Getting ready for fall color and the Blue Ridge Parkway! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jakekit · 10-06-2011, 02:51 AM

Whip,
Sounds like you found some fun roads! As long as I've lived in NC and as many "fun" cars as I have had, I've never really done a serious length of the parkway. Really looking forward to it. I'm thinking I won't likely get much "enthusiast" driving out of it, but it should still be enjoyable. One thing I've really liked about the Boxster is that I get a big smile even from going a little fast in some low speed corners. So I hope I'll get a little fun in. I did a huge number of track days in my E36 M3 and that has been both good and bad. It's made me realize how silly it is to drive to fast on public roads. It's also made me realize how much fun it is to be on a track. Sadly, the Boxster won't be the car that gets me back out to VIR. Also, your Boxster looks spectacular!

SC,
One of these days I'm going to make it out to the tail!

Frodo · 10-06-2011, 03:48 AM

Don't have suggestions (don't know NC that well) other than...Just Do It. You'll have a blast.

I am envious. Went to school at UVa in the 1970s, and, among my favorite memories was our Fall weekend trips over to Skyline Drive, a beautiful stretch of road a short trip west of us in Charlottesville. One of the people living above us, another student, was a young lady who happened to have a 1969 Camaro convertible. Whenever possible, it was her we tried to coax into doing the driving, and she often complied. It was the perfect platform from which to enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These days, I'd probably say that about the Boxster

gmboxster · 10-06-2011, 07:24 AM

I ive about 1.5 hours from the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'll be doing a parkway run the weekend of Oct. 21 for my girlfriend's birthday. Can't wait. The leaves should be in full color by then.

jakekit · 10-06-2011, 07:26 AM

gm,

Should be a great trip. I'll post a full report once I wrap things up after the weekend. After years of trying to hit the right weekend for color I finally found this info from ASU which is what got my ass in gear to make something happen!

2011 Fall Color Peak Map :: Department of Biology :: Appalachian State University

WhipE350 · 10-06-2011, 04:59 PM

Jake - I agree, it is fun to push it, but ya never know what is around the next corner. I find the Boxster is a very pleasant ride at 40mph on the parkway. You are coming in north of where I did and will have a very nice drive.

Hopefully you'll have temps in the 60s and 70s, remember the temp drops about 5 degrees per 1000 feet (especially in the summer) though in the fall it can be a little less. I like to put my sweater on and ski cap and ride with the top down all winter. A sunny day in the high 40s is fine with me!

I'm headed to Lake Placid NY next week to see my Mom, wish I could put the Boxster in a suitcase and bring it with me. I'm temped to get an older base model and leave it up there for my visits.

gmboxster · 10-10-2011, 07:30 PM

Was on the parkway this weekend. Temp in the 70's with perfectly clear skies. The leaves need another 10 days - 2 weeks for color change but the Parkway is always fun.

It's a drag however getting behind the 25mph grandmas and grandpas.

j.fro · 10-11-2011, 01:56 AM

FWIW, the Shenandoah PCA will be doing their Fall Foliage Tour on Sunday, October 30. The tour begins at G&W Motorwerks in Waynesboro and includes a stint on the Parkway. G&W is quite the place. Last year they had the Porsche/Interscope Indy car, an early Brumos 911 RSR, a real 911 R, and the prototype for the '73 Carrera RS on display. The tour is open to any who would like to attend. Have a look here for more info:
Shenandoah Region Porsche Club of America