Spring Skyline Cruise

[slngsht]

THE LATEST ITINERARY ON SEVENS AT SKYLINE IS IN THIS DOCUMENT:

 

> http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/sevens_at_skyline .doc

 

 

 

slngsht38863.6201736111

[solder_guy]

I've always enjoyed driving and camping along the Skyline Drive.

 

 

 

Maybe my Rotus will be done soon??

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell, Atlanta, GA

 

 

[Al N.]

Mazda et al-

 

 

 

I'm going to be on vacation from April 13-23rd, but don't schedule around

 

me. It would be fun to get a few cars together. Even just having a second

 

seven made my NJ drive more interesting.

 

 

 

I may have to buy a trailer to make this happen (long way to drive in my car),

 

but that's fine.

 

 

 

-Al

[slngsht]

Welcome aboard Al.

 

 

 

I've looked at the calendar. Two dates that work are:

 

 

 

Primary Date: May 20/21

 

Rain Date: June 3/4slngsht38734.4463773148

[Al N.]

I could probably do either proposed date. Keep in mind that either date is a

 

potential "shoulder" date for people taking off the week of Memorial Day.

 

You guys would know which one might be worse for traffic in your neck of

 

the woods. I like the Sunday/Monday combo as it reduces potential for

 

traffic (I think).

 

 

 

A friend's brother uses White Post do some work on his V12 Ferrari...that

 

would be a fun group tour if John V could swing it. THe dates are in my

 

calendar, now I just need to get it cleared with my wife and kids!

[slngsht]

I already sent John a message to finalize the starting point at white post. I'll try to get us some coffee and donuts for breakfast.

[slngsht]

All, I've gone through all the emails, and this is the list I've come up with.

 

Folks with the * in front of them have indicated they can not make May 20/21. I think everyone is OK with the June date.

 

I've been talking to John V. regarding a stop at White Post to start the cruise. Since John can't make it on May 20/21, I'm trying to work out another date around that time. I will keep you posted...

 

If you sent me your location, and I missed it in the emails, please update it here, or email me and I'll update the post.

 

 

 

Steve Wann, Williamsburg, VA - Rotus

 

Ed Harris, Hagerstown, MD - Rotus

 

* John Vivani, Haymarket, VA

 

Steve Taylor, Somewhere in the south??

 

Michael Dougherty, Bethesda, MD

 

* Bob Ross

 

Lance, Philly, PA

 

Richard Gibson, DC

 

* Bart Lami, Pittsburgh, PA

 

Al Navarro

 

Dick Brink, Texas

 

Mazda Ebrahimi, North Potomac, MD

 

Jeff Cranmer, NC - Birkin S3

 

Chet Galek    Fisher Fury / Hayabusa

 

Scott Lentz Virginia - Superlightslngsht38741.7687037037

[slngsht]

I looked at the possibility of an extended cruise.

 

 

 

Skyline drive connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which extends another 460 miles south into the Carolinas, making the total about 580 miles. I'm not sure what the speed limit is on the rest of the Parkway, but Skyline is at 35. Even though we can speed up a little, an extended drive in the park may be tiring. There are parallel roads to the park that we can explore.

 

 

 

I haven't heard anything from anyone regarding an extended cruise.

 

 

 

For those that can't go on a multiple day cruise, we can plan sections (I would be one of those people... probably doing the northern section - and I think there are at least a couple of folks who prefer meeting up near the south end of skyline, who could go south).

 

 

 

The draw back of all this is that we have to go - rain or shine.

 

 

 

I need a feel for how the group feels about having the option of a long cruise, but not having a rain date. Also, if we do an extended cruise, I will need someone to plan the southern sections of the cruise.

 

 

[Al N.]

Mazda-

 

 

 

FYI, Chet Galek and I are from NJ.

 

 

 

Regarding a longer trip...it's all I could do to convince my wife to come

 

down for an overnight. So I'd probably be out on anything longer than

 

2-3 days. While I applaud Dick B. for schlepping from TX, I think the

 

shorter and simpler, the better. Your multi-stage thing sounds good —

 

allows people to enjoy whatever part they can commit to timewise.

 

 

 

Regarding speeds, I'm not too much in favor of doing multiples of the

 

posted limits on big group drives. Additionally, I will probably have either

 

my wife or one of the kids riding shotgun in the 7 so will not push things

 

too much.

 

 

 

Looking forward to meeting everyone. Thanks again for your efforts.

