One week until the 2009 Mountain Cruise .
This past Wednesday (July 8 ) I personally went to inspect the entire Cruise route . The Parkway , thanks to our tax dollars , is in tip top shape . There was however one small patch that was being repaired . That should easily be finished by Saturday the 18th . I got somewhat a reward that day . From Cherokee to the Arboretum I drove completely unmolested (no traffic) through the rain and fog at a constant 45 mph . Perfect and beautiful .
Game Plan for Sat . July 18 :
The NC Arboretum opens at 8 AM . Admission to the Arboretum is $6 . The pre Cruise meet will start at 9 AM to about 11 AM . This will give everybody a chance to chit chat and view the beautiful grounds at the Arboretum . The Cruise will depart the Arboretum at about 11 AM . From the Arboretum to the Picnic area (Mt Pisgah) is about 25-30 minutes . At the picnic area the Cruise will have a picnic (imagine that) . There again participants can chit chat , eat ,take pics , play frisbee , and whatever else you do at picnics . Yes ,there are bathrooms and BBQ grills at the picnic area . (See pics below)
SPECIAL NOTE :
If you plan on cooking PLEASE bring an extra gallon of water so you can extinguish your fire before you leave .
The Cruise will depart from the picnic area about 1:30 ish . This where the bulk of the Cruise will occur . It takes 1 hour 22 minutes to get to Cherokee from the picnic area if you drive a constant 45 mph . The cruise will stop at Water Rock Knob to take in the absolutely stunning view and give peeps some time to stretch . From Water Rock Knob the Cruise will continue on to Cherokee . Arrival in Cherokee should be about 5:00 ish . In Cherokee there are a multitude of things to do . Shopping , fishing , tubing and the Casino just to name a few . Personally I am going tubing in the cool Oconoluftee River .
Safety tips:
Please stay in your lane
Inspect and/or repair your car before the cruise ( brakes , tires , etc. )
RainX your windows ( It could be sunny on one side of the mountain , then rainy on the other side . Such is the nature of the Parkway )
Please pay attention to the car in front of you . ( Observe the 2 second rule )
Please do not play "catch up" ( Slowing down so that you can speed to catch up . If you want to drive more spirited there are roads that connect to the Parkway that you and your buds can do that on , like Hwy 276 , 151 , and 215 )
Please stay in your lane .
The idea behind the Cruise is to promote " Carmanship" and have a good time seeing cool cars (other than yours) . Automotive Unity if you will .
Hope to see ya'll there
DJ
BRP 09 pictures by HTMyaris - Photobucket