Gauging interest for a Gatlinburg, Tenn. rally

[Kari]

I know a lot of people enjoy traveling to the beautiful Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, and Gatlinburg is a very popular destination. I'm thinking of trying to set up a rally in this area, either in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Sevierville (the two adjoining towns), but I want to gauge interest first.Gatlinburg has beautiful mountains and parks, and a walkable downtown area with tons of stuff to do after the rally.Pigeon Forge has Dollywood, shopping, and semi-walkable downtown, with lots of go-kart tracks, mini golf, etc.Sevierville has NASCAR speedpark, the best complex of go-kart tracks in the area. It's awesome.What are everyone's thoughts? If I was to plan something in this area, would you come? I'm thinking of spring, probably April or May, next year.Any suggestions for locations? Preferences on what things you like to do after rallies?There are a ton of restaurants in all three towns, and a Hard Rock Cafe in Gatlinburg if we wanted to have dinner there afterward.Do you like the go-kart racing idea for after dinner or have other suggestions for what to do?This would really make a great weekend mini-vacation for the whole family, as there is truly something for everyone in the area. Lots of shopping, too.So, what do you think? Any and all suggestions are welcome. I plan to call the chamber of commerce in Gatlinburg after I get home and ask what their suggestions would be for locations.

[ragingfish]

Hmmm...11 hours...my 14 hour trip from Ohio last night was kinda a turn off for long drives...BUT...it's hard for me to resist a rally -- so I declare myself a "maybe."

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Salsa! »Ragingfish, you need to consult a psychiatrist!!!!!How many "useless" mileage did you put on your Vibe on the roundtrip to Ohio??? This is crazy.... yes meets can be fun, but crap gas isn't cheap and putting mileage for nothing on a car is crazy....Rallies are NOT "useless" mileage to me. There's some of the best vacations I could ask for. Gas may not be cheap, but it isn't that expensive -- not as expesnive as up there. You may not choose to be as active on the rally circuit as I am, and that's fine. I happen to enjoy them, and it gives me a chance to see new places and meet great people.There is no such thing as a "useless" mile to me. The car isn't leased, so I have no limitations. My family buys cars and runs them into the ground, that's how we work. If we wanna go somewhere, we GO. This is a Toyota -- it'll probably last longer than my bonneville did.I work really hard for my money. Somtimes I'll work 5 days in a row, open to close (16 hours) to make money. It sucks, but I know I'm saving up for something good, so it makes it painless.And to answer your question, the ohio rally was 1280 miles (2060 km) roundtrip.

[ragingfish]

To each their own.

[Psychobroker]

Ok, that's it, I'm officially hosting a Los Angeles rally

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Psychobroker »Ok, that's it, I'm officially hosting a Los Angeles rally I'd consider coming -- but I'll have to leave the vibe at home for that one...

[Mavrik]

I'd love to come to all these meets if I could but the distance (who cares about the KM on the car) and the lack of any more vacations prevent me from it.And Christian, no way I wanna fly to LA... you couldn't find a plane that would fly out haha and I don't wanna be stuck there.

[ArcsVibe]

There is the TO meet just around the corner Salsa! It is just a couple of hours away, no?

[Mavrik]

yeah thats right Sam, about 20 approx ppl from here and Matrix Owners coming.

[ArcsVibe]

Sorry to hijack your thread Kari, no more talk about other meets Good luck with your planning and one day I would love to come down and check out the sites.Once again sorry to hijack

[Mr. Poopypants]

OK, stop, take a deep breath, count backward from 10......YOU MUST CHILL!!!!!!I thought this was originally about a meet in Tenn???

[millster]

OK. Everyone, that's about enough. Let's get this back on topic please!

[ragingfish]

Seriously -- I had let the issue go a while ago! BACK ON TOPIC!Who else is gonna join us in TN?

[Kari]

So Mike's a maybe...how about everybody else? Travel to the area is easy...straight down I-81 to I-40. I saw 20 replies and got excited, until I read them...

[ragingfish]

I wonder if pwarren would show up -- pretty sure he's in the area...

[millster]

If I could get away for the time needed, I would definitely be there. I've missed all the rallies and I'm feeling a bit left out. One of these days.

[Kari]

pwarren lives on the other side of the state, I think...The reason I want to have it in spring is to avoid the summer and fall tourist seasons.

[rasermon]

Just checking Yahoo Maps and Knoxville Tn would be a 9 hour drive for me. Damn, I can do that on the crapper at work every week.

[ragingfish]

Try not to do it TOO early in the spring -- lots of us do that college thing (as you should probably know from personal experience.) A weekend right after schools let out would be ideal -- then I could leave on a friday and come back on a monday.

[Kari]

That's why I said May... We usually get out at the end of April. When does the spring semester wrap up for you? The big crowds don't show up in Gatlinburg until grade schools let out in June.

