from deals gap, take 28 toward Maggie Valley. Wheels through time is worth the stop. But I think he's closed on Wed. so keep that in mind. There is so much good riding from there that you don't have to go to Asheville. And F Biltmore. Why would you want to go there? There's lots of good riding in all directions, but if you want to get back to Nashville, you might consider staying in the area west and south of Maggie Valley. Blue Ridge like someone said, is real nice in GSMP area. It ends in Cherokee. The waterfalls are all in that area, and did I mention the great riding? If you aren't continuing east from Maggie Valley, then don't. Just my two cents.

 

dont look at the cameraman.....

 

In Nashville tour The Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson's plantation. She'll love that. Only presidential home that was always in family before becoming museum. Still has original wallpaper, slave cabins, cotton fields where you can pick cotton and the family cemetery. Tail of Dragon is short, you can do it couple times in both directions, there are other routes there as well. Whole area is beautiful with rides along the lakes and rivers.
Have fun!

 

Making final route plans. Head out Saturday A.M.
Anyone ever check out Mount Airy ?

 

You can spend a lot of time in Gatlinburg looking at all of the artisan shops (if you stay away from the Parkway and find Glades Rd up Hwy 321) or the touristy stuff - Ripley's aquarium, magic shows, a lot of free moonshine/whiskey tastings (I happen to be the Audio Engineer at Sugarlands Distillery in the middle of town, and there's generally free music happening at 7pm) Bryson City and Cherokee aren't far from the Dragon and the Great Smokey Mountains National Park has lots of views - I highly recommend Cades Cove if you have time.

 

I'm leaving Milwaukee for The Dragon/Blue Ridge Parkway with a buddy of mine the second week of July. First time for me and I can't wait. (My friend went last year) We're leaving early on a Monday. Hope your trip goes well!

 

Yeah, I have. This is the place where they filmed The Andy Griffith Show. Enjoyed looking at the buildings and old vehicles sitting there. Be sure to stop by in downtown, check out The Diner and The Candy Store next door. Just in awe.


Thorey

 

Wife and I were there in Oct., spent 2 days there coming back from Florida. If you remember the Andy Griffith show, you'll enjoy it, make sure to walk downtown and visit the Andy Griffith Museum and the Filling Station. Took a ride up to Pilot Mountain (Mt. Pilot), not a lot to see but beautiful views. I'm from Long Island so we enjoyed the rural settings of the area. We stayed about 2 miles outside town, I think it was a Hampton Inn and plenty of restaurants near the hotel. Have fun!

 

Gotta try the pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch on Main St. They're closed on Sundays though.

 

Avoid the Dragon on Fri, Sat, and Sun. The Cherohala Skyway is a really nice ride. Gatlinburg is a tourist trap full of traffic.