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Posted by: DRPHIL914 Aug 11 2026, 08:15 AM

So the latest big news it that I was selected for a position that i was interviewed for a couple months back, with the VA medical center in Johnson City Tennessee and so I will be relocating with in the next 2 months to that area from here in Marietta/Kennesaw GA.

Looking to see who is there in that area!

I am still hoping to get to Okteenerfest but i could be in the middle of a move, as my start date in Tennessee is 2 weeks after Okteenerfest.. so its a bit up in the air.


I understand the PCA group up there is pretty active, looking forward to it!

Phil

Posted by: Dlee6205 Aug 11 2026, 09:16 AM

PCA group is definitely active. There’s several owners in the area. JC is convenient to a lot of great areas.

I'm located about 45 mins south in NC.

Posted by: VaccaRabite Aug 11 2026, 09:45 AM

Its a pretty area, that's for sure!
I drive near it every summer during the family road trip and I have to focus hard not to go off and explore all the little lakes.

Its in that weird area of TN where its East of Knoxville but it isn't yet Virginia. In my brain VA starts just east of Knoxville. Lots of mountain roads. Lots of little lakes. Cheap(ish) property. And not all the heat that gets trapped on the west side of the mountains.

Zach

Posted by: OrangeBones Aug 11 2026, 09:39 PM

Phil- We do an eastern TN run leading up to Okteenerfest with a few of our local friends you know. PM me if you are in the area that week and we can meet up. We run a few roads like The Snake. Good times. Best of luck with the move!
-Travis


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Posted by: billh1963 Aug 12 2026, 06:09 AM

Congratulations Phil! Glad you got that job. When we last talked you seemed pretty excited about it!

Posted by: 914rrr Aug 12 2026, 07:56 AM

It's been awhile, but my departed wife and I were seriously considering a move there. She also spent a lot of time there with clients, so I may be able to offer some insights on living there.

I'm also in for any 914 drives going on around there!

Posted by: DRPHIL914 Aug 12 2026, 08:10 AM

good to know, I might be able to join you depends on when my move occurs, but we hope to have a place rented up there by the first of the month so that we can start moving stuff that works out. I might be in the area prior to the weekend of Otte Fest and maybe get on that drive with you guys. I recognize most of the cars in that picture and I remember hearing you guys talk about your gatherings in your drive on the snake I’m definitely looking forward to exploring the roads in the mountains. I always really enjoyed the manor elk North Carolina area when we had Otte fest up there and that’s not all that far from Johnson City either way I’m looking forward to catching up with everybody at Tina fast and finding out more about that area from those of you that are familiar with it.

Posted by: DRPHIL914 Aug 12 2026, 08:16 AM

hey there, Bill yes I was excited about the opportunity, but knew that there was a lot of competition and applicants for the position so when I got the call saying that I was being selected and that I would hear something within the next couple weeks officially I was pretty excited when I heard on Friday officially and got my formal offer then I was really excited so now I’m scrambling taking care of paperwork, you know lots of forms to fill out and security clearances and things like that so hopefully all that stuff’s wrapped up in the next couple weeks last thing being verification in credentialing, but that should happen pretty quickly and then I will know 100% everything is in the clear at that point I’ll start my move. I’m staying to finish out the quarter at the university so my last day there will probably be September 25 this next month. I have a feeling will go by pretty quickly a whole lot of stuff to happen and do between now and then but I’m glad I don’t have to worry about selling a house. I’ve been renting and never did purchase here in Georgia one less thing to worry about I just need to get a place with a two car garage so I have a place to work on the 914 and the Buick the Maserati will be gone sold another vehicle as well and those two will become a Porsche Cayenne most likely for my next tow vehicle
Bill, I hope you’re making good progress on your 914 would be great to see you there with your 914 for the first time and what 10 years I guess now.!

Posted by: Beach914 Aug 12 2026, 08:23 AM

Congrats Phil!

Great to see some groups getting out and running together ! Looks fun!

My wife and I are making a trip out to the Sweetwater area at the end of September to visit lifelong friends that are trying to convince us to move out that way when I retire. We'll be looking at some real estate.
I think we're done with California and with both my parents gone now there's no real reason to stay. Now, trying to figure out how to get my six cars (three driving, three projects) out there.
We're excited to see the area! Closest I've been would be Greenville, SC many years ago.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Aug 12 2026, 07:00 PM

Congrats Dr Phil

Posted by: DRPHIL914 Aug 17 2026, 01:32 PM

Greenville is nice, and its not far from the mountains, Brevard NC is very nice, and Banner Elk which we've had the Okteenerfest . ON the Tennessee side where we will be located, its about an hour drive up and over to Banner Elk and not much further to Grandfather Mountain. Many great roads and views. Up there you get some beautiful views!
let us know when you are in the area. I should be settled in by middle of October and perfect time for the change of colors.

Posted by: DRPHIL914 Aug 17 2026, 01:34 PM

Posted by: Craigers17 Aug 17 2026, 02:40 PM

Congratulations! You can mount some skis to your surf board rack & head over to Sugar Mountain and do some skiing in a few months! Beautiful country up there.... Eastern TN/Western NC.....and great roads! I think you're gonna love it!

Posted by: DRPHIL914 Aug 17 2026, 04:07 PM

well i might need some all-season snow tires rather than Toyo R888's!!!!
but yea maybe i can actually use the ski rack for what it was intended.

grew up in MN so i'm ok with some snow for sure and the rack is a ski rack , i just wish i had kept my K2's I had and just gave away when i moved to GA a couple years ago.

Are you coming to Okteenerfest? see you all there i hope its 2 weeks before I'm supposed to be starting the new job, so logistics could be an issue.

I am going to come up this weekend to check out some home rentals, if i find what i need i can probably start moving in a couple weeks and get most of it done before Okteenerfest. Id rather buy but need to figure out where i want to be.

Posted by: Craigers17 Aug 18 2026, 05:01 AM

Phil,

I will not be at Okteenerfest....it's always on my radar, but I never seem to make it. This year is because the car is non-op. If you're looking to connect with car guys in general, I know that Bristol has alot of car gatherings in addition to racing at BMS. I think there's one coming up in early October, but the title ...."Slammedenuff" seems to suggest more of the tuner crowd.

Posted by: lvnzdrm Aug 18 2026, 08:17 PM

Phil.welcome to East Tennessee. WTR is our local club, Wilderness Trail Region. We have a small group of 914’s that get together quit often. One works at the VA as well. Hope to catch up soon