April 23-26, Biltmore Estate tour. Asheville, NC.
www.Biltmore.com (http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=BybsGfPD4SPvOKKK0M4ag4NkO5LPeW8Db2ZUL4ZHiDaCNBh ABGAEg9s38ASgHOAFQldiA4wRgyZ6th9yj8BDIAQHIAu6YoAPZ A1FqcndAXK7h&num=1&sig=AGiWqtxutesJ82Av8nhYjmYBxFdDQFeGrw&q=http://pixel1526.everesttech.net/1526/r/3/s_279bade75cfcebd03f06b753540f9c4e_2901830626_bilt more%2520estates/url%3Dhttp%253A//www.biltmore.com/landing/g_daytripper.asp%253FCMP%253DKNC-Google%2526HBX_PK%253Dbiltmore%252Bestates%2526HBX _OU%253D50%3Fs_kwcid%3Dbiltmore%2520estates%7C2901 830626)

so far there are 4 pple attending and several tentatives.

I've been there a few years ago and loved it. Stay at the hotel at the top of the hill at the Biltmore Estate, you will feel like Royalty.. :o)

SilverX

I've been there a few years ago and loved it. Stay at the hotel at the top of the hill at the Biltmore Estate, you will feel like Royalty.. :o)

SilverX

That's just what we did after leaving RIII. Great tour of the mansion, but at about $370 each for two nights at the Biltmore Hotel. . .stay in town at the Holiday Inn.

But the choice, of course, is yours. . .

Floyd

You're right Floyd, the cost was on the higher side. If I remember right we had some kind of package for a two night stay including dinner. Once in a while it's ok to feel like royalty.. :o)

SilverX

I have been calling for rates and checking online, we should be able to stay for about $119-139 per night, depending on what we all would like to agree on. Most include breakfast in the morning :)
Tickets to the mansion is reasonable, $47-57 for 2 days admission. I know Bruce mentioned the roof top tour, I think that is additional, but certainly sounds nice. We could visit the winery and take some great photos in the gardens and of course our babies in front of the mansion! :yesnod
We can sneak up on the roof and take some great shots from up above..hehe :jester

Doubt very much you'll be able to get the cars that close to the house. There isn't all that much to see or photograph from the roof.

Floyd

I have been calling for rates and checking online, we should be able to stay for about $119-139 per night, depending on what we all would like to agree on. Most include breakfast in the morning :)
Tickets to the mansion is reasonable, $47-57 for 2 days admission. I know Bruce mentioned the roof top tour, I think that is additional, but certainly sounds nice. We could visit the winery and take some great photos in the gardens and of course our babies in front of the mansion! :yesnod
We can sneak up on the roof and take some great shots from up above..hehe :jester

Hi Mea,
I would like to attend this event. You mentioned the rates at $119-139. Is this on the Biltmore Estate grounds or nearby? Either way, I would like to be a part of the group. I enjoyed the last mini XLR event you ran in Spring Hill last January. Look forward to this one too.
Henry:yesnod

That rate would be off the property. We will probably stay a few exits away. That is what Kathy and I have done in the past. We need to spend a little time and look at our options. We will post info. Anyway, we are glad to have you and Pat join us.

Bruce :D

Henry,

It will be a nice trip, glad you and Pat will join us. Now, this time I don't think I will be washing your car...hehe. I have never been there, so I am really looking forward to it, as I love this type of architecture and of course their gorgeous gardens. Lots to see and marvel over, and of course a great place for photo opportunities!
Bruce and Kathy have been there several times, so maybe they can be our tour guides. :thumbs Some folks may want to stay at the Estates and some of us will to stay just a little distance away.
I did find some great pictures online with vehicles in the foreground of the Estate. It should be fabulous! It is amazing how quickly time is flying, I think April will be here before we know it! :cool Mea

We were at Biltmore about a year ago and took the extra attic tour. It was worth it seeing the bones of how that mansion was built. We might attend even though we don't own an XLR anymore. Sold it a while back after RIII, but still consider ourselves part of the Pit Crew. Let me know if that would be okay with you

We were at Biltmore about a year ago and took the extra attic tour. It was worth it seeing the bones of how that mansion was built. We might attend even though we don't own an XLR anymore. Sold it a while back after RIII, but still consider ourselves part of the Pit Crew. Let me know if that would be okay with you

Hi Rick,

I don't see why not....Bruce & Kathy are leading up this trip....there are many activities for 09, it would be nice to attend some of them. :cheers Mea

Be glad to attend the Biltmore gathering, count me in. April is a great time to be in that part of NC. Have you checked out the rates for the Grove Park Inn. It's pricey but a great place, they have a killer seafood buffett every Friday night. Look forward to seeing all that can make it.

Be glad to attend the Biltmore gathering, count me in. April is a great time to be in that part of NC. Have you checked out the rates for the Grove Park Inn. It's pricey but a great place, they have a killer seafood buffett every Friday night. Look forward to seeing all that can make it.