 

 

 

-Al

 

 

 

P.S. I run a Superlight (200 hp Zetec with Caterham 6 speed) in Orange/

 

Carbon livery.Al Navarro38742.5561689815

[slngsht]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

 

 

Multiples of speed limit will be a no-go for Skyline. Speedlimit is 35. I think we can do 45-50 in stretches without a problem. Anything higher would be pushing it with cyclists and sight-seers on the road. To me, this is mostly a relaxing scenic drive and a chance to get to know all of you.

 

 

 

I'm thinking practically this should be a 1-2 day event as well, but I haven't heard anything from anyone else besides you and Dick.

 

 

 

Maybe others will chime in.

 

 

[solder_guy]

Maybe others will chime in.

 

 

 

Well maybe if I can get my car together .. (If guys can get their cars from the UK and back for USA 2005, I could make it to Skyline!).

 

 

 

BTW: The speed limit on the Blue Ridge Parkway is 45 mph.

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

 

 

10 TIPS FOR ENJOYING THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 

1. Go slowly and enjoy the scenery. The speed limit is 45 mph. Although there are no stop signs or stoplights, this is not a freeway.

 

2. Stop at the overlooks to soak in the views. If an overlook is busy, take a short walk to find a more secluded spot.

 

3. Take a blanket and picnic. There are several picnic areas along the way, and many green areas along the drive to stop.

 

4. Take a jacket. With the elevation changes along the drive, the temperature may vary as much as 20 to 30 degrees. At the highest elevations, the hottest summer days only reach into the 70s.

 

5. Watch for hikers and bicyclists.

 

6. Be certain to take your camera and plenty of film. Ask someone to take a picture of you along the way.

 

7. Gas up before you get on the parkway. There is only one gas station on the parkway (at Mt. Pisgah). Gas stations are also located on intersecting highways near the Parkway exits.

 

8. Restrooms are located at major stops such as picnic areas and visitor centers.

 

9. Please do not disturb wildlife or plant life. Bear sightings are rare.

 

10. If you are into bird watching or wildflowers, be sure to take your guidebooks.

 

11. For emergencies along the Parkway, call 1-800-ParkWatch.

 

solder_guy38743.0083449074

[slngsht]

Well, it was brought to my attention by Esko that May 20/21 coincides with the Carlisle kit car show, which I imagine many of us would like to go to.

 

 

 

For some reason I thought that event was on the 14/15.

 

 

 

How is everyone with using June 3/4 as the primary date?

 

 

 

I think there were more people OK with that date anyway, but the problem was that a rain date would start pushing into July.

 

 

 

Please chime in.

[Al N.]

Anybody have an opinion of staying at Skylands vs. Big Meadow?

[slngsht]

I don't have an opinion either way yet. I should make the test run in the next couple of weeks and check the places out. This weekend would've been great to go up there, but family things have come up.

 

 

 

Whatever we decided, we should do it soon because rooms go fast.

[slngsht]

I just reserved at Big Meadows for Saturday June 3rd.

 

 

 

We'll be leaving the DC area in the morning. We'll probably have one meeting point early in MD, head on up 66 and meet somewhere around the Dulles area to meet the VA folks. Then caravan up to whitepost.

 

 

 

I'll come up with a more definitive sched once I make the dry run. If weather cooperates, I'll do a dry run next weekend.

 

 

 

-Mazda

 

 

 

 

 

Big Meadows Lodge links:

 

>http://members.aol.com/adnascar/bigmeadows.html

 

>http://www.visitshenandoah.com/rates.shtml

[slngsht]

Well, the dry run is complete. I learned a few things:

 

 

 

1- I REALLY need to get a top and doors for Franken7

 

2- If you take a tarp to protect the car against rain, make sure it doesn't have holes all over it.

 

3- Take your cell charger with you.

 

4- If you rely on your laptop for all your gauges, GPS, etc..., don't install new software right before you leave.

 

 

 

All in all, it went very well. I only hit rain today, on the way back from VA Beach. I think I put on about 600 miles on the Rotus, and she ran flawlessly.

 

 

 

About the cruise... This is the proposed agenda:

 

 

 

Meeting point #1 - Bethesda - Sutton Place Gourmet (can't remember the new name) at the corner of Democracy and Old Georgetown. Leave at 7:30 AM

 

 

 

Then take 495 to 66 W to 50 W.

 

 

 

Meeting point #2 - Rt 50 right after Rt 66... Target parking lot. Leave 8:15

 

 

 

Take Rt. 50 up to Whitepost (will have detailed directions) Arrive at Whitepost around 9:45

 

 

 

Leave Whitepost at 10:30, Enter Skyline at 10:45

 

 

 

We will make several stops along skyline drive (and take some group pics, etc...), arriving at Big Meadow for lunch around 1 PM.

