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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabins /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1487825218 Message started by Oldfeller on 02/22/17 at 20:46:58 |
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Title: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabins Post by Oldfeller on 02/22/17 at 20:46:58 Look here for directions, maps, rough overview of the facilities which include toilet and a shower. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/cheoah-point-cabin-2/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75479# HEAR YE, HEAR YE !!! We got us a FREE LIST TRIP on April 23-25 with a paid for FREE six man cabin for you to stay in (got four theoretical slots still open with floor room for more). Santeetlah Lake Cabin #2 is the spot and we can show up starting at 11:00 AM on Sunday April 23. First arrival can simply go enter the cabin as it will not be locked (the door has a latch that can only be locked once we are inside for the night). You will need to bring a sleeping bag, pillow and whatever you like for a mat or mattress. Food will come from wherever we stop at night, so don't bring a lot of stuff to cook and eat, although we have a fire ring and wood that is provided for some rough cooking. To indicate interest, just post in the thread below. Anticipated temps will be circa 50o to 65o but them unexpected mountain temperature dips do happen so pack a fuzzy blanket and some thermal undies along with your sleeping bag so you are covered "just in case". |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 02/22/17 at 23:13:20 Here is what the outside of the cabin looks like, complete with gravel picnic pad and fire ring. Purpose of this trip is to spot potential new places for group stays and this one looks to be good for 4-6 people trips (and by using cots, etc. this number can likely be expanded some in our standard fashions). All open questions can either be resolved by a call to the Ranger Station, or else be discovered experiential by doing it. Being a Federal park, they got various rules and stuff, so we will learn by doing ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 02/24/17 at 17:50:05 No interest? Somebody speak up ...... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by LANCER on 02/24/17 at 19:01:53 Does the FREE trip include free shipping and handling from/ to Oklahoma ? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 02/24/17 at 21:42:18 Does the FREE trip include free shipping and handling from/ to Oklahoma ? Ya could have company on the part from middle Tn. to NC. :P The last of April is a long ways off , The invite is open till we get 6 total then bring a tent and your still welcome . :) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by thumperclone on 02/25/17 at 00:30:18 too far from Colorado did I see plans for a trip to my colorful state posted here some where?? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 02/25/17 at 01:42:25 Yes, Verslagen proposed one, it's in the trip listing that is up in the stickies. We have some new members that are less than two and a half hours away from this trip if they wanted to come. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 02/25/17 at 21:34:50 So , By the last of April we will have had almost two months of Sunshine , Warm , Beautiful days .... DogWood winter will be over , and Blackberry winter will have just ended . The " itch to "Take a Ride " will be all-over all of us ! By then we might have some-body trailer-ing to the area and bring enough charcoal to cook BBQ-Chicken for everybody . Kinda a "Spring-Ride" to be remembered for a long time ! Come to think of it : I can haul a bag of Charcoal and a Big Pack of Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast in the trunk on my bike !!! :o |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/03/17 at 09:12:42 Santeetlah Lake Exploratory Trip April 23, 24, 26 Oldfeller and MM This is a free trip. Cabin has been reserved and paid for. What is missing are Savage.com people interested in the ride. We still have 3 bed slots open. Trip is now opened to MM's CMA rider friends and any other friends that you can vouch for. Speaky speaky, don't be squeaky. Fill them beds on up ..... http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/540x360.jpg I'm kinda interested in the whole lake complex -- for a federal facility they seem to have their heads on straight as far as having 3 managed campgrounds, five (5) Ranger Stations and still having all those dozens of free "open to the first taker" camping places that we have been spotting on already. I am curious as to if it is "by the person" or "by the tent space" at the three full service campgrounds? We could make us some cost advantage using a big tent if it is by the tent space. I also want to know if there is a shower at one of the payme campgrounds in the complex. Yes, see below. So, we are proposing April 23, 24, 26 ??? I found another free site with a toilet facility. It is actually on the Cherohola Skyway side of Santeetlah Lake. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=48924&actid=29 http://68.media.tumblr.com/c75a8b9d22bf6d623bb3b3483f93dc61/tumblr_inline_mwd511lTPB1rpjlkw.jpg I also see mention of 2 cabins that you can put up to six people into each at a cost of $35 per cabin a night. That is dirt cheap compared to where we have been staying. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/cheoah-point-cabin-2/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75479 YES, there is an open to all campers shower facility 150 feet from Cabin #1 (and Cabin #2, but slightly further away). You can book this place on line, makes it easy to do. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=48928&actid=29 Here is another map that shows the town with a satellite shot. Costs FREE PRIMITIVE campsites, Campground based tent sites $15 per night first come first serve; $20 per night for RV sites; $35 per night for cabins that hold six (plus a tent on the gravel fire pad if you need overflow). Next, there is a tiny little town actually out in the lake that is named Santeetlah, apparently it was a town in the area before the lake was filled in and wound up with water on three sides out on a peninsula. It is still a tiny incorporated town made up mostly of rich people's lake homes that is showing up on the map above. Yes, we can spend some time poking around and find a range from free to cheap and we may actually maybe find someplace worth calling "home base" for a group run. (Dave is going to want to go now, as he is deeply suspicious of "free to nearly free", but he won't turn down a decent place with a shower and a roof over his head -- just no barking dogs, please) I bet these two cabin places gets booked up a year in advance on the summer weekends. Weekdays, not so likely. ::) http://https://rstorage.filemobile.com/storage/19245932/15 http://https://rstorage.filemobile.com/storage/19245950/15 Cabin #2 - there is room for an additional small tent if you want but it can not be set up on the grass (only within the gravel pad). So it does make the eating area a bit cramped. Nice view of the lake but a longer walk to your car and the bathroom. I also see a fire pit and firewood ..... http://https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage.filemobile.com/storage/18547854/13 http://https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage.filemobile.com/storage/18547852/13 |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/03/17 at 09:54:24 Would I like to? Ohhh yeah, but a Google search tells me it's over twelve hours in a car, so,the bike and all the stops would greatly increase that. I'd be crapped out when I got there. Boy, that looks like a Gorgeous place to ride. Fella might even get some fishing in.. The spring camping/fishing trip to Galveston with Reelthing is still looking like a go. I'm gonna stick Daves front sprocket on and see how it acts. I hope everyone who makes that trip has as good of a time as I Think I would. Hopefully the lake road doesn't have a twenty m.p.h. limit. It's thirty around Lake Hawkins. Everything inside the road is leased from the city, and public. I can walk out on a boat dock or pier and fish and nobody says a thing. Just a forty five minute ride through the country away. AND it's only a few miles outta the way to hit the lake and fish, then head on to the doctor, hit it again on the way home.. Probably not as pretty as up there, but Boy does it beat Odessa... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/03/17 at 10:22:36 Justin, all you have to do is get to Oklahoma and then you can get Lancer to go with you the rest of the way. PM the man and work out the details .... I think you can pick up MM in line on the way too, which gives you another night's free snooze spot. Plan it right and you are there, at a minimal cost as gas, etc is shared between the two of you. Simple, easy chunks of distance, not too body tiring or bike beating. So actually, you could ride up to Lancer's place on the first day, pick him up and then ride on the next day to MM's place (either in a truck or still on bikes if you are bold enough). If you are tuckered out, plan a layover at MM's for recovery if you need it. MM has cots, so you don't need to haul the world, just a sleeping bag and air mattress. Think of this one as the Adventure you were planning when you bought your new Savage ..... Guys, Justin has never been to the Dragon area with us, ever ...... He doesn't know how wonderful those mountains really are. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/03/17 at 13:05:52 Lancer , where in Oklahoma are you? The dates just might work out. I have a tent and a very packable cot. My diet is limited. I can't eat just anything. Any MSG and I'm down. Of course, non organic stuff with pesticides mess me up. I'll be shaking like a Parkinson's patient. Time to get the grandson from school. Bye. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/03/17 at 15:32:25 Guys , I think it would be good to offer Safe , Low/No-Cost over night spots to each other . "We" are so many that if only 20% of us can offer a yard-spot or couch to our fellow Savage-s , then one of the biggest cost of going to places/events would disappear . So , in that Sprit , I have an overnight spot (in the Garage) that is easy ,dry , 40" TV (antenna 20+channels) , not to good internet (but works), one couch , one big chair , and a few cots. Moderators ... Would it be nice to have a "sticky" titled ... ??? "... The Savage Travelers Spots ... " |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/03/17 at 16:15:51 ;) Somebody who has Lancer's phone number give him a ring and tell him he has PMs stacking up on him ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by LANCER on 03/03/17 at 16:54:47 7F6066617C7B4A7A4A72606C27150 wrote:
