Here are the details for a trip I have planned for September. I have received a invitation to vist Rick Hendricks private collection.Let me know if you are interested. I do have to give them a head count. Join us for for all or part of the trip.---Ed



Grits, Wine, Race Cars, Trains and Wine
A 2013 Fall Road Trip to North Carolina and Georgia
September 13 to September 21
Itinerary
Friday --- Departing from Sanford,FL at 8 am for a drive to Augusta via the Woodpecker Trail with a lunch stop in Folkson, Ga.We can check out the Train Watchers Paradise.
Saturday – A day in Augusta with a boat tour of the Historic Augusta Canal
Sunday --- Drive to our North Charlotte hotel with a lunch stop at our first Winery.
Monday, Tuesday Wednesday – Many Wineries, Race shops, Museums, Corvettes and Shopping, mostly all on Backroads. We have an appointment to visit Rick Hendricks private collection on Monday at 10am.
Thursday --- Drive to Ashville, N.C, with some wine stops on the way and a stop for lunch in Little Switzerland on the Blueridge Parkway.
Friday –- Explore Ashville and the Biltmore.
Saturday ---Depart for home. Either a 9 -10 hr.bonzi run on the Interstate or a backroad drive with an overnight stay. On the backroad drive we would visit the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA and then continue on to Macon for an overnight stay with a backroad Sunday drive home.
Hotel Information
First Hotel --- Augusta, GA
Arrive 9-13 Depart 9-15
Hotel ----- The Sheraton, use the special birth year rate, $109 first night then your last two digits of birth year for second night. Or Select any hotel at the I-20 exit199 Hwy 28
Second Hotel --- Huntersville NC
Arrive 9-15 Depart 9-19
Hotel --- Country Inn & Suites, senior rate $78. Or select any hotel at the I-77 exit 25 Hwy 73
Third Hotel --- Ashville, N.C
Arrive 9-19 Depart 9-21
Hotel --- Country Inn & Suites, 2 day stay rate, $84 first and $ 126 second. Or select any hotel at I-40 exit 44 hwy. 19/ 23. Most hotels in Ashville have an upcharge on weekends.
Optional Drive Home Hotel
Arrive 9-21 Depart 9-22
Hotel -------Comfort Inn & Suites, Macon GA $55 senior rate. Or select any hotel at Exit 169 Arkwirght Rd, there are 8 Hotels. Lots of eateries including Carrabba’s.

Hotel Websites & Tel. #
Sheraton Augusta, Ga http://www.sheratonaugusta.com/ 1-866-716-8106
Country Inn & Suites Lake Norman http://www.countryinns.com/huntersville-hotel-nc-28078/nclake1- 828-665-9556
Country Inn & Suites Ashville
http://www.countryinns.com/asheville-hotel-nc-28806/ncashwes 1-828-665-9556
Comfort Inn Macon, GA http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-macon-georgia-GA493 1-478-757-8688

Visit the websites to familiarize yourself with destinations and events
The Folkson Funnel http://www.folkston.com/trains/trains.htm
Augusta Canal http://www.augustacanal.com/default.aspx
Augusta Things to Do http://www.augustaga.org/
Yadkin Valley Wine Trail http://www.yvwt.com/
N.C Transportation Museum http://www.nctrans.org/
Race shops http://www.raceshops.com/guide_info.html
Hendricks Private Collection http://www.wcnc.com/charlotte-today/Rick-Hendricks-private-car-collection-194225671.html
Diamondback http://www.diamondbacknc.com/route.html
Biltmore http://www.biltmore.com/
Southeastern Railway Museum http://www.srmduluth.org/default.shtml
Ashville http://www.romanticasheville.com/index.html
Rockford General Store http://www.rockfordgeneralstore.com/index.html
Woodpecker Trail http://www.woodpeckertrail.com/

For more information or questions contact Ed Merchut
emerchut@msn.com



Rev. 5/30/13