Wonderful! It will be a very nice trip at a great time of year! :cheers
Mea

We are beginning the planning stages for the Biltmore trip. We are in the process of looking into hotel packages. Most of us will stay Thursday-Sunday. If anyone would like to attend this get together, please let us know. We thought it would be fun to invite Corvette owners as well, the two cars are related, so it would make for some great photos and mingling! :cheers
Bruce thought of a nice drive on the Blue Ridge as well, we could make quite the XLR/Vette snake! :yesnod
Once we narrow down the choices for hotel packages, I will post them and the rates. If anyone has some fun ideas for places to eat, please feel free to share. I heard seafood buffet mentioned earlier. Also downtown Asheville would be a great place to visit and have a meal or two.
Hope everyone is having a great New Year!
Mea :seeya

We are getting a nice number of Corvetteforum members joining us in our drive in the mountains as well as other activities. This should be a very fun adventure with the group....more later...Mea :seeya

My wife and I would like to attend this gathering if it takes place in the NC, SC, GA, AL, east TN or Bowling Green, Ky area. If Deals Gap gets the nod there are upscale accomadations at a place called Snowbird Mountain Lodge in Robbinsville, NC. Its just a 20 or so minute ride to Deals Gap and the "Tail of the Dragon". Fun road-short-but fun. There are other reasonably priced hotels in the area, but Snowbird Lodge is a real treat in and of itself.
Lots of mountain trails on the grounds and a beautiful setting. If memory serves me, a bag lunch and a 5 star meal are included in the price. Great wine cellar too:party. That I do remember. It only has 20 or so rooms though. Also nearby and a nice ride is the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. At the forest (limited parking:nopity), a 2 mile round trip hike will take you to some of the largest, if not the largest, Yellow Poplar trees in the US.

All this is about 100 miles west of Ashville.

Thanks

Jack & Lynda

Jack & Lynda,

We would love to have you join us! We will be staying within a few miles of the Estates, perhaps downtown, where there is plenty to do and see. Plus the road tour...we have been getting a very nice welcome about this on the Corvetteforum...many locals are interested in joining the fun & offering some great info on the roads, restaurants...etc. We are also planning to visit a waterfall on our route. It will be a great XLR-Corvette snake. Lots of photo opportunities, Kathy and I are ready to take some great pictures! :yesnod
More the merrier! :cheers
Mea

Biltmore trip overnight accomodations: Few of us will stay at the newly remodeled Holiday Inn Biltmore West. Rates online are only $96 plus tax. Convenient to Biltmore and downtown. Plenty of hotels available closer to Biltmore or downtown.
We will start looking into restaurant options to meet in with locals wanting to join the drive and a meal or two.
Sounds like quite a few of you already are with us for the drive & lunch...maybe even dinner! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/thumbsup.gifhttp://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/cheers2.gif Looking forward to meeting you all with your babies and taking some great pictures! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/coolgleamA.gif
Suggestions are appreciated for places to eat.
We will tour the Biltmore on Friday, anyone interested please let us know or if you would like to join us for dinner. I am assuming we will have lunch at the Biltmore.
Many of you have suggested great roads to drive on for our Corvette snake on Saturday (weather permitting). http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/driving.gif We will map them out and plan a nice drive and waterfall stop. Probably no more than 3-4 hours. Anyone interested for Saturday lunch or dinner, let us know so we can plan place and time. Once we figure out all the places to meet up, we will post them. Thanks and http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/cheers2.gif! Mea

Here is what we have so far:
Biltmore trip/lunch
Vettin Man -2
Bruce & Kathy
Paul & Mea
Bob & Paula-maybe
Jack & Lynda

Saturday Drive/lunch
Vettin Man
Leadfoot88
1truL48
RockinC6
JPBabyRange
NC_EB_Z06
Bruce & Kathy
Jack & Lynda
Paul & Mea
Bob & Paula-maybe
Catbert-maybe

I'm thinking Windi and I would like to join you on the biltmore trip too.

I'm thinking Windi and I would like to join you on the biltmore trip too.

We would love to have you join us! :cheers Mea

Hi Y'all,

We are very glad to be back home to sunny weather and temp in the 70's.
Let's just say, we were chilly-http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/willy_nilly.gif!
The poor car has experienced snow I would say for the first and last time! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/eek6.gif and of all places, Georgia.
Paul really enjoyed the drive on 215 & 276 and I enjoyed the great scenery!!! We had the roads all to ourselves, literally...we saw a total of 5 cars pass us going the other direction on the entire mountain! No one in our direction, so we were able to stop and take pictures. Parkway was closed, which made us drive all the other great roads...what a treat! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif
Weather was actually not that bad...some rain, cloudy, but very enjoyable. I can just imagine how beautiful it will be at the end of April!!!
I will post some pictures, and the route we took. We have a better understanding of the speeds, roads, etc. The roads we did take, the only place to stop with many cars is Sliding Rock Park and less cars at Looking Glass Falls. The two are fairly close together, so we can stop at the Park for a break & pictures. We may have to split the group up to stop at the Looking Glass falls, but it will depend on how many cars we have and how busy it is that Saturday. Fortunately it is after the Sliding Rock, so Paul and I can go ahead and scope it out.
It was a great road trip, first one for our baby Z06. He seemed to enjoy it, except for the snow! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/ack2.gif
It should be a great drive for all of us in April. I will have the camera ready and charged! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/yesnod.gif
Thanks to all you locals for your help! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/cheers2.gif Mea

Stop at the Sliding Rock Park.
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Looking Glass Falls quick stop.
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Awesome drive on 215
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Driving out of the Biltmore Estates entrance.
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Biltmore Village
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Here is what we enjoyed :eek: in Commerce, Georgia on our way home... :ack:
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Mea
We just made reservations at the Biltmore West. We wanted a non smoking king but they only had a smoking room left in the kings. At least nine non smoking queens are left. Point being is that folks who are attending probably need to book now.
We will be around for Saturday night dinner also.

