slimjimtell
August 13th, 2012, 09:44 PM
WE WILL MEET AT 8 AM AT (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://0) THE HARDEES AT THE HILDEBRAN EXIT (119B) ON I-40, JUST WEST OF HICKORY. THERE IS ALSO A SHELL STATION THERE FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO TOP OFF WITH GAS. ROUTE MAPS WILL BE HANDED OUT AT THAT TIME. WE WILL LEAVE PROMPTLY AT 8:30 (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://1).
BY 11 AM (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://2), WE WILL ARRIVE AT THE CHARMING LITTLE MOUNTAIN TOWN OF HIGHLANDS AND HAVE LUNCH AT THE HIGHLANDS SMOKEHOUSE, WHICH OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF BBQ, SALADS AND OTHER TYPES OF PLATES AND SANDWICHES. AFTER LUNCH, WE WILL TAKE A SHORT DRIVE (JUST A FEW MILES) DOWN THE ROAD TO BRIDAL VAIL FALLSFOR A GREAT PHOTO OP!
BY 1 PM (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://3), WE HEAD DOWN INTO THE NORTHEN MOUNTAINS OF GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA VIA HWY 28 (A VERY FUN TWISTIE RUN) TO THE CHEROKEE SCENIC HWY AND A MORE LEISURELY PACE. THERE ARE SEVERAL STATE PARKS ON THIS ROAD WHERE WE CAN STOP AND INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF TABLE ROCK MOUNTAIN (DIDN’T KNOW TIL YESTERDAY THAT S.C. HAD ONE TOO!).
AROUND 3 PM (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://4), WE WILL TURN OFF ONTO HWY 276 AND HEAD BACK UP TO BREVARD, N.C. AT THAT POINT, FOLKS WILL HAVE A CHOICE---CONTINUE ON UP 276 (AND SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE DRIVE, INCLUDING LOOKING GLASS FALLS) TO THE BR PARKWAY (AND DINNER AT THE PISGAH INN!) THEN BACK TO ASHEVILLE OR HEAD ON BACK TO ASHEVILLE AND HOME.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS WILL BE AN ALL-DAY DRIVE BUT IF YOU ENJOY DRIVING YOUR MINI ON CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN ROADS AND SEEING BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, IT IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT. I PROMISE IT WILL BE A FUN DAY!
BEFORE THE DRIVE, BE SURE YOUR BRAKES AND TIRES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND BRING YOUR 2-WAY RADIOS IF YOU HAVE THEM. I WILL BE SENDING OUT A REMINDER CLOSER TO THE DATE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR IF YOU INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.
BY 11 AM (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://2), WE WILL ARRIVE AT THE CHARMING LITTLE MOUNTAIN TOWN OF HIGHLANDS AND HAVE LUNCH AT THE HIGHLANDS SMOKEHOUSE, WHICH OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF BBQ, SALADS AND OTHER TYPES OF PLATES AND SANDWICHES. AFTER LUNCH, WE WILL TAKE A SHORT DRIVE (JUST A FEW MILES) DOWN THE ROAD TO BRIDAL VAIL FALLSFOR A GREAT PHOTO OP!
BY 1 PM (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://3), WE HEAD DOWN INTO THE NORTHEN MOUNTAINS OF GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA VIA HWY 28 (A VERY FUN TWISTIE RUN) TO THE CHEROKEE SCENIC HWY AND A MORE LEISURELY PACE. THERE ARE SEVERAL STATE PARKS ON THIS ROAD WHERE WE CAN STOP AND INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF TABLE ROCK MOUNTAIN (DIDN’T KNOW TIL YESTERDAY THAT S.C. HAD ONE TOO!).
AROUND 3 PM (http://www.tarheelminis.org/x-apple-data-detectors://4), WE WILL TURN OFF ONTO HWY 276 AND HEAD BACK UP TO BREVARD, N.C. AT THAT POINT, FOLKS WILL HAVE A CHOICE---CONTINUE ON UP 276 (AND SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE DRIVE, INCLUDING LOOKING GLASS FALLS) TO THE BR PARKWAY (AND DINNER AT THE PISGAH INN!) THEN BACK TO ASHEVILLE OR HEAD ON BACK TO ASHEVILLE AND HOME.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS WILL BE AN ALL-DAY DRIVE BUT IF YOU ENJOY DRIVING YOUR MINI ON CHALLENGING MOUNTAIN ROADS AND SEEING BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, IT IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT. I PROMISE IT WILL BE A FUN DAY!
BEFORE THE DRIVE, BE SURE YOUR BRAKES AND TIRES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND BRING YOUR 2-WAY RADIOS IF YOU HAVE THEM. I WILL BE SENDING OUT A REMINDER CLOSER TO THE DATE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AND/OR IF YOU INTEND TO PARTICIPATE.