Robert,
*This is not going on the loop*, I think you're talking about doing the
loop. We are talking about just hanging outside of the loop in the
campground store parking lot. The loop can take a long time for sure and
that's why it would be an optional thing for people to do after the meeting
if they wanted. And there are bathrooms right in the campground store.
Basically we just meet up in maryville and then all drive up to the
campground store parking lot that is outside of the loop. Then we get all
the people checking out our EVs that are heading the bathroom, and they see
that EVs can easily make it into the mountains too!
Does that clarification change your mind at all?
This is still just planning, so if anyone has any ideas or thoughts let's
hear them!
On Sun, Nov 1, 2020 at 4:25 PM Robert Cole <rncole@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
FYI, we went up to Elkmont to camp this weekend, and there was a info sign
for Cades Cove loop on the way - said it was a 4hr drive time on the loop
Saturday morning.
Related, on a spur of the moment decision we took Foothills Parkway from
Wears Valley to Walland, and it was gorgeous. With autopilot on and set to
35mph, it took about 5% range for the 26 miles from Elkmont to
Walland. Not sure what the parkway was, but I do know that I went down to
38% and back up to 40% twice. Teslafi didn’t start picking up until I put
it in park to let the kids adjust themselves in Walland. Started at
campground at 45%, and when Teslafi started picking up I was at 39%.
We’re still looking at our weekend plans and weather, but 4hours with no
bathroom for kids doesn’t sound fun.
On Oct 29, 2020, 6:16 PM -0400, Marty Young <youngma65500@xxxxxxxxx>,
wrote:
I plan to attend. It sounds like fun, though I agree with Jonathan that we
might have difficulty finding room in the parking lot depending on how
crazy things are that weekend.
Marty
On Oct 27, 2020, at 1:15 PM, Eric Cardwell <ecardwell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hey Everyone,
At the October meeting we had during a downpour, only a hand full of
people showed up and we were huddled under the shelter at the splash pad of
Carl Cowan park. However, we had a productive discussion of where our
November meeting should be held.
I want to get peoples input on this plan and then we can finalize it and
get it out to everyone.
Our plan is for Saturday November 14th, for all of us to meetup at 10am at
the Brown's Creek Shopping Center (1625 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy,
Maryville, TN 37801). We will meet up in that shopping center parking lot
and then drive up as a group i.e. rally to the Cades Cove Campground
Store and Bike Rental parking lot located at 10035 Campground Dr,
Townsend, TN 37882. Aiming to get to Cades Cove at 11am, we will just take
over the back of the parking lot and set up chairs beside our EVs. I plan
to hold a regular meeting there with us all spaced out, then we can just
all hang out and talk like we normally do. We can all bring a lunch and
have a picnic. However, I am hoping that we get the attention of people
that are there for the park but might like to find out more about our EVs.
Everyone should bring masks and stay distanced when talking to anyone!
Another aspect of this rally is that we were thinking that we could offer
people who haven't experienced an EV yet the ability to ride in one of our
EVs from Brown's Creek to Cades Cove. I am wary of this due to Covid
concerns but I will leave it up to the individual owners, if you don't have
a problem letting someone ride with you during these times, that's up to
you. I am not sure I feel right promoting this aspect of the rally during
covid, what do you all think?
After we are done hanging out, those that want to go around the cades cove
loop can. One of the thoughts being that a second rally point could be the
Cades Cove Visitor Center that's inside the loop. Those people that meet
up at that second rally point would take up some parking spots and hang out
next to their cars for another little show off point. There hasn't been
any talk of further rally points or anything like that.
So basically you could end the day after hanging out a few hours at the
campground parking lot or after the second rally point. I know range may
be a factor for some. There doesn't seem to be charging around cades cove.
There is a DC fast charger back in Maryville. And a Tesla destination
Charger in Townsend. Brown's Creek to Cades Cove lot is about 27 miles.
I just wanted to get this out there and get us talking about it.
What's everyone's thoughts? Who all would be interested in this?
Eric Cardwell
President Knoxville Electric Vehicle Association
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