Thanks
Jack

Sorry I have not posted anything recently...we've been really busy http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/crazy.gif. After Sebring Races (after the 23rd) I will have time to go over the attendees and make some more planning and give you all schedules of the get togethers, dinners, drive, etc.
This is becoming a bigger turnout than expected for the drive and lunch on Saturday, which is great! http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/party.gif
Thank you for your patience!

Jack, that is wonderful! See you next month, it should be a fun and active 2 full days. :yesnod

Mea

Hi gang,

So far we have 12 cars confirmed for the drive on Saturday and some of those for the Friday Biltmore Estates tour. We have 21 cars that are possibles/would like to go. So we may end up with 2 dozen cars for the drive & lunch! :party
Will post more once I get the plans in order.
Thanks, Mea

Hi Y'all,

I was thinking meeting at IHOP for or after breakfast, they have a big enough parking lot. Then head counter clockwise and end up having lunch on the Parkway at the Pisgah Inn, then finish at the BRP & 191.
Does that sound like we can all make it there for lunch between noon and 1pm-ish if we leave around 8:30 am or so? We would make stops at the sliding rock and the looking glass falls then head back North to the Parkway and head East. There is not many places to pull over for breaks along the route that we could see. Definitely not on 215. We still have not driven the Parkway, there may be areas there, depends on how many cars we will have. You locals might know if over a dozen cars can pull over together on the Parkway entrance at 215 heading East.
After the drive, I think we will head to downtown or to the Village to relax. I am worried about not being able to park all the cars together safely. When we were driving through downtown near Haywood, Patton area, I did not find it safe or a good place to park our cars.

It would be helpful if you locals know of a nice spot for us all to have dinner, where we can all park safely and easily. It does not have to be downtown. Hwy 19 North of I-40 and I-240 has quite a few places to eat that looked good with plenty of parking. Downtown scared me a bit....maybe I was in the wrong area? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/eek6.gif

I will have to do a head-count after Sebring, we will need to book our tickets to the Biltmore for Friday, and finalize the Saturday drive with lunch and figure out where to for dinner and chat.

Mea

This looks to be the route that we are entertaining.

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Hi gang,

Saturday drive & lunch: We will all meet at the IHOP on US-19 just North of I-40. If you can join us for breakfast, great! We will eat at 7am. We will leave the parking lot between 8:30-8:40am...so be there no later than 8:15 please. I will have copies of the route for everyone and PLEASE BRING YOUR FRS RADIOS. We will have several cars to keep us all together, and I will provide cell phone numbers for each of us.
There will be some good photo ops. Lunch will be at the Pisgah Inn Restaurant.
I will post more details later.
Here is a list of attendees for the Saturday drive so far:

Confirmed:
Paul & Mea (CyberZ06 & Mrs)
Bruce & Kathy (Cadillactech & Photogirl)
Jack & Lynda XLR
(OldGuy920) XLR
Kevin & Marion (HD motorcycle)
Frank Phillips
Brian & Teresa (1Trul48)
Norm & Marge (Norm66)
Dick & Mary Ann
Dewayne & Brenda (Dewayne'sC6)
Randy & Phyllis
Jason +1 (JPbabyrange)
Darren & Terri (Darren6114)
(VettinMan) +1
Emil (ejz48)
(RockinC6)
(SSTEVEGS)

Interested/tentative:

(RLeonard) XLR
(Moneypit) XLR
(Dmoore)
(Vettecop1125)
(HoleInOne)
(RickH) ex-XLR
(Catbert)
(NC_EB_Z06)
(94-Vette)
(Smknvette)
(Rich) XLR

If I left your name out, please let me know! If you want to commit, or can't attend, please let me know, so I can update the list. :)

This is the route we selected:

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Thanks! Mea

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Names hi-lited in Green are confirmed so far...still waiting for a few pendings that I PM'd.
Please check the names, the details and email me with corrections, missing info or confirmations!
Thank you!!!
Mea

Hi Gang,

I will be working on the Biltmore Friday tours planning today. We have 20 people confirmed to go there, maybe more...so I will negotiate a group rate for the entrance fees and tours... I will post rates and what tours some of us are interested in taking and what time each tour starts, so to better plan the day and have a good idea how long things will take. I know we will eat on property at the Inn for lunch, for dinner we will eat at TGIF's just outside the Estates.
More later.... :cheers: M

We can start booking the group general admission rates for the Biltmore starting Tuesday March 31st.
Phone: 866-851-4661 Use Promo Code: MFT You can have them mailed to your home, so you don't waste time stopping at the group desk on our way in to pick them up. They mail tickets only if it is more than 2 weeks to arrival...so if you are ordering less than 2 weeks, then you will need to pick them up at the entrance!

