Jim Strathearn

Please note that the fall Skyline Drive Corvette Cruise date is October 20, 2007.

I apologize if this causes any problems.

BTW - how did you like the new spring date?

LilR3dCorvette

So noted...you can count on us again for a group of NVCCers for Fall Skyline, it's already up on our events calendar!

Liked the new date, much better weather, despite that weekend being a busy one for me (had a show/cruise-in here locally the day after Skyline happens the same date every year). No big deal.

for another job well done by everyone involved with this event.

Blowtorch

I applaud yours and others efforts to organize and facilitate these Skyline Drive cruises. I know it's a lot of work and not much reward except for the money we raise for the various charities.

However, I honestly think it's time for a change. Change in location, change in routine......something! I know that's an easy challenge to make and not an easy one to solve. But I have gone on 4 cruises in 3 years and there isn't really much in the way of variety with these trips.

I realize there is only so much you can do on Skyline Drive and that road never changes (Thank God!) but it sure would be interesting to do something besides go to Stony Man and take a picture and then go to lunch somewhere (I have 4 Stony Man pictures and I can't tell any of them apart). I really did enjoy the one year (cant recall which) where we started the cruise with a little parade thru "downtown" Front Royal with a police escort. That was ! Kind of reminded me of Carlisle

I don't have any answers at the moment, but maybe we can get the collective creative juices flowing and think "outside the box" as the saying goes. Maybe it's just me, but I was talking with someone Saturday at Stony Man about Carlisle and he said he wasn't going this year because it's become the same thing every year. I had to agree with him!

Anyway, great job and great turn out

vlynnc

So noted, and thanks for your input and honesty. We have been looking into things like wineries in the area, and Andy and I are actually going to start driving the backroads to see what else we can do, where else we can go or things we can add to the cruise.
Val

Jim Strathearn

This cruise probably isn't much different then other events at fixed locations in that it's quite challenging to make them different. I imagine going to Ocean City and driving on the boardwalk probably doesn't change much, as well as going to the Biltmore or the PA Grand Canyon, etc. But many people enjoy doing these things every year. All these places are where they are, and are what they are, and they have been for years. The challenging part is making something that is fairly static, dynamic (or different...) so the "regulars" that come each and every time won't get bored. Sometimes I think we've run our course. But when 140 Corvettes show up for a cruise when the weather forecast is for afternoon t-storms, you have to wonder about that. Then, it's the matter of who we've chose to benefit, their locations and the generosity of JE Chevy. All of that sort of dictates the general location of where we want to work out of.

Having said all that, it appears as though the fee for the permit to use the park (you know; the permit that affords us the privilege of paying full price for each car going in the gate that day...) is going to go up significantly. I know the folks at SVCC are working diligently to find us an alternative cruise route and stops. Val mentioned wineries. I think we've also discussed Luray Caverns and other venues like that. So, we are working on mixing things up a bit.

This doesn't mean that we are going to abandon the park forever, but rather that we are looking for ways to grow the cruise and keep it interesting. BTW, we've already been told that the new park permit will limit our total number to 150 Corvettes. No room for growth there...

So, we're listening. We just have to find that happy balance between consistency and change.

Hurricane

Shoot, I screwed up the dates and missed it this time!

Oh well, hope to see you all again soon!

chrisf9801

This was my first, and definitely not last, Skyline cruise so i really loved it. Whatever you guys do to change it up would be fine with me, hell, you can leave uit the same way and I'm good with it.

Great job

draculet

Please send me more info on the Skyline Cruise, we may have some that would like to come.

C4 PLAY

There is the 2nd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival held at
Smith Mountain Lake. This is a beautiful setting with the Skyline Drive
of the Blue Ridge as a backdrop. This event is to be held on Sept. 30th
and the 31st. The Beachcomers Club is already planning their 2nd
outting. This is just a different idea to consider.

vlynnc

As soon as we get some definite plans, I'll email you Andy. Thanks for the interest!
Val

Bluewasp

Why do we have to buy the permit? Why not meet INSIDE the park and skip driving in as a group.

Jim Strathearn

Where inside the park??? We take the group shot at Stony Man but even that overlook only holds about 140 cars...

Way back in the day we used to meet at Dickey Ridge. We've far outgrown that place now...

Bluewasp

Might be Dickey ridge but I remember attending the first or second skyline cruise and we met inside the park. there were around 100+ cars that year.

Just a thought.

Jim Strathearn

Before they remodeled Dickey Ridge, we could park on the grass alongside the entrance/exit driveway. That is all blocked off now with wood guard rails. Besides, they would still want their permit $$$! They actually check the forum to see when we are coming.

We are always looking for fresh ideas so keep them coming!

Ol'55

We attended our first Sky Line Cruise this past Spring and at the end of THAT weekend we were already talking about the Fall cruise. Virginia has to have the best roads I've experienced to date. Beautiful country with great things to do. I hadn't been to Lurray since I was a kid, It's probably the same as then but more enjoyable at my age. Thanks again Jim for your continued communication. Looking forward to October.

VetteramI

I know I am from "off" but can you send me some info, where you meet up? Where is a good place to stay etc. Kind of help in my planning.

Thanks

Jim Strathearn

We really haven't finalized the fall cruise yet. When we do, we'll get the info posted. (Hopefully soon...)

vlynnc

yeah! I'll be calling places to block rooms today....I had a message that rooms were filling up fast around here!

stormrider

I just came back from Smith Mt. Lake. Beautiful scenery and the roads where a blast to drive on. I have never driven Sky Line Drive so that or Luray Caverns would be cool too

wkidvette

Thanks for putting this event together. I participated (somewhat) the past two years with a GTO, decided to join the vette group, the GTO has been sold and an 08 coupe is on order. Cannot wait until the fall cruise, where ever it might be. Maybe after meeting up at Front Royal, the group can cruise south and enter the drive at the Rt 33 intersection. I believe there are several wineries in this area that could be stopped at before or in place of the Skyline drive. However, I do not know how large of a group they could accommodate.