All -

me4yankees and I are in the early stages of planning a DO in the TRI region (Tri-Cities Tennessee).

The tentative dates are April 2010. At this point we need to gauge interest in the following weekends:

April 10 or April 17 or April 24

The Tri-Cities region is gorgeous has many features and enjoyable things to do.

At this point possible activities are:

Virginia Wine Tasting
A Show at the Barter Theater
Bristol Motor Speedway Tours
Tennessee Caverns
Hike the Creeper Trail
... and more!

DL and US (... and Allegiant) all fly frequently into TRI, and the region is also accessible via ROA, AVL, and TYS.

At this point we're in the "interest gauging" mode. So please post if you may be up for it and also include which weekend(s) would be best.

TRI DO - Do try!

Here are the current attendees (UPDATED 3/22) and itinerary:

TRI DO - Saturday, April 10, 2010

Attendees:
me4yankees - lunch, winery, dinner
Italy98 + Mrs Italy98 - lunch, winery, dinner; departing late Sunday afternoon
uva185
coachrowsey (maybe) - lunch only
jimcfus (maybe) - lunch only
mht_flyer (maybe)

Lunch:
Ridgewood BBQ, 11:00 am (since they don't take reservations)
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=446
900 Elizabethton Highway
Bluff City, TN 37618-4304
(423) 538-7543
Open Fri-Sat 11 am-2:30 pm

Activities:
Abingdon Vineyard & Winery, immediately after lunch
http://www.abingdonwinery.com/home.html
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
20530 Alvarado Rd
Abingdon, VA 24211
Phone: 276-623-1255
Fax: 276-623-0125

Bristol Caverns (?)
http://www.bristolcaverns.com/index.html
Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; tours every 20 minutes and last about one hour; call for prices
1157 Bristol Caverns Highway
Bristol, TN 37620
Phone: 423-878-2011

Dinner:
The Tavern (since 1779), 6:00 pm
http://www.abingdontavern.com/
222 E. Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: 276-628-1118
Fax: 276-628-5795

Thanks to you and me4yankees!

Nothing on the calendar for April, 2010. With winter in Florida planned or the possibility of a long cruise, the latest weekend (Apr 24 ,2010) is just slightly preferable.

(and if driving I can load up on glazed doughnuts for everybody )

I will let you, the majority decide which weekend, then we will go from there.

But I hope that many of you will consider joining us. The area is known for scenic views, nature, access to the Appalachian Trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail, extremely polite and helpful people, and the other items that Jumpgate listed above.

Bristol, VA is also the birthplace of country music. It was here that the Carter Family and other early pioneers first recorded!

As long as you all decide by Feb 2010 I can take whatever weekend off!

I'd be interested! I'm based in BNA so not that far away (though, as a true FTer, would probably fly DL for the miles ). Any weekend at this point is fine, though the 25th is my birthday so I may have other plans by then for the weekend of the 24th.

You all get it picked & I'll try to get vac that week. So I'm most likely +wife.

I love the area & visit friends in that part of Virginia frequently. Pick a weekend & I'll try to be there.

Awesome! I come to FT every day, but rarely post. I live in the Tri-Cities, and would love to help in any way possible. It truly is a great place to live or visit. One question, kudzu, could you possibly be referring to the KK doughnuts in Asheville? (Simply the best doughnuts in the world according to my grandson, and our usual tradition on Sunday night when he goes home.)

Of course . The KK AVL retail store hasn't been updated in 30+ years and faces stiff competition from several brand-new DD stores around town, but oldies like me are set in our m-m-m-m good tastes! If there's a KK store in TRI, I'll get the hot, fresh ones from there....

At this early stage, all three are equally open for me. I'll probably drive up from home near CLT (direct on US is $371 at the moment), so I might consider a non-smoking carpool if anyone is up for it.

I'd have a little preference for April 10th, but all three are equal based on current plans... Attendance is tentative, since I'm still in the dark as to schedules and such next year...

If April 10 weekend, I'd be interested in attending.

When will the dates be finalized?.

I'd be interested in attending. We've just relocated equidistant between TRI and GSO, and love that area of east Tennessee. Nothing on the schedule for any of those weekends yet.

We go through TRI to nearby Jonesborough every October for the National Storytelling Festival, though this year we'll just drive.

April 10 is better for me but don't weigh my vote very heavy as April is usually a tough month for me to get away.

My parents lived for 3 years in Johnson City area in the early 90's. I'd like the opportunity to get back there.

I have been traveling to TRI since 1980. I married a Lee County, VA gal and still have relatives in VA and Kingsport. My brother-in-law works at the Bristol Motor Speedway and could arrange a tour. We typically fly into TRI, AVL or TYS, depending on price. In terms of preferences, I rank them in the same order. It's a beautiful corner of Tennessee with close access to VA, NC, and KY. There are more things to see/do than you might expect.