PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Drive 05 – Porsche Club Weekend Getaway – Smoky Mountains, Deals Gap, Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, , Moonshiner 28, Hellbender & many more.

Date: 04/10/2021 to 04/11/2021 – Saturday & Sunday

Meeting Point 1: Welcome Center, I-26, Kingsport, TN (Exit 5 on I-26) Meeting Time 1: 7:00 am on 4/10/2021

Meeting Point 2: 129 HUB, 4371 Calderwood Hwy, Maryville, TN Meeting Time 2: 10:00 am on on 4/10/2021

Route length: approx. 500 miles combined the 2 days

Hotel: Fontana Village Resort You need to book online at https://fontanavillage.com/ . Check in 4/10, Check out 4/11. You can also make the reservation via phone or email: Phone: 800-849-2258 (Reservations) or email [email protected] If you are planning to attend, it is important to secure your room NOW. There are not many other hotels in the area and Fontana Village fills-up pretty quick given its privileged location. Room fee $133.00 – Triple A card holders will have a discounted rate ($119).

Organizer: Leandro Nascimento (423-440-0805) RSVP at: https://wtrpca.org/ Event on Facebook: Route: Saturday: https://goo.gl/maps/WJuK47yyMRBKJftz8 Sunday: https://goo.gl/maps/zJfCwFgg6GsFrS3o8

This is all you need to know... But if you want to know more, here are some extra details...

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Event Summary A weekend getaway can help strengthen bonds and create lasting friendships over and above the acquaintanceships we experience during a single morning drive. On this event, we will be driving Saturday and Sunday on legendary roads at the Great Smoky Mountain & Nantahala National Forest. In two days, we will cover more than 500 miles across legendary roads like the (in)famous Tail of the Dragon, Hellbender, Moonshiner 28, Tapoco Road, Fontana Dam, Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway and many surprise backroads...

Before I introduce you some of the roads and explain the overall agenda for the weekend, here is one IMPORTANT thing: BOOK YOUR ROOM! That’s the most important part of this event. Our Hotel is the Fontana Village Resort, the room rate is $133 for a 2 Queen Beds Room – due to its privileged location (nested in the forest) and the limited number of hotels in that area, rooms sell out pretty quick. If you are planning to attend this event you must book your room NOW! You can do that on their website, via email or phone: Website: https://fontanavillage.com/ Email: [email protected] Phone: 800-849-2258

Overall Agenda We will have TWO meeting points on Saturday, 4/10. - 7:00 am at Tennessee Welcome Center, I-26, Kingsport, TN (Exit 5 on I-26 – Rest Area) - 10:00 am at 129 HUB, 4371 Calderwood Hwy, Maryville, TN

On Sunday, we will have only ONE meeting point: we will all meet at the Resort’s parking lot at 8:15am.

Saturday (https://goo.gl/maps/WJuK47yyMRBKJftz8) 7:00 Meet at Tennessee Welcome Center (I-26, Kingsport, exit 5) – Leave at 7:15 – Restroom here 9:30 – Stop in Maryville for Gas (Shell, 2701 US-411, Maryville, TN) - Leave 9:45 – Gas & Restroom here 10:00 – Stop at 129 HUB to meet other region’s attendees – Leave 10:30 – Restroom here Drive the Tail of the Dragon then left at the Hellbender & Moonshiner 28 Continue towards Franklin, NC via Moonshiner 28 12:30 – Gas at Hot Spot (459 E Main St, Franklin, NC) – Leave 12:50 – Gas & Restroom here o Lunch at Haywood Smokehouse (33 Macon Center Dr, Franklin, NC) – 1 mile from Hot Spot – Restroom here – Bojangles, Hardee’s & McDonalds nearby. 1:50 – Leave the restaurant in Franklin towards Wayah Rd and then take a left when Wayah Rd ends. Drive the US 129 towards Voldemort 3:50 – Stop at the Fontana Dam – Leave the Dam at 4:20 – Restroom here 4:30 – Arrive at Fontana Village Resort for check in 5:30 – Leave Hotel for Dinner at Tapoco Lodge 5:50 – Arrive at Tapoco Lodge for Dinner – Reservation at 6:00 PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Sunday (https://goo.gl/maps/zJfCwFgg6GsFrS3o8) 8:15 Meet at Fontana Village’s parking lot (by the Ice Cream & Convenience Shop) – Leave at 8:30 9:00 – Stop for Gas at Shell Robbinsville (374 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC) – Leave 9:15 – Gas & Restroom here o Drive towards Cherohala Skyway 10:30 – Arrive at Cherohala Market – Leave 10:45 – Gas & Restroom here o Drive through TN-68, Vonore and TN-72 11:30 – Arrive at 129 HUB for lunch – Leave 12:30 – Restroom here o Drive the Happy Valley & Foothills Parkway 1:50 – Arrive at Shell in Townsend – Leave 2:15 – Gas & Restroom here o Drive the Foothills Parkway back to 129 HUB 3:00 – Arrive at 129 HUB, PCA Event is over – Restroom here o Those heading back to Tri-Cities, that’s a 2 hours’ drive that can be done as a group, but no longer a PCA event

ROADS & Places: Now that you know the overall agenda, let me talk a little bit about some of the roads and places we will be driving and visiting.