Unfortunately I will not be able to go on this trip, the dates of the ride overlap with the dates of our statewide CMA Rally and Paula and I have been slated for that for months. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/03/17 at 16:55:54 Two questions What happens on the 25th And, what city is Lancer in? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/03/17 at 17:19:07 Well, on the 25th I roll for home, because I have to go to work that night at 11:00 pm. What everyone else does on the 25th is up to them, as they haven't got a clock to punch -- they could stay at Santeetlah at the same spot if it is open, or move to a set of free spots that we will have identified by then and have the party continue right on through the rest of the week. Once again, somebody needs to contact Lancer to get him to ring in, then you can plan better. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/03/17 at 19:11:57 Lancer just rang in -- he is pre-committed to his state's CMA rally that weekend. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/03/17 at 20:56:28 Ooookay,, that was helpful. My planning just got pretty easy,, MAYBE there is still hope. There was a young guy a coupla years ago who managed a motel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Anyone remember him? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by verslagen1 on 03/03/17 at 22:13:22 yeah but he hasn't been here in a long time. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/03/17 at 22:29:58 Sooo, no contact info.. well,, Poot.. It was a good thought, I appreciate the people trying to help me get there. . |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by verslagen1 on 03/03/17 at 23:18:17 found the thread... http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1431587744/0#0 last online 12/11/15 |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/04/17 at 07:32:57 455641405F5254565D02330 wrote:
He does have an email address....you could try sending him an email. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/04/17 at 08:06:29 I know where the KOA is in HS. And that's a fair ride. I'm still looking for way points. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/04/17 at 13:02:14 All of these places list as addresses in Robbinsville, NC Got folks looking for detailed directions to get to the campground cabin site. Turns out the nearest town really is Santeetlah Lake, NC which is across the bay (south side) from the cabin. All of these places list as addresses in Robbinsville, NC Robbinsville is only 8 miles to the south on Hwy 129. Cheoah Point Campground is a listed destination point on Google Maps, so you can navigate directly there just as easily. Click on the "screenshot_at_2017-03-04_15-46-39" directly below this line to get a larger version of the map. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/04/17 at 13:25:40 Next, if you are coming is is customary to post something to that effect on this thread so folks will know you are coming. Also, you need to check out your bike, check your front brake pads to make sure you got some pad thickness left and check your oil level and tire pressures. Got some tread still left on your tires ???? I did that one year, but I had some tread when I came but it evaporated on me due to hot roads (100oF mid summer road temps will do that to you) These are all items that have caused repeated trouble before, with no brake pads being the one that strikes my memory as a "larger" avoidable type issue (3x that I can remember). 2x on the tire air pressure and I can't count the number of oils as we all carry some with us and we just fix it on the spot. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/04/17 at 15:15:55 And the "infamous variable" fairly inaccurate one month out forecast --- reality is it rains "a little bit" some on every one of our trips whether predicted or not. Since we are mobile and the clouds sorta fixed, we just tend to go the other way. Some enjoy watching the predictions come and go, and it does .... it is infamously variable after all. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/05/17 at 04:47:46 1A3931333039393027550 wrote:
As the ride leader on one trip, I wanted to go explore a nice twisty road and made a turn toward the dark clouds when we were riding in GA. A bit down the road I glanced in my mirrors......and the entire group was gone! I turned around and found the group parked along side the road.......they had Mutinied! Not a single person in the group had any kind of Bluetooth or communicator - but somehow they managed to meld their individual thoughts of protest into a combined effort, and they wanted to ride "away" from the dark clouds! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by badwolf on 03/05/17 at 08:14:01 Dave, Those weren't dark clouds, they were black!!! And we had just rode out of 20 miles of rain. Hey, we didn't make you walk the plank or anything. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by LANCER on 03/05/17 at 09:15:58 7F7D6E706E6C747D756E1C0 wrote:
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/06/17 at 01:28:18 Guys, it is time to start saying you are coming and it is time for MM to start plugging in his CMA buddies to fill that pre-paid free 6 man cabin up. Failure to see at least somebody signing up for all those empty beds this week means week after next I take the reluctant action to cancel the reservation and get the majority of the money back (unless there is some .gov gotcha that gets me). Signing up for a free trip is easy, you just post in this thread that you are coming and say when you plan to show up. Arrival times between 1:00 and 5:00 are best as we tend to run down to Robinsville for dinner after 5:00 with us exploring around the lake complex and the little town a wee bit between 1:00 and 5:00 but dropping back by the cabin to pick up latecomers periodically. At dinner we tend to plan out the next day's trip sitting at some place that gives us free WIFI and refills on our tea while we cogitate. Likely we will also go consult the HUGE map on the shower station wall at Simple Life a wee bit too. Simple Life is still good for that use, anyway, and it is only 3-4 miles away from our 6 man cabin at Santeetlah Lake. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/08/17 at 18:26:32 Sign up, sign up ... time is a wasting. 70 degrees outside today, 75-80 degrees by weeks end. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/08/17 at 21:26:33 :) OK , One of my CMA buds is going to be a my house Saturday --- I'll see if he want to go . I'll ask the rest of them as I see them. I suspect my bud with the old Goldwing will want to go. We are 6 weeks out , and some folks just don't plan that far ahead , but I agree ... Its time to start putting it all together ! ;) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/09/17 at 01:16:17 MM, as they become real SIGN THEM UP BY NAME so we can keep track of the beds. Suzuki Savage people, if you continue to screw around long enough then the four remaining beds will be all taken ..... by CMA people who are not afraid of an early spring mountain trip. And that is a wee little bit sad to me. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/09/17 at 04:03:58 15363E3C3F36363F285A0 wrote:
The trip appears to be scheduled for a Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed span.....that doesn't work well for those of use with the 9-5 Mon through Friday jobs. (I am saving my vacation days for use when the weather is a bit warmer!........Just sayin.) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/09/17 at 09:07:38 Now , OldFeller ... The two people that I'm thinking are most likely to "BREAK-FREE" and "Take their Bikes for a Three-Day-Cruise " ---- they are Flat-Landers". And you know what that means !!! (you got be be on your ... ::) ... MILD-Behavior . ;) OR Just wait on us at the intersections ... ;D will be all taken ..... by CMA people who are not afraid of an early spring mountain trip. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/09/17 at 18:22:31 I will be riding on a Barcalounger cruising along in fourth gear, so I will fit right in. Until I have to pass something, anyway .... ::) Seriously, we are two weeks away from the ending of the refund window so we need to get some extra takers or the cabin itself may get derailed. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/10/17 at 08:06:48 OldFeller My Old Gold Wing buddy is in with us. (Charles) :) I'll get to checking on the rest of them . :D Of course Charles is the only one who don't punch a time clock , so .... Lets review whats on our agenda : We'll be right next to the Skyway , so thats a given . We'll be right next to the Dragon also so likewise . That river road that runs at the bottom of the skyway was a good ride. I don't exactly remember how to get on it but "Waya" road is a really good ride. Hwy 28 and lunch at Dragon central is a must "Do" , ;) I'm sure I'm leaving out some of the best stuff , That little road that Lancer found that wound up the mountain and turned to gravel on the back side is one of the coolest roads I think I've ever seen ! ... Kinda like the switch-back street in San-Francisco on STEROIDS . I'm OK with not going down the back-side unless they have "Tar-and-Chipped" it . ::) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/10/17 at 09:34:57 Mike, we got us a Santeetlah trip with 3 people ..... and you can still bring your wife if you want to trailer in a bike. Tell her about the little "pretty mountain tourist town that got stuck out in the middle of the lake" and give her the car and let her go shopping there and in Robbinsville. If you bring your wife you get the adult sized rack in the privacy room and we rig up a sheet door between the two so she can get dressed, etc. She can also bail early if she wants to, taking the car and the empty trailer and riding home. We are not going tearing anyway, I have a bigger bike that isn't really suitable for peg dragging and this is a casual sort of trip anyhoo. Charles is welcome as is whomever else wishes to come. Bring long johns to sleep in and a fuzzy blanket in addition to your bag as it drops to 42 something at night and that requires some extra warm for comfortable sleeping and you will need your winter riding jacket and gloves for early on in the mornings. Huddle House in Robbinsville sounds like Breakfast/Planning time to me. Refills on coffee and wifi provided for searching and route setting. