Yeah, the dragon is super crowded nowadays... the Cherohala Skyway is nice.. love that area... There is one dood who is always up there on a full dress yellow goldwing.. He FLIES through the dragon.. dragging foot pegs & stuff.. funny as hell to watch.. not so funny when he passes you on your R1 :(

People stationed with cameras to sell photos to you?! Like Six Flags. My how times have changed.

The photos are great. I bought a few from 2 different guys last year.

Gas Prices
 

Are you guys still planning on the TOD trip ? Gas prices could be $4.50 / gallon or more by then.. OUCH. :(

Well, boys and girls, I'm going to have to bow out on the trip this year. I was going to grin and bear it on the outrageous fuel costs and the tire wear getting there and back, and then Hans' diagnosis of my worn suspension squashed it financially for me. I need about $3000 worth of work on the car, and a chunk of that is what I had saved up for the trip.

I need wheel bearings (both sides) and one control arm up front, and a control arm in the back (it's creaking). The struts up front are original and since Hans has to tear down the wheel carrier to swap out the bearing, it makes common sense to replace the struts while I'm at it.

Hans made another good point as well. He is recommending I replace the trailing arms as well in the back because they're original as well and go out on cars of my age and mileage. Add to that another lower control arm because it's original as well and it will go out sooner than later like the other, and the price rises even more.

Since struts up front will cost about $500 for Bilstein HD's I think I'll just get a set of KSport coilovers and have him install them while he's in there.

All I can say is that I will miss seeing you all and driving with you, but there will be other trips. I've fretted over my worn suspension for a long time, so this should get it in good shape for the long haul and I won't have to worry what's going to go out next on this car (except for the intermediate shaft, the transmission, the RMS, and the top transmissions!)

Ah, the joys of owning an old Boxster just keep piling up, eh? :ah:

Man, Randall, that thing has been a money pit. How many miles are on that thing now 106k? Ever consider upgrading to a newer less problematic boxster? With all the money you've dropped on that 2.5L you could've had nice shiny S a long time ago no?

I'm in too deep. I do not have an addiction. The addiction has me in its grips. 105k, by the way.

Probably should have bailed two years ago and I'd be driving a newer S. However, I do not want another 986. I only want a 987S or a CaymanS.

So I will repair what I have and dream of bolting a 3.6 in it one day. I do have a black hide of leather to do the interior in and that's cheap so it will keep me busy for a long time.

All you guys with boxsters with 80k+ need to bail on the car sooner than later and get another with much lower mileage on it.

I'll sell you the suspension pieces you need off of NickCats' car... say $100??? :D

You will truly be missed this time around since you were responsible for the inaugural trip last year. Let us know when you'll be in the Chicago area so we can meet up for some pizza and beer.

:cheers:

I will be in South Barrington October 16-19. Let's plan on dinner on the 18th!

Randall,

That sucks you won't be able to join us ! I have marked my calendar for the 18th, though...

Nick

Anyone have a room they want to split? I hadn't committed earlier because I told my wife I would take her to Europe for our anniversary this fall and the dates were up in the air. We ended up going at the beginning of this month so I'm free that weekend and want to go back and hopefully run it on dry roads instead of in the rain.

I seriously doubt that my wife will be joining me this year ( she's pregnant and due in February ) so I would be happy to split a room with you. Let me double check with her to be sure and I'll let you know...

Nick

Reservation available at Two Wheel Inn
 

I have cancelled my reservation for a room at the Two Wheel Inn, so there is now one available! I had reserved Fri the 12th and Sat the 13th.

FTD, first Randall and now you too ?

Why aren't you joining us ?

Nick

So this is in two weeks then? the 12th through 14th? If I go I'll prolly crash at my folks place in Bryson City..(pardon the pun:D ).....

I have some things to juggle.

I might show up Saturday and just make a day trip out of it. If so, I will find a way to communicate so I can meet my friends. :) That would be very nice.

I've been on the fence regarding this trip for a while. There is a PCA DE that same week @ VIR, and I couldn't make up my mind. I think I've decided to hit the dragon instead of the DE, but I am wondering if there is anyone who is willing to split a room at this point.

ALSO.....is there an itinerary . I've looked around the different threads and didn't see any plans other than meeting that weekend. For those who want to attend but don't stay at the 2 wheel inn, a schedule of events would be helpful, so we'll know when and where to meet everyone else

Does anyone have a feel for the weather next week? I am worried about the storms brewing in the Altantic right now. :(

Me no likey rainy on my clean & shiney car.

Extended forecast at the Weather Channel has it raining 60/60/40 % for Fri/Sat/Sun.
Subject to change without notice.

Can we get a head count for next weekend?

Hannah flooded my driver's side carpet today. Still trying to track down the leak but the Alarm Control Unit was dry. That was a stroke of luck.

We need to keep an eye on the weather forecasts. I will need to cancell if rain is likely for the 3 day weekend.

But it was such jolly great fun running it in the rain on Saturday, and the dense fog on the Cherahola Skyway made it very exciting as well...

