OK gang, you have overwhelmingly selected the first week of May for our FL/GA Meetup. The next decision that needs to be made is where we want to stay, and there have been several suggestions. Those areas include Robbinsville, Maggie Valley, and Stecoah.

While I do visit the area regularly, I also have a place to stay when I am there, so while I am familiar with the area, I can't make any specific recommendations for lodging other than by general locations and what they do or don't offer. As most of you know, much of the area is DRY but with some exceptions. This may not be an issue for those that only plan to spend a couple of days and can "carry in", but might be for those that intend to spend a week or so. Also to be considered is the availability of eating places for those that will be up for more that a couple of days as well as the proximity to the roads we want to ride.

For those that don't know the area, I suggest you check out the area on Google Maps or something similar.

Those of us that are spending the week up there also might want to consider splitting our stay. Maggie Valley during the week and Stecoah / Robbinsville on the weekend, or vice versa.

The following are some of the Pros and Cons of each location.

Look over the options and please feel free to add to or correct my observations.
I will post a poll if necessary based on the input recieved here.
It's your trip, make your feelings known.

We could also use recommendations for Maggie Valley lodging places if some of you have stayed there.

Robbinsville:
Pros:
Close to the Cherohala Skyway
18 miles / 20 minutes from Deals Gap (the Dragon)
Several restaurants and a Indy bike shop.

Cons:
DRY
Furthest distance from the Blue Ridge Pkwy & Soco Mountain

Stecoah (Iron Horse Lodge):http://www.ironhorsenc.com/
Breakfast available, Dinner by reservation (Fri & Sat only)
Pros:
A very nice lodge that caters to bikers.
Rental cabins, semi private cabins, bunk house, & camping.
TV & Internet in the lodge bldg.
More central location between Deals Gap and the BRP.
28 miles / 40 minutes from Deals Gap.
Secluded, out in the woods.

Cons:
DRY
No in room Phone.
No cell phone service (maybe that's a Pro?)
TV only available in full cabins and lodge to my knowledge.
May need a support cage for bringing in supplies.
10 miles from civilization. (stores, restaurants, etc.)
(There is a gas station / convenience store nearby.)

Maggie Valley
Pros:
WET
Biker friendly town
Many choices for places to stay.
Best selection of restaurants & bars.
Blue Ridge Pkwy, Soco Mountain and other roads close by.
Ghost Town Harley dealer close by

Cons:
Deals Gap is 78 miles / 1.5 hours away.

 

I guess I'll go with the majority on this one also. Maggie Valley doesn't sound too bad, but the hotel pricing is about the same for either there or Robbinsville.

Hows the weather of there in May, would camping not be a good idea?

 

as so does charley. i will be staying in murphy NC. charley were at in NC do you stay?
i have ex-in-laws in franklin.

 

I stay in Franklin but I plan on spending a couple of nights with the group. From where I am in Franklin, Maggie Valley and Robbinsville are both about an hour and 15 minutes away.

 

Early May can be iffy temperature wise, other than than it's usually real nice.

 

thats were i thought i heard you stay up there..
it would be nice to have a group ride up there and then we can split our ways to the places we lay our head down.

 

Yeah, I was thinking it might get a bit chilly at night. Found a place in Maggie Valley that'll fit my budget so I may be shooting for there.

 

Personally liked Maggie Valley Options but will go with the Majority Rule here .. With the New bagger can Haul what I need to drink which am not all that big a user anyway... or Might bring the Sportster up would be more fun for the Dragon... But staying on point Will go with Flow...

 

I plan to spend a day scoping out some land in the area, getting ready for retirement, evaluating tax rules of each state in the area, looking for 10 - 40 acres on in the hills. Either place the group decides to stay is good for me.

 

the wife and i might follow you that venture. we were looking at the same thing. we have our eyes set on TN