Miatas at the Gap XVII - July 26-28, 2013

[gapmiatas]

I'm not sure how this event escaped discussion in here.... but...

Here's a full itinerary:

Thursday, July 25, 2013

- Sunset Cherohala Run
Fontana General Store: 6:15 meeting, 6:45 departure
Phillips Motel: 6:45 meeting, 7:10 departure

Friday, July 26, 2013

- Friday Morning Spirited Run
Phillips Motel: 9:30 meeting, 10:00 departure

- Fat Buddies Run
Phillips Motel: 5:00 meeting, 5:30 departure

- Run to A&W Drive in across Cherohala Skyway
Wildwood Grille at Fontana Village, 4:00 meeting, 4:30 departure

Saturday, July 27, 2013

- Annual Dam(n) Photo
Base of Fontana Dam, shutter snap at 11:00 am sharp

- Free Lunch
Fontana Village Vendor's Area, starts at noon
Provided by Graham County Travel & Tourism and the Town of Fontana Dam, NC

- Mazdaspeed Meet
In Front of Wildwood Grille at Fontana Village 2:00pm

- Dinner run to Notorious P.I.G. and Tail of the Dragon (spirited)
In Front of Wildwood Grille at Fontana Village, 5:15 meeting, 5:40 departure

- 7th Annual MATG Beer Swap and Wine Tasting
Vendors Area at Fontana Village, 7:00pm to ???

- MATG Raffle to Benefit National Kidney Foundation in Bill D'Antoni's honor
Tickets for sale at Registration Tent at Vendor's Area Fontana Village
Drawing at 8:00pm at Beer Swap
Not necessary to be present to win

[— Phatmiata —]

sounds like tons of fun, is there a website link?

[gapmiatas]

www.gapmiatas.com
www.facebook.com/events/268567613244275/

[—Bryan—]

See you folks there

[morr]

I will be there as well! For those arriving early, we're having a little shindig on Wednesday at our campsite at the Fontana Dam around 5pm. All are welcome

[mini_fd]

Ill be driving up there early early thursday morning and arriving hopefully 6or 7 at night from central florida.

[flier129]

Really looking forward to this year!

[flier129]

"BULLETIN: Beginning Thursday, July 18, 2013, US 129 (The Dragon) at Mile 9.5 will be reduced to one lane controlled by a temporary traffic signal as crews begin rock slide slope stabilization. This project is estimated to be complete on or before August 31, 2013. This will not close the Dragon and traffic on the rest of the roadway will not be affected."

Mile marker 9.5 is maybe 1/2mi past the overlook heading north. There was a small rock-slide that happened last March. They've had a jersey-barrier up at this turn, so I suppose they want to ensure that another rock-slide doesn't happen. Once you pass the overlook you go maybe 1/2 mile then a tight down-hill hair-pin to a long-ish straight, into a tight right-left-right-left-right-left with an opening on your left. The turn is right after that section.

here's a google map view of the turn that will be closed to 1 lane: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=35.50...num=1&t=h&z=19

An annoying issue, though. If you're not coming south from the TN side, then it's not a big deal, just turn around at the over look. Unless you're wanting to head towards Maryville/Knoxville. I highly doubt traffic will be stopped, except maybe at peak hours which I would highly recommend against driving that road during unless you just want to know the road it like when it's busy. Knowing TDOT, they'll probably have signs up and everyone north-bound will go into the 1 lane very slowly.

[Tekel]

I'm there also.

[gapmiatas]

Just a heads up, there's been another road closure.

Blue Ridge Parkway between mile markers 255 and 275 in the Mount Mitchell State Park is closed for an undefined period of time. A crack has formed along the double yellow line that's just a few inches wide and about 100 yards long, but it's about 6 feet deep.

They're still trying to figure out how to fix it, so no time frame on repairs yet. Needless to say, it will be closed for MATG.

Here's a map showing the location of the road closure on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the bank stabilization on US129.
http://goo.gl/maps/vZDZi

[raven]

I'll be there Saturday. Going to make a day of it. Start out at the dam then who knows!

[flier129]

[— kung fu jesus —]

Can't make it this year, may be at the Boone event. Everyone be safe!

[ScratchNSniff]

http://chadbeephotography.com/blog/2...takes-on-matg/

[—Bryan—]

Photos coming from me as well. Probably not as good