Getaway from the snow - LotusTalk

clopi2000 · 12-18-2007, 06:48 AM

The snow is piling in Montreal.

Friday the 21st at noon I close the shop for the holidays. I'm single, bored, I've had it with the Christmas crap, and I want to drive my Lotus.

So I'm heading south.

Saturday looks like a good weather window to -carefully- get across the Adirondacks and land in Philadelphia.

From there, cross Delaware, stop at Virginia beach (never been there), and then continue south to Charleston and Savannah, two cities I like (been there a couple of years ago)

I may stay in the US for 6-7 days, and I want to drive everyday.

Drive, take short walks, coffee, drive, take pictures, drive, crash in a Motel. Redo.

Any thoughts ?

Any roads I should not miss ?

Dave · 12-18-2007, 07:31 AM

Looks like a nice drive, but I'd be concerned with road conditions on your A to B, not to mention the salt mines that have been dumped.

carl · 12-18-2007, 07:37 AM

if you make it down to FT Meyers fla. i can set you up with some water front lots. there selling like hot cakes better get one while they last. carl

ace10 · 12-18-2007, 07:42 AM

balls of steel. that's what a trip like that takes in late december!

good luck.

clopi2000 · 12-18-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Looks like a nice drive, but I'd be concerned with road conditions on your A to B, not to mention the salt mines that have been dumped.

I'm used to drive the car in winter-ish conditions. But the roads have to be clear of snow and ice. Thats why I'll carefully check weather conditions.

As for the salt I'll stop in DIY car washes and rinse the underside and the wheel wells.

While I take good care of my Elise, it is not a garage queen.

LotusUSA · 12-18-2007, 11:02 AM

now, that's an adventure!

clopi2000 · 12-19-2007, 06:53 AM

East coast LotusTalkers: I need your best roads recommendations !

Great twisties on the east coast: myth or reality ?

Conan · 12-19-2007, 07:02 AM

*gulp!* good luck.....you'll need it!

Eye Candy · 12-19-2007, 07:04 AM

Myth. I take the exact route you have laid out when I go to Roebling Road and it is just ....boring. It is so bad that sometimes I will take the longer route and go west and then down 95 (mindnumbing and bumpy but at least you don't have to deal with frequent stop lights.)

Despite the possibility of bad weather/cold temps I would take the Blue Ridge Parkway south. Charleston and Savannah are great cities to visit if you can get that far. You could also just stay somewhat west and end up in Atlanta.
Or better yet, go to Pigeon Forge, Biltmore House in Asheville and/or the Dragon. Now THAT would be a nice drive.

clopi2000 · 12-19-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eye Candy

Myth. I take the exact route you have laid out when I go to Roebling Road and it is just ....boring. It is so bad that sometimes I will take the longer route and go west and then down 95 (mindnumbing and bumpy but at least you don't have to deal with frequent stop lights.)

Damn ! Thanks. I am now considering cruising on the 95 further south. Florida, anyone ?

The Blue Ridge Parkway was my initial idea. I did a great part of it in 2005 riding a bicycle (with pedals), and a small part of it in a VW Golf, and it was a blast.

But it's so cold up there for the next days:

xxxotic · 12-19-2007, 08:28 AM

95 to Fl will be a mess.

All of the snowbirds come down between Thanksgiving and New Years and so do a bunch of people towing RVs with cars attached to them.

Plan it so that you miss the morning rush in DC, and take the side road that bypasses Richmond.

Also Jacksonville is a mess with all of the constructions, turns and lane changes and everyone has no idea of where they are going.

I left on the Saturday before Thanksgiving from Daytona and went to NJ. I left at 4 AM and the ride wasn't too bad, except I missed the turn for the NJ Turnpike, and stayed on 95 by the Philly airport. They were doing road construction, i was down to one lane and a football game was going on so it took me 3 hours in bumper to bumper traffic to go about 50 miles to the Rt 1 exit to get back into NJ.

I left the Saturday after Thanksgiving from NJ at 7AM and the traffic was heavy but moving. Once I got to VA the traffic was noticeably heavier all the way down to FL.

If you can plan it so that you go thru DC on a weekend the traffic wont be as bad as during a weekday with all of the commuters.

mp3moose · 12-19-2007, 08:35 AM

Unforunately traffic and snow will be bad for good sections of that trip and a lot of the best roads (blueridge parkway, skyline drive) are in the more moutainish areas and have snow on them as well. It certainly sounds like a fun trip but all that holiday traffic has to be a nightmare.

clopi2000 · 12-20-2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mp3moose

Unforunately traffic and snow will be bad for good sections of that trip and a lot of the best roads (blueridge parkway, skyline drive) are in the more moutainish areas and have snow on them as well. It certainly sounds like a fun trip but all that holiday traffic has to be a nightmare.

I believe you are right. This reality check will prevent deceptions on the way. I'll take crossroads, I'll count telephone poles, but I'm not going to die of boredom in my living room.

48 hours from departure.

mp3moose · 12-20-2007, 07:20 AM

More power to ya!

NCZ06 · 12-20-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clopi2000

East coast LotusTalkers: I need your best roads recommendations !

Great twisties on the east coast: myth or reality ?

Reality - although they are a lot further west from your route.

Cegan09 · 12-20-2007, 11:23 AM

Have fun, looks like a good time. Roads should be cleared up for your trip, right now i'm looking outside to another storm. My usually 1 hour drive home from work looks like it could take over 3 now. wohoo.

I don't know that many good roads around my area, but further south i hear there are some good ones.