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 Weather jest plain looks beautiful ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/10/17 at 10:46:46 That Weather report is "amazing" , No , with weather like that I'm ridding the bike . Wife is not going to want to go ... unless I leave the bike at home , but I can take her back anytime for a middle of the week thing .... its just right over the hill from the house (kinda ) ::) Charles has had one of the 1100cc wings for --- :-? --- ever ---- He has kept it up good and he rides good but still the floorboards drag and its a lot happier on the super slab running 75 than on a mountain road . Charles is about 6'2" and 250 lbs , so the wing fits him good and he's comfey with it. He's got a YoSemmiey Sam mustash and is always grinning about something , really easy to get along with kinda guy. I think my Sportster is the only "Bike" in our CMA group , the rest are two or three wheeled cars ... ;D I'll see if Kent want to join us too ! ;) Here is a picture of Charles on my Savage from one of the Scavenger hunts : |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/10/17 at 11:57:09 Tell each of them to invite a friend ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Toymaker on 03/10/17 at 17:48:50 Howdy folks...long time away....but I am back.....Whaat are the date for the Dragon area ride....Oldfeller, will ya let me ride with you all??? ) If it the week of April 17th...I can do it. T |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/10/17 at 19:01:36 Hey Toymaker, welcome back !!! I now ride a Barcalounger which is the Suzuki version of the Kawachunkie. Go up to the stickies at the top of the Cafe and you will find ALL the rides for 2017. The one we are talking about now is this one. It will be kinda confusing to you up at the sticky thread because folks are simo-talking about 5-6 different rides all at the same time. This next one goes off on April 23 and only lasts a short 2 nights, but it is a FREE TRIP as in all cabin costs are already covered. As always, you have to post a commitment to attend or else your bed space goes back into the pot for the next person. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/10/17 at 19:05:12 Santeetlah Lake Exploratory Trip April 23, 24, 26 Oldfeller, MM, Charles, Toymaker, Kent This is a free trip. Cabin has been reserved and paid for. What is missing are the rest of the Savage.com people that are interested in the ride. We still have 2 bed slots open (Toymaker hasn't posted yet). Trip is now opened to MM's CMA rider friends and any other friends that you can vouch for. Speaky speaky, don't be squeaky. Fill them beds on up ..... if we overflow we will set up a tent http://suzukisavage.com/yabb2.2/Attachments/540x360.jpg I'm kinda interested in the whole lake complex -- for a federal facility they seem to have their heads on straight as far as having 3 managed campgrounds, five (5) Ranger Stations and still having all those dozens of free "open to the first taker" camping places that we have been spotting on already. I am curious as to if it is "by the person" or "by the tent space" at the three full service campgrounds? We could make us some cost advantage using a big tent if it is by the tent space. I also want to know if there is a shower at one of the payme campgrounds in the complex. Yes, see below. So, we are proposing April 23, 24, 26 ??? I found another free site with a toilet facility. It is actually on the Cherohola Skyway side of Santeetlah Lake. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=48924&actid=29 http://68.media.tumblr.com/c75a8b9d22bf6d623bb3b3483f93dc61/tumblr_inline_mwd511lTPB1rpjlkw.jpg I also see mention of 2 cabins that you can put up to six people into each at a cost of $35 per cabin a night. That is dirt cheap compared to where we have been staying. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/cheoah-point-cabin-2/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75479 YES, there is an open to all campers shower facility 150 feet from Cabin #1 (and Cabin #2, but slightly further away). You can book this place on line, makes it easy to do. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/horseriding-camping/recarea/?recid=48928&actid=29 Here is another map that shows the town with a satellite shot. Costs FREE PRIMITIVE campsites, Campground based tent sites $15 per night first come first serve; $20 per night for RV sites; $35 per night for cabins that hold six (plus a tent on the gravel fire pad if you need overflow). Next, there is a tiny little town actually out in the lake that is named Santeetlah, apparently it was a town in the area before the lake was filled in and wound up with water on three sides out on a peninsula. It is still a tiny incorporated town made up mostly of rich people's lake homes that is showing up on the map above. Yes, we can spend some time poking around and find a range from free to cheap and we may actually maybe find someplace worth calling "home base" for a group run. (Dave is going to want to go now, as he is deeply suspicious of "free to nearly free", but he won't turn down a decent place with a shower and a roof over his head -- just no barking dogs, please) I bet these two cabin places gets booked up a year in advance on the summer weekends. Weekdays, not so likely. ::) http://https://rstorage.filemobile.com/storage/19245932/15 http://https://rstorage.filemobile.com/storage/19245950/15 Cabin #2 - there is room for an additional small tent if you want but it can not be set up on the grass (only within the gravel pad). So it does make the eating area a bit cramped. Nice view of the lake but a longer walk to your car and the bathroom. I also see a fire pit and firewood ..... http://https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage.filemobile.com/storage/18547854/13 http://https://s3.amazonaws.com/storage.filemobile.com/storage/18547852/13 |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/10/17 at 21:23:23 ToyMaker ... :) ... Welcome back ! I missed ya ! We got some "Catching-up to do " ;) Hay , if ya can do the 23-25th (April) with us that would be GREAT ! If the 17th - ??? , is all ya got , then I might need to make a Dragon run sometime during the week , so we can have lunch at the corner of NC-28 & US-129 OldFeller , I talked to Kent this evening ... go ahead and add him to our list and if I need to bring a tent and/or a cot then ... so-be-it ! If need be we can get the 20# bag of charcoal and the family pack of Skinless-boneless-Chicken Breast ! Heck ! - I'm thinking we might have to throw-in a couple of those pork loins / sliced-up into 1" thick boneless pork-chops to add to the grill .... we're going to need the big bottle of BBQ sauce . :P |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/11/17 at 09:42:17 MM, Toymaker has not yet posted to reserve his spot, really he just said hello and we plugged him in as a place holder in case he does post to reserve a spot. As a teacher, he can't ditch work at the school year's end all that easily --- so he may be a Sunday day rider if he comes at all. We got 5 physical beds and enough room for a cot or two so I think we should list no more than 6 people without starting planning on a tent. Next, a little electric heater and an extension cord would be a good thing to have in case it breaks off really really cold on us. We supposedly have power available out by the cooking area which we could route back into the cabin quite easily. 4-5 adults and a small electric heater would serve to take the chill off really really well. ========================= Where we go, what we do and how fast we do it needs some extra thought & consideration -- you may want to ride your big bike to always remind you about the various 'chunkies strung out behind you. You got you a mixed bowl of chunky chocolates back there, a Goldwing, a Savage Barcalounger, a Kawachunkie and two Hurleys all of which handle differently and do considerably worse than a uniform bunch of Savagers would do. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/11/17 at 11:05:36 Yea , You know what ? Most of the CMA bunch has Wings or Three-wheeler s of various beginnings . and my Sportster has 4" added to the forks , which increases my leaning angle a LOT ! I lead them on a ride last Saturday and took it nice and easy --- till I got them so lost they HAD to keep-up ;D , ;D . Then I just kept it my normal ride ! :) , at the end of the day , it was all "Boy , that was FUN" and big Smiles ... 8-) They did elect me Road-Captain this year ... Plus , somebody ::) has tought me how to maximize my turning ability , by way of many years on Dragon type roads. Could be best if I did more following on this ride ??? ;) Sometime I think the Sportster is as nimble as my Savage w/floorboards ? I should add a couple inches to the front of the Savage ! The back already has a couple inches added to it. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/11/17 at 11:31:30 I likes that paint job .... a lot. Looks like a new straight pipe with turn outs on your Savage now, huh?? You put silicone tire shine on your tires -- save any of it for your tent? Do you got another beauty contest planned for the trip to your farm ???? You know Dave will have his new 250 mostly finished by then, right??? He loves that stuff just like you do. I wonder if they have a Barcalounger tanker bike category? Yep, that's the real true Golden Rule ---- KEEP UP !!!! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/11/17 at 11:38:15 The bike got the left-overs ! What was that "lower cost" alternative you had found ? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/11/17 at 11:41:53 Silicone tire shine that comes in clear quart spray bottles from Wally or from Autozone -- read the label to be sure it is pure thick silicone oil and open it and smell it at the store to make sure it doesn't stink bad like some brands do. You don't want "hydrocarbon oil based stuff", you want heavy silicone oil. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/11/17 at 16:31:25 I'm almost afraid to ask about the beauty contest . Our CMA group is who put it on. (before I joined them) I don't want to be "manning the station" while not do the poker run |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/17/17 at 11:54:04 Here is the current weather "prognostication" ---- I think of them as belly button scratching this far out. Looks good though. http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 MM says he has his dizzy under control, so we are still good for the trip. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/17/17 at 11:59:25 MM......Did you wash your Savage????!!!!!! I betcha' the last time it was washed was when Stewmills and I washed the rabbit guts off last summer! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/17/17 at 12:04:24 I do believe MM has the largest wildlife kill count of any of us now. Chimpmunks, squirrels, rabbits, Hurleys, ...... regular Terminator, ain't he? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/17/17 at 13:08:24 I betcha' the last time it was washed was when Stewmills and I washed the rabbit guts off last summer! Well Dave I consider you a good Friend , but I think my bike likes you even better ! Yea , you've got it used to being a clean machine ! ;D As long as those critters stay small enough to bounce over and I don't have to skin em and cook em I'm OK with the situation ... ;) Dave you and Stew can clean my bike anytime ! :) So we"ve got a group of 4 to circle the lake with ... I'm not sure that"s enough ??? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/17/17 at 13:26:05 140614060B18171A11590 wrote:
You still like us......even after we hid the Rabbit Spleen in your saddlebag? ;) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/17/17 at 16:15:51 :-/ I thought it was a little boy rabbit, and them were the little extra bits what you hid inside the flap seal of his saddle bags ..... ..... for continuing good luck and extra riding courage, you know. .... the residual smell was just a little bit of extra luck in case a pack of dogs chased after MM sometimes out in the future .... ::) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/17/17 at 18:14:24 Stewmills and I are not well versed in what/where the inside parts of a rabbit are. It looked like a pinkish/yellow bean....with a short cord attached. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/17/17 at 18:52:51 Kidney,, |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/20/17 at 22:00:35 Nope , I truely believe it was a pair of Rabbit-Tesiticles ... :-X .... Sad , Sad , Sad ... But Sorry Mr. little bunny rabbit ... :-[ ... I'll say , "Ya ain't really done nothing till ya get some Rabbit Testicles burned on-to your exhaust pipe ! " It does look good all cleaned up and every thing don't it ? (the bike not the rabbit ... :o ................ So , I came back from a ride to the next town over today and Jed is in the driveway (had just got there) standing next to a shinny "new-ish" GSX-R750 . :-? He says ... "Wait till you ride this baby" ... Ya know what I did/said don't ya .... "So , Jed - ya want follow me on the Sportster ?" That bike should not be street legal ! :) 420# wet , and 120+ HP --- geared to red-line 6th gear about 165 or so ... w/15,000rpm red-line. The gears are so close together its like you never even shifted . I was in high gear at 40mph/3,000rpm and still looking to upshift ... :-? I'm glad he likes it , and it is pretty , and fast , it would be "Boring" to ride the speed limit on. I suspect putting around at 45 and 50 mph would make ya cry on that thing . :'( If , Jed shows up at our cabin we can put him up for the night and hear crazy story of him passing old people on big cruisers ;D. I rode with Kent on his chopper up to robbinsville last year and he kept up good . He did buy the Sportster so he would be more likely to slow-down a little. I told Kent this is a "Relaxing-Ride" . He has never been to Santeetlah lake either so he'll be sight-seeing with us . |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/20/17 at 23:06:10 Brand new to him 750 Gxxer, huh, -- my favorite Gxxer, btw --- he's got good taste. 130-140 hp generally speaking when Power Commander is installed, not 120 hp unless it is a really really really older version which is still PLENTY of bike to spread yourself around with (very thinly, no less). The Gixxer 600's make 120 hp bone stock now-a-days. He will definitely come just so he can spank my butt good a couple of times before he runs off to play with the Gxxer crowd and commits ritual seppuku up on the Dragon again. Somebody needs to bring a car & trailer, a truck or some other form of recover-the-broken-Gixxer-and-rider-back-to-Lynchburg vehicle as I am biking it in this time. Bring some lawn chairs when you come. Hey, with two uncles present, they are mebbe enough to POUND some sense into Jed if need be. Actually, Jed was actually good enough to spank me the first time around, except I kept cheating creatively to keep him behind me (for his own good, of course). When he declares, tell me and I will list him. I will also tell him the campfire story about "the mournful chainsaw sounds in the middle of the night" which is the ghost of the Gixxer Guy which still does haunt the Dragon area, you know. MM, we were there, staying at the Dragon Lodge on the day he became one with the tree tops. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/20/17 at 23:09:47 THESE EVENTS ARE IN PLANNING AND DISCUSSION RIGHT UP TO THE GO DAY -- THE CONCRETE HAS NOT SET COMPLETELY YET UNTIL IT IS OVER. I am still plugging in names as people show interest, this gives us a tool for seeing who is really going plus the folks who are going can start the refinement process on dates and activities. So far we got the following in the rough order of doing them. Adding something is easy, talk it up some, put a firm date to it and we will see if folks are interested by if they sign up for it. Santeetlah Lake Exploratory Trip April 23, 24, 26 Charles, Kent, Jeb, MM, Oldfeller This is a free trip. Six Man Cabin has been reserved by prepaying for two nights. We still have some floor space open in the cabin. Bring bed roll pillow and air mattress. Trip is now open to CMA riders and "other group" riders that you can personally vouch for. We are staying in a six man log cabin on the lake itself kinda near the junction of Tapco Rd (Dragon road) and the Cherohola Skyway -- north of Robbinsville, NC. Sign up here: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1487825218/50 DIRECTIONS From Robbinsville, North Carolina, continue on Highway 129 north for approximately 6 miles. Turn left on SR # 1145 - then bear right on Thunderbird Mountain Road. Continue approximately 1.3 miles on Thunderbird Mountain Road to the Cheoah Point Campground. The cabin is located in the Cheoah Point Campground. Lancer Oklahoma trip extended to 19-28 May Lancer, Kenny G, MM, Springman, Verslagen, Justin Kickstand Lodge June 13-18 Dave, Oldfeller, MM, Stewmills, RaleighGuy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZGNOB5m5Ro&t=166s http://kickstandlodge.com/rates.html From here it is a short hop up to the Dragon, and to all the really neat surrounding roads we love to ride. For East Coast beginners, this is one of the closest (and the BEST) Southeastern trip possible. Some have argued the area is the BEST BIKING IN AMERICA and I might have to agree with them. Indian Paintbrush Campground in Ty Denver Late July NEED FIRM DATES Verslagen, Springman, old.indian, Thumperclone MM's farm Sept 8, 9 & 10 MM, Oldfeller, Dave, Lancer, StewMills And here is a tool to use in locating some no cost camping when travelling to get to the rides: https://freecampsites.net |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/21/17 at 08:34:16 I will also tell him the campfire story about "the mournful chainsaw sounds in the middle of the night" which is the ghost of the Gixxer Guy which still does haunt the Dragon area, you know. MM, we were there, staying at the Dragon Lodge on the day he became one with the tree tops. , 8-) Jed's can't be more than a few years old ... it's got the original tire , and looks pertedy . :o Chainsaw , I thought that meant : Versey is in a Horizontal position scaring the Road-Gremlins off ??? ;D |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/21/17 at 08:38:27 I thought that was me, echo magnifying the chainsaw sounds inside Dave's trailer. Don't forget the recovery-back-to-Lynchburg vehicle and them lawn chairs ...... If we have places to sit down a campfire becomes much more interesting to do in the evenings ..... bring some charcoal, starter and matches too. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/21/17 at 09:18:26 I'm thinking : If Jed does show-up for the ride over there to just tell him there ain't no recovery vehicle and we'll have to call his Dad/Mom if he need an alt.ride home. Then he won't do nothing crazy. I'll pack a chair and suggest to Charles he do the same. ;) Last time he was a kid in a candy store !!! :o |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 03/21/17 at 10:00:35 051705171A09060B00480 wrote:
I betcha' Jed hasn't lost his sweet tooth yet. ;) You fellas better stuff a banana in his tailpipe and get him down to 50 HP or less! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/21/17 at 11:19:29 vrrrrrummm ...... POOOOoooooot ...... vrrrrrummm <splat> :o .... sounds of a pressure ejected banana flying across the parking lot from the uptilted Gixxer exhaust can and splash impacting one of his uncles in the helmet visor. oops ---- MM doesn't use a face plate or a visor, sorry ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/21/17 at 21:08:37 Oh , he definitely still has a sweet tooth ! I don't know what a GSX-R750 cost but I suspect it was upward toward $8,000.oo . Its probably a good bet he don't want to follow around a bunch of "sight-seers on cruisers anyway. ::) All he knows so far is that we'll be in the Santeetlah lake area Monday and Tuesday the 24th and 25th. He has a regular job (welder) and just bought his first house , etc . His crazy cousin on his moms side is the sport bike influence in his life , I tried to direct him toward a LS-650 ... :-? Well , I hope I don't have a serving of Banana pudding before April is over , but I didn't want to "Story" to the young feller and say " :-X We-ain't going NO-Where--- Why do you ask :-/ " Could be he's looking to blow the wheels off a 1100 cc Honda that he didn't/couldn't catch last time ... I'll tell him it is SOLD and see if he looks disappointed ? ;D So far I'm bringing : a sleeping bag a chair in a bag a over night bag cooking tweezers a bag of charcoal a big pack of boneless , skinless chicken breast BBQ sauce maybe a cot and a tent (just in case). I don't want to be homeless ... ;) The back seat is about full , but I usually forget something ... ? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/22/17 at 12:41:25 We are a month out ...... Weather still looks sterling ..... http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 Beds are approaching full up, need possibly to list one more person in case Jed doesn't stay with us. We can spot one overflow to the floor easily (or else find two close relatives who will share the large queen sized bed w/out challenge to their masculinity in which case we still got 6 rack spaces available). Beyond this, overflow is possible -- we pitch a tent on the gravel pad next to the picnic table. Remember to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, air mattress or pad, a nice warm fuzzy blanket and your warm fuzzy long johns -- 42o at night outside but 5-6 adult bodies does generate some heat that takes the edge off the chillness inside. ..... remember you can click on the screenshot line immediately below this to see an enlarged version of the weather map |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/27/17 at 09:36:47 Another week goes by ...... we are now inside the real 30 days out now so the detail levels shown on the forecasts are beginning to develop now. Forecast accuracy isn't very good this far out, so expect it to change some as we get closer in. Past years have occasionally shown a shift to the left, generally speaking, that takes about 5-6 days to roll the forecast to the left one day's worth. Plus the weather patterns strengthen or wane, causing severity of predicted weather to shift. Hard experience says it rains at least once on every trip, and most times we can avoid localized rain by heading away from it. But getting wet isn't fatal, really. ..... remember you can click on the screenshot line immediately below this to see an enlarged version of the weather map |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/27/17 at 12:12:15 But getting wet isn't fatal, really. And I thought Everyone had seen The Wizard of Oz.. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/27/17 at 13:43:37 ::) .... I'm melting ..... I'm melting ..... Auuuugh !!!! You are a wicked wicked little Justin ....... oooooooh ...... :-/ That was used mop water, which is known to be toxic even in Oz ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/27/17 at 17:27:47 Wicked,, Yep. That's me. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 03/27/17 at 18:46:13 Oh , Yea Things to bring list : A rainsuit , Double check that I have a good one ! I tend to get really slow on wet roads. Even more so on the heavy bike , so I think if we find rain in one direction we should go the other direction. :D Even to the point of Pulling a "U" turn , or declaring "it must be dinner time" . ;) This is the first day I haven't got a long ride in (rain all afternoon), did get a trip to town this morning :). |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/31/17 at 04:36:06 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 Now we are 23 days out and approaching a real forecast of sorts. As we have said before, realistically we get rained on a little bit on every trip -- but we also read the daily reports to see the amount predicted and the "hours of rain". Thunder storm amounts of a quarter inch or less and rain hours of approximately 2 hours total in a day is something we can live with by directional avoidance and "time to eat lunch or dinner" techniques. Steady overcast and rain is a different sort of animal, with that you simply can't avoid getting wet on those sorts of days. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 03/31/17 at 07:46:57 I didn't head for home when it started raining when I was a kid. As long as it's not cold, wet and fun works for me. Rain gear gets carried for just such times. If I can't ride in a shower, I'm not prepared. Yes, Martha, I've seen rain that was so vicious that wipers couldn't keep up. Time to find shelter... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 03/31/17 at 19:55:47 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 Updated forecast, it got all better on Sunday and Monday, Tuesday is still occasionally a bit weepy at times for the trip back home. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/04/17 at 19:48:16 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 Look quick, forecast at 3 weeks out is back to flawless on all days again ....... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/04/17 at 20:59:04 :) first Three Day ride of the year !!! 8-) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/11/17 at 06:39:00 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 We are inside two weeks out and the forecast is doing the daily minor shuffle now, but worst seen so far is some mild occasional showers on Tuesday. And we know the rain will shift both days and severity as we get in closer ..... MM, I tried to call you and got a "voice mailbox is not set up yet" error. Can you PM me a good phone number please so I can give you a call? Trying to call me is a crap shoot because I work third shift and sleep during the day, so a good number for me to try to call you is best. I generally am awake 3-5 in the afternoons to eat dinner with my wife, then I go back to sleep until 9:45 in time to go back to work. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/11/17 at 09:19:35 Back to being all scrumptious and near perfect again ...... YEHAW !!!! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/11/17 at 21:03:33 :) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/12/17 at 19:48:12 So that any late deciding attenders can find us on Sunday (arrival day) we will be eating dinner at 5:00 at the Dragon Lodge as it is a place that EVERYBODY can find. I will get hold of the cabin earlier that afternoon then tootle on up to the Dragon Lodge to meet the Tennessee guys coming over the hill. Stray Thought, is the Dragon Lodge eatery even open that early in the year on Sunday afternoons (dead day Sundays) .... ???? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/12/17 at 21:22:43 ? If they are not open we can still meet there and then go down to Robbinville to dine . I hope they are open , the Dragon Burger is better than just plain Ham-burger ! ;) Our second evening I'd like to put some boneless, skinless , chicken on the grill ... ::) ... I've been thinking "BBQ Chicken" ever-since we started planning this ride ! :P What ya want to go with it ? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/15/17 at 02:02:34 I'm easy, you're the cookie monster so you get to pick. I feel like a weather predictor, so I say the move to the left continues and our "potential thunderstorms" roll on back to Saturday during the course of next week. Hey, let's see who is better, me or the weather prediction programs. ;) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/15/17 at 04:10:53 Bear grease in a jar. Instant weather information. Now, getting your hands on it is your problem. https://www.google.com/search?q=bear+grease+weather&oq=bear+grease+we&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0.14375j0j4&sourceid=silk&ie=UTF-8 |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/15/17 at 07:02:11 I called Deals Gap Lodge (what we used to call the Dragon Lodge, but somebody else has registered the name now and the Deals Gap people can't use it any more) and yes they do serve a burger up until 6:00 PM on Sunday night. ..... but don't be late because they cut it all off and shut the doors promptly at 6:00 PM Sunday evening. And I am reminded again why I jest can't summon a lot of love for the Dragon Lodge (or Deals Gap Lodge or whatever the heck they call it this year as it gets sold again and again and again and again). |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/16/17 at 04:56:35 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 The Very Occasional Thunderstorm type rain is still moving off to the left, only currently exists on Sunday and will likely move on over to Saturday by our arrival day (I hope, I hope, I do .....) DURATION AND % CHANCE IS DROPPING, BUT THE SUNDAY FORECAST STAYS ABOUT THE SAME AT 6 DAYS OUT. Got the first part of packing started, got my val pack, drugs and skin rash kit all packed and stowed away. Got my spare bike keys cut for the new bike, got my inflator kit, spare charger cables, extension cord all squared away. Got all 3 gas tanks topped off. Got my cheap little handle bar cell phone all de-crudded and a fresh Google map of the travel area downloaded. Put a fresh charge on the cordless ear buds, checked that blue tooth pairing was still good. Put MM's lead bullets in the bottom of a saddle bag along with a wood block for a kickstand hits the soft dirt bike support thingie. Stuffed 3 packs of matches in various spots so at least one would survive dry in a rain storm. OFF spray and sunscreen. Spare riding gloves and a toboggan. Prep up a cool weather riding jacket. Still to do, load rest of spare clothes, put the carry bag and the bed roll, camping chair and the half axe into position and tie them down good with bungee cords. Morning of, call up the route map, plug the phone into bike handlebar USB port, set up the blue tooth earphones, put on helmet and jacket and GO ..... NO gas stops needed, just a pee break or two. 6 hours, roughly. Leave at dawn, arrive in time to check into the cabin at 1:00, set up the air bed, take a nap, cruise the lake area some then go up to the Dragon area at 5:00 pm to meet the boys. If you plan to sit somewhere comfortable and talk a bit, then we need to plan to eat in Robbinsville or Tapco as about the time we could finish choking down a Dragon burger they will be showing us the door. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Ruttly on 04/16/17 at 08:47:54 Hope you all have great weather , enjoy and ride safe ! Wish I was able to attend. Someday I will. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/17/17 at 01:58:51 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g49483-d8057773-Reviews-Tapoco_River_Grill-Robbinsville_North_Carolina.html Go down the hill from the Dragon on 129 about 2.7 miles, hit the dam over the Cheoah river then cross over the bridge that is right below the dam and LOOK SHARP on the right for the TAPCO RIVER GRILL signs on the right. It is across the creek on a feeder road. That little tiny feeder road you take is NC road 1130 but the Google GPS navigation address for the place is 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771-6885 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g49483-d8057773-Reviews-Tapoco_River_Grill-Robbinsville_North_Carolina.html http://https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/07/e1/8c/05/my-family-has-enjoyed.jpg This place is right on the Otter Branch Creek, has Excellent to Very Good ratings, serves a much better menu including steaks, salads, brick oven pizza and various Ruben type sandwiches and burgers (as opposed to the Dragon Lodge place which only gets Average ratings and only serves a generic burger) AND THIS PLACE STAYS OPEN UNTIL 8:00 PM ON THE SUNDAY IN QUESTION. This is where the locals eat. This is a real gastropub style eatery complete with scenery. Seating is inside, and outside and creekside. This is a place where we will have enough time to eat, and then we can talk a bit over a map while sipping tea, etc. They even have fire pits down by the creek that they light at night if you ask them to. (it might be a bit too cold and messy this upcoming Sunday night unless the weather shifts over a day to the left again) http://https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/0e/b0/cd/95/fire-pits-overlooking.jpg We have never eaten here before, rode right on past it dozens of times and never knew it was there. Oggling the dam, I suspect. Or I ignored it as a "rich people's condo" which is what it kinda looks like from the road. Look at the pic right above this and you can see MM riding on by in the background across the creek on Hwy 129, jest a burning it to Robbinsville jest as fast as he can go. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g49483-d8057773-Reviews-Tapoco_River_Grill-Robbinsville_North_Carolina.html “Excellence ALL THE WAY / but closed in deep winter, so check if open before going” 5 of 5 bubbles Reviewed January 27, 2017 My wife and I happened upon this jewel of a restaurant just driving random roads in the fall, enjoying the color changes. I said, hey, this is cute, and this could be our lunch spot (as nothing else was anywhere around that we knew of). So we pulled in to check it out. Very nice inn and cabins, very historic as well. Went downstairs to the grill. They were having OctoberFest. The special menu had homemade (huge) pretzels with beer cheese, and a whole smoked hog (pulled meat) plate, we I got the hog and we got the pretzels as an appetizer, and my wife got this huge (regular item) burger. The service was fantastic, the place was clean and the food was amazing. We are definitely coming back. They are closed in the deep winter though. So check for being open before you jaunt over there. They have a brick oven for pizzas and stuff.....outdoor seating on the river and also indoor seating as well. Excellent hidden Tennessee gem!!!! Jeffrey YOU TOO COULD COME ON THIS PREPAID FREE TRIP AS WE STILL HAVE AN EMPTY BED IN THE 6 MAN CABIN. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/17/17 at 09:48:45 I've seen that place as we drive past it - I have even checked into getting a room there - the $149 a night rate for the room has stopped any of us from staying there. And the "Dragon Experience" is somehow just a bit more complete with a mediocre burger and fries at Deals Gap. Still.....when we are at the Kick Stand Lodge.....the Tapico is not that far away and will be an option - as are the restaurants in Robbinsville.....I especially like The Hub for the great BBQ and burgers. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/17/17 at 17:00:14 OldFeller , your the only "Conasaur" in the bunch ... however I don't want a boiled-hotdog ! ;D Anywhere is alright ... ;) Long as I get a address to put in the GPS before I leave Sunday Morning . ... I'd rather not go to a $20.oo/plate place if I can get out of it ! ::) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/17/17 at 17:41:35 So Charles is dropping by my house to pick-up a cot (just-in-case we have extra company) then we're headed east . :) , not sure what time for sure we'll be leaving but suspect it will be about 09:00. I can take Charles the fun way or the fast way , Kent lives in the area . |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/18/17 at 00:50:18 How about this: I am aiming to hit the cabin around 12:00 to 1:00 to get checked in and get the place all set up and firewooded, etc. I will run up the road at 4:00 pm and be sitting at Deals Gap Cafeteria (Dragon Lodge) at 5:00 waiting for you guys to show up, once you arrive we can judge the time and decide what to do. I will bring me a paperback to read and be having me some casual type luxurious Mt Dew time. If it is running late and the Dragon Lodge people are getting ready to close we can roll 2.7 miles down the hill on Hwy 129 and eat there. If you get delayed until after 6:00 pm, Kent and I will be 2.7 miles down the hill at the Tapco River Grill, 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771-6885. Go down the hill from the Dragon on 129 about 2.7 miles, hit the dam over the Cheoah river then cross over the bridge that is right below the dam and LOOK SHARP on the right for the TAPCO RIVER GRILL signs on the right. It is across the creek on a feeder road. That little tiny feeder road you take is NC Road 1130 but the Google GPS navigation address for the place is 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771-6885 Cabin Directions: Google has Cheoah Point Campground listed as a location and you can find it easily if you are really really really late arriving. This can happen if you spend some time avoiding major thunderstorms on the ride in. GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 35.36917, -83.38528 35°22'9"N, 83°23'7"W Mail Address: Cheoah Point Campground 1373 Thunderbird Mountain Road Robbinsville, NC 28771 Directions: From Robbinsville, North Carolina, continue on Highway 129 north for approximately 6 miles. Turn left on SR # 1145 - Thunderbird Mountain Road. Turn right (north) and continue approximately 1.3 miles on Thunderbird Mountain Road to the Cheoah Point Campground. The cabin is located in the Cheoah Point Campground. There are two exits off Hwy 129 (a north and a south) to get on to Thunderbird Mountain Road, if you take the north one next to the boat docks you will turn left (south) on Thunderbird instead of right. REMEMBER TO STAY ON THE "PARALLEL TO HWY 129" SECTION OF THUNDERBIRD, if you don't stay right next to & parallel to Hwy 129 you got ~73 miles~ of shore line roads to go get yourself lost in. I will be carrying two phones, the good one is 910-964-2198 and the cheap crappy one on the handlebars is 910-635-0543. Good Phone 910-964-2198 is running Google Fi and gets service off of 3 carriers and will use any available nearby WiFi signal that Google knows about, so that is your best bet (remember, mountain areas are notorious for lots of zones with no cell service at all). |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/18/17 at 02:23:50 Now, let's talk about some new tech type stuff for motorcycle trips. And yes, the app was written for anxious mothers when their teenagers start driving, so it keeps details about your cell phone use and speeding past the posted speeds. Incriminating evidence if your wife or the cops got hold of your cell phone, in other words. https://www.life360.com/ http://https://www.life360.com/wp-content/themes/life360/images/layout/phone-showcase-new.jpg This is an app we could use in areas that have "some sort of cell coverage". It could definitely work for the various farm type trips, which tend to be the larger trips anyway. We would all load it on day one, form the "family group" by sharing our numbers, then we could just visually see where our strays got off to once we lost them (or they went and lost themselves). Then, when the trip was over we could just delete the app. Or if we got stopped by a cop. But don't delude yourself, cops can remote Viper sense your phone number and they have their own Viper system to back track you for history. Yes, I can think of times this would have been the cat's meow to have ..... finding that hospital where they took Jeb for example. Or tracking Serenity when he got gone good once and we had to split Lancer and I off to go look for him. Never did find him .... Or finding somebody who went off the road at the Dragon ..... (chainsaws jest mournfully a moaning in the night). |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/18/17 at 06:43:32 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 Woke up to MM ringing on both my phones, Mike saying that Kent had called him that the forecast went ugly on us in the early morning with the period of rain doubling up on us on this upcoming Sunday. Look at the pic below and see that what has happened is the "shift to the left effect" that I had predicted --- all of the Sunday night rain (which was most of it) is now Sunday day rain. Sunday night is now cloudy but clear ..... but Sunday in the day flat sucks rocks, some right big 'uns too. The thunderstorms which have all moved to the daytime constitute only 4 hours worth of 91% chance precipitation involvement, but if you get hit with one it will be a pelter on down on your head seek shelter full bore heavy thunderstorm, not any form of light sprinkle. And cold too, at 66o or less -- a cold heavy nasty THUNDERSTORM rain. A cold front squall line blowing through type of heavy thunderstorm rain. A SEEK SOME SHELTER kind of rain. BUT, HOWEVER ...... REMEMBER, CHANGE SHE COMES The rain is still shifting to the left boys, and the next predicted forecast shift, even if it is only half a days worth of shift cuts the rain prediction in half and clears up most of the late afternoon time period when we will be arriving at Robbinsville. Anyway, riding around on Sunday in the day isn't all that nice any more and some of the group won't be a riding in it at this point in time. I predict "the shift to the left" effect continues and at least half our rain goes with it ..... over into Saturday night, giving us a cloudy but rain free Sunday late afternoon which was our original planned arrival time zone. Nobody is fool enough to be riding up high into the high country on a known thunderstorm