Group rate for General admission is $38 pp. You can also buy the tickets at the gate, but it would speed things up at the entrance if we all have our tickets in order.
Once we are in the door of the House, we can buy the extra tours each one of us would like to go on.

Additional rates for specialty tours above the price of general admission:

-Roof Top tour:Guided + $15pp starts at 9:30am til 3:30pm. Runs every 30 minutes for a 1 hour long tour.
-Behind the scenes Guided tour: + $15pp same times as above.
-Red Wine & Chocolates tour at the winery: Free at 2:30pm and at 4pm daily....it lasts for about 30 minutes.
-Guided Tour is + $15pp once a day starts at 4pm and runs for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
-Audio guide: + $8pp (I was told this was well worth it!)
Gardens tours at our own leisure.
Of course there are more specialty tours, see link below for details.
http://www.biltmore.com/buy_tickets/more_biltmore.asp

I also read that they are opening a whole new section of the House:
New this year: four of the most grand guest rooms in Biltmore House are now open! Meticulously restored to their original appearance, the Louis XV Suite on the Second Floor showcases what made Biltmore House a home: stories about the people who lived in and loved America's largest home. You can enjoy the new stories with our new audio guide.

We will all be at the gate at 9am so we can all park in our own "special section"! ;)
Once we are in we will take pictures with all our babies parked in the "special" area and then we can enjoy the house. I will fill you guys in of another cool thing we will do once we are there before we park.:thumbs:

I know Paul and I will take the Rooftop tour in the AM and take our camera up with (permission was given) so we can take pics from the top!!!:yesnod:
We will also do the Audio Guide.
There are several restaurants to choose from for lunch, the one I liked the sound of is the Deerpark Restaurant, which is a short drive deeper into the property. Go online to biltmore.com and check out the different dining choices and their menus. The Bistro also looks good, much smaller Tuscan style. :thumbs:
We will probably visit the winery for Red wine & chocolates at either 2:30 or 4pm....ahhhhh I just want the chocolates....you guys can have my wine!
We will also visit the gardens near the bass pond which is a 1/2 mile walk or drive and park on the side of the road for pictures. The walled gardens near the gift shop is in the plan as well, park and take photos.

Photos can be taken anywhere on the property except inside the home!
The house has 350 stairs or so for just the general touring, so be prepared to get some serious exercise if you choose to do the extra specialty tours. The Roof top and the Behind the scenes each have additional 250 stairs!! This is why we chose only one and not both, I am not a spring chicken anymore! :lol:
For those of you having breakfast with us at IHOP, we will caravan from there to the Biltmore to arrive by 9am. So we will leave around 8:35-ish. So I would say arrive at IHOP for breakfast at 7am.
I hope I did not miss anything...if so tuff cookies, just kidding, just let me know! :) Mea

Ok Gang,

Biltmore tickets can be purchased now by calling the group desk at 866-851-4661 $38pp Tell them promo code: MFT

You can ask them to mail it to you so that you don't have to mess around picking them up the morning of. If you order them less than 2 weeks prior to arrival, then you will have to pick it up in person upon entry day of. So to save time, get your tickies vewy soon! :D
I ordered mine today :yesnod:

I have been updating the list of attendees spreadsheet, so minor changes will take place as we get closer to the date. Check it once in a while.
Please email me if you have questions, or if you want me to add more info on the spreadsheet.

I would also like all you local's input about Saturday night dinner. Paul and I ate at an all you can eat buffet on 19 called "Asiana Grand Buffet" that was pretty darn good. Located at 153 Smokey Park Hwy., Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 667-0410 They had everything! Fresh made to order stir-fry, sushi, tons of food for all tastes asian and american. I am only thinking of what the masses can enjoy and where we can park our cars safely and easily. If you guys have a cute fancy place that can accomodate our cars and would suit the flavor of the masses, by all means, let's hear it!

Chatted with Brian, as well as Dewayne from the forum last night....this is a fun group of people! Looking forward to meeting you all soon! :cheers: Mea

Biltmore is approx 7 miles from the Holiday Inn Biltmore West, where many of us are staying. TGIF's is around the corner of the Biltmore.

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Just received our Biltmore tickets in the mail today :)

Chatting up a storm with some of the people attending, having a great time already with them, and we haven't even met yet! :thumbs
All of us are soooo looking forward to this Fun trip! :cheers

ahhh, finally a decision made! whooo hooo... As Dewayne would say..."Saweet" Both restaurants are 9 miles from our hotel!
Pomodoros South it is for Friday evening! 7pm http://www.pomodoroscafe.com

Which restaurant out of the few they have at the Grove Park Inn do you guys want to eat at...I think they all look fabulous!

