Finally! It's been on the "List" for a while.

There are a number of posts about how "Life" gets in the way of some of the things we want to do.
That is our story for sure. But it looks like the planets have aligned, the weather is supposed to be great and we have the bike to get us there.
I know, its not That far from Charlotte, but hey, we are getting old. LOL

So we are packing up the camping gear and heading out. I hear only one direction is open but we want to explore while we are out there.
If we don't make it back and you never hear from us again, its because we decided to Stay!

Pat & Debbie

 

Not to be a downer, but the last I heard they had a rock slide and you can only get to the Dragon through NC. Might want to check their web site. www.tailofthedragon.com.

Didn't want your ride to get ruined! But I see your in NC,,,,,

 

Where they are coming from it shouldn't be an issue to get in there from the south. You just have to turn around at the top and ride it back down again... Riding it twice isn't really a downer is it?

 

After hitting the Dragon, go try the Cherohala Skyway. http://www.cherohala.com/ If I had to choose between the two, it would be the Cherohala every time. Have fun, and ride safe.

 

I just rode the Dragon last Thursday and TequilaJohn is right 129 closed due to rockslide..Hwy 129 is closed from Maryville southward.

Take the Skyway off 411 if coming up from Georgia or west side of NC. . You can take 411 south out of Maryville, then 360 South in Vonore to Telico Plains (New Cherohala HD Dealer there) and then 165 east (Skyway) to 143 to 129North to the Dragon. I witnessed a motorcylclist down on the Skyway and lifeflight came in. Don't know what happened but it was a group of 5or6 BMW bikes with no cars or trucks around??

OR You can take 441 south out of Pigeon Forge (HD dealer there), thru Gatlinburg, across the Great Smokey Mountain National Park, thru Cherokee and Bryson City and then Hwy 28 west thru Fontana which runs into Hwy 129.

I actually went Hwy 321 into Pigeon Forge, 441 south thru Galtinburg Cherokee, etc..across Hwy 28 to Hwy 129, rode the Dragon up, stopped at Deals Gap (bottom of Dragon) coming back down. Then took Hwy 129South to the Skyway headed west to 360 north to Vonore, then 411 north to Maryville. Then headed to Townsend (Hwy 321) then towards Pigeon Forge on hwy 321 to get back to Cabin. This route is an 8-9 hour ride due to slow drive times...
NOTE: Hwy 321 coming from Maryville to Townsend is marked Hwy 321 North, even though you're heading south!

Be very careful on all of these roads, extremely curvey, slow turns (10mph), and idiots in cars will be in your lane coming the other way or tailgating you!

Have fun and be safe!

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

 

Thanks guys. Know about the rock slide. We'll take what we can get. And like TJ says - we are going to do the skyway.
I'll put up some pics. And hell if it all goes bad we'll just go to the Casino!

 

What he said.

 

Don't pizz your pantz man.

 

Oh yeah...forgot to mention...go to Maggie Valley, NC and check out the Wheels thru Time motorcycle museum...ya won't regret it.

http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/

 

And the weather forcast WooHoo! We leave tomorrow

Jul 2 Mostly sunny with low humidity 84°Lo 56°

Jul 3 Sunny with low humidity 85°Lo 58° Sunday

Jul 4 Sunny with low humidity 87°Lo 59°

Jul 5 Mostly Sunny 88* low 62