If you need to call the house, the number is 828.743.9382. Someone should be there by 4pm on Wednesday. I'll probably be there before that, but may not be able to access the house 'till 4. Cel phone reception will be spotty if it works at all.


Directions added...look toward the end of the post.

Webpage here. You'll find the basics here as info comes available. The page will go into greater detail and will host any files such as maps, routes, etc. Got a file you'd like to see there? Lemme know.



Here's where we're gonna be:35°11'19.58"N x 83°12'46.38"W

Right in the middle:



We have a house next year. As before, the TT will be held on the 4th weekend of April, 2010. You may have noticed that the start date has been altered...we added Wednesday

T-shirt thread is here.

We're in a 4200 square foot house with 4 bedrooms; each with a different configuration. There are also several spots in the house which will be designated for sleeping. I think there will be some space for tents, but not much. I'd expect to bring a bag and pad and sleep inside. We're at over 4,000 feet elevation on a slope, so if you don't like tenting in the cold, you may wanna plan on being inside. For those of you familiar with the first TT, the interior space will be a little less, but we didn't come close to using the whole house. We'll have hide-a-beds and roll outs as well.

On to more amenities...we'll have a hot tub, 3 big porches, ample parking (can probably even take on a motor home or 2 this time), 40 private acres and trails on which to roam, and great riding. Oh, and one big, full kitchen with indoor grill, outdoor grill, Wii, another kitchen in the garage, lots of rockers on the porches, 2 indoor fireplaces, one outdoor fire pit, and so on. Please do not contact our host (property owner) about this event. There is a reason we're not posting that information 'till down the road. We're in contact with them and can answer all your questions.

Space is limited. We're going to be able to accommodate 30 riders MAXIMUM. Okay, if you just show, we're not gonna tell ya to just move on, but priority of accommodations will be given to the first 30 folks registered. We're stopping registration at 30.

We're doing pre-registration incase you'd like to get the particulars done before hand. Really the only benefit is that you secure your spot. Again, we're cutting it off at 30 riders. Let us know if you want a room. Rooms are gonna be the same as before...$50/night per room. You'll need to take the room for the duration. Cram 5 in there for 10 bucks/night each if you want. I'll have more room details later and maybe we can figure out who's where.

So...who wants a room?

We're doing 3 foods...Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, Saturday dinner. We'll take a collection for early folks and play it by ear...probably grill stuff. This is subject to change, of course...depending on how many FFs come early/stay late. Don't like the idea of me or someone I know cooking? I don't blame you. Bring your own whatever. Cook it whenever. Eat it however. 2 grills and 2 kitchens should keep us fed.

The location isn't so far from last year...it's sort of between Cashiers and Waynesville, NC. Sort of. It's in the boonies, so the closest town is 11 miles away. I'm not completely clear on shopping opportunities yet, but most things we should need can be found within a half hour's ride. If not less.

Pre-registering? PM me here or email olarge at yahoo dot com. The rally fee is $50. That'll get you 3 meals, a place to crash, a shot at whatever door prizes we drum up between now and then, and some great company. We tried doing flexible payment methods last time. It didn't work so well. We're gonna use checks, money orders or cash only this year. We also aren't offering any refunds. You can transfer your payment to another inmate to take your place if you like. 'Why you gotta be like this rob feature' you say? Well, if the weather sucks, we'll still be there. It's gonna go on regardless of the weather. Which means we pay for the digs either way. In full and in advance.

Much more to come...

The IN list...green if you're paid, red if you're saving up but are a definite yes. Orange if you're thinking it might be okay, but maybe you have better things to do.

rob feature- garage apartment - full
Sscratch
rreynolds6
Ken_WVHills + 1 = Room with the biggest bed
treeron
NancyK764
spook room
brewer90
Stickman
mattys room with the most beds
aganon
jessehere - master
gwhis
Marty
momentumrocks



Directions:


*****************PLEASE NOTE******************

YOUR GPS WILL GET YOU TO MARLETT RD JUST FINE BUT FROM THERE ON BE SURE TO FOLLOW MY DIRECTIONS -- YOUR GPS WON'T WORK CORRECTLY ON PRIVATE ROADS!!!


