Tail of the Dragon - Gatlinburg Gathering of Vipers

[JoelW]

OK, for those of you who have been there and done that or those of you wanna-be Dragon Tamers. We have tentatively scheduled our Gatlinburg Tail of the Dragon event for May 31st through June 2. Hotel is again the Greystone Lodge at the Aguarium and it is currently being totally renovated. Viper folks get a discount at $77 for Thursday and $90 for Friday and Saturday nights. Our crack event staff is hard at work on this to plan cruises and meals but if you want to be there, put it on your calendar now so you can enjoy some of the best roads in the east. More info to follow. Also we had a lot of request for T-shirts. Mike has some of last year's left and we can order more. Let us know if you're interested so we can plan accordingly. You know this is not to be missed and we would love to have you come and enjoy the same hospitality we had at VOI. Be glad to help with routes if need be. Put your foot down and come on over!

 

[mendler23]

Thanks Joel. We have a lot of members looking forward to this!

 

[NO HEMI]

Yep, looking forward to this,my wife's pregnant and she's due on july, and we'll probably be moving in june, so this might be my last trip for a couple of months, so i'm def. looking forward for this.!!!!

 

[Brian GTS]

Thanks for the info! Can't wait for this one...will be my first time.

 

[Slammed]

Yep count me in.

 

[BigBadViper]

How spirited of a drive is it? I am really not looking to go too fast.

Might need to follow craig

 

[mendler23]

 

[Brian GTS]

How spirited of a drive is it? I am really not looking to go too fast.
Might need to follow craig

From what I understand, there are 3 groups. The first is VERY spirited, second is moderate, and the third is the paraders....at least that is what I heard. I'm sure Chuck can provide some insight since he has been there.

 

[CBR-ACR]

The great thing about this event other than the Vipers (representing 10 different states), the fantastic driving roads and scenery, and the fellowship is that you can drive at your own pace, though there are a few that may lead the group but for the majority of the attendees, the TOD is run right around speed limit (maybe just above in some sections, but nothing real crazy) it’s not a competition, but you have to be careful as you can get caught up in it real quick, believe me I did as I ran with the “faster group” and I was trapped…  . Most bring radios to keep in touch with each other and if you go out and look in the Alabama/Tenn thread from last year ( I attached below), you definitely will read some of the fun those that attended had and you will find numerous photos and video's (most are uploaded to YouTube) to view as well. The parade on Saturday night (numerous videos) was memorable as well. The Ala/Tenn group were great hosts making all of us outside of their club feel welcome. Though I think we all could find many reasons not to attend, this is an event that once you go, you will be glad you did, and you will want to go again. It will be great if we can get a nice turnout from our club and caravan over together.

http://forums.viperclub.org/threads/651007-Official-2012-Tail-of-the-Dragon-Thread

Chuck

 

[Brian GTS]

Thanks for the insight Chuck. I made my reservation and asked how many rooms were left in the Viper block. I was told "12" so anyone that is planning to attend, call to reserve soon!

 

[NO HEMI]

Just booked my room this afternoon!!

 

[JoelW]

Schedule for Gatlinburg

OK here is where we are now with our Gatlinburg Gathering aka the Tail of the Dragon Thrashing
Some rooms still available and the hotel says they will assign more if need be - call soon!

Friday – Meeting North I-75 around 10 am EST, drive TOD, go to hotel in afternoon. South I-75 will meet around 12:00 EST. Lunch in and around Tellico Plains then on to Cherohala Skyway and Tail of the Dragon.
Meet and greet Crystelle Creek – 5:00 pm, Dinner around 6:30
Saturday – Cruises starting around 10 am– Cades Cove, Area Cruise, or on your own Back at hotel by 4:00 pm. Parade at 6:15 pm Dinner at Cherokee Grill afterwards around 6:40 pm
Sunday – Time for breakfasting, visiting, or travel home

Gatlinburg Numbers
Greystone Lodge 559 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (800) 451-9202
Crystelle Creek 1654 East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Website (Check it out!) http://www.crystellecreek.com/#
Meeting in Knoxville Thursday? The Comfort Suites Knoxville – West, 811 North Campbell Station Road
Knoxville, TN 37932 (865) 675-7585


If you want a T-shirt(s) please let me know so we can order enough and the right size.
Email info to: [email protected]

 

[mendler23]

Seems like the list so far is:

1) Slammed
2) Brian GTS
3) NO HEMI
4) CBR-ACR

 

[BigBadViper]

I reserved the hotel.

