Vacation Help

[AL]

To all you, who live in God's country,

We are planning to take our vacation this year in your neck of the woods. We hear that it is just superb riding there and are going to experience it for ourselves with 2 kids, 10 & 7. We have friends that live near Jonesboro. We would like to be around Deal's Gap also. We are looking for very good advice on a great, but reasonable place to stay. Would like a cabin, but WOW! some of the prices we have seen,there has to be cheaper places. We stayed in a cabin in the Black Hills for $ 60.00 a night and was super. So, we are asking the experts who live there and know the area well and might know some inside information on where to stay and what to see and even what roads to ride. (A place to stay) We are looking for a small kitchen that we can cook or grill our own food, (saves on eating out all the time), playground or pool for the kids with at least 2 queen beds or a king and queen, futon, etc. We are thinking of staying around 2 weeks. We would appreciate any help and information you can give.

Thanks a lot, :wink:

Al and Stacy

[stickers]

In a cage or 2 wheels ??????

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/3044VTX1300a.jpg

[AL]

LOL A cage to get there and to pull the bikes and kids.

And then two wheels :pepper1: :pepper1: :pepper1: :pepper1:

My wife has a 1300 vtx I have an 1800 , we have never been that far south east .

We have been talking about it for a month now , and really looking forward to it , :D

AL

[stickers]

Check this site out http://www.ironhorsenc.com/index.html
It is just a few miles from deals gap or the dragons tail

[AL]

Thank you for that one ,is there others that you can think of. :?:
and you think would be a good place to stay.

Thank again
AL

[POGOGOLF]

Thank you for that one ,is there others that you can think of. :?:
and you think would be a good place to stay.

Thank again
AL

There are a bunch of Bed & Breakfast Inns in the Tellico Springs, TN area (south/west) end of the Cherahola Skyway.

[AL]

Thanks Jeff
I think the big thing of a good vacation , is to have a clue of where to go and where to avoid , day of the week time of the year.

That's were you guys that live in the area know all the in' s & out's .

Some of the best places to stay don't advertise on the web they don't need to.

We are looking forword to see your part of God's country.

AL

[hawk590]

When are you going to be making this trip and how long are you going to be here?


Be careful I came here to "visit" and ended moving up here. Now my parents, brother and sister live here. It has a mystical power that makes you stay.... It is a great place.


Hawk

[AL]

It will be some time after the 4th of July .
I just need to find a place to make the (wife & kids) happy with out breaking me ,so wish me luck.

I was told that by a nice guy that this would be to come and enjoy.
Right now any thoughts of summer are good ,cause this snowy corn field
in noth west Iowa is just not a happen place to be :(

I could see why you moved there my wife and I have been looking at the temps ,that has got be nice.

Take care AL.

[AL]

When are you going to be making this trip and how long are you going to be here?


Be careful I came here to "visit" and ended moving up here. Now my parents, brother and sister live here. It has a mystical power that makes you stay.... It is a great place.


Hawk

Sorry Hawk I missed that one ,We will be there for a week ,and hope
for the best weather and riding we have ever seen :D :pepper1:

Later AL

[POGOGOLF]

When are you going to be making this trip and how long are you going to be here?


Be careful I came here to "visit" and ended moving up here. Now my parents, brother and sister live here. It has a mystical power that makes you stay.... It is a great place.


Hawk

Sorry Hawk I missed that one ,We will be there for a week ,and hope
for the best weather and riding we have ever seen :D :pepper1:

Later AL

Typically, and I repeat, typically, July isn't known to be too wet around here! I think you guys will enjoy yourselves, this is some dead serious beautiful country in them thar hills! :wink: :lol:

[hawk590]

I guess my thoughts on the trip are that if you want to see your friends go and spend a day or 2 up near Jonesbrough or Greenville. There are a few good back country roads there to ride, then come here to the Maryville/Townsend area for the remainder of the trip. The reason for the split destination is that there is a pretty good distance between the two areas. Of course you could say the heck with the friends and let them know that you traveled "X" miles to Maryville and the least they could do is to drive just shy of 2 hours to see you. Then you can spend everyday in the best riding area that I know of.

As for rides you have to do the Cherohala Skyway/129 loop. It is beautiful and be sure to stop off at Bald River Falls 16 miles outside of Tellico.

Hawk

[AL]

First I have to say all of you guys have been great thanks :D
I put in for vacation for the 5th of august 2 weeks I hope we miss the fair and crowds and most of the rain but only God knows that , The kids need a pool so I think we have fond a place in Gatlinburg, the place looks good on the web.

Our friends I didn't know it was 2 hours a way but it would be a good
X ride that would give us a chance to see more of the area the best way
I can think of on a bike the kids love to ride so this should work out well.

