If you guys are going to stay at Fontana, I would have someone call NOW and see what the availability looks like, and see if you can get a group rate for X number of people.

It's too popular to wait until even the month before to call for lodging.

[narly_charley]

I'm not going, and I know people have different opinions, but honestly, an Airbnb sounds like a great idea. The only con is that you couldn't get your money back if you had to bail last minute, as you'd screw everyone else over.

[enderswift]

Airbnb does sound good but I may have to back out depending on how my car is doing and what my plans for the following weekend look like.

So fontana it is for me

[NetsToy]

Fontana Village Resort it is!

I'm all booked for Friday & Saturday nights! Aug 16 & 17.

If you're planning on going, I recommend booking a room soon, as I'm told they fill up quickly!

Yay! I'm excited for this meet!

This post has been edited by NetsToy: Jul 20, 2019 - 1:07 AM

[CoolZeen]

they will be an oldsmobile tour that weekend and they will be at fontana for breakfast and leaving at 10 am.

[GT650Schultz]

how many people are in so far? I'm debating on riding my bike down there for the weekend.

I literally just got back but can't wait to go again

[punkxrckprincess]

how many people are in so far? I'm debating on riding my bike down there for the weekend.

I literally just got back but can't wait to go again

10 per the facebook event.
We're staying at Deals Gap Saturday night

[Bitter]

I'm not on the Facebook but I'll be there, I'm planning on coming down to Knoxville on Friday and staying in the area through Monday, going back on Tuesday. Is anyone else sticking around on Sunday?

[2KGTS]

So, could I tag along? I don't do Facebook. So I don't really know all that's going on. I know that the Village has some rooms. I'm just wondering if folks will be meeting up for drives, lunch/dinner, etc.

[NetsToy]

Hey All!

It's one month until the Tail of the Dragon meet and I've just put together all the details for the trip.

I believe there are going to be around 8-10 cars according to the Facebook event, but with the non Facebook people, we may have higher numbers then that.

I'm really excited for this trip and I look forward to hanging out with everyone. Also, if you're driving down from Chicago on Friday and want to meet up with me in Indianapolis, I'm happy to caravan down to the Dragon together.

Annette



Tail Of The Dragon
Celica + Friends Meet 2019

Friday August 16th
- Drive to Tail Of The Dragon
- Accommodations:
Fontana Village Resort
300 Woods Rd.
Fontana Dam, NC 28733
1-828-498-2211

Saturday August 17th
- 9:30AM - All Cars Assemble: say hello, take photos, shop souvenirs
Tail of Dragon Store
17555 Tapoco Road
Robbinsville, NC 28771
1-800-768-7129

*It’s on 129 just north of 28, across the street from the Deals Gap Motorcycle resort. You’ll see the big dragon statue, like in this event’s banner photo.

- 11:00AM - Drive the Tail of the Dragon: cruise
**Staying together: One rule that we've always had: When caravanning, you are responsible for the car behind you. If you are driving down a road and the car behind disappears, if the group turns off the road, you are obligated to wait there until the car/cars behind you catch up. Don't worry about losing the group, because the person in front of you will have to wait for you to catch up---
**DO NOT PASS DOUBLE YELLOW CENTER LINE! There are lots of motorcycles, and crossing the center line may cause an accident, or even worse kill someone!
**HAVE FUN & BE SAFE

- 12:30PM - Lunch at:
Lynn’s Place
237 E Main St, across from the courthouse
Robbinsville, NC 28771
*American food, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
*Ranked as #3 Best Restaurant in the area

- 2:00 Drive to: hike, visit, take photos
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forrest
1133 Massey Branch Rd
Robbinsville, NC 28771
*I’m open to trail suggestions, if anyone knows the area

- 7:00 Dinner at:
Tapoco Tavern
14981 Tapoco Rd
Robinsville, NC 28771
*American Pizza & Bar, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten free options
*Perched on banks of Cheoah River (can dine outside), will take reservations for big groups. CALL FOR RESERVATION: 828.498.2800
*Ranked as #2 Best Restaurant in the area
**Tavern closes at 10:00, after that everyone is on their own
- 10:00 Drive back to Fontana for sleeps

Sunday August 18th
- Drive home from TOTD

NOTES:
**There is no cell service in the mountains, BRING WALKIE TALKIES!
**Bring GPS as cell phones wont work/no service area
print out maps ahead of time, so you’re not relying on your phone for navigation
**Nearest Gas Station is in Robinsville

[Bitter]

Weather permitting, I may go out for a drive on one of these on Sunday or Monday if anyone is still around and wants to tag along. https://grahamchamber.com/things-to-do/scenic-roadways/
My mom's place is about 15 minutes from the start of 129 in Knoxville, so I'm about 90 minutes away, according to google, from the Fontana Village place. Looks like a nice drive all the way south on The Dragon to meet up there so I should get a morning run down before it's crowded and then whenever we drive it I get to go again. I want to say that the last time I was down there with a group we drove 441 across the Smoky Mountains park to a pick-nick spot by Clingmans dome, and that was a very nice drive as well.

My mom's boyfriend (that sounds so weird because they're both old) has a BRZ so I told my mom he's welcome to come out and tag along, I didn't think the group would object to one more senior, him and 'gramps' can talk about old guy stuff.

This post has been edited by Bitter: Jul 20, 2019 - 9:47 AM

[2KGTS]

90 minutes from Knoxville may turn into something a lot longer depending on traffic on the TOTD, maybe?

I'm tempted to stay at Fontana Village Friday and Saturday nights and try to figure out how to stay one more day. Maybe in Knoxville. I should be able to get a hotel room on points (free) that way.

AWESOME planning and schedule! Well done!

[Bitter]

Meh, I'll make it work for me, not suggesting anyone else stay in Knoxville just stating my plans.