Spartanburg 'Homecoming' tomorrow

[PropellerHead]

Turns out that I have an engagement in NC at exactly the same time SHE has a break from school! So, it's daddy/daughter road trip time! Momma stays at home. :p This will be one HELL of a haul, but we have family on the other end, so it's worth it to her.

I'm thinking the X5, but we won't have so much luggage that I would HAVE to abandon the SC'ed 540. Better I think of it though, the X5 is enough to keep me out of jail on such a trip. At least we can hope! Here's the 'fun' part of our trip. This is the infamous Tail of the Dragon and the lesser known, but still amazing BlueRidge Parkway and Great Smokey Mountain Expressway. I hope to stop and get some pics. It all depends on how patient she is at this point in the trip.

We're stopping through Spartanburg to say hello to some old friends at the BMW PDC. Hopefully, we'll get a nice shot of my two 8 yr olds: My 2004 X5 and my 2004 little girl!

[PUREVIL]

That sounds like a great trip. Memories for life.
Just be sure to bring a bucket for the girl, I imagine that those bendy mountain roads at enthusiast speeds might give a child passenger a case of car sick.

[PropellerHead]

Originally Posted by PUREVIL

That sounds like a great trip. Memories for life.
Just be sure to bring a bucket for the girl, I imagine that those bendy mountain roads at enthusiast speeds might give a child passenger a case of car sick.

The toughest section will be Tail of the Dragon. 317 curves in 11 miles. I know grown men who've lost it there. The rest is generally long, sweeping curves, tunnels, and some elevation changes here and there. Hopefully, we plan good meals around the curves.

[SlickGT1]

Dayamn. That looks like serious fun. Last time I did half those turns I thought my head would explode from the adrenaline rush. Have fun and seriously consider borrowing or getting a gopro camera. Keep it the shiny side up and have fun.

[TwinsPoppa]

Have fun and take care of daddy's girl!

[Skyline]

I drove the Blue Ridge parkway with my family when my kids were about your daughters age. I heard a lot of "Honey, slow down, you're going to kill us!". But actually there were precious few opportunities to let it out. Most of the time you are in a line of cars putting along behind some RV doing less than the speed limit. You will get some chances at the curves though.

On the plus side, there are many cool historic attractions along the Blue Ridge parkway. It's worth it to buy one of those mile by mile guides. One of my favorites was right off the parkway in Roanoke VA, where there is a great train museum.

[FSETH]

Have fun. TOTD is something everyone should do once. Just be careful. Especially with your daughter. Tons of people cross over the yellow lines in the curves. To be honest, I enjoy the roads around the Dragon even better.

[LeMansX5]

I had taken the Pisgah National forest route to BRP last year. Some scenic views. Take lot of pics.

[tmv]

It'll be a fun trip.

[motordavid]

Cool trip, PropellerHead!
I have run those roads and nearly every road in western NC, in a car or on a scoot, dozens to hundreds of times...

The time to cover your route, or even parallel route(s), may be longer than you anticipate, but that GOOG map should give you a reasonable time est.

Deal's Gap, aka TOTD is fun, and not too packed on weekdays. But, I agree with others that the two NC roads leading into that area are as good/better than Deal's Gap. The Gap run has several off camber, diminishing radius turns and solid speed can lead one into tight corners overcooked corners. Watch for cops all along your planned route, and esp near the Gap.

We have a 9 yr old granddaughter, so good luck with your daughter enjoying the back seat/car seat tossing around on the turns.

At the TOTD there is a burger joint, johns, etc.
Have a great but safe trip!
GL, mD