RIPP'IN

 

 Camping at Tannehill was peaceful. The temperature was around 45 degrees at night, which I had just enough to keep me warm. A beanie would have been nice. Rising early and leaving around 8:30am was a good decision. Lots of miles were had throughout this day and the rest was much needed.

Leaving Tannehill the next stop would by Cloudlands State Park in GA, roughly 164 miles away. Unfortunately when traveling up route 136 to the park there were many vehicles coming in the opposite direction. Entering the park it was obvious that all the cars were being turned away as park staff were requesting. As I spoke to the park employee he stated that the park was at full capacity and to come back a few hours from then. It was a gorgeous sunny Sunday, so its understandable that the park was packed.

Route 136 up to Cloudland was a fun drive leading to me turning around twice and driving through the curves again. Check this link for the drive https://youtu.be/sen58L4pjlk

The lack of desire to stick around this area for a few hours just to have the possible opportunity to get into the Cloudland park combined with the enthusiasm to get my driving fix from the Tail of the Dragon...again.

 Arriving at the end of the tail again I had an unstoppable grin. This time around I was going to get footage that was broken to user error from the GoPro used. After getting out of the car, eating, stretching the warm up began. 

Slowly staring and with no traffic in front I began absolutely tearing up the tail. Shortly after I heard crackling exhaust behind me, a 5.0 mustang keeping pace. The BRZ hugging the corners as throttling to red lining before the next twist of road. The flow of the pavement is incredible. The BRZ's skill level is higher than my ability.

Adrenaline dumping through the bloodstream with a coyote pushing I was testing my limits as certain sections of the road the rear slipping out as the traction control was engaging to keep me from losing control. Only a few cars stood in the way and quickly moved out of the path as they observed us trailing.

 At the end of the first run I was cleaning up nuts....of trail mix that had spilled in the passenger foot area. The gentleman, Josh and his wife Elizabeth approached and commended the ability of the BRZ. Elizabeth had taken a few videos of my driving, which was fun to see a different perspective. They offered to send the videos over. We spoke for a while exchanging stories then parted ways. A cool couple to say the least.

The 4th round through the tail I was alone with a GoPro with took it a little easier. The brakes were still spongy even after waiting an hour or so to cool down from the previous run.

Here are more pictures of the BRZ:

https://www.photoreflect.com/store/Album.aspx?a=1066530

Satisfied with the footage I began heading North through the Great Smoky Mountain Foothills and then hopping on the highways until reaching Kingsport, TN to a motel for the night.