04/28/10 - 05/02/10 - MINIs on the Dragon

[kiwigould]

Ok so I have never been to the Dragon and I have decided to go for the event in May 2010. Any info on how many days I should go for, where does the club stay, do they offer any club Discounts and should I book it now. Im sure there are a ton of experts out there so give me everthing you know so I can plan for this event.
Thanks :happy-smiley:

[N2MINI]

Fontana Village is the Host Resort. Cabins and Lodge rooms. May be booked up already though, but you can get on a waiting list and or keep and eye as the time gets closer on NAM as people start backing out and need someone to take their cabin.. There are other hotels around but atleast 20-30 minutes away. I have even stayed in Cherokee across the street from the casino which is about 50 minutes away from Fontana..

Some people are making it a week long event but I believe it is really only a 4 or 5 night deal. Alot of people don't come up till thursday or friday..
For the Spring Event I don't think there is a discount other then being a member of the Dragon Slayer Club which I hear they are trying to do away with..

There is an event planned in Oct. for Slay the Sleeping Dragon that still has rooms/cabin available. A much more laid back event then the spring one, no vendors, but not as much traffic either.. Wife and I have been to both events the past few years and we'd be hard pressed to say which one we like the best. They both have their good points..

[racephan]

I am glad I heard about this event from another member when I was at VIR for the Holiday Laps. I read up on it yesterday and it sounds like a must do in my MINI. I love the Fontana Lake part of our state and have been there many times for hiking and biking but would really like to attend MOTD. I know of a very nice place to stay near the lake that has vacancies so I think the wife and I might just head up for the weekend in early May.

[wildcrazy442000]

We have a lot of fun every year. I usually go up on Thursday and come back on Sunday. Where are you planning on staying?

[UN4G1VN]

I stayed in Fontana last year and had some awesome roommates!!!

[BlimeyCabrio]

MOTD is part of my soul. Last year I said I wasn't going to go - too many other things going on... but I went anyway. I said I'd only go for the weekend... I went for 3.5 days... I'm ready to go NOW. Might need a January or February Dragon Run in it stops snowing up there...

Edit:.... woooooohoooooo.... my 2,000th post! I can't believe how much time I've wasted on this forum. Neither can any of the poor suckas who read all my bloviations.

[Vango]

Been going since 2007 Love it. Mostly stayed at fontana but have stayed in robinsville before. Would have to say it is way more fun to stay at fontana were all the action is.

[Vango]

MOTD is part of my soul. Last year I said I wasn't going to go - too many other things going on... but I went anyway. I said I'd only go for the weekend... I went for 3.5 days... I'm ready to go NOW. Might need a January or February Dragon Run in it stops snowing up there...

Edit:.... woooooohoooooo.... my 2,000th post! I can't believe how much time I've wasted on this forum. Neither can any of the poor suckas who read all my bloviations.

Wow 2000 post....keep it up Paul

[MINIGURU]

You should totally go, it's an All MINI city

[ZOOOOOM!]

Went for the first time fall of 09.... Hope to go again this fall!!! Wonderful !!!!

[wildcrazy442000]

Went for the first time fall of 09.... Hope to go again this fall!!! Wonderful !!!!

Donna, The Spring Dragon Run is different animal. You should go to one of those as well. MINI's from all over the country, and Canada, vendors, car shows, Casino night, and Brew swap.

[ZOOOOOM!]

I will have to see what I can do!! How many of the group that usually shows up for runs around here end up going in the spring dragon??

[wildcrazy442000]

A lot of us go, last year we had enough to do our own ice cream run.

[kelsey ellen]

mmm can't wait for the Dragon... getting excited already. hopefully i'll have my suspension done by then :D

[racephan]

Can anyone describe the format of the Brewswap for me?

[colejd]

Every one brings some beer usually native to their part of the U.S. Or Canada. Then when the swap starts you get to try any beer you wish until they are gone. Oh, last Dragon we also had a wine swap.

[racephan]

That sounds like a good time. I would certainly be up for participating.

