The BritishV8 Pub

Sounds like a great adventure Ken! Kay and I are doing it in reverse, Friday/Saturday/Sunday in Townsend, Monday/Tues/Wednesday in Waynesville NC....Balsam/Pisgah Mountain....

Any idea which part of WV you will be exploring this time?

Hi Dan,

"Any idea which part of WV you will be exploring this time?"

As a matter of fact, we almost dropped in on you, (Charleston,WV.) last August 5th. We were coming back from the Street Rod Nationals, Louisville KY. on the bikes exploring those beautful West Virginia roads. Here's one you must know, Prenter Rd. from Gordon to Seth, WV.:
[tinyurl.com]

Here's something we discovered, a Rail to Road tunnel. This one, just south of Dingess, WV. is one lane, very slippery surface and stretches for about 1 KM. Built 1914. Once you enter it there's no turning around, no lights inside, dripping water everywhere.....spooky!





More turtle rescues:


I couldn't find any specific info on my 1914 tunnel but here's a website that features a nearby tunnel we went through and the website can lead you to other historic fascinations:
[bridgehunter.com]

So where are we going through this time? Probably in the Beckley area. Good old coal mining roads down there too. Lots of anti-Obama signs.

That is really cool. I had not seen that one before. Rt. 85 and over Bolt Mt. to Beckley from there is a pretty drive, no doubt you've done that one. Backbone rock in East Tennessee looks interesting. [bridgehunter.com]

I have rappelled off of the side of Backbone Rock with the Boy Scouts. Not a tunnel, though. I caught a 4 1/2 foot black snake bare handed on top of Backbone Rock right over the road. The young scouts were impressed. No biggie, I didn't look down. ;)

Two of my favorite roads are right in that area...Rt. 20 just east of Beckley (can catch it off I-64) that runs through Hinton and along the gorge area,....down past Pipe Stem Park and eventually down to Princeton/Bluefield...and Rt. 12 out of Alderson (maybe Roncevert too??) and runs along the Greenbrier river...two of the best sports car roads ever...I'm sure Dan and Jim can provide a lot more detail..................

Mike,
I'll agree with you, US 20 is a good alternative for anyone travelling North/South if they don't want to use I 79 - US19 and I 77. My favourite section is past Holly River State Park. It's least congested in that area.

I'll highlight US 12/Anderson area. Thanks.

The New River Gorge is fun too. When we went past there last year we couldn't use the bridge because it was closed for the annual "Bridge Day".
[www.officialbridgeday.com]

Waiting for the train beneath the 876' New River Gorge Bridge, July 2007:
:

There are some really nice waves in that river right beside where your car is parked, Ken.

Alderson is famous for the women's prison that most recently housed Martha Stewart. Other noted guests included Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, Sara Jane Moore and Billie Holiday. Rt. 12 is a very pretty drive along the Greenbrier River. A notable stop near Talcott is the John Henry statue.

I really wish I could join you guys this weekend! Timing is everything though.

Perky and I (Charles) are planning a ride over on Friday. I am Jim Watson brother by different parents. We will be coming from Cleveland TN via The Old Copper Road, thru Reliance, Telico Plains, The Cherola Skyway, The Dragons Tail, then Foot Hills Parkway, to Townsend.

Welcome Charles & Perky. We'd love to have you visit with us. BTY, I now know how I mistook you for Jim ! :-) Looks like a excellent turn-out even w/o the Federal Govt. Guess I will travel up side road (US 411) from Sweetwater to Maryville.

Any update on the weather for the weekend?

Forecast:

[www.weather.com]

Thanks Carl.....I thought Dan might have a direct line to the weather!

"One week to go, and the weatherman is still predicting fine weather for the weekend."

I have given the weatherman precise instructions as to the weather I want for this weekend and warned of dire consequences should he fail to follow through.

We'll see!

Too bad that the Visitors Centers, etc, of the Smoly Mountain National Park will be closed. But I know that you guys will be able to find things to entertain yourself in spite of our current predicament!

Have a GREAT weekend....break the fun meter for me!

The LBC roads will be open!

All of the national parks are closed. This includes The Great Smoky Mountain, some of the roads within the parks may also be closed. I guess we will find out when the pipe is across the road. This also means none of the welcome centers or rest areas within the parks will be open.

I could see them close the Little River Road just to piss us off.

Little river road is closed, the foothills parkway is closed, the Gatlinburg-Newfound Gap-Cherokee road is open, the "Dragon" is open, Cheroholla parkway is open. To get to the Newfound Gap road from Townsend will require a detour through Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg via Wears Valley, a pretty nice drive. To get to the "Dragon," you'll have to back track towards Alcoa/Maryville a bit, either taking 411 to 129, or taking some minor backroads via Happy Valley road.

Jim Watson is an expert on the back roads, so he can provide directions if needed.

I don't see how they justify closing the Foothills Parkway. It's a road.