 

[mendler23]

Awesome Shawn!

1) Slammed
2) Brian GTS
3) NO HEMI
4) CBR-ACR
5) BigBadViper

 

[NO HEMI]

Are we(carolina's) meeting somewhere to head there?, or do we meet at the hotel?

 

[mendler23]

Brian had mentioned a caravan. Just waiting to see who is attending and where they are coming from before putting it together.

 

[CBR-ACR]

I am planning to travel over Thursday afternoon and then meet up with the group in Knoxville on Friday morning which we did last year. I think last year, we had about 20 Vipers meet at the ******* Barrel to caravan together. Chip with the Ala/Tenn VCA usually leads that group. I reserved my room for 3 nights, just didn't want to make the long drive from Charlotte to Knoxville that morning, knowing we will be in the car the remainder of the day on Friday. As you make travel plans, please post up so we can figure out meeting points along the way to either Gatlinburg on Thursday or Knoxville Friday morning. I know of a few others arriving from other areas on Thursday who we can also caravan with Friday morning. Angel, if you head over on Thursday, I will come your way and meet you at I-85 and I-26 to travel up to I-40 then over to Tennessee. I understand the recent rains caused some rock slides on 40 near the NC/Tenn border, so if they are not cleared up in a few weeks, I know of an alternate route we can skirt around the 10 mile traffic jam if needed. For those attending, if you have a 2 way radio, bring it, you will want it, I have an extra that someone can borrow. The countdown is on!

 

[NO HEMI]

thanks mendler, Cbr when i know if i can head up there on thursday afternoon i'll let you know.!

 

[viper67wife]

I'm in, coming down from PA on Thursday. Room's been booked for a few weeks.

Diane

 

[Kevan]

I'm coming down from OH with a few others (Stretch, Mike) on Thursday PM.
We'll meet up with you all at the main hotel and/or at CB in Knoxville for the jaunt to Tellico Plains.

CBR-ACR- I've got PROTOTYPES!!!!
I was hoping to have production by TOTD, but.....not quite.

 

[CBR-ACR]

Hey Kevan, believe me I didn’t forget about the GoPro bracket prototypes and I also didn’t forget about the shoe string, my personal favorite…….

I look forward to seeing you my friend. I recently moved to Charlotte (job transfer) and we have a great group of people in the Carolina’s VCA in which some are planning to attend this TOD weekend for the first time.
We will definitely hook up with you Thursday afternoon and run over to Knox Friday morning together, if I recall its just about an hour from the hotel. I know Ronny from Louisiana will be joining us as well. I hope LOUD from Chicago is in too?

See you soon!

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[CBR-ACR]

I'm in, coming down from PA on Thursday. Room's been booked for a few weeks.

Diane

Look forward to seeing you Diane, once everyone confirms their travel plans we can all met up Thursday at the hotel. See you in a couple of weeks!

 

[Brian GTS]

I booked a few weeks ago for Friday/Saturday nights...driving out Friday morning of course. How about the others:

1) Slammed - ?
2) Brian GTS - Traveling Friday.
3) NO HEMI - ?
4) CBR-ACR - Traveling Thrusday.
5) BigBadViper - ?

 

[JoelW]

OK, last time to mention. If you want a T-shirt, please let Warren Vickers of the GA club know size and how many. He has been kind enough to take care of this for us. Short sleeve only and any color as long as it is black. $25 for 1, $50 for 2, etc you can do the math. I know he is counting on paying for a 2013 Viper with the proceeds. His email is: [email protected]

 

[NO HEMI]

I booked 3 weeks ago, still not sure if i can make it thursday afternoon though.

 

[Brian GTS]

Anyone else able to go? Any folks from Wilmington or Fayetteville? Spoke to Jeremy...he's going and we're driving out together Friday AM.

1) Slammed - ?
2) Brian GTS - Traveling Friday.
3) NO HEMI - ?
4) CBR-ACR - Traveling Thrusday.
5) BigBadViper - ?
6) Gutterworks - Traveling Friday.

 

[NO HEMI]

i'll be traveling Friday!!

 

[viper67wife]

I'm coming in on Thursday.

Diane

 

[BigBadViper]

I think I am going to have to back out. My daughter has Soccer tryouts that weekend and there are no makeup dates. ***** I have never done this.