FL-Smoky Mtns next week, any suggestions?

[kstampa]

Alright, we changed our route. Check out the AAA trip-tik. If you haven't used it to plan a trip I highly recommend it. My wife and I are looking for points of interest and fun things to do along the way. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Basically the route is this:

12 days= Tampa to Port St. Joe (SP), FL to Florence Marina (SP), GA to Cloudland Canyon (SP), GA to Great Smoky Mtn (NP), TN to Unicoi SP, Helen, GA to Preston, GA back home to Tampa.

Here's the map link:
http://www.airforums.com/photos/show...?i=20030&c=500

Thanks in advance!!
-K & S

[Ike T]

Looks like you will pass south of Plains, Ga (southeast of Columbus). There is not alot there but you might run into Jimmy Carter at Ma's Kitchen or can visit the National Historic Site, which is essentially the town.

Around Warm Springs, Ga, you can take in the Little White House and FDR state park and Callaway Gardens.

Consider skipping Atlanta and taking US Hwy 27 north through West Central Georgia. Good highway with some 4-lane.

If you are bikers, the Silver Comet Trail runs through Cedartown, Ga and you can get a good bike fix in either east or west. There is a tunnel and a tressle towards the east on the trail. To the west is the Alabama state line. Stay away from there.

On up US Hwy 27, Rome, Ga is pretty nice. Sloppy Floyd State Park is there. Braves have a minor league team there if you're into baseball.

Up towards Chattanooga, Tn, take in Lookout Mountain by riding the incline train.

Are you planning on taking US Hwy 129 from Knoxville back to NC? You will encounter a road you do not want to pull a trailer through unless it's extremely short and you are extremely brave.

If you do take US Hwy 129 back to NC and survive, you will pass near Fontana Village and Fontana Dam. Catch the Appalachian Trail there for some hiking and fishing.

Near Helen, Ga, there is Anna Ruby Falls. You can tube the upper Chattahoochee River in Helen as well. We have had some rain for a change so the river should be floatable.

Anyway, I hope these ideas help.

[Ramp]

You will come up from Atlanta on 365 it is now 4 lane all the way. When you cross into NC the first town you come to is Franklin (my home town) if you would like to rest a while there is a campground at about 4000ft. called Standing Indian Campground it has water and flush heads and showers no hookups but a dump station that also has a freash water fill up. Great place to camp on the Nantahala river you can make reservations on reserve america. The next stop you don't want to miss is the Cherokee Indian reservation. It is the gateway into the Smokey Mountain Park. Harras casino has shows and gambling if you like it. After getting in the park and crossing into Tenn. you will come to Sugarland rest area. Just a short drive from Sugarland you come to Elkmont Campground my favorite campground in the Park. It is located on the Little River and the parking spots are spaced a good ways apart so it's not a lot of campers jammed together. Be sure to have a camera ready as you will see a lot of Turkey and Bear. Ther is always a lot of traffic in the park (only two lanes) but it gose pretty good be sure to not leave any food out at night as the rangers WILL give you a ticket. Have a great time it's a great place to visit!

[overlander63]

Another point of interest in Chattanooga is Ruby Falls. It is a cave with a waterfall all the way at the end of it, and a nice way to spend a couple of hours sightseeing out of the heat.

[trevisgardne]

You will not regret Cloudland Canyon-It is fantastic. If it is booked go two exits up to the KOA-they are super nice folks.

You have a wide variety of choices in the Smokys. I have lived her my whole life. PM me for details.

If you have any trouble in the Knoxville area-let me know-glad to help.

T

[richie rich]

have you seen the florida caves in marianna florida? how about torreya park near bristal fl.or appalachacola bay? I'll be in that area sept. 15 for a few days if 'IKE' does'nt mess up things

[funkill]

Originally Posted by Ramp

You will come up from Atlanta on 365 it is now 4 lane all the way. When you cross into NC the first town you come to is Franklin (my home town) if you would like to rest a while there is a campground at about 4000ft. called Standing Indian Campground it has water and flush heads and showers no hookups but a dump station that also has a freash water fill up. Great place to camp on the Nantahala river you can make reservations on reserve america. The next stop you don't want to miss is the Cherokee Indian reservation. It is the gateway into the Smokey Mountain Park. Harras casino has shows and gambling if you like it. After getting in the park and crossing into Tenn. you will come to Sugarland rest area. Just a short drive from Sugarland you come to Elkmont Campground my favorite campground in the Park. It is located on the Little River and the parking spots are spaced a good ways apart so it's not a lot of campers jammed together. Be sure to have a camera ready as you will see a lot of Turkey and Bear. Ther is always a lot of traffic in the park (only two lanes) but it gose pretty good be sure to not leave any food out at night as the rangers WILL give you a ticket. Have a great time it's a great place to visit!

Nice trip plan - wish I was doing it! I have to say that Standing Indian is my all time favorite campground. Camped there regularly every October - not knowing it was bear hunting season and I was in a bear sanctuary! But never have had any problem - thankfully. Good luck to you and hope you have a safe and fun trip.