Third (Second Annual) BritishV8 Fall Gathering - Townsend, TN - 10/4-6/2013

[harv8]

Any update on the weather for the weekend?

[MGBV8]

Forecast:

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Townsend+TN+37882

[harv8]

Thanks Carl.....I thought Dan might have a direct line to the weather!

"One week to go, and the weatherman is still predicting fine weather for the weekend."

[danmas]

I have given the weatherman precise instructions as to the weather I want for this weekend and warned of dire consequences should he fail to follow through.

We'll see!

[mowog1]

Too bad that the Visitors Centers, etc, of the Smoly Mountain National Park will be closed. But I know that you guys will be able to find things to entertain yourself in spite of our current predicament!

Have a GREAT weekend....break the fun meter for me!

[MGBV8]

The LBC roads will be open!

[Charles]

All of the national parks are closed. This includes The Great Smoky Mountain, some of the roads within the parks may also be closed. I guess we will find out when the pipe is across the road. This also means none of the welcome centers or rest areas within the parks will be open.

[MGBV8]

I could see them close the Little River Road just to piss us off.

[danmas]

Little river road is closed, the foothills parkway is closed, the Gatlinburg-Newfound Gap-Cherokee road is open, the "Dragon" is open, Cheroholla parkway is open. To get to the Newfound Gap road from Townsend will require a detour through Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg via Wears Valley, a pretty nice drive. To get to the "Dragon," you'll have to back track towards Alcoa/Maryville a bit, either taking 411 to 129, or taking some minor backroads via Happy Valley road.

Jim Watson is an expert on the back roads, so he can provide directions if needed.

[MGBV8]

I don't see how they justify closing the Foothills Parkway.  It's a road.

[kstevusa]

Carl, CLOWNS don't play by the rules:-)

[danmas]

I don't see how they justify closing the Foothills Parkway. It's a road.

I don't either, but the info I have says they did. I hope I'm wrong. I'm sure the people who live in the "Top of the World" community by Look Rock hope so too.

[danmas]

I don't know how long this link is good for, but here's a report from a local TV station:

http://www.wbir.com/story/news/local/maryville-blount/2013/10/01/shutdown-strands-some-blount-kids-at-school/2903359/

BTW, the backup routes that they say are too narrow and twisty for a school bus are perfect for small, nimble sports cars!

[Citron]

Maragaret and I have arrived.   Little River Rd is closed.    Wear valley rd is very crowded.   Not alot of fun.


Steve

[Capt'n Moorgone]

Steve, thanks for the update. Closed roads are for making TV commercial runs. Could be a blast! I won't tell. If it were that easy. Still look forward to the Lies, Tire kicking, and Dickel.  Mike

[Dan B]

Somebody take some bolt cutters!

[MGBV8]

I think I can drive my MG under that gate!  

[mowog1]

On one of the Grand Lake Tours (a 24-hour/1000 mile rallye around Lake Michigan for British cars 1980 and older), we wanted to use a "short cut" through the forest on a power company road.

We simply drove around the locked gate at the start of the road....but found a 4 foot ditch on either side of the gate on the exit of the road at the other end that prevented us from driving around the gate.

We thought about it for a minute....then got out our tools and took apart the hinges, pivoted the gate on the lock, drove through, then reassembled the hinges.

Folks about a mile down the road from our exit point were rather surprised to see an MG drive by...that they had NOT seen drive by in the opposite direction ealier.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Who knew you were such an outlaw?

Matthew and I will be heading that way in a few hours. May not get there until after dark.

Jim

[MGBV8]

Still wrenching on my B.  

[Dan B]

In 1977 in Speedy Spaulding's Torino we drove around barricades on I-64 between Louisville and St. Louis and saved about an hour.  The highway was finished but they hadn't painted the lines yet.  

If the Park Service employees are furloughed, does that mean there won't be any rangers around?

[mowog1]

You guys too busy or too hung over to post updates?

<grin>

[danmas]

You guys too busy or too hung over to post updates

Yes.  News at eleven.

They are on the way back from Cherahola parkway, we'll be having dinner at seven.

Weather has been great, lots of fun, plenty of spirited driving, etc

I'm home, getting ready to head back to Townsend.

[kstevusa]

Back from. the Dragon  and arrived prior to the bunch that bypassed the Dragon. Went to dinner and had great time. Long day,but fun. Tomorrow is day for return trip home   3rd annual Gathering will be first week in Oct. 2014 . Plan Now to be here with us.SAFETY FASTER!

[britcars]

Anyone going to post some photos?  Please...............??