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

[Capt'n Moorgone]

Count on me and brother Al.  Mike

[danmas]

Park officials are predicting good colors in the park this year, beginning in early October in the higher elevations and continuing in the lower elevations through the end of October.

[harv8]

Carol and I are planning on attending

[RMO 699F]

Kay and I will be there!

[BlownMGB-V8]

Hope Robin does come.
I'll be bringing Edith and Matthew, and this year my sister Martha who may be bringing her daughter LuAnn and/or her husband Chreed (creed).

Jim

[fiber]

Lorna& I will be there.

[Capt'n Moorgone]

Kelly and Jim, I talked to Bill Yobi this weekend. He is coming down this time year as well.
Mike

[BlownMGB-V8]

Cool!

[TimD]

Deb, Nick, and I are coming in the BBC (big British car).

TD

[Capt'n Moorgone]

Sounds like a good turn out for this year. How about a weather report from the locals? It's been very nice here in the North so far this fall!
Mike

[kstevusa]

Sunny & Warm,  temps in low 60's night and high 70's-80? day time.  Possibly dry and leaves may turn early.  
What time is it?                      Dickel Time!

[danmas]

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

[britcars]

<Sunny & Warm, temps in low 60's night and high 70's-80? day time. Possibly dry and leaves may turn early.
What time is it? Dickel Time!>

Dan, wish I could be there, would bring a Moosehead chaser for Kelly and his Dickel.  
Phil

[kstevusa]

Thanks Phil.   Guess the leaves up in your area are changing now?  Maybe a little color will develop this week, but don't know. The thought of Moosehead chaser is appealing!

[TR6-6SPD]

I went flying here in Southern Ontario a couple of days ago and even here, the leaves are only just beginning to change color. There are, of course, lots of interactive website out there to guide you on the color changes. Here's one:
http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/fallfoliage/#statecitymaplist

We're heading south Wednesday noon. That will give us time to explore West Virginia a bit, pass through Little Switzerland and enjoy the Pisgah Mountains on the way to Townsend. The weather forecast looks great!

Little Switzerland 2008:


Little Switzerland 2008:


Blue Ridge Parkway 2008:


Blue Ridge Parkway 2008:

[RMO 699F]

Sounds like a great adventure Ken! Kay and I are doing it in reverse, Friday/Saturday/Sunday in Townsend, Monday/Tues/Wednesday in  Waynesville NC....Balsam/Pisgah Mountain....

[Dan B]

Any idea which part of WV you will be exploring this time?

[TR6-6SPD]

Hi Dan,

"Any idea which part of WV you will be exploring this time?"

As a matter of fact, we almost dropped in on you, (Charleston,WV.) last August 5th. We were coming back from the Street Rod Nationals, Louisville KY. on the bikes exploring those beautful West Virginia roads. Here's one you must know, Prenter Rd. from Gordon to Seth, WV.:
http://tinyurl.com/lmzyd2b

Here's something we discovered, a Rail to Road tunnel. This one, just south of Dingess, WV. is one lane, very slippery surface and stretches for about 1 KM. Built 1914. Once you enter it there's no turning around, no lights inside, dripping water everywhere.....spooky!





More turtle rescues:


I couldn't find any specific info on my 1914 tunnel but here's a website that features a nearby tunnel we went through and the website can lead you to other historic fascinations:
http://bridgehunter.com/wv/mingo/bh37211/

So where are we going through this time? Probably in the Beckley area. Good old coal mining roads down there too. Lots of anti-Obama signs.

[Dan B]

That is really cool.  I had not seen that one before.  Rt. 85 and over Bolt Mt. to Beckley from there is a pretty drive, no doubt you've done that one.  Backbone rock in East Tennessee looks interesting. http://bridgehunter.com/tn/johnson/backbone-rock-tunnel/

[MGBV8]

I have rappelled off of the side of Backbone Rock with the Boy Scouts. Not a tunnel, though.  I caught a 4 1/2 foot black snake bare handed on top of Backbone Rock right over the road.  The young scouts were impressed.  No biggie, I didn't look down.  

[RMO 699F]

Two of my favorite roads are right in that area...Rt. 20 just east of Beckley (can catch it off I-64) that runs through Hinton and along the gorge area,....down past Pipe Stem Park and eventually down to Princeton/Bluefield...and Rt. 12 out of Alderson (maybe Roncevert too??) and runs along the Greenbrier river...two of the best sports car roads ever...I'm sure Dan and Jim can provide a lot more detail..................

[TR6-6SPD]

Mike,
I'll agree with you, US 20 is a good alternative for anyone travelling North/South if they don't want to use I 79 - US19 and I 77. My favourite section is past Holly River State Park. It's least congested in that area.

I'll highlight US 12/Anderson area. Thanks.

The New River Gorge is fun too. When we went past there last year we couldn't use the bridge because it was closed for the annual "Bridge Day".
http://www.officialbridgeday.com/

Waiting for the train beneath the 876'  New River Gorge Bridge, July 2007:
:

[Dan B]

There are some really nice waves in that river right beside where your car is parked, Ken.  

Alderson is famous for the women's prison that most recently housed Martha Stewart.  Other noted guests included Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, Sara Jane Moore and Billie Holiday.  Rt. 12 is a very pretty drive along the Greenbrier River.  A notable stop near Talcott is the John Henry statue.

I really wish I could join you guys this weekend!  Timing is everything though.

[Charles]

Perky and I (Charles) are planning a ride over on Friday. I am  Jim Watson brother by different parents. We will be coming from Cleveland TN via The Old Copper Road, thru Reliance, Telico Plains, The Cherola Skyway, The Dragons Tail, then Foot Hills Parkway, to Townsend.

[kstevusa]

Welcome Charles & Perky.  We'd love to have you visit with us.  BTY, I now know how I mistook you for Jim ! :-)  Looks like a excellent turn-out even w/o the Federal  Govt.  Guess I will travel up side road (US 411) from Sweetwater to Maryville.