Last year some of us did a couple mountain drives and had a great time. The nice weather is back and we wanted to plan something again. The last time we did this, it was a "spirited" mountain drive. Some of us work on Saturday so we figured Sunday might work better. This is an open event so invite whoever you want (just please refrain from inviting whiners)

If you could please reply here with your name and car so we can keep an official headcount going for the drive, it would be greatly appreciated. We'll have maps printed for those who would like one. If you own a set of little two-way radios, bring them along.

For those who are local in the Charlotte Metro area – the plan is to meet early Sunday morning at Sharon Shopping Center parking lot behind Harper Restaurant in Southpark. There's also a McDonald's and gas station next door if you need to fill up or grab a quick bite prior to the drive.

We'll depart at 7:45 AM and drive about 2 hours (120 miles) on US-321 N and I-40 W towards Marion in Western NC. This will put us at the Switzerland Inn. From there we'll drive a 30 mile loop through the Pisgah National Forest on what's called the Diamondback Route. We may stop for a quick lunch and from there head back home. Plan for the round trip to be a good 6 hours plus a couple hours or so for photos and other various "stuff".

Should anyone have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to post them here or send us a message. Looking forward to the drive and meeting you all!

Where can you find more than 190 steep, climbing curves in just 12 miles? The Diamondback - North Carolina's last alternate route!

Sweeping curves, amazing scenery and cool mountain breezes make the Diamondback, NC 226A, one of WNC's last great mountain roadways.

The Diamondback, NC's 226A is loaded with switchbacks looping almost 360-degrees. Runs of S-curves climb and twist sharply as they snake through lush green forest in route to the Blue Ridge Parkway just above Spruce Pine, North Carolina.

This heavily wooded trek, from Marion in McDowell County to Switzerland Inn, on the edge of Mitchell County, NC is an exciting and challenging drive. Two-lanes of smooth, well-marked pavement are flanked by rocky outcroppings, shear drop-offs and quick, tight hairpin curves.