Appalachian Region introduced 12 new members with their seven guests to the popular Drive & Dine series. A total of 26 Porsches with 37 members and their guests drove the mountain roads from Leicester to Hot Springs on a beautiful sunny day.
Appalachian Region Vice President and Tour Chair, John Goetzman created this new event that is sure to become a new staple on the calendar. John enlisted Jean and Robert Larsen to plan the tour and lead Group 1. Their sweep was John Long. Dan Dazzo led Group 2 with Jim Moore as his sweep.
New Member Diane McCann (above in her Macan) summed it up: “Amazing first drive with Appalachian Region PCA!! Thanks for the warm welcome for new members!!”
After a safety briefing, the two drive groups departed the Newfound Community Center on the route planned by Jean and Robert Larsen. The drive groups were led over hill and dale, winding through Leicester. We connected with NC-251 and snaked our way up along the French Broad River. This is a favorite drive on a bright, sunny day as the beauty of the river glistens. Surprisingly, there was minimal traffic so we were able to enjoy the drive at a safe and legal Porsche pace.
The rest stop was the lovely town of Marshall where we enjoyed a coffee at the Zuma Coffee shop before departing on leg two of the drive taking us through Walnut Cove and along the Big Laurel before arriving in Hot Springs.
The Smoky Mountain Diner always treats us well and were well prepared as the 25 Porsches and their passengers wound their way into parking spots before enjoying a hearty mountain lunch.
New member David Reed commented on Facebook saying: “I had a great time. Thanks.”
The Smoky Mountain Diner provides the added benefit of sitting at the start of the famous “Rattler” driving road so some members took the long way home with another enjoyable, but non-PCA drive along the twists and turns that this road provides.
Thanks to those who planned, worked and managed this drive:
- John Goetzman – Tour Chair
- Jean and Robert Larsen – Tour Planning and Leads
- John Long – Group 1 Sweep
- Dan Dazzo – Group 2 Lead
- Jim Moore – Group 2 Sweep
And, thanks to the 12 new members who came out for the experience.
If you missed this drive, then you missed what new member Jerry Honea described as: “Great time, great run in the mountains.”
See you at the next Appalachian Region event!
April Events (see the Appalachian Region Calendar for details: https://aprpca.org/356B/index.php/events )
April 13 Black Mountain Perks (Coffee gathering), Monte Vista Hotel, Black Mountain
April 15 Sign up for May Drive & Hike
April 16 Breakfast Ramble, Smoky Mountain Diner, Hot Springs
April 20 Social Mixer, Sierra Nevada Brewery, Mills River
April 30 App Café – Porsches & Coffee, Asheville Outlet Mall, Asheville
Jim Moore – Appalachian President