TheSamba.com :: View topic - Blue Ridge Parkway Cruise

Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:14 am

A couple of weeks back I posted some pics of a BRP cruise with my family and it sparked an idea for a cruise with other VWs. Wanting to get it done this summer and before school starts back doesn't provide a lot of time to plan. But, I saw that the High Country Bus Festival runs from July 19th - 26th and thought that should be drawing people to the area anyway plus, I've been meaning to go to that event. Also I remembered a Georgia VW group is camping the weekend of July 24th-26th on the South end of the BRP. So, there should be a lot of VWs in the area that week.

Honestly, I don't think we need a ton of time to plan. A well equipped Bus is meant for "wingin' it" fun anyway. Let's use this thread to do a little planning.

I know I have some GA and TN friends who will be joining us. If we have folks to join us from say VA and north we could name the start point further north. For those unfamiliar with the BRP, there are many points of access along the way so being in Atlanta it doesn't really matter to me if I head toward the southern terminus at Cherokee or say, jump on at Asheville.

Let's try to be flexible in accommodating those who are coming and choose the start point that way. I also assume folks going to HCBF and Indian Creek will want to set up and stay put on the 24th. So I was thinking of meeting up on the 22nd, that Wednesday. We could cruise that day, camp, and then repeat on Thursday.

Finally, the idea here is to stop a lot and take in the scenery, see waterfalls, and picnic along the way or stop in small towns for lunch. Or rather, NOT spend hours pounding out miles. Hopefully you will be bringing friends and family, passengers don't always love the Busses as much as we do. So the emphasis will be on stops and relaxation and less on windshield time.

Who's in? And where will you be headed from? That will help us determine where to start.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:36 am

Can't make it to High Country, but I'd be interested in a drive or something. I'd pretty much only be available Sat the 25th because of prior obligations. I live almost spitting distance to the Parkway in Asheville.

I'll keep an eye on the thread and participate or help when I can.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 7:52 am

A note on timing and scale, in case this helps. As noted earlier there are many access points and there are some major highways nearby. If you want to camp or plan to in Cherokee or Crumpler (HCBF), at the end of our cruise you can be in either place relatively quickly. From Asheville back to Cherokee via the highway is just over an hour. From Asheville to Crumpler, 2.5 hours according to online maps.

Further, my family made a good day of a rather short section. We just took leisurely stops. There was one stop with a great creek and set of waterfalls called "Graveyard Fields". A kid could spend all day there playing in the water.

We spent the better part of an afternoon covering only about 70 miles. But, once we were in Asheville, we could go in any number of directions I would say "quickly" but we are talking about Busses...

Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:06 am

Hey man, how's it going? I'll be watching this thread, but I'm not sure I'll be able to spare the time. At least over a weekend. My off days, right now, are Sundays and Mondays. In August, that will change. Even though it is after school starting.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:46 am

Count me in with my '78 Westy. I'm from Chattanooga and planning to attend HCBF anyways which is about a 5 hour trip. Breaking it up with another cruise like this sounds fun. I've always wanted to see the BRP.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:55 am

The Blue Ridge Parkway is nothing short of beautiful.

Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:01 am

this X's 2ooooooooooooooooooooooo
the BRP is a roadway and views just MADE for VW campers.
72camper wrote: The Blue Ridge Parkway is nothing short of beautiful.

Thu Jun 25, 2015 6:28 pm

I plan on rolling down from up here in Jersey on Wed the 22nd, and am not at all familiar with the area. Since I will be driving a good distance on Wednesday, not sure if I can arrange to join this cruise, but man oh man do I want to. (The biggest problem I would have is wishing I had one of my old motorcycles with me). I will watch this thread to see how it develops and maybe I can meet up some where along the way.
Peace, Dave

Thu Jun 25, 2015 7:09 pm

Hi Dave,

We're still in the early stages of planning so please keep in touch. We already have one person joining us from Virginia (so heading south like you) and I'm thinking how we might incorporate folks coming in from different points.

It seems if we focus on leisurely stays at waterfalls and other roadside vistas we can more easily gather folks along the way.

I can't say for sure yet but Wednesday the 22nd may be the best day for us to start. So, maybe in your case you can join us late that afternoon.

Jonathan

Fri Jun 26, 2015 4:03 am

Is this a 'Bays' thing? Is wk end set yet?

Fri Jun 26, 2015 6:29 am

morymob wrote: Is this a 'Bays' thing? Is wk end set yet?

The dates are now set for July 22nd - 24th, Wednesday - Friday. That way, folks can cruise over to HCBF for that weekend. Or, join another group of Georgia Vdubs at Indian Creek Campground near Cherokee as they are having a camp out that weekend too.

So far we have Bays only because that's all that has showed interest. I know many VW folks who have Beetles too and sometimes take that when the Bus is down. I'd like to allow for that possibility as well. If you're in that situation, please just come on and join us. If you're in east TN, this is so close for you.

Which reminds me, are you part of the group that puts on Bugapaluza in Chattanooga? If so, you may know one of the guys joining us.

Jonathan

Mon Jun 29, 2015 6:30 pm

Info now on Facebook if you're into that: https://www.facebook.com/events/1866176166941700/

I'll keep it updated with route details as they are available.

Thu Jul 02, 2015 10:23 am

20 days away!

Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:06 pm

Mine is the 'other' westy, a '88, why i asked.

Thu Jul 02, 2015 3:39 pm

Bays, Vangaons, any road-worthy VW is welcome to cruise with us!