129 HUB: The 129 HUB is a “new” restaurant & merchandise shop strategically located at the begin of US129 (at the TN side) and makes a perfect stop for Cars & Motorcycle enthusiasts. Owners treats you like family. Their parking lot is big enough to fit around 120 cars and their food is to die for! We will be having lunch there on Sunday. You can check them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/129hub or search on Google to see more photos of the place. They are rated 5/5 both on Google and Facebook.

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Tail of the Dragon The legendary Tail of the Dragon, 318 curves in 11 miles, period. Some of the Dragon's sharpest curves have names like Copperhead Corner, Hog Pen Bend, Wheelie Hell, Shade Tree Corner, Mud Corner, Sunset Corner, Gravity Cavity, Beginner's End, and Brake or Bust Bend. The road earned its name from its curves being said to resemble a dragon. Most of the road lies in Tennessee yet a small section of it crosses into . The Tail of the Dragon is one of the best roads to test your skills on. NOT for the weak of heart. Be very careful, and DO NOT push your skill level . . . ride your ride and enjoy the experience.

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Hellbender & Moonshiner 28 Hellbender is the initial 22 miles of the Moonshiner 28 starting at Deals Gap going towards Fontana Dam. Heading north on the Hellbender 28, you find a completely different road experience with sweeping curves and drop offs, all lakeside in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are few drives in America that can equal the views as you travel this beautiful byway along Fontana Lake in North Carolina. The road is an intersection at the end of the Tail of the Dragon, and it is in my opinion far better than the Dragon and very little traffic. I rode this road several times and it is one of my favorites in the area. After the initial 22 miles on NC-28, the Hellbender is over but Moonshiner 28 is just starting. The road winds its way southeastward 103 miles through Franklin and Highlands North Carolina before turning southward into Georgia and South Carolina ending at the sleepy town of Walhalla. On this ride, we will ride its portion up to Franklin. The road boasts some great twisties, wide sweepers and unsurpassed scenery.

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Wayah Road Hard to keep your eyes on the road at times! One of my favorite roads, anywhere! 30-mile long Wayah Road connects US 64 near Franklin, NC to US 74 in the heart of the Nantahala Gorge near Topton, NC. It’s a useful and strategic road to know of as it’s the only one that cuts through this rugged section of high mountains and national forest and it points to the Dragon at Deals Gap. While the ride lacks panoramic long range mountain views, there is plenty of scenery along the whitewater river. Clear and sparkling alpine Nantahala Lake is a treat near the top.

The climb out of the depths of Nantahala Gorge is steep and twisty right from the start by the powerhouse. It follows the bank of the river as it cascades down the slope from the lake above, crossing it on narrow bridges a few times. You may run into fishermen along the lower stretch, otherwise there’s little traffic. The ride along the river on Wayah Road is spectacular!

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Fontana Dam

The tallest dam east of the Rockies at 480 feet, Fontana Dam construction began in 1942 and was finished in just 36 months. Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Nantahala National Forest, and deep river gorges, Fontana ranks among the most beautiful dams in the world.

Photo taken during the Rennsport Dragon Rally (largest Porsche Rally at the Smoky Mountains)

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Fontana Village Resort The hotel we will stay is set amidst the pristine beauty of the Nantahala Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Village offers more than 400 acres to explore and a wide range of accommodations, including 93 rooms in the Fontana Lodge, Cabana Suites, and more than one hundred 1–4-bedroom cabins, as well as RV & tent camping on the beautiful Little Tennessee River. The full-service property includes the Wildwood Grill, Lounge, Mountview Restaurant, Bears Den Lounge, The Pitstop Fueling Station, shopping, fitness center, pools & lazy river, putt-putt & disc golf, softball, tennis, hiking & mountain biking trails, live music performances, and more. Fontana Lake Marina offers pontoon, canoe, & kayak rentals, fishing guides, slip rentals, scenic lake cruises, and free boat launching.

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Tapoco Lodge Perched on the banks of the world famous Cheoah River, Tapoco Tavern combines the very best of a classic pizzeria and all American flavors with a view and environment unmatched in all of Western Carolina.

Cherohala Skyway The Cherohala Skyway starts in Tellico Plains, TN and ends in Robbinsville, NC. From the city limits of Tellico Plains to the city limits of Robbinsville is a 51 miles trip of nothing but uninterrupted curves and no intersections. Its sweeping curves will tempt you to ride faster, then you will be in one of the tighter curves with too much speed, so, be careful! The road is in excellent condition and is well maintained. Often referred to as "a drive among the clouds" you will drive to elevations of over 5400 feet high. This truly is one of the best rides in the nation!