*****************************************************************


FROM ATLANTA AREA


Take I-75 North to Atlanta. Allow approximately 2 ½ hours to Pine Creek Mountain Lodge from downtown Atlanta if there are no traffic problems.

Take I-85 North from Atlanta and merge left onto I-985. I-985 will merge into Hwy 441 and Hwy 23 North.

Take Hwy 441 & Hwy 23(North) to Franklin, NC. Pass through Clayton, GA. After leaving Clayton you will pass through Dillard, GA. Dillard is a major speed trap so be sure you follow the speed limit and continue to Franklin, NC. As you are coming to Franklin on Hwy 441/23 you will see a McDonald's on your left. Go about 1/2 block, you will see the 441/64 By-pass on your right.

Take this Hwy 441 and Hwy 64 by-pass East (right) to the second exit which is Hwy 64 & 28 East, also known as the Highlands Road.

Take Hwy 64 & 28 East (Highlands Road), go 6 miles to Walnut Creek Road.

Turn left on Walnut Creek Road. Go about 7 miles up Walnut Cr Rd. The turn off to Walnut Creek road is just past a large yellow sign indicating mountain roads ahead. If you start up the mountain on Hwy 64, you missed the Walnut Creek Rd turnoff and you need to turn around and go back. When you reach the crest of the mountain on Walnut Creek Rd, there is a beautiful panoramic view of the mountains on your right. Continue down on the Jackson County side and the same road is now called Pine Creek Road.

Follow Pine Creek Road for about 2 ½ miles. On your left you will see a row of mailboxes and a red and white sign for Apple Dumplin Hill. Just past the mailboxes turn left onto Marlett Rd. (gravel). Follow gravel road up and it will turn into a paved road, continue up and it will again become a gravel road. Follow gravel road until you see a sharp turnoff to the left (just before the road becomes paved again) Pvt Saratoga Drive and a wood sign SANTAMARINA 169. Turn left and follow gravel road down and then up and you will see Pine Creek Mountain Lodge on your left. This is all private land so park wherever it is convenient for you.

Directons to Pine Creek Mountain Lodge

from ASHEVILLE, NC


Follow I40 West from Asheville

Take EXIT 27 and follow Route 23 to Sylva (follow signs for Western Carolina Univ - WCU)

In Sylva (at traffic light) turn left onto 107 South

Follow 107 South through Sylva, past WCU and continue on about 15 miles to PINE CREEK RD (at the turn off for Pine Creek Rd you'll see a marina storage facility on your right)

Turn right onto Pine Creek Rd

Follow Pine Creek Rd for about 6 miles to Marlett Rd on your right (there is a large red & white sign APPLE DUMPLIN HILL) and turn right onto Marlett Rd

Follow gravel road up and it will turn into a paved road, continue up and it will again become a gravel road. Follow gravel road until you see a sharp turnoff to the left (just before the road becomes paved again) Pvt Saratoga Drive and a wood sign SANTAMARINA 169. Turn left and follow gravel road down and then up and you will see Pine Creek Mountain Lodge on your left. This is all private land so park wherever it is convenient for you.



The lake's 2 miles away...bring yer arm floaties. Bonus points for bringing real boats. They say this is the highest lake east of the Mississippi.

OK, the teacher has to ask, cuz spring break is set. Are we talking about the 15th -18th OR the 22nd - 25th?
I realize technically the actual 3rd weekend is the 17-18, but since the first week in April isn't a full week, I was hoping that maybe, just maybe, the 3rd & 4th wouldn't count as the "first weekend"......thumper logic?
I soooooooooooooo much want to make it this time. Praying with my fingers and (still purple) toes crossed as I wait for your response.

Sorry, I fix. It's the 4th weekend. I was looking at full weeks for some reason. So the 22nd - 25th. So yes, thumper logic

Hope to see ya this time 'round!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Crossing my fingers until they turned purple to match my right toes worked! YES!

I am so f'in thrilled, I can't tell you. A vacation, finally!

OK, so here are my votes. Add Wednesday night and I'll go for a t-shirt as long as it is not ans XXL like last time.
However, I guess I got what I deserved since I was "a day late and a dollar short", not to speak of my chain issues.

