posted 03-27-2002 12:38 PM               

Please spread the word, the more the merrier!

Email any questions to: se_rious97@yahoo.com

posted 04-03-2002 11:10 AM               

Anyone from Danville--if you're interested in caravaning with us NCers up to Bedford, please email me so we can arrange a meeting place and time.

se_rious97@yahoo.com

Roger--resistance is futile...

Chris

posted 04-04-2002 03:16 PM               

I'll be leading the group out of the Raleigh area at 8:30 AM, which should place us at the memorial around noon. That's contingent on not stopping in Danville, which I'll be happy to do if necessary.

If anyone has FRS radios or CBs feel free to bring them--I'll be using both.

posted 04-05-2002 07:59 AM               

This Danville local will be glad to meet up with you folks. Let me know where and when.

posted 04-06-2002 06:59 AM               

did you call the office at the memorial and tell them that you guys are coming? Last year Jeff was able to get excellent service from them. They reserved parking spaces for us and Central, right beside the memorial.
http://www.g3.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000150.html

posted 04-08-2002 11:09 PM               

Chemical Spill has given me a contact for the D-Day memorial--I will call them tomorrow and make arrangements. Can you guys give me an approximate number of VA Miatae that will be there? I'd like to know what to plan for.

Bill, I received your email--we'll be glad for your group to join us.

Just checked the weather forecast for Raleigh. Sunny and 74 on Saturday, I imagine it will be very similar for Bedford.

Chris

posted 04-09-2002 12:22 AM               

I would suggest the Golden Corral in Bedford for lunch, I believe that’s where we went last year, I thought the buffet was excellent.

Sorry I don’t know the count, but I know for sure Ryoko and I will be there. I've never actually seen everyone who's going on any of our trips actually chime in here, from observation only I would say the majority just seem to show up.

So 12pm is still the official meeting time?

posted 04-11-2002 08:36 PM               

We're a go for Saturday. I was not able to set up a tour for the group, but I will call tomorrow to have parking spaces available for us--I'll take a blind shot and say 20 cars.

The NC group will leave Cary NC at 8:30, pick up Bill in Danville around 9:30, and we will proceed to Bedford. We should pull into the Memorial around 11:30.

Again, I will be using FRS, CB and have a cell phone available, so bring them if you have them.

posted 04-13-2002 09:54 PM               

For the most part the weather was comfortable, the rain cooperative, and the spring scenery marvelous. I found the overcast a great relief as I have so far achieved sunburn during my last three event/outings.

After meeting up at the Memorial, starting out with about 8 cars, we hung around and took pictures for about an hour and then headed over to the Golden Corral for lunch, which at least I know I enjoyed the food, my first meal of the day. A bus full of kids in the parking lot located behind our cars, carried on enjoying the sight and sounds of our roadsters as we let out.

After we went on to the Natural Bridge following Heath's directions (Thanks Heath) first up and then down the roller coaster that is 43, having to stop only once on the way up to put up our tops, that is everyone except Ryoko, she didn’t want to get her hair wet, course she didn't mind if mine got wet. Stopping again at the Camp store located at 43 and the Blue Ridge Parkway only to find the bathrooms locked. Heading up the parkway over to and up 43 north, surfaces were a little damp but fun was had by all. Stopping to refuel at the Exxon that is found where 43 and 11 meet. Dropping tops, then off again up 11 / 76, arriving at the visitor center to take a brake, buy some souvenirs, and we all balked at paying to see the bridge. I captured two hats, a stuffed squirrel and a refrigerator magnet. Afterwards we went back up 130 with a side step (suggested by VRRRROM!) which starts only a block from the NB visitor center, through Shafer Ln and Gilmore Mills Rd which was narrow but absolutely fantastic, my personal favorite part of the trip. Then on to 501, nearing Lynchburg we took a side step through Trents Ferry Rd, then on to the Lynchburg expressway were we saluted each other and parted ways, most of the group with 3 hours or more still to get home but with plenty of daylight and no additional rain .

I can say leading the drive was also very enjoyable part of the day for me, finally free for the most part to set my own pace, at least through the twisty parts, and not have to worry about climbing up a fellow Miata bumper that might be found around the next blind corner

The Triangle club folks are a truly a great bunch, and it was a sincere delight to get to meet them

In the end I would say, at least for me, it was the best day of 2002 so far Ryoko wasn't at her best during the afternoon but after I got home she suddenly came alive and she then forced me to take her out for 3 more drives before it was finally too dark to chase any more squirrels.

I will endeavor to post the pics I took soon.

Thanks for the great day Chris!

posted 04-13-2002 10:58 PM               

those pesky startups... always pick the wrong weekends to get me involved... this time a site in Spain wanted to get their turbine up and running for the Iberdrola Board meeting they were having at that particular site.

So I had to stick close the phone and my computer to be ready to respond to any of their problems.

Hopefully next weekend will be quieter and I can eat a stress free lunch at the Chateau

p.s. as luck would have it... they didn't need me... the startup went smoothly and was uneventful!!

posted 04-16-2002 04:31 AM               

My pictures are here: http://www.stormpages.com/protocore/DDay
Keep in mind my camera was set on portrait so the autofocus was a bit out of wack.

Chris also posted his pics here: http://community.webshots.com/album/35747018dWFEXk

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