I don't know where to begin, the trip was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was more than worth the 1500ish miles and 30+ hours of travel time. Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in heavy fog is just incredible. Also, since it's still the off season and all the touristy stuff is closed I had the road almost entirely to myself (I saw maybe 4 or 5 cars the entire time).

Driving the dragon for the first time at night was pretty wild. Driving it in the rain with oil all over the road was even wilder (especially with over-inflated rear tires). I could have used a few more days. On Sunday I was finally at the point where I had the tires chiping nicely and was starting to feel a little more comfortable with the road. Watching the bikers take those turns at speed is quite a sight (watch those knees).

I can't find the words to fully express my gratitude and appreciation for the work that Ted and everyone else involved did putting together the event. Hopefully he can have the weather machine built for next year, so get that depleted uranium and get started. It was great to meet everyone, especially the AudiWorld folks. To put on an event with that many great people, and not a single ******* or incident is quite a feat. No one got pulled over either, the Mini's can't say that (sorry guys, hope the fine wasn't too severe).

Thanks to Vince for being the official bartender. Thanks to the Jameson Inn for putting up with us, but especially for the little redheaded number that checked us out of the hotel Sunday morning while we checked her out (good golly, miss Molly). Watch those "impure thoughts" (you know who you are). And thanks to KrusTTy just for being you, next year we're going to drag your ass out of bed in the morning.

Favorite line over the frs radio: "Watch out there's a turtle coming up off to the right" (good eyes Ted, the guys at the Point would be proud)

Favorite Mini: The one with the old dude cruising the parking lot while playing what sounded like Johnny Cash.

Most interesting factoid learned: porn is not allowed in a commercial airline cockpit.

I have over 200 pictures from the trip, here's a preview. There is a link at the end for the rest:

<img src="http://images114.fotki.com/v962/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0148-vi.jpg?1185564582" />

<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v949/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0152-vi.jpg?1184594858" />

<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v939/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0157-vi.jpg?1184594859" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v1022/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0171-vi.jpg?1191129098" />

<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v310/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0178-vi.jpg?1191139878" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v993/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0182-vi.jpg?1187743573" />

<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v935/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0185-vi.jpg?1184595045" />

<img src="http://images30.fotki.com/v477/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0188-vi.jpg?1191129278" />

<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v290/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0197-vi.jpg?1191140717" />

<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v1036/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0200-vi.jpg?1191134457" />

Welcome to the south
<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v951/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0369-vi.jpg?1185302553" />

What event would be complete without
<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v1029/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0234-vi.jpg?1191132433" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v1018/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0247-vi.jpg?1191126495" />

KrusTTy being himself
<img src="http://images26.fotki.com/v959/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0241-vi.jpg?1185302492" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v1001/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0239-vi.jpg?1187743676" />

<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v1017/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0252-vi.jpg?1187743750" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v995/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0257-vi.jpg?1187743857" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v985/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0261-vi.jpg?1187743898" />

Our fearless leader
<img src="http://images20.fotki.com/v249/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0259-vi.jpg?1187743870" />

There are just too many captions for this one (Sorry Vince)
<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v1006/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0268-vi.jpg?1187743981" />

<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v1007/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0273-vi.jpg?1187744099" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v992/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0282-vi.jpg?1187744238" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v1001/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0277-vi.jpg?1187744169" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v1020/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0297-vi.jpg?1191144061" />

<img src="http://images30.fotki.com/v472/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0293-vi.jpg?1191137945" />

<img src="http://images30.fotki.com/v477/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0315-vi.jpg?1191135003" />

This sums up how we were all feeling
<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v1022/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0320-vi.jpg?1191140326" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v1032/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0317-vi.jpg?1191138039" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v974/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0333-vi.jpg?1186791914" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v973/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0330-vi.jpg?1186348086" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v976/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0332-vi.jpg?1186392341" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v975/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0353-vi.jpg?1186396113" />

<img src="http://images29.fotki.com/v310/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0350-vi.jpg?1191132127" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v1023/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0351-vi.jpg?1191133643" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v963/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0357-vi.jpg?1185670571" />

<img src="http://images25.fotki.com/v954/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0359-vi.jpg?1186116792" />

<img src="http://images28.fotki.com/v976/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0361-vi.jpg?1186928997" />

<img src="http://images27.fotki.com/v967/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0364-vi.jpg?1186586385" />

<img src="http://images114.fotki.com/v962/photos/1/1144118/4909483/IMG_0366-vi.jpg?1185670594" />



<a href="http://public.fotki.com/esokol/blue-ridge-pkwyquat/">The rest of the pics</a>

Having driven the Dragon before on a dry day, I can only imagine what water (or even wet leaves from all the trees) would add in difficulty to the drive. The margin of error is really small with cliff on one side and mountain on the other.

and when the back of my car started sliding 1 or 2 times it was confirmed.

and I hope to see you all there next year with new faces.

during the oil slicked run. I don't even think it came on during the hard rain on the parkway. I, of course, took little slack due to my A4 not being a quattro. But it handled beautifully regardless.

Quattro seemed to handle it very well.

all on the bike!