JoePhotographer

LIMITED DRIVE SPACE AVAILABLE

"You've got to know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em..." - Kenny Rogers

Get ready to drive the Gambler - NC 209!

The Gambler is a 25-mile run on NC 209 from Ferguson's Market north of Waynesville to Hot Springs, North Carolina. Old timers called it the Rattler, but we had enough of the "snake roads" and renamed it "The Gambler". With small communities known as Bluff, Trust, and Luck, the Gambler seemed a much more fitting name. And there is NO BLUFFING on some of the twisty sections of this mountain road. Great photo stop at the old Luck gas station.

Fuel, food, and some Rattler souvenirs at Ferguson's Market.

A bonus is NC 63 Doggett Mountain Road that intersects The Gambler near its southern end.

Props to Darcy, for the original Outbound route to the Gambler. Thanks, bro, for the map you took!

Lunch at Smoky Mountain Diner, in Hot Springs, before we hit the Gambler (NC-63 and NC-209)

Ice Cream at Jukebox Junction Restaurant & Soda Shoppe, before we hit NC-215, to get back towards Franklin, taking 28 back to Fontana for the Buffet dinner (did you pay Ken, yet?)

Total drive time - we'll be back for the buffet

We just added a 2nd group!

Maps!

Outbound - https://goo.gl/maps/k87EzYZA2AZ7F51B6

Gambler Map - https://goo.gl/maps/XMMnNqeFczWsCaW19

Inbound - https://goo.gl/maps/AhcKBjvVCzoYsnFg9

Old Outbound - https://goo.gl/maps/onzb6xu1JnPtvARr9

As always...Download the map to your phone, so you have it Offline.

1st Group
1. Jim (JoePhotographer) - Leader
2. Tim (where’s Martha?) (SkyladyZ)
3. John (jeallen)
4. Jim (goldenfri)
5. Scott (pdexta)
6.
7. George (gephelps)
8. John/Tana (RevJohn)
9. David & Plus 1 (Magoogle)
10. Bob (RobM) - Tailgunner

2nd Group
1. George (gfacter) - Leader
2. Aaron (AaronCompNetSys) - Co-Leader
3. John (Lady Lavender)
4. Oscar (og8790)
5. Frank (fsulli6)
6. Dan (lambedw)
7. Derek (green Civic)
8.
9.
10.

kgf3076

This is a great drive and a great road. Might be a bit advanced for someone who just got the car but I'm sure we can find a way to accommodate just about everyone who wants to go. (Jim, this is my "Sure, I'll be glad to tailgun" notice).

vortamock

I'll second that. If you've never driven this route, you need to!

pdexta

I'm planning to jump in for this one, looks like a great drive.

kgf3076

Please register (it's free and will take about 5 minutes). There's a limit on the number of cars for drives. The Rattler (which has become the "Gambler" for some reason) is a somewhat challenging drive. It's also a great road due to all of the ascending and descending radius curves, the almost mountainous terrain and the locals. Always a fun drive though

pdexta

I registered for the RTD2021 event link in your sig earlier today. Is there a drive specific registration somewhere?

WVCR-V

That's a good one! We drove it on our way back from the last meet.

kgf3076

Go to the drives that are already posted and ask to be added to the list. If the group isn't full, you'll be added to the list. Generally when drives get to around 10 cars, we try to start a second group but you've a better chance signing up early.
If this is your first Dragon trip or you haven't been in a while, I'd recommend that you go on John's (vortamock) Friday intro drive.

RobM

I'll join you. Are you doing the saturday dragon drive then going from there to Waynesville? Which way are you going?

SkyladyZ

Keep me posted on this one Jim. I am very interest.