Thumper logic. We will have to come up with more for the dictionary.

So, Teach, does all that mean that you are going to TRY to attend ? Or are you just going to get within walking distance and NOT ATTEND ?

Just get it together like you did at the Delaware Water Gap and we'll have some real fun in the mountains. And, I'll volunteer to pick up your bike every time you drop it within my sight.

My record on attendance lately (the Hoot and the RA Nat'l) has not been very good so I'm not committing this far ahead of time but I certainly HOPE to attend especially since we may have a coupla good looking Yankee girls there. My dear friend for 49 years, now deceased, said he didn't buy green bananas......I understand.

RF and SScratch thanks again for setting this up. Mo, hope the foot heals and can't wait to hear more of Ike's pearls of wisdom. Should be aw-sum. Love the lake too. Should have ol red completely updated by then too.
I came out of soccer practice last week saw a red funduro, thought I had a real brain fart and forgot I brought my bike. Met a young fellow that I talked to last year at local BMW dealer looking at a red lowered 99 model , tried my bike but found it too high so I rode along for a little way as he took out the dealer one. Turns out he bought that one for his borther and a new 2008 gs for him, now brother doesn't want to ride so he alternates between riding both of them so hope to turn him into a CG member too.
Ya'll have a good night!
Frank

Hmmmm, 11 miles to the nearest town? I may have to do a Stickman and bring my truck just so I can bring enough beer to avoid the long drive to town. Can't say yet what or where I might be that far down the road but if I'm kicking, able and within striking distance, I wouldn't miss it for the world. Sounds like the garage apt might be the place to be. I'll try to figure out some long-term plans and get with you on the confirmation. Wouldn't hurt to send the money to you I guess and if I can't make it you could all just have a beer on me.

[quote="IAM"]So, Teach, does all that mean that you are going to TRY to attend ? Or are you just going to get within walking distance and NOT ATTEND ?

Just get it together like you did at the Delaware Water Gap and we'll have some real fun in the mountains. And, I'll volunteer to pick up your bike every time you drop it within my sight. [quote="IAM"]

It means, Mr. Maxwell, that IAM going to attend!

For those of you who may be wondering about the etiology of Ike's inquiry, he is referring to 2008 when the TT fell at the beginning of my break week. I therefore left NW MA on Friday, making to NC on Sunday, the day everyone left for home. There was a slight possibility of making there in time, however, I neglected to check and tighten my chain prior to my departure, resulting in my bike suffering from ACD (acute chain derailment) in a driving rain storm Saturday evening around 7pm. That incident not only set me back timewise, but also shook my confidence and made me nervous about continuing my solo journey.

The reason I am so thrilled that it is the 4th weekend and not the 3rd is so that won't happen again. I might even get there EARLY!!! I'll just think Delaware Water Gap.

Glad we could accommodate you Peggy

Ike, there is no vacation from potentate duty

Rick, it looks like a 15 minute ride into either Highlands or Franklin...no straight roads there though, I'm afraid

So we're kinda near Franklin NC? More of a reservoir than a lake.

Let me check my social calendar and I'll let you know if I can commit.

We'll have our van there so beer runs are easy even the amounts that Rick will require and can pick up a stranded rider if need be wif da trailer! So don't fret anyone! Peggy I hope yor healed and trouble free for your ride. Any question just ask Anna, 4202 mi last week, to me that's one tough little gal! Frank

RF, I emailed a check today. This internet thing is great. If there isn't room for my RV at the site I can go to a RV park. Quite a few in the area. I will probably stay in the area for a week anyway. Don't want to drive that far and only stay 3 days.

Looks like a nice place and goods rides around. Nice choice Sscratch and RF!

From what I was told today, it'll definitely fit. If it can get up the driveway . The owner told me they'd had several large boats pulled up there, so you should be cool.

And make it 5 days (well, 4 nights)...I scooped up Wednesday today. wOOt!

We think so. It's a really nice house with some awesome features...perfect for this thing. Yeah, the rides should be at least okay...there's over 2,000 feet elevation difference between the house and Franklin