01-29-2020, 02:23 PM | #38613 |
Drives: 2014 2-SSRS Slushbox Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Posts: 339
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2nd pic is some crazy purple Christmas decorated tourist trap. Closed, like most everything in Maggie Valley.
3rd is Hotel SS...fogged up windows from sleeping inside. Note how gloomy it was. Time was sunrise...7:30ish? Weather was only going to get worse. Last is the view uphill from the dorms. That’s my car. We were checking in early. |
01-29-2020, 02:30 PM | #38614 |
Drives: 2014 2-SSRS Slushbox Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Posts: 339
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Ruby, the problem was the high winds. Some gust over 50mph.
The Elm trees have some disease caused by a beetle that is decimating them. Much like Kalifornia, the NPS does NOT cut down the dead trees. Mind you, as you know many grow right up against the narrow mtns roads. Trees were down all over but the worse were the smaller diameter limbs. Not good to run on over with 20” tires and no spare....and NO cell service. I love the Smokies...just not good for a sports car in the winter. Especially if you live in FLatistan. |
01-29-2020, 02:39 PM | #38615 |
Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,290
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Thank you Joecruiser. That was a long trip for sure and staying in hotelSS would have made it worse for me. Not saying I would have not done it but that would have made the trip not so enjoyable for me. How did the car do on gas mileage there and back? Glad you made it back home safe and sound.
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01-29-2020, 03:24 PM | #38616 |
Drives: 2014 2-SSRS Slushbox Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Posts: 339
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Hi BigTime!
I’m 5-10” and 180 lbs. It wasn’t too bad, seat all the way back. Lots of tossing and turning for sure but doable. I’m an avid backpacker...my original plans were to camp in Smokemount Campground, in the Park. Was open, albeit not a soul. Park ranger even suggested I go elsewhere, due to the weather, me the only one there and no cell service. I took his advice and Plan B was the car. I don’t keep track of gas mileage. I never ran over 5 miles above the limit on backroads and no more than 20 above on the interstate. My car is a L99. I’m running a CAÍ, Range AFM delete chip and Borla cat-back....basically stock. Car ran well, most expensive gas was in So Carolina. Pic is a screen shot I took while I was planning my exit out of the mountains. Ended in Sylva...road to Highlands/Cashiers was closed (trees down). **Note my location, Cherokee...7pm. Pitch black! All alone, spotty cell service. Was listening to Pandora most of the drive...missed a lot of the advisories and news. I survived though and spending 2 nights staying in Hotel SS...I actually fell in love with her all over again! |
01-29-2020, 03:42 PM | #38617 |
Drives: 2014 2-SSRS Slushbox Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Posts: 339
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Check out the convoluted directions for those affected by the closure. Not me...I buggied South Bound...
Rain at the Mill and I’m home...the Florida Visitor’s Center a few miles south of the FL-GA line on Interstate 75. Still 8 hrs from home and an Everglades traverse at night. |
01-29-2020, 03:53 PM | #38618 |
Drives: 2014 2-SSRS Slushbox Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Posts: 339
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Ruby, I guess I was there a little before you.
On a lighter note, on MLK day I went hiking in the Glades, solo. Hiked the Gator Head Trail in the Big Cypress National Park...another one of our National treasures. Ran into this dude, a python hunter taking part in the Python Bowl. Due to the cold weather, not too many pythons were found. |
01-29-2020, 06:03 PM | #38619 | |
Lifetime Philly Fan
Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Central Florida
Posts: 1,862
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Quote:
__________________
2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15
CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE] |
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01-29-2020, 07:59 PM | #38620 | |
Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,290
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Quote:
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01-30-2020, 09:00 PM | #38621 |
Drives: 2016 2SS vert (wife's) Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: N KY
Posts: 447
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Poking my nose in. Been home for three weeks, vacation will be cut short due to my taking another job early. Headed out for some training next week so even less time at home. I've been updating the brakes on my Miata, driving the wife's Camaro when I can since my convertible fix needs taken care of. Still haven't reached my low of 24 degrees in the Miata with the Camaro. Even with heated seats and a windblocker there is more wind movement that makes it feel colder.
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01-31-2020, 09:15 AM | #38622 |
Drives: 2019 CLA 450 Mercedes Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 1,107
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Just a quick note from a future retiree. My current institution has been bought and there is a high likelihood that I'll not be offered a position with the new combined organization. All good. I have been running numbers on retirement for a year or so. Its a bit tedious waiting for the out date, however this will make the decision for me and I can't complain.
I am thinking that my first retirement trip will be a Route 66 run. I've also been bitten by the Cannonball bug. NO intention of any type of crazy record attempt, just a run from the Red Ball Garage to Redondo Beach, CA. I figure 5-6 days not 27hrs 25 mins.
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2019 Lunar Blue Metallic Mercedes CLS 450
2021 C43 AMG Mercedes Coupe Metallic Cardinal Red 2014 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost (The Bus) |
01-31-2020, 12:11 PM | #38623 | |
Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,290
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Quote:
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01-31-2020, 03:26 PM | #38624 | |
Drives: 2019 CLA 450 Mercedes Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 1,107
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Quote:
I grew up about 25 miles from Lebanon, MO. My late father bowled at the bowling alley across the road from the Munger Moss Motel. I have eaten there dozens of times. Lebanon has a very vivid Rte 66 history. I went to college in Springfield and Kearney St. was Rte 66 back during the day. Kearney still hosted its fair share of stop light racing up till the mid-70s. Any body want to start a little thread on Rte 66 and I'll be a participant, for sure.
__________________
2019 Lunar Blue Metallic Mercedes CLS 450
2021 C43 AMG Mercedes Coupe Metallic Cardinal Red 2014 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost (The Bus) |
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02-01-2020, 04:15 AM | #38625 |
Banned
Drives: 2012 2SS INFERNO ORANGE Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: sweden
Posts: 1,843
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55 but look about 105 lol..i dont give a f--- though..just happy i wake up each morning and still breathing lol
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02-01-2020, 05:49 AM | #38626 |
Native Floridian
Drives: 2014 - ZL1 / 2003 - Corvette Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 2,648
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Yep - Any day above the ground is a GOOD DAY!!!
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