Blue Ridge Dining Room on Saturday night has a Prime Rib Buffet 5:30 – 9:30 PM.
The Sunset Terrace needs reservations, so we need to gather our numbers and book for dinner...Sunset Terrace Chophouse is the resort’s classic steakhouse, serving prime beef and fresh seafood for dinner.
Horizon's is the Resort’s flagship restaurant..reservations required....Friday – Saturday 6 - 9:30 PM*
So let's pick one of these fine restaurants....check out their menu at:
http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Dining

I am very happy with the dinner restaurant choices!
Let's get everyone who wants to join us for dinner Saturday night to let me know, so I can make reservations. Check the list for Friday dinner, just please confirm or tell me about changes!
Thanks everyone for all your input!!!! :cheers: Mea
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Updated 4-13

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Hi Gang,

Some of us will be arriving on Thursday night, and we've been chit chattin as to where we will eat dinner. Yoshida's Japanese Steakhouse was recommended to us by locals when we were there in February. It is close to the hotel, so we are thinking dinner there Thursday night. Have not decided on time yet, depends on when we arrive into Asheville...I would guess right now around 7pm-ish or later.

4 Regent Park Blvd
Asheville, NC 28806
(828) 252-5903
http://local.yahoo.com/info-13376627...ouse-asheville (http://local.yahoo.com/info-13376627-yoshida-japanese-steak-house-asheville)

Feel free to join. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:forums.corvetteforum.com/get/images/smilies/cheers2.gif Mea

Hi Mia,
Looks like there will be 2 in my car. Paula is coming so the spreadsheet can be updated.

Bob

Hi Mia,
Looks like there will be 2 in my car. Paula is coming so the spreadsheet can be updated.

Bob

Whooohoooo! Very glad to hear it!!! See U both soon! :cheers M

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Updated 4-20

Hi Everyone,

I have been negotiating with the Manager at Pomodoros for the Friday Night dinner about the menu, seating and arrival times. For a large group like this, they wanted to offer a group menu which is very limited in my opinion, so I made it clear we all would like to order off their wide variety regular menu.
In order to do that and have everyone be served in a timely manner, he asked us to make reservations in advance of groups of 6-8-10. Arrivals within about 10-15 minutes apart. His concern was being able to feed everyone at once, which off the regular menu they can not do. I agreed that we would be seated and order at varied times.

Some of the locals can arrive a bit earlier or later than the folks taking the Biltmore tours. Everyone attending (so far 31), please email me, post or PM me as to what time would suit you better to be seated and that way the orders don't come in all at once.
We will all still be enjoying eachother's company and our cars, we just won't be eating at one table and put in our orders all at the same time. :cheers:
Thank you for your understanding! Mea

Hi Gang,

Here is what I have come up with so far. I can only put times of request of those of you who rsvp's to me. Others, I just did my best to make it even and easier on seating and ordering. Now this does not mean that is the time you need to be there at, just that this is the seating times. So if some get there earlier and they are able to seat us, great, if not, then we can socialize by the cars. Also we can swap people for times once we are there, as long as we keep it a bit spread out, to allow the restaurant to accomodate us in a timely manner. If you wish to swap times, names, just let me know. Thanks! :cheers: M

6:45 - 8pple: Bill & Nancy, Norm & Marge, Bill & Donna, Dick & Mary Ann
7:00 - 5-6ppl: Jack & Lynda, George, Ed & Carolyn
7:15 - 7-8 pple: Bruce & Kathy, Frank +1, Bob & Paula, Mark
7:30 - 6ppl: Paul & Mea, Dewayne & Brenda, Randy & Phyllis
7:45 - 5-6pple: Brian & Teresa, Kevin & Marion, Rich

Gang,

Here is one option for us for parking all together for dinner Friday night at Pomodoros: Jim the Manager wrote:

"Yes, I confirmed this morning we have five parties total for you. Thanks for checking.

By the way you had previously inquired about parking. Here is my suggestion, when you enter our parking lot if you drive straight until you have to make a left or right make a left. You will then see several spots that typically are not used since they are for businesses that are only open during the day. A little further ahead there also several spots facing the woods that border our property that may also be empty. Any questions feel free to give me a call.

Thanks Jim"