 

 

 

My suggestion is we plan on bringing our own food. Resturaunt can get quite busy. There is Gas there as well.

 

 

 

We can head further south from Big Meadow, starting around 2 PM, for one hour, and turn around and come back to Big Meadow at 4 PM to stay for the night. There is a hiking trail nearby (or beer at the bar).

 

 

 

Sunday, We'll meet for breakfast around 8:30, start out heading north to Front Royal, and from there to Summit Point to watch the Ferrari club. From there we can split. For those going back towards DC, we'll be going past Harper's Ferry, and we can take backroads down towards DC (instead of 340 to 270).

 

 

 

Here is a short vid of the skyline...

 

>http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/Movie.wmv

[Al N.]

Maz-

 

 

 

Tx for the info and the film. How many people do you have signed up,

 

officially or unofficially?

 

 

 

Like I've said before, my reservations are made. Should we compile a

 

document with the itinerary and people's phone numbers? Just a thought.

 

 

 

-Al

[slngsht]

Maz-

 

 

 

Tx for the info and the film. How many people do you have signed up,

 

officially or unofficially?

 

 

 

Like I've said before, my reservations are made. Should we compile a

 

document with the itinerary and people's phone numbers? Just a thought.

 

 

 

-Al

 

 

 

Hi Al,

 

Based on conversations at various times, I believe this is the list if the weather is good. If the weather is bad, I know at least you, me and Chuck will be there.

 

 

 

Steve Wann, Williamsburg, VA - Rotus

 

Ed Harris, Hagerstown, MD - Rotus

 

* John Vivani, Haymarket, VA -- will be there at the start, and at Summit point at the end.

 

Steve Taylor, Somewhere in the south??

 

Michael Dougherty, Bethesda, MD

 

* Bob Ross

 

Lance, Philly, PA

 

Richard Gibson, DC

 

* Bart Lami, Pittsburgh, PA

 

Al Navarro

 

Dick Brink, Texas

 

Mazda Ebrahimi, North Potomac, MD

 

Jeff Cranmer, NC - Birkin S3

 

Chet Galek    Fisher Fury / Hayabusa

 

Scott Lentz Virginia - Superlight

 

 

 

 

[slngsht]

Maz-

 

 

 

Tx for the info and the film. How many people do you have signed up,

 

officially or unofficially?

 

 

 

Like I've said before, my reservations are made. Should we compile a

 

document with the itinerary and people's phone numbers? Just a thought.

 

 

 

-Al

 

 

 

Also, the tentative itenerary is as follows:

 

 

 

Meeting point #1 - Bethesda - Sutton Place Gourmet (can't remember the new name) at the corner of Democracy and Old Georgetown. Leave at 7:30 AM

 

 

 

Then take 495 to 66 W to 50 W.

 

 

 

Meeting point #2 - Rt 50 right after Rt 66... Target parking lot. Leave 8:15

 

 

 

Take Rt. 50 up to Whitepost (will have detailed directions) Arrive at Whitepost around 9:45

 

 

 

Leave Whitepost at 10:30, Enter Skyline at 10:45

 

 

 

We will make several stops along skyline drive (and take some group pics, etc...), arriving at Big Meadow for lunch around 1 PM.

 

 

 

My suggestion is we plan on bringing our own food. Resturaunt can get quite busy. There is Gas there as well.

 

 

 

We can head further south from Big Meadow, starting around 2 PM, for one hour, and turn around and come back to Big Meadow at 4 PM to stay for the night. There is a hiking trail nearby (or beer at the bar).

 

 

 

Sunday, We'll meet for breakfast around 8:30, start out heading north to Front Royal, and from there to Summit Point to watch the Ferrari club. From there we can split. For those going back towards DC, we'll be going past Harper's Ferry, and we can take backroads down towards DC (instead of 340 to 270).

 

 

 

 

 

I will be up there again this weekend with the Corvette crowd, so I'll define the stops a little better.

 

 

 

 

[Al N.]

Mazda-

 

 

 

Do you have an email address from anyone in the Reading-based "Skyline

 

Drive" Corvette Club?

 

 

 

I ask, because I'm trying to figure out the non-highway route to Skyline

 

for the Sevens gathering and they might know best. I can get to Reading

 

fairly easily from where I live in NJ. I just don't know if I should try Route

 

81 South.

 

 

 

I know I don't want to be on 78 going west through PA...there are a few

 

cattle chutes that would be terrifying in the Seven. Please advise.

 

 

 

-Al