12-18-2007, 06:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
clopi2000 Graphite rocks Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 269 Images: 2	Getaway from the snow The snow is piling in Montreal. Friday the 21st at noon I close the shop for the holidays. I'm single, bored, I've had it with the Christmas crap, and I want to drive my Lotus. So I'm heading south. Saturday looks like a good weather window to -carefully- get across the Adirondacks and land in Philadelphia. From there, cross Delaware, stop at Virginia beach (never been there), and then continue south to Charleston and Savannah, two cities I like (been there a couple of years ago) I may stay in the US for 6-7 days, and I want to drive everyday. Drive, take short walks, coffee, drive, take pictures, drive, crash in a Motel. Redo. Any thoughts ? Any roads I should not miss ? Attached Images __________________ 06 GG Elise 08 GTI

12-18-2007, 07:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dave Mods are good for you Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,960	Looks like a nice drive, but I'd be concerned with road conditions on your A to B, not to mention the salt mines that have been dumped. __________________ 2008 Solar S240 Exige 2005 Saffron Elise - BOE TVS Supercharger 291WHP w/ EFI Engine Mgmt

12-18-2007, 07:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
ace10 -30- Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,449 Images: 35	balls of steel. that's what a trip like that takes in late december! good luck. __________________ 2007 Exige S, Storm Ti. Sport, Track and TC.Plus: Multivex Mirrors, S111 Deltabrace, Sparco 6Pt harnesses (w/Ti Dave's Antisub belt mount), I/O Port video mount, Snorkel delete, Shims out, Rearview Mirror delete, 2Bular 7X18, Pagid RS42's, Saiku Michi catch can and, of course, blingy carpet buttons. 08 M-B ML320 cdi, 08 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7, 06 M-B E320 cdi, 02 Lexus LX470, 97 Bobcat 751C The Red Pill Ignore Me *Be sure too save your IL before browsing away

12-18-2007, 11:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
LotusUSA The Architect Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Fishers, IN Posts: 537	now, that's an adventure! __________________ "More power makes it fast on the straight, less weight makes it fast everywhere." - Colin Chapman 2006 BRITISH RACING GREEN EXIGE 2005 SAFFRON YELLOW ELISE (R.I.P.)

12-19-2007, 06:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
clopi2000 Graphite rocks Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 269 Images: 2	East coast LotusTalkers: I need your best roads recommendations ! Great twisties on the east coast: myth or reality ? __________________ 06 GG Elise 08 GTI

12-18-2007, 07:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
carl Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,050	if you make it down to FT Meyers fla. i can set you up with some water front lots. there selling like hot cakes better get one while they last. carl

12-19-2007, 07:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
Conan with future lotus driver Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 2,071 Images: 24	gulp! good luck.....you'll need it! __________________ Yes, it IS my real name. No, I don't look like him. I'm Polish. Polish barbarians are skinny nerds. 2006 BRG Lotus Elise (broken), 2009 Honda Fit (gas miser), 2007 Honda Odyssey (the wife's)

12-19-2007, 07:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Eye Candy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Beaufort, NC Posts: 1,416	Myth. I take the exact route you have laid out when I go to Roebling Road and it is just ....boring. It is so bad that sometimes I will take the longer route and go west and then down 95 (mindnumbing and bumpy but at least you don't have to deal with frequent stop lights.) Despite the possibility of bad weather/cold temps I would take the Blue Ridge Parkway south. Charleston and Savannah are great cities to visit if you can get that far. You could also just stay somewhat west and end up in Atlanta. Or better yet, go to Pigeon Forge, Biltmore House in Asheville and/or the Dragon. Now THAT would be a nice drive. __________________ 2006 Exige, starlight black. 2003 FFR Cobra, red with white stripes, 190RWHP 2005 FFR Cobra, blue, 290 RWHP 2000 Corvette FRC, Doug Rippie 480 HP, black 1997 Mazda Miata with nitrous, SM suspension 2002 Van's RV6, Sun N Fun Grand Champion, etc

12-19-2007, 08:28 AM	#11 (permalink)
xxxotic Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2,032	95 to Fl will be a mess. All of the snowbirds come down between Thanksgiving and New Years and so do a bunch of people towing RVs with cars attached to them. Plan it so that you miss the morning rush in DC, and take the side road that bypasses Richmond. Also Jacksonville is a mess with all of the constructions, turns and lane changes and everyone has no idea of where they are going. I left on the Saturday before Thanksgiving from Daytona and went to NJ. I left at 4 AM and the ride wasn't too bad, except I missed the turn for the NJ Turnpike, and stayed on 95 by the Philly airport. They were doing road construction, i was down to one lane and a football game was going on so it took me 3 hours in bumper to bumper traffic to go about 50 miles to the Rt 1 exit to get back into NJ. I left the Saturday after Thanksgiving from NJ at 7AM and the traffic was heavy but moving. Once I got to VA the traffic was noticeably heavier all the way down to FL. If you can plan it so that you go thru DC on a weekend the traffic wont be as bad as during a weekday with all of the commuters.

12-19-2007, 08:35 AM	#12 (permalink)
mp3moose Complete Lotus Junkie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 692	Unforunately traffic and snow will be bad for good sections of that trip and a lot of the best roads (blueridge parkway, skyline drive) are in the more moutainish areas and have snow on them as well. It certainly sounds like a fun trip but all that holiday traffic has to be a nightmare.

12-20-2007, 07:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
mp3moose Complete Lotus Junkie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 692	More power to ya!

12-20-2007, 11:23 AM	#16 (permalink)
Cegan09 Carb novice Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nashua NH Posts: 986	Have fun, looks like a good time. Roads should be cleared up for your trip, right now i'm looking outside to another storm. My usually 1 hour drive home from work looks like it could take over 3 now. wohoo. I don't know that many good roads around my area, but further south i hear there are some good ones. __________________ 1987 Porsche 924S - Project restarting very soon 1976 Yamaha XS500 '05 Elise - Dads

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