Post by FloweryBranchCrusr on Sept 9, 2006 7:12:52 GMT -5
How do you spell fun? I spell it TGAPTPT! That is what we had over Labor Day weekend!!
Thursday night, several PT Cruisers converged on Cherokee NC in preparation for our big adventure. Earlier in the day, the portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway ( www.nps.gov/blri/) closed because of a rockslide two weeks earlier, opened back up. Just in time for the PTs!!
On Friday morning, 13 PT Cruisers began The Great American PT Parkway Tour 2 ¾ (www.carolinaptcruisers.com/PrkwyCruise2006.htm) under cloudy skies and occasional rain. Our spirits were not dampened. As we began up the mountains, we spoke with the folks at Mount Mitchell restaurant who told us that the weather should be clear by noon (the time we planned to get there for lunch). As we arrived at Mount Pisgah, it seemed as though the weather really was breaking up. However, he never did mention which day or time zone he was speaking of, and when we got to Mount Mitchell (www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momi/home.html) the rain was coming down pretty steadily. Nonetheless, we had a great time of fellowship at the highest restaurant east of the Mississippi River. By the time we reached the Flat Top Manor at the Moses Cone Memorial Park, the rain had let up and we had a nice view of the estate! We then drove into Boone, went to our hotel and then over to Bandana’s BBQ for dinner.
On Saturday, we gathered back together, joined by another PT and headed back for the Blue Ridge Parkway in search of pie! Fortunately, we found some at the Bluff’s Restaurant in Doughton Park! What a beautiful day this was shaping up to be. And the weather was fantastic, too! We then cruised down the Parkway to Cumberland Knob where we were met by two more PT Cruisers for lunch on the Parkway! After lunch, we continued down the Parkway to Mabry Mill. We had a great time there visiting the exhibits and taking it all in. Several cruisers took a quick side trip down the road to a Candy Factory and stocked up on fudge and other survival necessities. We then departed and headed for our hotel in Troutville VA.
Man alive! Carrol Amerson met us on the Parkway and delivered us to a throng of Star City Cruisers (groups.msn.com/StarCityPTCruiserClub) waiting at the hotel. It was a sight to behold! What a wonderful surprise!! After we checked in, we had a massive caravan (billions and billions of PT Cruisers) that went to the home of Doug and Geni Mullins of the Star City Cruisers. There, we found everything needed for a wonderful bonfire and weenie roast. Words cannot do it justice. See the pictures!
On Sunday morning, we gathered a group of 26 PT Cruisers and headed for the National D-Day Memorial ( www.dday.org ) in Bedford VA. We were met there by another 9 or 10 PT Cruisers. We had a huge crowd for a guided tour of the Memorial. This moving tour was conducted by Joe Banner (aka Tom Cruise) of the D-Day Memorial Foundation. At the conclusion of the tour, we presented the National D-Day Memorial Foundation with checks and cash in excess of $3600! This money will be used to fund one of the bronze plaques that contain the names of the soldiers killed on D-Day. Another plaque will be placed to show the folks who helped fund the necrology plaques (look it up). One of the plaques will list the PT Cruiser aficionados of the world as a donor. Much thanks to those of you around the country who donated to this cause!
After the tour, we were led by Nanci Drake, another PT Cruiser owner who also happens to be the Director of Tourism for Bedford City and County ( www.visitbedford.com ), to Peaks of Otter Winery and Orchards (www.peaksofotterwinery.com ) for lunch and a very special wine tasting. They make some pretty special wines up there, including the “Kiss the Devil” chili pepper wine. There were a few brave souls that tasted it. The medical professionals say the holes in their tongues will eventually heal!
After lunch, we headed back to the hills to finally complete the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. We had 26 PT Cruisers along this final leg. Just before the end, we stopped at Humpback Rocks for a final Blue Ridge photo opportunity on a gorgeous, picture-perfect day! At the end of the day, we gathered for one final dinner together and then went back to the hotel for an evening of fellowship! The group decided to keep the National D-Day Memorial as a fundraiser for next year.
