Road Trip Series Part 3: Week of Miata's at the Gap
August 1 - 4, 2022
After a one night stay Sunday night at Cloudland Canyon State Park, Monday was check in day at the cabin in North Carolina. Before this point I've been spending time mostly with my dad, so at this point we've split and I'm with the guys who invited me up here in the first place. Due to some issues with Gio's car, they were running a bit behind but first to show up at the airbnb was myself and Lander. As the night went on, Lander decided he didn't care to wait for the rest of the group and wanted to lead me on my first drive through Tail of the Dragon, at night like Gio had done to him a couple years ago. At this point I am a stranger to the road, thankfully Lander has a great light bar set up to light the way - he is nearly idling in fourth gear in his monster K24 swapped NB, but behind him I was having the time of my life, ha. When we get to the foggy overlook it settles on me that I have a whole week of this ahead of me.
On the way back down to Killboy, our friend Eric passed us by. When he saw us he turned around. Once he caught up to us, we pulled over, and Eric and Lander took off. In moments I was left behind, driving by candlelight when comparing to what I was previously following. Despite this I was still having a blast and it will never forget how cool I thought these guys are in that moment. We met back up at Killboy to find Gio with his car on limp mode, and another guy who's name I didn't catch with another K24 NB, this one silver. After all spending some time hanging out, when the two K24's were going to go for a drive the silver NB's alternator belt made some noise, prompting us to notice his parts store alternator was failing. The bolts holding it together (not something the installer touches) had begun backing out. Ironically he had a spare alternator so the guys swapped it out right then and there. As it was quite late we all called it a night after that ordeal. Wake up time is early tomorrow as we have a couple hour drive to Little Switzerland.
T7he plan was to drive through a route called the Devil's Whip, which leads to the Blue Ridge Parkway (pictured), and then Little Switzerland. Pictured all almost all the homies, only missing the newly weds of the group who left a bit later. Pictured from left to right, is myself, Dennis, Dustin, Lander, & Eric. Gio's car was still down so he rode along with Eric.
Once we got to little switzerland I am guilty of not taking any pictures. The road up there, Diamondback was really cool. I took my time behind the pack but it was really cool running it both downhill then back uphill. Some sections are a bit too populated for me to think it's a good idea to really run through this road but the curves and scenery are wonderful to experience nonetheless. On the way back we stopped in Asheville and got some delicious tacos before heading back to the Cabin. Later that night the guys went for more night runs but I stuck back to get some extra sleep. Another early morning as the next day we drive to Knoxville, to hangout at the XS Power warehouse where there for some warehouse parking lot drifting and donuts for a promotional video they're shooting. A couple of the guys are sponsored by XS Power.