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Foothills Parkway Just slightly southwest of Pigeon Forge is Foothills Parkway, a beautiful 31-mile-long road that is closed off to commercial traffic. It brings a little bit of everything you could want in a good ride. The trail offers scenic views, tight curves, and multiple elevation changes to keep you engaged. Some consider it to be less work than the 'Dragon', yet stil just as fun and possibly even more visually appealing! The US Congress authorized construction of the 71-mile Foothills Parkway project in 1944, yet funding issues have plagued the project ever since. Although it remains Tennessee’s oldest unfinished highway project, this 31.5 mile section of the Parkway is complete; and it is beautiful. You will not see billboards, homes or commercial buildings. The Foothills Parkway is as pristine as it gets. The only man-made thing you will see from the seat of your Porsche, is the road.

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

GPS Cheat List

Saturday: Departure: Tennessee Welcome Center, I-26, Kingsport, TN Stop: Shell, 2701 US-411, Maryville, TN Stop: 129 HUB, 4371 Calderwood Hwy, Maryville, TN Drive by: Pincu Pottery, 80 NC-28, Bryson City, NC Stop: HOT SPOT, 459 E Main St, Franklin, NC Stop: Haywood Smokehouse (33 Macon Center Dr, Franklin, NC) Drive by: Citgo 4340 Patton Rd, Franklin, NC Drive by: Wayah Rd, North Carolina Drive by: Quality Inn & Suites, 111 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC Drive by: Meadow Branch Primitive Baptist Church, 1092 Meadow Branch Rd, Robbinsville, NC Stop: Fontana Dam and Visitors Center, Fontana Dam, NC Arrive at: Fontana Village Resort & Marina, 300 Woods Rd, Fontana Dam, NC Dinner at: 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC

Sunday: Departure: Fontana Village Resort & Marina, 300 Woods Rd, Fontana Dam, NC Stop: Shell, 374 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC Stop: Exxon, 450 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN Stop: 129 HUB, 4371 Calderwood Hwy, Maryville, TN Drive by: Happy Valley Rd, Tennessee Drive by: Eagle Rock Retreat Center, 7143 Flats Rd, Tallassee, TN Drive by: Raven Cliff Ridge, Tennessee Drive by Wears Valley First Baptist Church, 3504 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville, TN Stop: Shell, 7945 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Townsend, TN Arrive at: 129 HUB, 4371 Calderwood Hwy, Maryville, TN

Bring your WalkieTalkie, we will use channel 5.0. Loaners will be available. PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

COVID-19 RULES Wilderness Trail Region is ruled by Porsche Club of America, aka PCA National. In order to have authorization to this event and an insurance certificate issued, the following rules are applied to this event:

1) You will have to sign the COMMUNICABLE DISEASE EXPOSURE AND INFECTION ASSUMPTION OF RISK, HOLD HARMLESS, RELEASE, WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT.

We will have copies to you to sign, but if you want to make this event as contactless as possible to you, bring your own copy signed (must print with colors). Here is a link to read it in advance, or print the form if you want to bring your own copy: https://emailer3.pca.org/UploadFiles/PCACommunicableDiseaseWaiver202005281.pdf

If you drove with us in 2020, then you already signed this waiver and you don’t have to sign it again until May 2021.

2) You will have to sign the regular waiver that you used sign on every PCA moving event and you can’t bring your own copy signed as this has to be signed in presence of a witness. Bring your own pen if you want to make it as contactless as possible to you and we will bring the form printed to you to sign.

3) You will have to comply with PCA Event Participant Guidelines. Here is a link to the PCA guidelines: https://emailer3.pca.org/UploadFiles/PCACOVID19MemberSafetyguidelines20200527logo21.pdf

Here is what in PCA’s guidelines:

In all things PCA does, first and foremost is the health and safety of our members, employees, sponsors and communities. Federal, State/Provincial and Local guidelines and restrictions supersede these guidelines where there is conflict or ambiguity.

PCA WILDERNESS TRAIL REGION

Take Steps to Protect Yourself and Others:

• Stay home when you are sick. • Stay home if you have been in contact with someone in the last two weeks who has been sick. • Bring your own personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. • Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet between non-cohabitating attendees. • Wear your face mask when in the presence of others. • Physical contact is discouraged. Refrain from shaking hands, fist-bumps and hugs. • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. • Refrain from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue into the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. • Use best judgement and common sense regarding your fellow members’ good health. Region Leadership including the Event Chair have the authority to require you to leave if you cannot comply with these community protection measures.

Note that, the use of face mask is “encouraged” but not mandatory by PCA. You must observe any local, state or federal law regard the use of face mask.

We, the organizers, will be taking other precautions to make this event safe to everyone.