Some extra thoughts --- mebbe even better thoughtsMount Mitchell is 50+ miles on the eastern side of Ashville fairly near to Marion NC on Hwy 80. It makes no sense for Toymaker (who lives pretty much near that side of Ashville) to ride all the way to the Dragon (4 hrs) then to turn around and ride all the way back to the Marion NC area (3 hours).
There is a Super 8 Motel in Marion NC we could stay at for the first night (Monday night) for about the same price as the Dragon, with dual queen beds, a swimming pool and cable TV and a free breakfast on Tuesday am. Once again, the first night's on me -- so the cost of the hotel isn't really an issue.
http://www.hotelplanner.com/Hotels/201755-Marion/Deal-Super-8-Motel-Marion-42...Mind you, I don't hate the Dragon hotel per se, but we've done done the Dragon hotel to death and I am trying to get the folks who are going knocking about on these little black line runs to start thinking outside the little Dragon box we done got ourselves into.
(especially since you can't get a room on the day you want it at the Dragon hotel)This idea cuts 3-4 hours off my first day's travel time and cuts Toymaker's trip in down to about an hour and a bit total from his house. I don't know what it does to MMRanch's travel as I am unsure as to which way he is coming from. It also offers Toymaker the choice to sleep comfy in his own bed then a short ride up to meet us for a free breakfast on Tuesday morning and then we all strike off all fresh to trek up to see Mount Mitchell.
What do you guys think?
MMRanch and Oldfeller sleep all comfy Monday night on queen beds at Marion NC and meet Toymaker for breakfast early on Tuesday morning, then we roll and poke and hunt and figure out what's for Tuesday night on Tuesday afternoon from wherever we are?
Who knows where we will be .....
..... on some little black line on the Google map somewheres or another.