I'm there rain or shine. Arriving Friday afternoon and leaving Monday morning.
Hopefully there will be some sunshine.

to the guy who takes credit for this bright idea

Well, I guess I'm the guy that had the bright idea to go and then had to cancel due to a worn suspension.

Last year, I was dubbed "Mayor McCheese" by Nick or Sammy or both because I kinda organized the event... but I will not be there to do my cheesy duties! :ah:

So, one of you fine Porsche owners should step up to the plate and be Mayor pro-tem and just organize the first meet and greet. Everything sorts itself out at that event and a concensus can be reached about plans for the day(s).

One word of advice... find someplace better to eat breakfast than the Awful House in Robbinsville. I still have heartburn from that NASTY, grease laden breakfast. :barf:

Wussboy. Waffle House is a North Carolina staple and represents the finest in Southern Cuisine.
Oh, BTW, either the county or the town of Robbinsville is dry, so no booze to be found there. If you want to get a buzz on (in plenty of time to detox for the morniing's driving, of course) bring your own. As I recall you can get beer someplace reasonably close, but best to stock up. Just don't keep it in the rear trunk!

Everyone planning to join us PM me your email and I will send out an itinerary. As of right now we are still planning on going but will keep an eye on the weather. It's one thing to have a day of rain but with the hurricanes/other severe weather it may be a last minute decision (I really want to go so it will take a hurricane to keep me away). Right now we are planning on heading down on Friday and will be there to drive on Saturday and Sunday and headed back to Chicago on Monday.

Just checked the weather channel and it seems the chance of rain is decreasing (now at 20/30/30% for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). :dance:

I just got off the phone with Bill (bmussatti) and we are game on! The plan is to meet at the gas station at Deal's Gap (a quick internet search and you will find what I'm talking about) at 8:00am Saturday morning for driving the Tail. Make sure you have your tank full of gas as we will probably proceed onto the Cherahola Skyway and possibly some other fun road.

For those that want to join we will be meeting for breakfast at 7:00 on Saturday morning at the Two Wheel Inn before we head to the Tail. Please don't hesitate to call me on my cell at 630-453-0834.

Sorry so short but have to get to class.

See you there!

Best Regards,
Patrick (aka Sammy)

I am definitely not going to make it. I will hope to meet you folks at some other event in the future. Take lots of pics and have a blast.

Actually, I thought it was my idea. I tried to stir up a trip in February while traffic was low and the road wide open. But most wanted a Fall trip. Then someone started a new thread to decide when in the Fall. Then someone made a new thread sticky once the date was decided. Not that I'm looking for an award... I'm just saying...

gas prices
 

gas prices went up 50 cents / gal 30 minutes ago. i'm am really looking forward to the trip, but i'm not sure now. if it keeps going up, we'll be stuck in the mountains with gas selling for $8/gal with only 2 stations in a 40 mile radius.


i'm a little nervous :chicken:

[QUOTE=skip_168]Boxsters love the mountains of NC! My parents have a house in Bryson City, (about 40 minutes east of the Dragon), so When you guys go, I will come out..


One sugestion for the trip:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u256/skip_168/nc.jpg

28 between Franklin & Bryson city is better than the dragon.. the speed limit is 55!!

I was scrubbin' tires in the boxster & never made it over 45!

QUOTE]

Skip, great recommendation! We did this road this morning. It was awesome!

Here we are on the Dragon yesterday! The first 18 photos are of me, Sammy, and Derb:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=4088434&g=0QAK00DJ00

I saw a cop car in photo 49 or so. Did you guys have issues with the law? Did you see the yellow Lotus that was in pic 70? Dang, I hate that I missed the trip.

We saw quite a few cops on the Dragon. :mad: Then we would just out-run 'em! :cool:

Here are a bunch of pictures on page #1 & #2:

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/ThumbPage.aspx?e=4088530&g=00&s=0

[QUOTE=bmussatti] hey, you're welcome.... that road will give you a workout, thats for sure....

Hey Skip,

We have named this stretch of the road on 28 the "Twisted Pickle". Sammy, Derb and I plan to buy one of the homes in the area and set-up shop with all kinds of "Twisted Pickle" stuff like; t-shirts, patches, stickers and post cards.

We expect it to become more famous than the TOD.

One of the t-shirts, for women, will be a camouflage tank-top that says, "I Rode the Twisted Pickle"!

We will be rich. Carrera GT rich. And a pink one for Mrs. Sammy!

Investors are welcome.

Things I Saw On The TOD This Morning!
 

On my way home, here is what I saw on the TOD:

1) A Sysco Foodservice semi-truck :D (I hugged the white line)
2) A snow plow- I thought it did not snow down here, especially in September when it is still in the mid-80's)
3) 5 wild turkeys eating on the shoulder
4) A large (size of a dinner plate) turtle crossing the road (he looked up at me when he heard my PSE!) :)

hahaha.. make sure you sell barf bags too.. this is the road my daughter got motion sickness on....:D