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updated 21

April 23-26 Asheville Spring Trip

Thursday Evening
Most of us will be staying at Holiday Inn Biltmore-West, 435 Smokey Park Hwy., Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 665-2161
Some of us will be arriving on Thursday night and will be dining at Yoshida's Japanese Steakhouse. It is 5.5 miles from our hotel. So far we have 6 people reserved for 8pm at a Hibachi table. Casual Japanese steak and seafood restaurant, with hibachi/tappen yaki style dining.
4 Regent Park Blvd, Asheville, NC 28806 (828) 252-5903 http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3717377829
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Friday Morning
Breakfast at the IHOP .5 miles from our hotel at 7:00am. IHOP Restaurant: 275-B Smokey Park Highway,Asheville, NC 28806-1140, (828) 665-9390
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For those of you not joining us for breakfast, meet at the IHOP parking lot to caravan with us to the Biltmore at 8:35-8:40am or meet us at the entrance by 9:00am.
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We can purhcase the group general admission rates for the Biltmore by calling 866-851-4661 Use Promo Code: MFT
Group rate for General admission is $38 pp. You can also buy the tickets at the gate, but it would speed things up at the entrance if we all have our tickets in order. Once we are in the door of the House, we can buy the extra tours each one of us would like to go on.
Additional rates for specialty tours above the price of general admission:
-Roof Top tour:Guided + $15pp starts at 9:30am til 3:30pm. Runs every 30 minutes for a 1 hour long tour.
-Behind the scenes Guided tour: + $15pp same times as above.
-Red Wine & Chocolates tour at the winery: Free at 2:30pm and at 4pm daily....it lasts for about 30 minutes.
-Guided Tour is + $15pp once a day starts at 4pm and runs for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
-Audio guide: + $8pp (I was told this was well worth it!)
Gardens tours at our own leisure.
Of course there are more specialty tours, see link below for details.
http://www.biltmore.com/buy_tickets/more_biltmore.asp
We will all be at the gate at 9am so we can all park in our own "special section"!
Once we are in we will take pictures with all our babies parked in the "special" area and then we can enjoy the house. If by chance you are not at the entrance with us, just make sure you tell the guard that you have permission to park with the Group of Corvettes at the “Ramp Deuce”. Back up your car into the parking spots, so the rear of our cars are facing the house. I will fill you guys in of another cool thing we will do once we are there before we park.

I know Paul and I will take the Rooftop tour in the AM and take our camera up with (permission was given) so we can take pics from the top!!! We will also do the Audio Guide.
There are several restaurants to choose from for lunch, the one I thought would serve our group most conveniently is the Deerpark Restaurant, which is a short drive deeper into the property.
Go online to http://www.biltmore.com/visit/dining/default.asp and check out the different dining choices and their menus. The Bistro also looks good, much smaller Tuscan style. The Stable Cafe looks great too next door to the house.
We will probably visit the winery for Red wine & chocolates at either 2:30 or 4pm.
We will also visit the gardens near the bass pond which is a 1/2 mile walk or drive and park on the side of the road for pictures. The walled gardens near the gift shop is in the plan as well, park and take photos.
Photos can be taken anywhere on the property except inside the home!
The house has 350 stairs, so for just the general touring be prepared to get some serious exercise if you choose to do the extra specialty tours. The Roof top and the Behind the scenes each have additional 250 stairs!! This is why we chose only one and not both.
Make the Most of Your Biltmore Visit
• Allow plenty of time. You may be amazed by the size of the estate and all the things to see and do. Allow at least a day to see the house, gardens, winery, and River Bend Farm. Allow two days or more for outdoor activities, such as biking, hiking, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, and guided tours.
• Arrive early. View our seasonal estate hours for Biltmore opening times.
• Extend your visit. Spend an additional day exploring the estate by purchasing a next-day upgrade for $10.00 at our guest services locations.
• Get your tickets in advance. Save time:purche advanced tickets online or by calling 800-411-3812.
• Stay a night or two. Save time and money with Biltmore hotel packages.
• Dress for comfort. Wear comfortable walking shoes & layers to allow for changeable mountain weather.
• Parking is free, and some of the estate venues are several miles apart, so you’ll need to drive to some of the other estate attractions.
• Arrive after 2:00 p.m. and visit the next day for free! Simply enter the gate after 2:00 p.m. and your admission ticket will be valid for the next day as well.

Friday Night Dinner

Pomodoros South, 9 miles from hotel. 75 Long Shoals Rd, Asheville, NC 28704 http://www.pomodoroscafe.com Reservations begin at 6:45, 7:00, 7:15, 7:30 & 7:45pm
6:45 - 8pple: Bill & Nancy, Norm & Marge, Bill & Donna, Dick & Mary Ann
7:00 - 5-6ppl: Jack & Lynda, George, Ed & Carolyn
7:15 - 7-8 pple: Bruce & Kathy, Frank +1, Bob & Paula, Mark
7:30 - 6ppl: Paul & Mea, Dewayne & Brenda, Randy & Phyllis
7:45 - 5-6pple: Brian & Teresa, Kevin & Marion, Rich
Map from Hotel to Pomodoros South
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Map from Biltmore to Pomodoros South
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When we drive in to the restaurant, if you drive straight until you have to make a left or right make a left. You will then see several spots that typically are not used since they are for businesses that are only open during the day. A little further ahead there also several spots facing the woods that border our property that may also be empty.
For a large group like this, in order to serve us from their wonderful regular menu and in a timely manner, we were asked to make reservations in advance of groups of 6-8-10. Arrivals within about 15 minutes apart.
Some of the locals can arrive a bit earlier or later than the folks taking the Biltmore tours. Everyone attending (so far 31), please contact me as to what time would suit you better to be seated and that way the orders don't come in all at once. We will all still be enjoying each other's company and our cars, we just won't be eating at one table and put in our orders all at the same time.
Here is what I have come up with so far. I can only put times of request of those of you who rsvp's to me. Others, I just did my best to make it even and easier on seating and ordering. Now this does not mean that is the time you need to be there at, just that this is the seating times. So if some get there earlier and they are able to seat us, great, if not, then we can socialize by the cars. Also we can swap people for times once we are there, as long as we keep it a bit spread out, to allow the restaurant to accommodate us in a timely manner. If you wish to swap times, names, just let me know.