On Monday morning, several PTers gathered at the Waynesboro Cracker Barrel for a final farewell breakfast. Afterwards, the final band of full-meal-deal PT Cruiser fanatics headed for the beautiful Skyline Drive ( www.nps.gov/shen/ ). Although it was overcast, the eight remaining PT Cruisers were ready for the beauty ahead. We had lunch together at Big Meadows and while we ate, the sprinkles began. But as we finished our cruise, the wildlife began to appear along the side of the road. We saw many very docile dear along the path and perhaps a bear. Maybe you’ll recognize it in one of Darryl’s photos.
The evening and trip was capped off by a lovely dinner in downtown Front Royal, VA at the Main Street Mill Restaurant. The following morning, The Great American PT Parkway Tour 2 ¾ was history!
Thanks to everyone who came out for this tour. Special kudos to Rick Flow (our webmaster extraordinaire and provider of the weenies and buns), Carrol Amerson and the Star City PT Cruisers - especially Doug and Geni Mullins (for the very special reception and evening of fellowship, fun, and food), and Nanci Drake (planner of Sunday afternoon activities) for their extra efforts to make this year’s event a success. I also want to express deep gratitude for all of the folks who have embraced the National D-Day Memorial and donated to making this a great tribute to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who paid the ultimate price for our freedom on June 6, 1944. There were many individual donations as well as significant donations from Cruise the Smokies, Star City Cruisers, Palmetto PT Cruisers, and Heart of Virginia Cruisers. Thanks to all of you! Next year’s tour planning has already commenced and we are looking forward to seeing you then!
Here are some links to pictures!
Darryl’s pics www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2103066633
Sherri’s pics good-times.webshots.com/album/553715228epRWRl
Marcye’s pics www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2102267891
Parkie’s pics community.webshots.com/user/hpsmith100
Jim’s pics www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2102204415
Ree’s pics good-times.webshots.com/album/553798440DgatZr
Big Jim’s pics
www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2102193719
Cruise stuff: www.cafepress.com/tgaptpt2
Thursday night, several PT Cruisers converged on Cherokee NC in preparation for our big adventure. Earlier in the day, the portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway ( www.nps.gov/blri/) closed because of a rockslide two weeks earlier, opened back up. Just in time for the PTs!!
On Friday morning, 13 PT Cruisers began The Great American PT Parkway Tour 2 ¾ (www.carolinaptcruisers.com/PrkwyCruise2006.htm) under cloudy skies and occasional rain. Our spirits were not dampened. As we began up the mountains, we spoke with the folks at Mount Mitchell restaurant who told us that the weather should be clear by noon (the time we planned to get there for lunch). As we arrived at Mount Pisgah, it seemed as though the weather really was breaking up. However, he never did mention which day or time zone he was speaking of, and when we got to Mount Mitchell (www.ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momi/home.html) the rain was coming down pretty steadily. Nonetheless, we had a great time of fellowship at the highest restaurant east of the Mississippi River. By the time we reached the Flat Top Manor at the Moses Cone Memorial Park, the rain had let up and we had a nice view of the estate! We then drove into Boone, went to our hotel and then over to Bandana’s BBQ for dinner.
On Saturday, we gathered back together, joined by another PT and headed back for the Blue Ridge Parkway in search of pie! Fortunately, we found some at the Bluff’s Restaurant in Doughton Park! What a beautiful day this was shaping up to be. And the weather was fantastic, too! We then cruised down the Parkway to Cumberland Knob where we were met by two more PT Cruisers for lunch on the Parkway! After lunch, we continued down the Parkway to Mabry Mill. We had a great time there visiting the exhibits and taking it all in. Several cruisers took a quick side trip down the road to a Candy Factory and stocked up on fudge and other survival necessities. We then departed and headed for our hotel in Troutville VA.
