East Coast Tour: PDC Pickup (SC to MD)

[mdrobc13]

Am planning for my PDC Pickup in 1 week and so I figured I'd start my post now with pics to follow. I may even post some video if I can get my Sony HDD Camcorder to work! I know the digital camera will be along and plan on filling up the memory card too.

Anyway had a thought...as we're picking the car up and then sort of roadtripping the car back up the coast home to Maryland...I thought I'd take pics of that too along the way. So if I take the right route this could be very interesting with lots of goood pics. Know this isn't/won't equate to some of the ED experiences and their pics but hey it's better than my usual pickup at the dealer and highway drive home.

So while I don't expect to find anything like Clarkston & Co did on their Top Gear episode (ah to dream, after watching this I HAVE to go to Europe!)

Maybe something like this can be found in the US on this side of country. Anyone have any ideas on routes to take back? Too bad I'll still be under the 1200 mile service restrictions. But hey there's always the family vacation to Florida next month!

[skierman64]

What about tail of the dragon in SC/Tennesee. That's a must do.

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

[ase2dais]

I like the idea, but Im driving back with the car next Monday the 14th... what are your scheduled delivery dates?

I thought about Ashville and seeing the Biltmore Estates. PCD Visitor travel info other suugestions are:

Blue Ridge Parkway
Caesar’s Head State Park
Chimney Rock, DuPont State Forrest
Great Smokey Mountain National Park, Grove Park Inn
and the Tail of the Dragon (Deals Gap) as suggested above.

I wish I had a radar detector, but unsure if the cops are that bad that I need one though.

[mdrobc13]

Asedais
Delivery is 11th...fly down on 10th. Likely will drive back that Sat as I have stuff scheduled Sun PM that can't be changed.

May do Tail of the Dragon...heard about it and also heard cops haunt the place alot of times as well as sometimes croweded. May have to detour thru the mountains of West Va and Kentucky on my way back. Went to Med School in Louisville and remember some of the twisties and tunnels in W.Va and coming thru the Blue Ridge Mountains.

If not anything there's always Skyline Drive around I-66 and Shenandoah Mtns on my way back which are a slight detour.

[Big Windy]

Deals Gap for sure.

Been to the Biltmore Estate. Kinda cool...like the Hearst Castle of the east coast. Not a must see, but it is a close drive from the PDC so why not?

[LandShark]

hey, I work at Grace's Fortune in Free State Mall! you'll see my AW park in the parking lot!! be sure you'll stop by w/ your car one day!!!

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by LandShark

hey, I work at Grace's Fortune in Free State Mall! you'll see my AW park in the parking lot!! be sure you'll stop by w/ your car one day!!!

Of of Rt 450? Eat there alot with my family. Great food. Haven't seen your AW car yet but haven't been there lately although was at Critters Pet store in the mall down the street last week. Will definately stop if I see your car.

Small world!

[OldRanger]

Coming out of Greenville/Spartanburg SC - you can get an experience equivalent to or better than Deal's Gap/Tail of the Dragon without the major detour on the way back to MD.

Depending on how many miles you're willing to add, take 276 through Caesar's Head SP to Brevard, or all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway, then hop on that as far as you want to go. If you opt out of the Blue Ridge Parkway and want to go I40 to I77 to I81...after Asheville - take a detour just inside VA and take 221 through Floyd, VA to Roanoke. That road is awesome between Hillsville and Floyd, and a bit higher speeds than the switch-backs of 276.

Don't get me wrong - Deal's Gap is fun, but IMHO it is better suited for motorcycles. The turns are very tight. That, combined with the fact that it is 3.5 hours out of the way and crawling with TN State Troopers would seal the recommendation.

P.S - I'm an ERHS '89 grad. Grew up in Mitchellville.

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by OldRanger

Coming out of Greenville/Spartanburg SC - you can get an experience equivalent to or better than Deal's Gap/Tail of the Dragon without the major detour on the way back to MD.

Depending on how many miles you're willing to add, take 276 through Caesar's Head SP to Brevard, or all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway, then hop on that as far as you want to go. If you opt out of the Blue Ridge Parkway and want to go I40 to I77 to I81...after Asheville - take a detour just inside VA and take 221 through Floyd, VA to Roanoke. That road is awesome between Hillsville and Floyd, and a bit higher speeds than the switch-backs of 276.

Don't get me wrong - Deal's Gap is fun, but IMHO it is better suited for motorcycles. The turns are very tight. That, combined with the fact that it is 3.5 hours out of the way and crawling with TN State Troopers would seal the recommendation.

P.S - I'm an ERHS '89 grad. Grew up in Mitchellville.

Ok..thanks for the tip. Leave tomorrow to head down to SC. Am still up tonight and have to get up in oh 3-4 hrs for work and can't sleep. Tomorrow will be more of the same. Pics and maybe a video or two to follow and a report of the PDC experience. Thanks for all the help from all in the forum!

[AMPowerJ]

Originally Posted by OldRanger

Coming out of Greenville/Spartanburg SC - you can get an experience equivalent to or better than Deal's Gap/Tail of the Dragon without the major detour on the way back to MD.

Depending on how many miles you're willing to add, take 276 through Caesar's Head SP to Brevard, or all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway, then hop on that as far as you want to go. If you opt out of the Blue Ridge Parkway and want to go I40 to I77 to I81...after Asheville - take a detour just inside VA and take 221 through Floyd, VA to Roanoke. That road is awesome between Hillsville and Floyd, and a bit higher speeds than the switch-backs of 276.

+1 Good advice.

The speed limits on the Parkway are 45mph I believe on most sections so don't take it if you are in a hurry but it would be great for break-in. I may do the same thing next year when I pick up from the PCD on my 'way' back to Columbia.

[mdrobc13]

Back home with the car....PDC was awesome. More to follow on a post later.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by mdrobc13

Back home with the car....PDC was awesome. More to follow on a post later.

PICS