[N2MINI]

On the BREW SWAP be prepared that some of those people REALLY hold their beer in high regards and want 2 or 3 of your beers in trade for 1 of theirs..A few of our members that I know went a couple of years to it now say they will never go back. Some of the others love it though..

[wildcrazy442000]

We just need Roger and Donna to bring their frozen beverage machine, forget the brew swap.

[racephan]

On the BREW SWAP be prepared that some of those people REALLY hold their beer in high regards and want 2 or 3 of your beers in trade for 1 of theirs..A few of our members that I know went a couple of years to it now say they will never go back. Some of the others love it though..

I am a bit, okay a big beer geek however I am not stingy with my beer, I love to share them and I know better than to take the super expensive ones. Thanks for the heads up though!

[racephan]

We just need Roger and Donna to bring their frozen beverage machine, forget the brew swap.

Blasphemy! :)

[racephan]

Where are you planning on staying?

Its a place about 25 miles east almost in Bryson City called Lakeview at Fontana. Its a bit of a drive from Fontana Village but thats okay.

[Lewcifer]

I just registered for MOTD, my first time out there, I'm staying at the village, I'm super excited!!! The next couple months are going to drag on for an eternity in anticipation!

[Vango]

I see that there will be Karaoke this year YeeHAA

[BlimeyCabrio]

I am sooooooo ready for MOTD. Are we there yet?

[wildcrazy442000]

I should be there on the 29th, hope my hand is healed enough for spirited driving by then.

[racephan]

Only two months. I am really looking forward to it. Any THMMC members doing the Beer Swap?

[TWISTER]

There will brew and other things flowing at our cabin, you'll just have to find us haha

[racephan]

I can now confirm I'll be at the Beer Swap with a nice load of donated beer from friends at a local NC brewery! Hope to see some other THMMC members there.

[MINIFIED]

Registered .. tho still hoping to clear the waiting list at Fontana Village .. if anyone's plans have changed and you are not going to be using your reservations, please let me know, I'll be glad to transfer them and any deposit to my name/credit card ..

Thanks .. and yes, I'll be there for 4 days, but no, I won't be driving .. I've got a reputation to maintain, ya know! :girl_wink:

[gregd]

According to the Deals Gap Resort web page: http://dealsgap.com/ The Dragon has been closed by the TN Governor. Still lots of other roads to play on.

[TWISTER]

It's supposed to open back up by the 28th

[gregd]

According to the March 19th posting they do not know when the TN Governor will allow it to be re-opened. He also says there are tons of rumors flying. So, I guess we will know for sure when we get there.

[TWISTER]

I have a run planned for Sat morn at MOTD and it's nice!

[gregd]

IS the run you have planned on the MOTD schedule?

[TWISTER]

No it's a semi-private trek a few of us on Sat. will be doing.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Bryson+City,+NC&daddr=35.662317,-83.604584+to:TN-73+W%2FUS-321+S%2FWears+Valley+Rd&geocode=FRGiHAIdq7EG-ylVKvLPXUhZiDGFd5sorcOJhA%3B%3BFYJtIAIdrVMC-w&gl=us&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=12&via=1&sll=35.67961,-83.673248&sspn=0.173741,0.276375&ie=UTF8&ll=35.554016,-83.541412&spn=0.397746,0.677719&z=11

[gregd]

That is a nice run through the park. We usually go to Fontana by taking 441 south from Gatlinburg. We have not driven the section from 441 to Townsend. it should be fun for those that go.

[blitzcat]

Got my room reserved. One more left at Deals Gap.

[racephan]

No it's a semi-private trek a few of us on Sat. will be doing.

Looks like your starting point isn't far from where we are staying actually.

[TWISTER]

Looks like your starting point isn't far from where we are staying actually.
You're welcome to tag along!

[racephan]

You're welcome to tag along!

Sounds good. Doesn't look like we had anything planned for Sat. during the day yet. Can you send me the details by than?

[N2MINI]

Been down 441 a few times.. Very cool road and a few 180 degree or more turns!!! Just be careful as usually plenty of traffic and a bus or 2 on there going and coming from Casino and Gatlinburg..

[blitzcat]

Is MOTD like the fall event where group drives are posted for THMMC drivers to join?