Man alive! Carrol Amerson met us on the Parkway and delivered us to a throng of Star City Cruisers (groups.msn.com/StarCityPTCruiserClub) waiting at the hotel. It was a sight to behold! What a wonderful surprise!! After we checked in, we had a massive caravan (billions and billions of PT Cruisers) that went to the home of Doug and Geni Mullins of the Star City Cruisers. There, we found everything needed for a wonderful bonfire and weenie roast. Words cannot do it justice. See the pictures!
On Sunday morning, we gathered a group of 26 PT Cruisers and headed for the National D-Day Memorial ( www.dday.org ) in Bedford VA. We were met there by another 9 or 10 PT Cruisers. We had a huge crowd for a guided tour of the Memorial. This moving tour was conducted by Joe Banner (aka Tom Cruise) of the D-Day Memorial Foundation. At the conclusion of the tour, we presented the National D-Day Memorial Foundation with checks and cash in excess of $3600! This money will be used to fund one of the bronze plaques that contain the names of the soldiers killed on D-Day. Another plaque will be placed to show the folks who helped fund the necrology plaques (look it up). One of the plaques will list the PT Cruiser aficionados of the world as a donor. Much thanks to those of you around the country who donated to this cause!
After the tour, we were led by Nanci Drake, another PT Cruiser owner who also happens to be the Director of Tourism for Bedford City and County ( www.visitbedford.com ), to Peaks of Otter Winery and Orchards (www.peaksofotterwinery.com ) for lunch and a very special wine tasting. They make some pretty special wines up there, including the “Kiss the Devil” chili pepper wine. There were a few brave souls that tasted it. The medical professionals say the holes in their tongues will eventually heal!
After lunch, we headed back to the hills to finally complete the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. We had 26 PT Cruisers along this final leg. Just before the end, we stopped at Humpback Rocks for a final Blue Ridge photo opportunity on a gorgeous, picture-perfect day! At the end of the day, we gathered for one final dinner together and then went back to the hotel for an evening of fellowship! The group decided to keep the National D-Day Memorial as a fundraiser for next year.
On Monday morning, several PTers gathered at the Waynesboro Cracker Barrel for a final farewell breakfast. Afterwards, the final band of full-meal-deal PT Cruiser fanatics headed for the beautiful Skyline Drive ( www.nps.gov/shen/ ). Although it was overcast, the eight remaining PT Cruisers were ready for the beauty ahead. We had lunch together at Big Meadows and while we ate, the sprinkles began. But as we finished our cruise, the wildlife began to appear along the side of the road. We saw many very docile dear along the path and perhaps a bear. Maybe you’ll recognize it in one of Darryl’s photos.
The evening and trip was capped off by a lovely dinner in downtown Front Royal, VA at the Main Street Mill Restaurant. The following morning, The Great American PT Parkway Tour 2 ¾ was history!
Thanks to everyone who came out for this tour. Special kudos to Rick Flow (our webmaster extraordinaire and provider of the weenies and buns), Carrol Amerson and the Star City PT Cruisers - especially Doug and Geni Mullins (for the very special reception and evening of fellowship, fun, and food), and Nanci Drake (planner of Sunday afternoon activities) for their extra efforts to make this year’s event a success. I also want to express deep gratitude for all of the folks who have embraced the National D-Day Memorial and donated to making this a great tribute to the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who paid the ultimate price for our freedom on June 6, 1944. There were many individual donations as well as significant donations from Cruise the Smokies, Star City Cruisers, Palmetto PT Cruisers, and Heart of Virginia Cruisers. Thanks to all of you! Next year’s tour planning has already commenced and we are looking forward to seeing you then!
Here are some links to pictures!
Darryl’s pics www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2103066633
Sherri’s pics good-times.webshots.com/album/553715228epRWRl
Marcye’s pics www.imagestation.com/album/?id=2102267891
Parkie’s pics community.webshots.com/user/hpsmith100
Jim’s pics www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2102204415
Ree’s pics good-times.webshots.com/album/553798440DgatZr
Big Jim’s pics
www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2102193719
Cruise stuff: www.cafepress.com/tgaptpt2
guess who