We're taking the scenic route on our way from Texas to Michigan for Christmas and going through the Smokey Mountains and up the Appalachians a bit. This isn't a stop and camp type of trip, more of a winding back roads and scenic overlooks trip. Probably not going to hit the Dragon because I've done it before and a lot of the fun will be lost driving my wife's FJ cruiser.
What roads/routes should we be aiming for?
Blue ridge parkway, Blowing Rock, natural bridge, Shenandoah National Park.
I recall reading on here the best method is to just pay attention to the compass and take whatever roads you come across pointing in the correct direction, the little unknown roads being a lot emptier than the touristy ones(Dragon, Blue Ridge, etc.)
I'm told the Jefferson/Washington National Forrest is good too.
I was hoping for more running of road blocks.
The wife and I tried Skyline Drive a few years ago but the moose at the gate told us the Govt. was shut down. We took some road that ran along side it and stopped and bought some old wooden 7up cases from a guys garage. Eventually I'll have enough to restore a soda truck.
I jumped onto the Blue Ridge Parkway at the southern end in Cherokee N.C. with the intention of going all the way through to the northern end in Afton Virginia. I made it to Boone N.C. before the ridiculously slow speed limits and the ridiculously slow R.V's and the ridiculous amount of LEO's broke my will and I jumped off. Very pretty, but not pretty enough to put up with the aggravation.
A couple routes I like are;
HWY 64 east out of Cleveland TN. It follows the Ocoee river up and over the hills. Very pretty.
Hwy 321 in Between Hampton TN and Sugar Grove NC.
Anything but Blue Ridge Parkway, imo.
In all sincerity, follow your nose. Much of it is just plain pretty. Relax, ride and enjoy.
Don't remember the road number but the one from Cherokee to Gatlinburg is a beautiful ride. Since you'll be fairly close, see if you can get to the 'Wheels through Time' motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley.
I've always preferred the BR Parkway and make a point to travel at least a little of it every time I'm up there. The views are better than just about any other road in the Smokeys. In a FJ, you aren't going to be burning up the road and the Parkway speed limits will be plenty fast enough. Especially if you are there for the scenery and not the drive.
Cherokee to Gatlinburg is Hwy 441 through the middle of the Great Smokey Mountains NP. Also a beautiful drive. If you run that route, head out to Clingmans Dome. There are some awesome views from the top of the mountain.
This can also make the trip fun, in silly ways:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
foxtrapper wrote: Anything but Blue Ridge Parkway, imo. In all sincerity, follow your nose. Much of it is just plain pretty. Relax, ride and enjoy.
the BRP is a beautiful drive … but the pace is slow … and the tickets are a PITA …they're federal court … don't if it's true now, but a long time ago they had to be paid in person (no mail in) and like I said, it's federal court
My son and I drove parts of the BRP and I agree that it's slooooooow. We might jump on for a bit, but it's mostly off the list.
Thanks for the other roads. My job today is to try and stitch together a route (to make my wife who likes concrete plans happy) which I will then abandon when any particular road calls to me.
A road that I've driven before and hope to hop on again is Highway 52 coming south out of Cincinnati and going along the Ohio/Kentucky and West Virginia/Kentucky borders. Of course I'll be driving it south to north this time. One of the best days I've ever had in a car. We'll see if I feel the same with a car load of kids with me.
In reply to mazdeuce:
That's a great road too. Especially out near hocking county.
wbjones wrote:foxtrapper wrote: Anything but Blue Ridge Parkway, imo. In all sincerity, follow your nose. Much of it is just plain pretty. Relax, ride and enjoy.the BRP is a beautiful drive … but the pace is slow … and the tickets are a PITA …they're federal court … don't if it's true now, but a long time ago they had to be paid in person (no mail in) and like I said, it's federal court
Yep. The BRP is part of the National Park System and is patrolled by park rangers who are federal employees. Same as the Forest Service LEO's etc. They are completely separate from the city/county/state fuzz and no you can't mail in ticket payments etc. Another note of caution: even though many states have moved to decriminalize pot, getting busted with any on federal land is a BIG deal so no you don't want to get caught holding. Not saying anyone here leans that way, it's just something to be aware of.
Still, the parts of the BRP I've been on have beautiful views. The big grumble is the traffic, it can get onerous. BTW, I'll second Clingman's Dome, great views of 4 states from there.
If you want a better compromise of scenery and speed, pop over the mountains and take 219 up through West Virginia. It's one of our go-tos when we're driving silly old cars and avoiding the interstates (which means, always).
Margie
In reply to Marjorie Suddard:
Thanks, officially on my road list. I'm not sure the route will take us that far northeast, but eventually I'll get up that way.
Cherohala Skyway.
In reply to spitfirebill:
Thank you, on the route.
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