[BlimeyCabrio]

The Loop!

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.634977,-83.465281&spn=0.005328,0.013078&t=h&z=17

[wildcrazy442000]

Devil's Triangle wicked drive:)

[blitzcat]

A little bird just told me:

...The TN State Troopers are going to open the Dragon up for use from 8AM to 8PM so everyone will get to drive U.S.129. The rockslide (its not on the part considered the Dragon) is still there so you will have to find a different rout if your coming from TN. The good part about it is that means less traffic for all of us that are there to enjoy the 318 turns!....


<strike>
Uncomfirmed! (http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/04/09/minis-on-the-dragon-2010/) in the comments section
</strike>

Found a source. (http://www.tailofthedragon.com/) under Rock Slide Update. Guess things wont be so quiet staying at Deal's Gap :p

[racephan]

This appears to be true effective Monday. :yes2:

From Tail of the Dragon (on facebook):

The rock slide on US 129 is located between the Dragon and Happy Valley Road/Foothills Parkway. TDOT has announced in a press release that the 11 mile section known as the Tail of the Dragon will be open from 8 am to 8 pm beginning Monday April 12, 2010. The only access is from North Carolina US 129. THP... announced that there will be zero tolerance for traffic violations.

and from Deal's Gap (on facebook):

this is just a cover your butt sign by TDOT, in reality medical support will be much better than normal. Rescue squad will be stationed less than a mile from the Dragon not over 20 that we are used too. Ambulance will only be 25 min into the gap unlike the 40 min from the TN side. This is just until one lane i...s opened for EMS in TN then we go back to using there support system.

4223

[blitzcat]

I guess Midnight on the Dragon is still nixed, but having no through traffic is a bonus.

That new sign is kind of fail. If the gate is closed, you _can't_ travel at your own risk. If the fence is open, its not facing you as you drive past, so you don't see it.

I had no idea they pulled up a new fence to close the Dragon at the state line.

[racephan]

Yeah, I definitely agree the fence is pretty lame and pointless. At least we can still drive most of the Dragon during the day time and folks can come in from the west on Hwy 129.

I just saw this update posted on the TN.gov site: http://news.tennesseeanytime.org/node/4893

4225

[racephan]

There is a video of MINIBee entering the Dragon this morning from the NC side posted on the Deals Gap facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1301899461969

[BlimeyCabrio]

Are we there yet? Soooooooo ready.

I'll probably do a shortish SS drive Friday AM following the Dragon Parade (back by noonish so I can prep for the car show (maybe), and a longer one on Saturday (including Wayah Road, and other shenanigans). Anyone who wants to tag along is welcome. But my drives will be pretty nuts. Though not fast enough for maniacs who think open roads = race tracks.

How's that for concrete plans? I'm waaaaaaay more laid back about this whole thing this year than in past years... whatever happens, happens....

[blitzcat]

Yeah I'm ready. And I would like to tag along again. I don't know the area well enough to plan my own route, and the group drive is more fun.

I just loaded my GPS with the Trapster database to make the drive out to Fontanna more painless.

[minimark]

You can def count me in on the Saturday run Paul!!!!

[colejd]

I'm in (as usual). Must test the newly installed springs! Paul, a thought, maybe we could stop at the Job Corps center on Wayah Rd. for a breather and then head up NC-28/Highlands Rd. to Highlands then back the same road. If you don't get caught behind a minivan or a camper it's a great bunch of twisties.

[wildcrazy442000]

Paul, I am ready to roll. Jeffrey sometimes ride height is a good thing. I got eased off into the grass by a Dodge Ram 4X4 last week at 65mph. Not real happy about that but no harm to "Slick Willie".

[BlimeyCabrio]

Cool. As far as I know I'll be in my usual cabin (one of the red roofed Hemlocks on Welch road up the hill from the General store). I'm sure I'll see everyone around somewhere. And I'll have radios on 20-20.

[racephan]

Are we there yet? Soooooooo ready.
I'll probably do a shortish SS drive Friday AM following the Dragon Parade (back by noonish so I can prep for the car show (maybe), and a longer one on Saturday (including Wayah Road, and other shenanigans).

