Manfred

With fall colors coming out I thought it would be nice to plan a drive in the mountains. I recently moved to Charlotte, NC and having just bought my 1st 928 this past May have not yet ventured west for a tour. Does anyone that's driven these roads before have any suggestions. It's about three hours from Charlotte to Asheville so I would probably stay over at least one night. I have this coming Friday and Monday off work so I could conceivably go up Thursday night, stay over and then have a drive on Friday (thinking there would be less weekend sight-seers in my way). I could also head a little North and do the Boone/Grandfather mountain thing (being new to the area I have also never done that). I've also heard mention of the devil's tail--not sure exactly where that is or whether I really want to go where there's likely to be police watching--not that I plan on driving crazy, spirited maybe, but not crazy.

Dan

DR

Since you are in Charlotte don't waste the time heading over towards Asheville for your first leg of the trip. Hit US 321 near Charlotte (depends on your locale) and go North. This will take you thru Hickory and keep going North on up to Blowing Rock (gets really fun the closer you get to BR). You can hit the Blue Ridge Parkway there and head south past Grandfather Mountain. For just a day trip you can hit NC 181 past Grandfather and take it back down to I-40 and loop back east to 321 and then home.

For a longer trip stay on the BR parkway all the way to Mt Mitchell and have lunch there. IF you do get that far give us a call and stop buy or at least I can give you some very fun side roads to hit as you work your way back home.

Heading to the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap (not Devils tail :-) is about a half day trip for you. Quite franky there are much better roads with less traffic much closer near Grandfather Mountain and Mt Mitchell area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Get in touch and I can give you dozens of routes and loops that you can have a blast on. I promise I can give you some easy to find fun loops that you can spend days on and that are more than your shoulders can handle over that time period :-)

BTW, welcome the the area!!

Peter F

Hi Dave,

hope all is well with you and Jeannie!

This reminds me of one of my first trips to the US when I rented a car and they gave me a brand new mustang convertible at the same price as my booked midsize rental car.
I arrived on a Saturday and drove up into the mountains and it was perfect weather and beatuiful scenery.
And I passed a chaingang with guards picking litter and remember the strong contrast between them and myself just cruising the mountain roads
I remember passing Chimney Rock where the movie The last mohikan was recorded.
That was one of those perfect days you remember forever

Peter

Manfred

Thanks David--Sounds like just the sort of trip I had in mind. It would be nice to stop by and see your operation too. I'll let you know as things take better shape.
Dan

James-man

I've had some lovely twisty drives near Grandfather Mountain (side roads between the park and Blowing Rock). Great fun! No point in playing on the parkway, due to traffic and patrolling.

mcholdfast

Is it Hwy. 80 that we took from the mountain to Little Sienna restaurant at SITM? It's a great drive. Make sure your brakes are in top condition. The 5-speed will help with braking but you'll be working the middle pedal on the way down the mountain.

Mark

Hwy 80 from the BRP down to Marion. MY FAVORITE ROAD! YOWZA! (221A up to Spruce Pines ain't too shabby, either!)

Drive it down to the church, turn around, drive back up...repeat as needed!

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=h&lat=35....127168&zoom=14

Manfred

Thanks everyone. Sharks in the shop for a TB/WP so unfortunately it's probably a no-go for this red leaf season. Maybe I'll do it just for fun this winter. Sounds like I'll have more than enough asphalt to keep me having fun.

D_Schultz

If you happen to pass through/stop in Burnsville Thanksgiving or later, give me a holler. Don't own a 928 anymore, but will probably have my 964 C4 (unless I wuss out and bring the Z3 home again this trip...)

Take care,

David Schultz (freshly moved/moving to WNC)
'93 911 C4
'97 Z3 2.8

Landseer

The absolute most knowledgeble folks on this have already weighed-in.

There are also interesting places in upper western NC / Upper East Tennessee. A little further from you, but worth considering in the future. Same with Southeastern VA.

Look on the map for Watauga Lake, New River Valley, Abington, Pulaski, Roanoke, Bedford / Peaks of Otter, VA, Covington VA, etc. Lots of weekend drives, lots of Appalachian culture. Good Stuff. Get a subscription to Blue Ridge Magazine.