Tail of the Dragon!

[Lily&Me]

We love doing those scenic drives in any state we visit, and headed down US 129 in North Carolina yesterday toward the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.

Lots and lots of bikers out and photographers set up at several of the curves, snapping all who came along the road---including us!

PhotoReflect - D&C Photography - 129Slayer.com

This is a beautiful, beautiful area, with lots of national forest campgrounds--some with a few electric sites and showers. We spent the night in a free site overlooking the lake.

Came across 64 today back into Tennessee, through Cherokee National Forest and the Ocoee River and Recreational Area. Stunning views, incredible rapids and many rafts, canoes and kayaks in the River. No, we did not partake.


Maggie

[Chief]

We rode the Dragon many times before trading the Harley for the Airstream........318 curves in an 11 mile stretch. We even pulled the Airstream across one time, but I would not recommend that to anyone.....I grew up in the hills of E. Teen so I didn't know any better.

Unfortunately testosterone replaced common sense with quite a few bikers, and the consequences have been severe.

We'll be streaming in the area in a few weeks to do some "leaf peeping."

Chief

[Lily&Me]

Another one!

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Or...po=480&pc=1239

Maggie

[overlander63]

Oh, do I remember that road...
I also remember US64 from Hendersonville to Hiawassi, GA. I towed Bertha over the latter, and our Argosy over the former. While in a sports car or bike those roads can be a lot of fun, towing a large travel trailer on them is at best--stressful.

[GCinSC2]

Maggie,

Heard of that road, never been on it, but we have been in western NC a few times now. Cherokee with a side trip to Stecoah last Oct, and we just spent 2011 Labor Day weekend at Oconee SP in SC with a day trip to Highland and Cashiers NC. I think we tasted a bit of the type road that the Dragon is on the way to Highland. I was driving the 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 and a couple of times I'm sure I saw my rear license plate in the side mirror. Really nice forests and on our route not much traffic.

I think western NC has a lot of scenery and worth the effort.

Gary

[Lily&Me]

Western NC and Eastern TN are really spectacular. We are in this area for the first time but will definitely be back to explore more thoroughly.

Although it is too early for serious fall colors, the sourwood trees turn red in September so there are beautiful bursts of color to look at already.

We happened upon a really terrific county campground in Chattanooga, Chester Frost Park, where we are now and are going to sit still for a bit. Cheaper for locals than we out-of-state-ers, but still very reasonable.

Solid pads/roads and gravel bases for the picnic tables, on a beautiful lake, lovely and clean bathrooms/showers, landscaped with blooming bushes. See a couple of Airstreams here besides us but haven't met anyone yet.

Such a lovely and diverse country we live in, isn't it? And aren't we all so fortunate to be able to see what we can of it.


Maggie

[BigAl]

My first trip to Hiawassee for a rally I towed my 31 footer on Tail of the Dragon. We had stopped in Knoxville for lunch and looked at the map to see where we were and how to get to the rally. Didn't seem to make much sense to continue down to Cleveland and then east when 129 cut out the corner of the triangle. It is even shown as a good highway.
I loved the drive and had no issues with it but my wife was actually scared all the way.
Al

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by BigAl

My first trip to Hiawassee for a rally I towed my 31 footer on Tail of the Dragon. We had stopped in Knoxville for lunch and looked at the map to see where we were and how to get to the rally. Didn't seem to make much sense to continue down to Cleveland and then east when 129 cut out the corner of the triangle. It is even shown as a good highway.
I loved the drive and had no issues with it but my wife was actually scared all the way.
Al

It actually is a good highway, just gives you no warning of what you are to encounter til you are well underway.

The centrifugal-force pull on the passenger side is the worst, IMO, but not nearly as bad on this road as others such as the Pacific Coast Highway where there are those immense drop-offs.

I've been known to cover my eyes.


Maggie

[Road Ruler]

Would luv to do the Dragon someday. It's on the must do list.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Would luv to do the Dragon someday. It's on the must do list.

I've done it riding two up with Mrs Wingeezer on the Goldwing and towing a home made luggage trailer. In fact that is where my signature picture was taken.

A very enjoyable experience, but I wouldn't think it would be much fun with our 3/4 ton crewcab and Airstream!

Brian.

[Road Ruler]

Hey there Brian...

Our friends in Burlington (both he and she) had their own Gold Wings and they too have done the Dragon many times. He (C.C.)was the sales manager at Burlington Cycle for a number of years.

I think it was Kirk Thomsom from Can Am that took his Bambi and turbo diesel Jetta on the Dragon not long ago. Apparently he had a blast. There is a pic somewhere. Anybody have it??

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by Road Ruler

Hey there Brian...

Our friends in Burlington (both he and she) had their own Gold Wings and they too have done the Dragon many times. He (C.C.)was the sales manager at Burlington Cycle for a number of years.

Would that by chance be Carl? Don't recall his last name. I didn't buy my Goldwing at Burlington Cycle, but did buy a previous Honda bike from Carl. I recall he was a bicycle racer as well as motorcycle enthusiast.

I think he left and started a locksmithing business some years ago. Nice chap!

Cheers ......... Brian.

[Road Ruler]

Yes Brian. All your info is correct. The Clarke's and us have been bike racing for many years now. Good friends. I'm trying to stir an interest in Airstreams with them but so far no luck.

[Lily&Me]

And one more!

Javascript / Cookies Disabled

Maggie

[klattu]

Pick the right week and you will see some color.
This was November 5th, way past normal prime of 3rd week in October, so it can be hit or miss on the colors.

[Bill M.]

Went on the dragon with my 25' Airstream. Do not reccomend it at all. The bicycles and motorcycles make trailering very, very difficult and dangerous. You end up going at bicycle speed for long periods because you dare not to pass them and take a chance of a head on with a motorcycle if you swing across the center a little. Or pushing the bike off the road if the tail swings out that way. Everybody is just real uncomfortable if you go that route with a trailer. And the cars and motorcycles caught behind the trailer get mad. I do truly wish I had not gone that route.

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by klattu

Pick the right week and you will see some color.
This was November 5th, way past normal prime of 3rd week in October, so it can be hit or miss on the colors.

Great picture! Thanks for sharing.

The sourwood trees here are turning red, that is the sum and substance of fall color thus far, but still very, very pretty.

We will not be in this exact area in 2-3 weeks for full fall color, but I can imagine it will be absolutely spectacular.

Maggie

[klattu]

Tough to imagine this being fun in any way pulling a trailer.
I'd go drop it off at campground and return.

[Lily&Me]

I agree.

That's why we tow nothing, we like the freedom of being small and compact.

The Interstate handles curves very well, although we have found a few roads that prohibit vehicles over 20', which excludes us. And, that is fine.

Maggie

[Lily&Me]

We had to buy a couple of prints. This one is my favorite.

Maggie