day, so all players should plan to come in on Hwy 64 or other low country valley roads and head directly as you can for Robbinsville. I'll find us a Robbinsville place to meet and eat starting at 5:00 PM. ======================================= There are only two places to eat in Robbinsville that have sheltered spots for you to park your bike. That is Huddle House and the Hub. So, since we always eat breakfast at the Huddle House let's plan to meet at the Hub at 5:00 PM. The Hub is on Hwy 129 just as it hits town and we all know where it is anyway as we always eat there at least once on each trip. http://https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/05/00/28/02/the-hub.jpg 664 Rodney Orr By Pass (alias Hwy 129) Robbinsville, NC 28771-6801 OPEN UNTIL 8:00 PM ::) Remember to click on the Screenshot link directly below this line of text to see the full sized readable info |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/19/17 at 04:57:23 http://https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/21/Carnac.jpg/220px-Carnac.jpg THE PREDICTION: BUT, HOWEVER ...... REMEMBER, CHANGE SHE COMES The rain is still shifting to the left boys, and the next predicted forecast shift, even if it is only half a days worth of shift cuts the rain prediction in half and clears up most of the late afternoon time period when we will be arriving at Robbinsville. So, this morning Carnac the Magnificent predicts a half day shift in the rain and Vola !!! the terrified bunny comes exactly half way out of the hat all kicking and squealing --- exactly half way up exactly as predicted. ....... the poor bunny is terrified, it can see them desiccated rabbit balls hanging off of MM's bike and it wants nothing to do with MM or with the rain on Sunday ...... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Let's see if anybody else remembers how 'ol Johnny Carson did it ..... Gentlemen, what are your budding magical powers telling you that will actually occur as the rain moves on over to into Saturday and Friday night ????? Can you raise the bunny up completely out of the hat and give us back the good weather again ?? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/19/17 at 05:03:58 Now we got half of the Sunday rain shifted to Saturday, so can one of you guys Carnac away the other half of the Sunday daytime rain? .... a 15% chance of .2" of rain on Sunday, surely you guys can handle predicting that away without having to even needing to put the big red Carnac hat on. ..... remember to click on the screenshot link below this line so you can see just how little rain you still have to predict away ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Paraquat on 04/19/17 at 09:05:53 I wish I saw this sooner. --Steve |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/19/17 at 11:15:29 Steve, we have a rack spot with your name on ---- it all you have to do is bring a bed roll and some sort of pad or air mattress. .... and I do believe MM is bringing a spare cot for the overflow person who generally comes at the last minute. Izzat you this time, Steve? |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/19/17 at 22:45:07 OK The HUB at 5pm , 17:00 sounds good . I've got a Froger rain suit , and had thoughts about trailering my bike and the wing ... will a Old Wing fit on a 8' trailer ? I'll ask Charles .. :-? The weather forcast changes every day ??? ::) But the Hub at 17:00 hrs can be the one solid factor ! ;) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/20/17 at 02:32:31 ;D Yup, it do. Current batch of forecasts now shows more rain on Saturday now than on Sunday, and that move to the left will continue to do the shift thing over the next two days. I am betting that my brand new rain suit stays in the zippered bag over the entire trip. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/20/17 at 02:35:11 7A687A68657679747F370 wrote:
Hey MM......don't forget about the change in time zones! ;D You need to add an hour to your Lynchburg time! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/20/17 at 02:59:24 Is that why he is always late? He always told Lancer and me it "took a lot longer because the roads aren't straight". ;) If he is hauling, then he's bringing lawn chairs and a cooler plumb full of victuals, I betcha ..... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/20/17 at 09:20:46 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 http://https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/21/Carnac.jpg/220px-Carnac.jpg Carnac the Magnificent strikes again !!!! As you can see, the rain has shifted forward three days now. Thursday and Friday and Saturday now have consistently decreasing amounts and DECREASING odds of some very SPORATIC rain activity ..... your nasty heavy thunderstorm events will all be on Thursday night and Friday now with Saturday tapering off to nuttin' for much and Sunday being even less so. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/20/17 at 09:24:16 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/month/334849?monyr=4/01/2017 ;D ..... leaving this "next to nothing, just to cover our butts" rain chance for Sunday. Will the weatherman now get all bold and show us a "sun and clouds" for Sunday ??? The numbers are down to a 15% chance of a 0.05" rain event that only can occur inside an hour and a half in the morning time. Sounds almost like "sun and clouds" to me ..... ::) That wild eyed struggling bunny is all the way out of the hat now, but he has one claw still caught on the brim of the hat and he's still struggling for all he is worth not to let go. I told him if he did't turn loose of that last bit of rain I planned to duct tape his balls to MM's front tire to make sure he gets them run over repeatedly before we even get out of the parking lot. Or worse yet, then we'd take him and his quivering flattened balls go to see the Fraulein Butcher Lady and get her to hickory smoke him alive. http://www.bjwinslow.com/albums/prop-rodent-rabbit/skinned_rabbit_with_eyes_65.sized.jpg .... eeeee .... ow .... ow .... eeeee .... ow .... The cute little bunny is a begging me now "No rain, mister, please please, NO RAIN .... I rabbit foot promise you <wimper> <sob> ..... please, please put me back in the hat ..... Only Carnac the Magnificent knows for sure on such small slim odds and even then he has to put the hat on and concentrate HARD to see such a tiny tiny chance of rain. AS ALWAYS, CLICK ON THE SCREENSHOT LINK IMMEDIATELY BELOW TO SEE THE TINY LITTLE NUMBERS. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/20/17 at 17:35:48 Not being stupid, I bought a rainsuit -- it was too small, so I sent it back and found a xxx large variant that got here and it is too small again. Now I got a xxxx large coming on a rush shipment but I really have to wonder about the sizing of these things as most are actually made in the orient where the people are a lot smaller physically. Biggest complaint about rainsuits on Amazon is they don't fit and the seams bust open on the first use. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/20/17 at 21:05:34 Did you see the size of that Rabbit ! :) I think I'll have to bring a LARGE bottle of BBQ Sauce for that BUNNY ! ;D I got a rain suit from frogger and a pair of boot covers from cycle gear , hope I don't need them ... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/21/17 at 04:40:33 Wabbit and the Fraulein Lady Butcher's fist are both normal sized, but are both being held out one arm's length closer to the camera --- making up a kinda neat "large rabbit" illusion. We got forecast fluctuation still going on every 3 hours now (forecast refreshes more often the closer in you get) Wear your rain suit or put 'em on a trailer and haul them, you are still likely to get splashed at least once on the way in on Sunday no matter what you do. And how do you think she got that bunny skinned leaving the ears skinned neat but not damaged any ??? Steam jet blast, mebbe -- that wet low temp steam peeled the skin right off and also melted all the subcutaneous fat right off poor old Mr. Bunny ? Bet he squealed a bit during the skinning process, huh ..... then she rubbed his raw meat with some seasoning salts, pepper and garlic powder and hung him up twitching and squealing in the smoke house for a day or so so he could season some more. I wouldn't let it rain any on Sunday, Mr. Bunny --- you won't like it if it rains ...... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Ruttly on 04/21/17 at 10:05:33 It's not going to rain, you will have dry passage , weather will miss you ! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/21/17 at 19:27:02 Don't know if I'd have the heart to cook it ! :-[ Think I'll check the national weather forecast |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/21/17 at 22:18:20 The bunny begs you please please do not go look at the national weather forecast -- it may go very badly for him if you do as he can only influence the local Robbinsville weatherman. If you see and report rain, then the Fraulein Butcher Lady will likely go start up the steam jenny to pre-heat and get out the big tub of rabbit rub seasoning. :P From the bunny's point of view it would be quicker and kinder if he was a tubbed catfish ready to be filleted .... |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/22/17 at 12:58:18 Bags are packed, I'm ready to go. Got my rain suit, I'm ready to go. Leaving on a fast bike, don't know when I'll be back again. Leaving on a fast bike, don't know when I'll be back again. Waterproof packing is all done. Waterproofing everything is a whole lotta fun ..... (refrain) Zip lock baggie covers up the phone if it dies, I'll make a great big moan .... (refrain) Tanks are full, I don't have to stop Just ride my bike until my kidneys drop ..... Leaving on a fast bike, don't know when I'll be back again. Leaving on a fast bike, don't know when I'll be back again. ;) |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/22/17 at 21:52:51 Still don't know if we a trailering or riding , we'll deside in the morning weather an old wing and a Savage will fit on a 5x8 trailer better than rain suits will fit on me and Charles ? [ch128512] |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/23/17 at 01:47:57 Severe Weather Alerts - Robbinsville, NC http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/southeast-region/weather-radar?play=1 http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/robbinsville-nc/28771/weather-radar/334849 