Saturday Morning

Saturday drive & lunch: We will all meet at the IHOP on US-19 just North of I-40. IHOP Restaurant: 275-B Smokey Park Highway,Asheville, NC 28806-1140, (828) 665-9390
Breakfast at the IHOP .5 miles from our hotel at 7:00am. For those of you not joining us for breakfast, meet at the IHOP parking lot for the drive. We will depart at 8:30am, so please be there by 8:15.
I will have copies of the route for everyone and PLEASE BRING YOUR FRS RADIOS, we will do a radio check/sync before we leave. We will have several cars to keep us all together, and I will provide cell phone numbers for myself, Brian and Bruce. There will be some good photo ops. Lunch will be at the Pisgah Inn Restaurant.
Route:
We will head counter clockwise and end up having lunch on the Parkway at the Pisgah Inn, then finish at the BRP & 191. We will make stops at Looking Glass falls & Sliding Rock then head back North to the Parkway and head East. We should be able to make it to the Pisgah Inn for lunch between noon and 1pm-ish. There is not many places to pull over for breaks along the route that we could see. Definitely not on 215. If we need to make a stop before we get onto 276 heading North, we can stop in Brevard.
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Saturday Afternoon Party at Asheville Chevrolet

Asheville Chevrolet, 205 Smokey Park Hwy., (828)665-4444 Dealership is .5 miles from our hotel. They are throwing us a party starting 4pm...nice group of people there! :)
We will show up between 3:30 and 4pm with all our washed and cleaned cars after the drive & lunch, so that the locals can enjoy the awesome line-up of Vettes & XLRs! :)
Car Washes near the Hotel...also
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Saturday Night Dinner

Grove Park 7:00pm. 9 miles from the hotel. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804 (828)-252-2711 http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure/Dining Blue Ridge Dining Room: Sat. night has a Prime Rib Buffet 5:30–9:30 PM This is a beautiful setting, so for a great photo opportunity, we should probably show up a bit earlier to take some pics. Attire is resort casual, they prefer no jeans.
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For folks with allergies, it may be a good idea to pack something to ease the symptoms.

Asheville weather forecast: Hopefully it won’t change much.
Thursday: High 72, partly cloudy,Low 45 Friday: High 77, Partly cloudy,Low 52
Saturday: High 77, partly cloudy,Low 52 Sunday: High 72, 50% chance of thunderstorms

Here is what we have so far for attendance:

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Looking forward to seeing everyone & your cars and having a great time. Weather looks good, photos ops will be great!
Be safe on the road trips and C U soon. :cheers:

Gang,
I've just added a new event after the drive:
Saturday Afternoon Party at Asheville Chevrolet
Please see the list again, I've updated it.
M

Just got back a few hours ago from our awesome trip. Paul had to bail me out of jail....Yikes! :jester
Mea likes drivin Z06, Mea gets caught drivin just a tad over the speed limit. Only 180mph....
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Mea no like hand cuffs....
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hehe, The Officer was a great sport...he enjoyed playin along with our little joke on our way home. Actually wrote me up a tickie (warning) for driving 180..lol :cool He wants a Z06. :lol
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Hi Y'all,

Man, was that an incredible trip! Everyone had a great time, laughed so hard, we cried, tummy aches, probably developed wrinkles....:jester
The local folks were awesome, the food was superb, and weather could not be better! Tiny bit of rain on Friday, but didn't spoil the fun.

The Biltmore was gorgeous, and cars were cute as heck parked directly in front for a great photo op, then afterward parked right at the end of the lawn for some more great pics. We had so much action, so much to do, all of us are pretty tired from 2.5 fun filled days in Asheville plus the long drives. We represented 9 States and met some great friends!
We made it in the local paper, someone caught us on video and will post it on You Tube at Looking Glass Falls. :skep:
Let's just say, the cars raised quite a few eyebrows, and turned many heads! :thumbs:
The XLR's were a hot ticket, 7 of them sparkly and stylin all together, rolling with fellow Vettes of many colors and years.
This was a memorable event, many want to play again next year, if not sooner. :D

