How do I plan a trip?
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
How do I plan a trip?
How do I plan a trip of my life long dream, I want to drive the "Blue ridge mountain parkway". Can anyone help me out in where do I pick it up and how far south can I go? I have heard of the "Tail of the dragon" trip, and I'm dying to do it. I am due to have some major back surgery but I still need to set up my trip. Thank you !
Jim Ward
Jim Ward
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
How do I plan a trip of my life long dream, I want to drive the "Blue ridge mountain parkway". Can anyone help me out in where do I pick it up and how far south can I go? I have heard of the "Tail of the dragon" trip, and I'm dying to do it. I am due to have some major back surgery but I still need to set up my trip. Thank you ! Jim Ward
The ride is spectacular no matter where you drive it. There are a number of entry points, but once on the road, don't think there will be exits from it every few miles. The Skyline drive is merely an extension of it in Virginia.
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://www.blueridgeskyline.com/
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After Carlisle 2 summers ago I did both the Tail of the Dragon and the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. To me the Blue Ridge Parkway is my favorite driving road in the country. As was said, you can start by heading South on Skyline Drive in Virginia and just keep going until you hit the BR Parkway. You can drive it all the way down to Cherokee, NC. It is spectacular as you get further South.
Do yourself a favor and get off the Parkway in a scenic, mountainside town called Little Switzerland, NC Great spot to stay overlooking the mountains. It does look like Switzerland. Have fun
Also: If you get over to the Tail of the Dragon, you may also want to drive the Cherohala Skyway near Telico Plains Tenn. Very scenic, great driving road through the Smoky Mountains.
Do yourself a favor and get off the Parkway in a scenic, mountainside town called Little Switzerland, NC Great spot to stay overlooking the mountains. It does look like Switzerland. Have fun
Also: If you get over to the Tail of the Dragon, you may also want to drive the Cherohala Skyway near Telico Plains Tenn. Very scenic, great driving road through the Smoky Mountains.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,144
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From: Roselle Park NJ
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Tail of the Dragon Website
http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html
We did the whole trip starting in NJ and picking up the Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA and driving to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the The Tail of the Dragon on our way to Road Atlanta for Petite LeMans.
It was a beautiful drive, Great fun for a Vette with an M6. Lots of twists and turns and upand down hills.
Just a note, If you or your companion are 62 or older, buy a National Park Senior Pass for $10 at the National Park entrance. It's good forever and gets you into all Narional Parks for free from then on.
We did the whole trip starting in NJ and picking up the Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA and driving to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the The Tail of the Dragon on our way to Road Atlanta for Petite LeMans.
It was a beautiful drive, Great fun for a Vette with an M6. Lots of twists and turns and upand down hills.
Just a note, If you or your companion are 62 or older, buy a National Park Senior Pass for $10 at the National Park entrance. It's good forever and gets you into all Narional Parks for free from then on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 10
From: Charleston, SC
I just got from the dragon this weekend. This is my second time going. First time in a s2000 this time in my C5 z06. I have no idea what the scenery looks like on the road but if you like pushing your car hard, it is definitely a great place to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html
We did the whole trip starting in NJ and picking up the Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA and driving to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the The Tail of the Dragon on our way to Road Atlanta for Petite LeMans.
It was a beautiful drive, Great fun for a Vette with an M6. Lots of twists and turns and upand down hills.
Just a note, If you or your companion are 62 or older, buy a National Park Senior Pass for $10 at the National Park entrance. It's good forever and gets you into all Narional Parks for free from then on.
We did the whole trip starting in NJ and picking up the Skyline Drive in Front Royal, VA and driving to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the The Tail of the Dragon on our way to Road Atlanta for Petite LeMans.
It was a beautiful drive, Great fun for a Vette with an M6. Lots of twists and turns and upand down hills.
Just a note, If you or your companion are 62 or older, buy a National Park Senior Pass for $10 at the National Park entrance. It's good forever and gets you into all Narional Parks for free from then on.
Gigdy-there's the rub, I drive AND 'enjoy' the scenery!!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,879
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From: Bradenton Florida
A group of us are doing this trip the first week of May with the Vettes. We are leaving on the 2nd from NY and overnighting in Front Royal VA. Day 2 we are taking Skyline Drive and then heading to Asheville NC. Day 3 we are going to Tail of the Dragon & Cherahola Pkwy area. Spending the weekend in Asheville and visiting the Biltmore mansion and winery. Heading home on the 7th. your Welcome to join us if you like .
Charlie
.Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
A group of us are doing this trip the first week of May with the Vettes. We are leaving on the 2nd from NY and overnighting in Front Royal VA. Day 2 we are taking Skyline Drive and then heading to Asheville NC. Day 3 we are going to Tail of the Dragon & Cherahola Pkwy area. Spending the weekend in Asheville and visiting the Biltmore mansion and winery. Heading home on the 7th. your Welcome to join us if you like .
Charlie
.Charlie
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Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Tonawanda New York
1. buy a map
2.pack a bag
3.fill gas tank
4.drive your car.
Trust me this is all there is to it,when tire of driving,look for a motel for the night.
I'll be heading up to Bar Harbor by way of Lake Placid first week in June,stay tuned for the pics!!.
2.pack a bag
3.fill gas tank
4.drive your car.
Trust me this is all there is to it,when tire of driving,look for a motel for the night.
I'll be heading up to Bar Harbor by way of Lake Placid first week in June,stay tuned for the pics!!.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
NICE trip!!! Suggestion: Go by way of Mt Washington and do the climb!!! (in the car of course)
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I've done this trip several times. The best way is to pack a week's worth of clothes and sundries and head to Front Royal, VA. Head south on the Skyline Drive, drive slowly and enjoy the views. Stop frequently and do some hikes on the trails. I have no idea how many times we've been to Shenandoah alone but we've probably done almost a third of all the hiking trails there. There are several places to stop along the way for supplies and food. You can find brochures at the stops to give you ideas of places you might like to go. At the end of the Drive, which is 105 miles long, it goes directly into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is around another 460 approx. miles long and ends at Great Smokeys National Park. My wife and I have done this trip several times and it is great. I've got to get back on this trip myself, it's been a few years since the last time. Best thing to do is not plan and do things and stop as you feel like with no time limit. The whole trip only takes a few days so don't rush.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
How do I plan a trip of my life long dream, I want to drive the "Blue ridge mountain parkway". Can anyone help me out in where do I pick it up and how far south can I go? I have heard of the "Tail of the dragon" trip, and I'm dying to do it. I am due to have some major back surgery but I still need to set up my trip. Thank you !
Jim Ward
Jim Ward
Look here....
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
http://theblueridgehighlander.com/sc...ives/index.php
http://www.blueridgeheritage.com/att.../scenic-byways
http://www.tailofthedragonmaps.com/
http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,420
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
I've done this trip several times. The best way is to pack a week's worth of clothes and sundries and head to Front Royal, VA. Head south on the Skyline Drive, drive slowly and enjoy the views. Stop frequently and do some hikes on the trails. I have no idea how many times we've been to Shenandoah alone but we've probably done almost a third of all the hiking trails there. There are several places to stop along the way for supplies and food. You can find brochures at the stops to give you ideas of places you might like to go. At the end of the Drive, which is 105 miles long, it goes directly into the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is around another 460 approx. miles long and ends at Great Smokeys National Park. My wife and I have done this trip several times and it is great. I've got to get back on this trip myself, it's been a few years since the last time. Best thing to do is not plan and do things and stop as you feel like with no time limit. The whole trip only takes a few days so don't rush.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 10
From: Charleston, SC
Here is a short vid from my trip of what you can look forward to.