Play a couple of these tracking videos, it is instructional to say the least. The rain band is moving such a way that a whole line up of the big angry red thunderstorms is going flow right over Robbinsville. The sliding front type weather pattern seems relatively stuck at the moment, so Sunday and Monday are indeed likely going to be washed out. Areal Flood Watch Areal Flood Watch in effect until Monday, 8:00 PM EDT. Source: U.S. National Weather Service Avery-Alexander-Iredell-Davie-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Swain- Haywood-Buncombe-Catawba-Rowan-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Cleveland-Lincoln-Gaston- Mecklenburg-Cabarrus-Caldwell Mountains-Greater Caldwell- Burke Mountains-Greater Burke-McDowell Mountains-Eastern McDowell- Rutherford Mountains-Greater Rutherford-Polk Mountains- Eastern Polk- Including the cities of Ingalls, Banner Elk, Newland, Bethlehem, Ellendale, Millersville, Taylorsville, Hiddenite, Stony Point, Statesville, Mooresville, Farmington, Fork Church, Mocksville, Advance, Faust, Mars Hill, Marshall, Walnut, Allenstand, Hot Springs, Luck, Swiss, Burnsville, Celo, Micaville, Ramseytown, Busick, Mount Mitchell State Park, Spruce Pine, Poplar, Newfound Gap, Alarka, Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Smokemont, Wesser, Waynesville, Waterville, Canton, Cruso, Cove Creek, Lake Junaluska, Asheville, Hickory, Newton, St. Stephens, Salisbury, Robbinsville, Stecoah, Cullowhee, Tuckasegee, Sylva, Franklin, Rainbow Springs, Kyle, Nantahala Lake, Highlands, Wolf Mountain, Cashiers, Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, Hendersonville, Fletcher, Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Etowah, Shelby, Kings Mountain, Lincolnton, Crouse, Gastonia, Charlotte, Huntersville, Matthews, Concord, Kannapolis, Patterson, Kings Creek, Lenoir, Sawmills, Granite Falls, Jonas Ridge, Morganton, Pleasant Grove, Valdese, Ashford, Sugar Hill, Woodlawn, Old Fort, Marion, Nebo, Dysartsville, Fero, Glenwood, Lake Lure, Forest City, Rutherfordton, Spindale, Saluda, Tryon, Columbus, Lake Adger, and Mill Spring 408 AM EDT Sun Apr 23 2017 ...FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING... The Flood Watch continues for * portions of piedmont North Carolina and western North Carolina, including the following areas, in piedmont North Carolina, Alexander, Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, and Rowan. In western North Carolina, Avery, Buncombe, Burke Mountains, Caldwell Mountains, Eastern McDowell, Eastern Polk, Graham, Greater Burke, Greater Caldwell, Greater Rutherford, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Madison, McDowell Mountains, Mitchell, Northern Jackson, Polk Mountains, Rutherford Mountains, Southern Jackson, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey. * through Monday evening * Several periods of showers and thunderstorms are expected across the area today through at least Monday morning. Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected by the time the heavy rain potential ends on Monday. Locally higher amounts will be possible with smaller scale bands of showers and storms that may develop across the area, especially tonight and early Monday. * The long duration and widespread nature of the heavy rain threat is expected to result in significant rises and potential flooding on area streams, while minor flooding will also be possible along some main stem rivers. Additionally, heavier short term rainfall rates associated with bands of heavy rain showers and thunderstorms could result in localized flash flooding along small streams and in urban areas. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/23/17 at 02:22:31 The Fraulein Butcher Lady called, wanting to know what I wanted to do about the rabbit. I told her to give him a carrot, pet him on his head bone very gently and put him back inside his hat then ship him and the hat back to Johnny Carson. This Trip is called on account of real actual heavy duty rain storms on Sunday and Monday. Cabin is still there and paid for, if Kent wants to use it for something on Monday night. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/23/17 at 03:11:14 Bummer......In the 5 years I have been a member this is the first trip that I believe has been cancelled. We have been wet before - but never a rain out the whole time. Maybe April is just too early in the year to be able to get reliable weather. For 12 years I was the chairman of the Music Committee for the Cincinnati Appalachian Festival which is an outdoor event on Mothers Day weekend (2nd full weekend in May). The weather conditions varied greatly from one year to the next. We could have heavy rains and 40 degree weather 2 years in a row - and the next year could be sunny and 80 degrees. Several years it rained so hard the river was up and we had to move to higher ground. However - we got cold and wet more than we stayed warm and dry.....it is just too early in the year to be reliably warm/dry on that weekend. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/23/17 at 06:30:55 April is too early for planning anything, I do believe. Weather is prone to big swings and many stores and eateries are just opening up from winter and are running reduced hours, etc. MM is trying to get his cell to work to call me, but so far he has no luck. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/23/17 at 06:32:07 Agree , April is too early to have a planed ride . April might be good for a spur-of-the-moment ride -- even a two day ride -- but far too UNPREDICATABLE for planning ahead. :P OldFeller , I'll try to call ya again latter in the day |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/23/17 at 06:35:00 Yea , just a little too far out from town to get "reliable" cell service But enjoy being out away from town just the same . |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/24/17 at 05:23:03 It is a shame the weather didn't work out an you cancelled - but it was a good call. I looked at your Accuweather link for today....mostly cloudy with a little rain - but when I look at the weather radar on my phone - it shows that area getting drowned all day! |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/24/17 at 10:09:49 It has not stopped raining at Fayetteville NC at all, the entire time .... getting kinda dreary to tell you the truth. Earlier this morning the city streets were standing in water because the storm drains had all backed up ..... too much flow for them to handle. Or else the water table is backed up, tomorrow if all the ditches are still sitting full it will be a water table thing instead of a flow thing. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/24/17 at 14:52:29 There's Riding in a good shower And there's Riding in the RAIN. Some riding isn't safe. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/25/17 at 05:45:42 Rained all last night too, supposed to stop about noon today. This makes up the very first totally rained out trip, yes, indeedy it does. What did we learn from this ? Don't plan spring trips until MAY (too cold and wet) and don't ever trust Robbinsville weather forecasts -- always assume some wet can come get you at any time. Carry a rainsuit in your bags, up on top of the stacked mess so you can get to it easy, too. Always plan to tent, pre-renting cabins is a money trap that can get you periodically. Tenting costs less when weather cancellations happens. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/25/17 at 05:51:45 It seems the weather in the mountains is somewhat unpredictable, and even in the dry months the elevation change can result in daily showers. Also the summer months when we like to go riding also causes the energy to fuel the daily "pop up" showers....which can sometimes be avoided by riding away from them. Hopefully - the future for us soon to be "old retired guys" will allow a bit more flexibility - and group rides can be arranged with just a few days "Lets Go" planning.....rather than having to make arrangements months in advance. This likely will be my last summer of being chained to my desk and construction projects, and I likely will have a lot more flexible schedule next year. If the lawn is mowed before I leave.....I likely will be able to get away and ride! If we use the Kick Stand Lodge more often - the bunkhouse beds may be a good option as they may be available with very short notice (and they are in the same building as the bathroom). |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/25/17 at 05:59:39 Dave, that trip all the way up the Blue Ridge Parkway, if we extended the Washington DC termination end of it up into the Pennsylvania hills we could go see the Steam Museum. That would be a good old fart's retirement big bike ride of at least a week in length. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/25/17 at 06:24:55 0E2D2527242D2D2433410 wrote:
Maybe....too early for me to start planning that. It is somewhat flattering to find out they are having trouble finding a replacement for me....so I have offered to stay a bit longer in 2018 until a smooth transition can be made. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Oldfeller on 04/25/17 at 06:45:44 Are they willing to pay you some extra money to hang around a bit? Point out that you want to USE the good time you have left before the inevitable body illnesses build up on you and you cannot do what you had wanted to do. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by Dave on 04/25/17 at 07:04:03 1C3F3735363F3F3621530 wrote:
The longer I work....the more I get paid and the less I have to rely on my savings or retirement account! As an owner of the company I am a "partner" with the younger folks that will be owning/operating the company once I leave - and it is impossible for me to leave until a suitable replacement is available. I have offered to stay until they have someone who can take over my projects/clients. Up until a few months ago I was planning on working 3 more years - so a 6 month extension to July 2018 is not going to be a problem as far as I am concerned. |
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Title: Re: Free Trip -- Dragon Area, Santeetlah Lake Cabi Post by MMRanch on 04/25/17 at 19:30:59 I'll be REALLY GLAD to have company out here in the world of "Everyday-Being-Saturday". But I got to warn ya'll , its brutal till you get your "To-Do-List" done-up. ;D |
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