[ColonelPanic]

Kari, you can count me in for a TN rally... Not that far of a drive for me.

[Kari]

So we have one yes and one maybe...anybody else that would be willing to go on a Tennessee adventure? Also, any thoughts/ideas on the dinner and activities after the rally? Hard Rock Cafe? NASCAR Speedpark? Mini golf? Both? I'm open to any suggestions you guys have. Here's the link for Gatlinburg's web site - http://www.gatlinburg.com/They have a convention center that might be a good location...I'm not sure where the Pontiac dealer is. The Chevy dealer is right on the main drag, but I don't think the Pontiac dealer is.One plus for Gatlinburg is that there are a lot of hotels, so the competition helps keep rates reasonable. They market themselves as "within a day's drive for half the population of the U.S." so it seems like a nice central location for a rally.

[Jahntassa]

On Topic:Kari, i'm in Conyers, Georgia, so a Tenn meet would be fairly easy for me to get to! I don't know much about Tenn, so whatever works is good. My only concern would be work, and getting time off to get up there, but, that might not be a problem, depending on when it's setup.Also, Mike, that'd be a reason for you to come, you'd actually see me at a meet!

[Kari]

Quote, originally posted by rasermon »Just checking Yahoo Maps and Knoxville Tn would be a 9 hour drive for me. Damn, I can do that on the crapper at work every week. So is that a yes or a no? Where are all our southern GenVibers?

[ragingfish]

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »Also, Mike, that'd be a reason for you to come, you'd actually see me at a meet!ROFL! Very true!I hope you might be able to talk the (future) misses into road-tripping up here next spring for my jersey meet......it's only appropriate, you are jersey bred.

[Charlievibe]

Kari, I live on the other side of TN, but would be willing to try and get there. So put me down as a maybe.

[kostby]

My .02:I'd be interested in a Tennessee meet, but not UNTIL public school's out in June. (Married with kid.)Like this year, we'd incorporate a Genvibe meet as a stop during our family vacation in June.

[pwarren4]

Quote, originally posted by ragingfish »I wonder if pwarren would show up -- pretty sure he's in the area...I'm in Columbia, TN which is almost exactly center of the state (maybe a tad south of center) while Gatlinburg is in the extreme East of the state. 4-1/2 to 5 hours.If this rally was held during the off season when the crowds are down I would say yes, otherwise no.I just can't handle 10 square blocks of elbow to elbow people and 20+ miles of stop and go 5 mph tops traffic. Don't mean to be negative, just realistic to give warning about the crowds.

[Kari]

I am well aware of the crowds; that's why, as I said earlier, I'm aiming for May. The crowds don't really show up until grade school lets out in June. The crowds would make it difficult to maneuver, so that's why I'm aiming for then. Spring is off-season for Gatlinburg...the crowds are there in summer and when the leaves turn in the fall. Gatlinburg isn't really in the "extreme east"...I live in the extreme east. Gatlinburg is closer to Knoxville. kostby -- I'd love to be able to wait until June, but, as I said earlier, that's really when you start running into the "wall to wall people" phenomenon in the area. When does school let out where you live?

[kostby]

Unfortunately, school isn't out until the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. Thanks for the warning about the crowds, though.We'll just visit Gatlinburg on a vacation (though maybe in October, not the spring) and we'll 'Genvibe' when there's a nearby meet that fits our schedule.Thanks for asking!

[Kari]

Sorry about that. I wish there was some way to make it fit everybody's schedule... I'd go for fall, but then there might be a crowd issue if the leaves are turning, plus conflicts with school.

[mrgoodrt]

Hi Kari! I can't guarantee anything right now, but I would definitely be interested in a TN meet! I'm agree with Mike, if I want to go somewhere I just go!

[NSimkins]

Kari - I'm down for this. By far my longest drive in a year or two, but I sit at work all day looking at the Vibe and it's need to be driven. That's my relaxation. Just pick a date that looks compatible with you, the location, and as many as possible and roll with it. Keep us updated.

[Kari]

Darn right it needs to be driven! I've requested an event planning pack from the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, which has yet to arrive, but hopefully it will be helpful in picking a location. There are lots of parks if all else fails...I'd just have to clear it with the TWRA/USFS/whoever is in charge.

[FreakshowLee]

Long time reader, first time poster!"Zia" (my Vibe) and I would definitely come down to Gatlinburg for a rally. Gatlinburg is very easy on the eyes and the hills make for exciting driving...I recommend everyone attends. Maybe we all could rent one of those cottages with a shaped hot tub. hahaha.

[Kari]

It would depend on how many people we got, and if we wanted to do something like that, I'd have to get money in advance from the people who were staying there to make sure I didn't get stuck with the tab. Probably better to just go with a hotel.