I miss all of you already :grouphug:...many thanks to the locals, to Bruce & Kathy for bringing all the XLR's and a few Vettes. Jack & Lynda Parker are a hoot! Miss You guys!!! Even Gayle and Bob drove their new baby 2009 XLR Platinum for it's 1st event! They were stylin!
We missed Mark Toffolo, and Ed & Carolyn who did not make it. Met George for the first time, he was sooo cool, he traded cars with one of the local Vette owners, so Layton and his wife got to enjoy driving part of the Parkway in his XLR-V!!!!
Smiles everywhere, camera's snapping like crazy!
You locals are a hoot, I am hoping we will get to see all of you again in the future. Some of you will come down to Florida, get a hold of me, so we can meet you and have some more fun!
Thanks to Brian, Steve, Jason, Layton, many more to list......
Darren, we missed you! Tyler showed up at the hotel to say "Hi". It was great to have Dave and son Lewis hang with the gang....His 15th B-day is this week!
Bill & Nancy...we wished you guys could have been with us Saturday as well, you'll have to fill us in on your Autocross!
Norm & Marge, along with Dick & Mary Ann were styling in their converts! ;) :auto:
Dewayne & Brenda, along with Randy & Phyllis were a total crack up...they made us laugh so hard, especially Teresa...hehe That Pomodoros dinner was a great time.... :party The inside jokes were endless!
Their white Converts were such a treat to look at, snow white and hot as heck! ;) Brenda...U one lucky lady! Miss you guys very much, and take that man of yours to the docs for his shoulder!! Paulie and I can't "hook him up" anymore! hehehehe ;)
Bill (aka Robin...hehe) & Donna in their yellow Convert were a treat! Looking forward to you two visiting down in FL! Will the real Robin, please stand up...lol I am sorry about your scratch on your rear in the parking lot! :(
Brian and Teresa...well....he is a stomach turner :U...literally...lol His driving skills are AWESOME! Felt safe, but sick being behind him on the mountain roads....lol in a good way. :ack: haha
Layton and his 4 other cars were a treat too. Got to meet his parents, few friends and Fred...ahh the "famous" Cyber Z06 owner...hehe :thumbs:

We had several Police visits for fun, none of us got into trouble, Marion got handcuffed by Kevin, instead of the police...hehe. :reddevil
Yoshida's was a total blast! I dont think we could have had a funnnnner dinnnner! It was perfect, great pics to prove it too!
Marion might need some extra chop sticks though...Just so she does not run out! Kevin may have to invest some stock....oh and in handcuffs too.lol
It was wonderful to see Bob and Paula...she is miss social butterfly! :) :) Always with a great big smile, and very sweet. :cheers:
Rich, well, need I say anything here..always the life of the party and a wonderful must have for any and all gatherings...hehe :) Hope Misty get's a doctor's visit soon and gets well again! :seeya
Cathy & her daughter Julia were quite the hit as well in their Hot black Barbie mobile!

I will post pics as soon as I can go through them. Too many good shots!
I still need some more:sleep: 's, but I know you all wanna see some pics.
Asheville will not forget this shin-dig of ours....
:crazy:Mea stopped traffic on roads a little too much, but no one got hurt.....:willy: My new camera had a blast, needless to say, all the cars posed happily!:yesnod:
More later....gotta get busy on pics!
Mea ;)

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=B0&Date=20090424&Category=NEWS01&ArtNo=904240804&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Mea:

Nice Turnout!!!

I am happy that everyone had a Great Time!!!

Regards

Here are a few pics, but the rest are in the process of being loaded onto photobucket. Hundreds will be posted within a few days, but look at some great ones here:

http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc224/tflak/?newest=1

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Here is the link to the mini clip of the XLRs and Vettes pulling in one by one with crazy woman stopping traffic on 276. :o:rolleyes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBKkoOnF7qo

Really enjoyed those pics and that fun YouTube clip. Wish I had been able to come!

Jay

Really enjoyed those pics and that fun YouTube clip. Wish I had been able to come!

Jay

Jay,

It would have been nice to add one more car to our caravan and more people to enjoy the other cars and their owners.
Next time!
I have a feeling I may have to arrange another gathering in the future...cause I gotta visit all my new friends in NC! :cheers
Mea

We are beginning the planning stages for the Biltmore trip. We are in the process of looking into hotel packages. Most of us will stay Thursday-Sunday. If anyone would like to attend this get together, please let us know. We thought it would be fun to invite Corvette owners as well, the two cars are related, so it would make for some great photos and mingling! :cheers
Bruce thought of a nice drive on the Blue Ridge as well, we could make quite the XLR/Vette snake! :yesnod
Once we narrow down the choices for hotel packages, I will post them and the rates. If anyone has some fun ideas for places to eat, please feel free to share. I heard seafood buffet mentioned earlier. Also downtown Asheville would be a great place to visit and have a meal or two.
Hope everyone is having a great New Year!
Mea :seeya
Any Chicago XLR Events

Chip Kodiak,

You can always make your own event!!!

That is what I did....You plan it, invite the owners through the forum and your local dealerships, word of mouth, and they will come for the funtivities!

I am sure you can come up with some fun things to do up in your area!

I know I will plan another XLR/Corvette event again...Everyone had such a great time, that we all want more ;).....perhaps make it annual.

I will pick a different location each time with different activities. The locals are real good about giving suggestions and offering help.

So good luck and have fun! :cheers

Mea

Chip Kodiak,

You can always make your own event!!!

That is what I did....You plan it, invite the owners through the forum and your local dealerships, word of mouth, and they will come for the funtivities!

I am sure you can come up with some fun things to do up in your area!

I know I will plan another XLR/Corvette event again...Everyone had such a great time, that we all want more ;).....perhaps make it annual.

I will pick a different location each time with different activities. The locals are real good about giving suggestions and offering help.

So good luck and have fun! :cheers

Mea

Hey Mea,
Let us know when you plan on another event in Florida. I won't be travelling out of state anymore with the XLR (too many miles over 200,000) but I will take my XLR anywhere in Florida.
Henry

I'm from NC, too. I love the Grove Park Inn!