Yes the good roads & sights please guy's bring them on my wife has already started taking notes. :4is:

Thank's to all
AL

[treeguy]

It's a cool town,everyone should go there.As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure they did,last Oct., when I went.The traffic can be terrible, especially on the weekends.You'll be glad your bike has a cooling fan,never heard mine run till I went there.You'll see plenty of Harley riders sweating as they look at their temp gauges.I hope you have a good time, but as for me, when we go back in the spring,we're going straight to Townsend, and skip the whole Gatlinburg traffic jam thing.

[AL]

It's a cool town,everyone should go there.As a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure they did,last Oct., when I went.The traffic can be terrible, especially on the weekends.You'll be glad your bike has a cooling fan,never heard mine run till I went there.You'll see plenty of Harley riders sweating as they look at their temp gauges.I hope you have a good time, but as for me, when we go back in the spring,we're going straight to Townsend, and skip the whole Gatlinburg traffic jam thing.

A place in Gatlinburg,must not be a good choice how big is it .
we are not locked in yet on any thing.and we know there is lot's of time.

AL

[treeguy]

Mountain Top Resorts have some cabins on the road that runs from Pigeon Forge to Townsend. They are pretty nice, but kinda bunched up like a project. Not much of a view either, but they are a short ride to the mountains or the city.There are some really cheap cabins at Deals Gap, not sure of the name, but I'll bet you could call Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort and ask them. They're in North Carolina, just across the state line.Some friends stayed there and didn't brag too much about the accomodations, but they did say they were low cost.

[MDog]

I live in Kingsport, it's about 20 min. from Jonesbrough. When you go visit your friends there be sure to ride Hwy 421. It's only about 30 min from there. Heres a link to the area that you may interest you. Very good ride, and a definite heart pounder. http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/ ... _2_001.htm (http://www.shadyvalleycountrystore.com/shady_valley_cs_2_001.htm)

[hawk590]

I agree with the OUCH Gatlinburg during the last week of the summer...

That can be a horrible mess around that time. There are a few places that have pools in Townsend and you can visit Gatlinburg easily from there. The river flows through there and you can play in the stream at a few places. The problem of staying "in" Gatlinburg is that there is one main drag through Sevierville to Pigeon Forge then on to Gatlinburg. I have sat in traffic over an hour moving a few inches at a time. In my opinion the mountain scenery isn't worth it when you are looking at the same tree for 15 mins.

Remember that this is my opinion and others may disagree, but I know that many will. I would hate for you to waste valuable time sitting in traffic. I cringe when my family comes up and then wants to go shopping in PF then go to Gatlinburg. It is an all day thing......

There is a place in Pigeon Forge that is right on the road between Townsend and PF, I will try and find out which one it is. It is about the best option since you can duck out on the road to Townsend.

Keep in touch.

Hawk

[AL]

Hey guys,

This is Al's wife Stacy, I just want to say "Thanks so much guys." This is super of you guys to do this. Getting to know you guys even makes us more excited to go because it shows us what a great group of people live around that area.

We are now veering away from Gatelinburg, because you are right we only have a week and really want to see the beautiful country, not the same road or should I say same few feet for an hour or so. Will take any more advice we can get. Thanks so much again guys, you are truly super! :wink:

Stacy

[AL]

I have a question for you guys. Hawk, maybe you would know. We called Dock's Motel in Townsand tonight and talked to the lady that owns it. She was a very nice lady. Tell me what you guys think about the place. The internet doesn't give a whole lot of pictures or information. :?:

Stacy

[Bandit]

Al and Stacy...I just moved to Gray, Tennessee near Johnson City and Jonesborough. I have been thrilled with the riding experience this area offers...you simply can't go wrong. I am less that 1 hour away from the Blue Ridge Parkway and Deal's Gap...simply breathtaking. The Lake Lure and Bat Cave areas are teeming with cabins and bead/breakfasts.
I would suggest you search the Lake Lure Chamber of Commerce for rentals. It is close to the Blue Ridge, Pigeon Forge, Asheville and Cherokee, NC. I wish you luck...if I can help e-mail me at bandit55@msn.com
Ride Safe

check out this link - order the free vacation guide - get a map and a state parks guide - they will help... i will see if i have an extra...
RJ
http://www.tnvacation.com

[AL]

I knew it would be a good idea to ask you guy's , you all have been a
wealth of information & help ,
My family thanks you and so do I.
I wish it was that time of the year to start the X and go for a good long ride ,but spring will be here soon enough .
I would just like to get passed the -20F stuff that we are in for here on the Iowa tundra :wink: I hate this time of year :evil:

Thanks again for good ideas. :mcrider:

AL