Definitely getting excited! We will be in the Parade and plan to stop in the car show to take a peak, not compete, so I will look for you and your ride than. Definitely interested in the Saturday drive if we can fit it in.

[colejd]

Does anyone want to convoy from the RTP area early next Wednesday to the Dragon?

[MINIFIED]

Does anyone want to convoy from the RTP area early next Wednesday to the Dragon?

JD .. not headed out of Raleigh til Thursday AM .. have posted a thread to get a sense of caravan groups / options here:

http://www.tarheelminis.org/showthread.php?4185-MOTD-caravans&p=44371&viewfull=1#post44371

[colejd]

Susan,

Saw it. Hopefully I will have a few going Wednesday morning. See you at Fontana Village.

[BlimeyCabrio]

DraGUN DraGUN DraGUN DraGUN DraGUN DraGUN

I got a feeeeevah... and some slayin is the only cure.

Two more days for me. Oy.

[gregd]

Doctor said "bring it". Fontana is nice and quiet right now.

[minimark]

Can't wait!!!

[Vango]

soooo rrreeaaddyy

[TNGLENN]

Heading out in the AM.... from Chattanooga!

[BlimeyCabrio]

minimark and I are here - Cabin 552

[wildcrazy442000]

Home safe, had a great time.

[minimark]

WOOOOOT, back safe and sound and had a BLAST!! Thanks to Blimey for being a fantastic host, roomy and general partner in crime!!! LOL Way to many stories to tell in one post but loved seeing so many friends and Minis all in one place having fun and the weather was great too, I will return!!!! :)

[Versus]

Had tons of fun! Great way for a newb such as myself to see what a MINI can do.

[blitzcat]

just got back. We went out on the skyway around lunch time and went too far west. Ended up on the wrong side of the rock slide so it was a looong drive back.

[wildcrazy442000]

WOOOOOT, back safe and sound and had a BLAST!! Thanks to Blimey for being a fantastic host, roomy and general partner in crime!!! LOL Way to many stories to tell in one post but loved seeing so many friends and Minis all in one place having fun and the weather was great too, I will return!!!! :)

Mark you mean like the latest Tour of Terror: Otter Creek, and the road to nowhere, Crazy woman in the SUV, Bubba in the pickup truck vs the British invasion.

[Vango]

Had a great time but it is good to be back home...

[BlimeyCabrio]

Mark you mean like the latest Tour of Terror: Otter Creek, and the road to nowhere, Crazy woman in the SUV, Bubba in the pickup truck vs the British invasion.

It's called the "Tour of Terror" for a reason. Pretty sure it took YEARS off Susan's life.

[colejd]

Paul.

Here is a shot I got of Blimey after the new cross strut.

http://www.tarheelminis.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4385

[MINIFIED]

It's called the "Tour of Terror" for a reason. Pretty sure it took YEARS off Susan's life.

Details forthcoming X_X ... I've gotta get to my doctor's appointment this AM ... I'm expecting him to recommend a bypass at this point ... followed up by an appointment with my hairdresser ... to do something about all the new/very-recently-acquired grey hairs ... :girl_wacko:

[minimark]

It's called the "Tour of Terror" for a reason. Pretty sure it took YEARS off Susan's life.

Yep, between the lost fruit and the TOT, Susan had a very tramatic Dragon.... ;)

[racephan]

We had a wonderful time at our first MOTD. Since we came in late and didn't have radios, we didn't meet very many THMMC people but we met lots of other folks and enjoyed all the events we joined in. I've driven most of the roads in the region before but not in a MINI which I can now say makes all the difference on the fun factor. My second out and back run on the Dragon Friday afternoon was a definite highlight of the weekend. I went out alone and did the entire distance undisturbed in front or behind me (other than the street bike that passed me in the curve). I even shot a full length video from the dash which I posted on YouTube :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilimH6WzTOE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl_45m1XdR0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl_45m1XdR0)

Another highlight was driving down 28 to Franklin for dinner and back in the dark. We shot hundreds of photos that I can't wait to review. I'll definitely be back for another MOTD!