WTD XI
Former Moderator
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 25,439
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, MO
These events are about the people. You can go to the Dragon any time...you can only go to DBR/WTD once every 6 months.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 513
Likes: 7
From: New Orleans, LA
DIFFERENT works for me. The Dragon is a focal point for the gathering; but, it is the extra drives that turn me on. Alcoa is very close to the "Devils Triangle" which I drove by myself a year ago. Very interesting road and something NEW and DIFFERENT!!
I would drive the "Hilltops and Hollars" route to get to the Dragon for something different. LSD can be accessed by a different route over the Smokies. Innovative drives will stimulate more discussion and fun; e.g., LSD turns out to be a "keeper". There is certainly merit to staying at Fontana early in the week when Dragon is less populated and then moving to Alcoa for DBR. Look forward to hearing about new innovative approaches to the driving fun!
I would drive the "Hilltops and Hollars" route to get to the Dragon for something different. LSD can be accessed by a different route over the Smokies. Innovative drives will stimulate more discussion and fun; e.g., LSD turns out to be a "keeper". There is certainly merit to staying at Fontana early in the week when Dragon is less populated and then moving to Alcoa for DBR. Look forward to hearing about new innovative approaches to the driving fun!
Fontana "Cancelled"......
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,664
Likes: 4,709
From: Medina, OH
Howdy folks!
Ok, so let me address DBRXII 2012 first. As I shared...I moved the Fall event of DBR to Alcoa because that IS where it all started. Alcoa offers a ton of conveniences and I think it's time we try a different venue. For 6 six years now, we've been at Fontana. Fontana is great, no question. We've been one of their better groups (their own words to me) and they certainly want us back. As for it's proximity to great area roads, they can't be beat...but (and here's the but part), it could be different (notice I didn't use the word better).
So you say, DIFFERENT HOW? Well, for starters a big win is having all of the cars together in a single parking lot...a central gathering spot and likely all (or most) at the same hotel, lobby, bar, etc. Having everyone together is something I've wanted to see since we left the Alcoa area. With Fontana, we are all spread apart...which is why the Ballfield has been so popular allowing folks to park all their cars together and everyone mingle. Now add in the conveniences we all love...TONS of restaurant choices, stores and more...that's all in Alcoa. The drive is right at an hour and would be a group drive likely via the Foothills Parkway...Dragon and then more group drives and likely a lunch at Fontana Dam (like the old days). I think the event should have the Dragon as our destination versus in our backyard. I know not everyone will agree, but understand that's the plan for DBRXII 2012.
Now...with WTDXI...it's a little complicated.
Fontana wanted me to commit via contract on the dates for 2013. Well, I'm not ready to do that. I don't know if I really want to bring WTD back to Fontana (nothing at all against them)...but I was thinking of something a little 'grander' for WTD 2013. Unfortunately we can't hold the dates without a contract (obviously). Now, after DBRXII...I may decide to use Fontana afterall...so there's still a chance for Fontana to host WTDXI 2013 but I won't know until October and will need to check with them on availability.
Feel free to ask anything I may have missed. Thanks.
-Raul
Ok, so let me address DBRXII 2012 first. As I shared...I moved the Fall event of DBR to Alcoa because that IS where it all started. Alcoa offers a ton of conveniences and I think it's time we try a different venue. For 6 six years now, we've been at Fontana. Fontana is great, no question. We've been one of their better groups (their own words to me) and they certainly want us back. As for it's proximity to great area roads, they can't be beat...but (and here's the but part), it could be different (notice I didn't use the word better).
So you say, DIFFERENT HOW? Well, for starters a big win is having all of the cars together in a single parking lot...a central gathering spot and likely all (or most) at the same hotel, lobby, bar, etc. Having everyone together is something I've wanted to see since we left the Alcoa area. With Fontana, we are all spread apart...which is why the Ballfield has been so popular allowing folks to park all their cars together and everyone mingle. Now add in the conveniences we all love...TONS of restaurant choices, stores and more...that's all in Alcoa. The drive is right at an hour and would be a group drive likely via the Foothills Parkway...Dragon and then more group drives and likely a lunch at Fontana Dam (like the old days). I think the event should have the Dragon as our destination versus in our backyard. I know not everyone will agree, but understand that's the plan for DBRXII 2012.
Now...with WTDXI...it's a little complicated.
Fontana wanted me to commit via contract on the dates for 2013. Well, I'm not ready to do that. I don't know if I really want to bring WTD back to Fontana (nothing at all against them)...but I was thinking of something a little 'grander' for WTD 2013. Unfortunately we can't hold the dates without a contract (obviously). Now, after DBRXII...I may decide to use Fontana afterall...so there's still a chance for Fontana to host WTDXI 2013 but I won't know until October and will need to check with them on availability.
Feel free to ask anything I may have missed. Thanks.
-Raul
