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Thought I'd share some images of a fantastic trip to the Smoky Mts. We drove approx 1,500 miles round trip from N.E. Florida. Some of the best roads included "Moonshiner 28" (aka "Hellbender 28.") the Cherohala Skyway and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unfortunately, the leaves didn't have much fall color, which is unusual for the second week in October. The great part about that was the roads were mostly wide open without all the leaf-lookers. If you get a chance, I highly recommend this route. It's sometimes called the "Dragon Cherohala Loop." NC28 > US129 > TN72 > US411 > TN360 > TN165: "Cherohala Skyway"
At Deal's Gap. Ready to slay the dragon.
"Hey, that's not my driving buddy!" This crazy woman on my bumper is giving me what I call the "Road Rage Hand." She nearly rolled over a few times trying to keep up with me in the twisties.
...She was using the WHOLE road. Wasn't concerned about oncoming traffic.
Last edited by stevettec7; 10-23-2018 at 08:37 PM.
I live 74 miles from the start of the TN side of the Dragon. You loop, NC28 > US129 > TN72 > US411 > TN360 > TN165: "Cherohala Skyway" I what I do several times a year on my Motorcycle and a couple times a year in my Corvette. I usually go Home > TN72 > TN165 >Skyway > NC128 > US129 > TN72 > US411 > TN360 > TN68 > Home. I also only ever go on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday Morning. Least amount of traffic and idiots.
Hate those people who can not stay in their lane. There are lots of real idiots who drive / Ride the dragon, especially on week ends.
They are opening another 17 more miles of the Foothills parkway Veterans day week end. So now you will have 33 miles of it finished. Will be driving it that week end!
Welcome to the East Tennessee and North Carolina mountains.
I live 8 miles from the TN end of the Cherohala Skyway and we enjoy driving the mountain roads. In fact, the state highway that runs near home is a 2 lane back road. We were just to the top of the Cherohala Skyway a few days ago, just above 5300 feet in elevation, and the colors are just beginning. They're usually in peak color by now. But the highways are always in their peak. Well, except for the infrequent snows. Ya'll come enjoy the local roads, food, and lodging. We've got plenty. (Frodo mumbles "Geez, that sounds like a freakin' infomercial")
Looks like you had a blast, I live in eastern NC and haven't had a chance to get to that area on the Vette yet, other than in the Jefferson/Boone area as I have friends that live that way. Tho it looks like you needed to step it up a bit! Surely you could have left that van! haha
"Hey, that's not my driving buddy!" This crazy woman on my bumper is giving me what I call the "Road Rage Hand." She nearly rolled over a few times trying to keep up with me in the twisties.
...She was using the WHOLE road. Wasn't concerned about oncoming traffic.
Next time use one of the pull offs and let them go, makes for a better photo without a minivan on your ***.
I live in Greenville SC.....have been to the Dragon a few times on the old Harley, but never had the nerve to actually ride the Dragon. Now that I have given up the Harley I want to take the new C7. I want to hook-up with other Vet owners to share the road.
I live in Greenville SC.....have been to the Dragon a few times on the old Harley, but never had the nerve to actually ride the Dragon. Now that I have given up the Harley I want to take the new C7. I want to hook-up with other Vet owners to share the road.
I’ve had my big Harley on the Tail of the Dragon probably 20+ times in the past decade. You certainly get more proficient each time, but never complacent on a bike. This was the 2nd time in my C7. It’s a piece of cake in any car - even if you push hard.
Looks like you had a blast, I live in eastern NC and haven't had a chance to get to that area on the Vette yet, other than in the Jefferson/Boone area as I have friends that live that way. Tho it looks like you needed to step it up a bit! Surely you could have left that van! haha
Well the TN fuzz were patrolling when we were out there. It does look like I'm driving to Walmart, but I was pushing hard to shake that witch. It was scary how hard (and unsafe) she was to keep up with me. It's a wonder she didn't roll that thing or pop a tire. She even went as far as sweeping outside into the opposing lane on blind turns just to make those tight turns.
You're a brave person, driving the tail. Those blind turns with people like the one behind you in the pics is why I have no desire to do the tail of the dragon. Twisties are fun in the Vette, but not if you don't know what's coming the other way. Glad you had fun and enjoyed it and didn't get in any wrecks. As you well know from being from around here, our roads are pretty boring. Some of those other roads you were on sound interesting.
You're a brave person, driving the tail. Those blind turns with people like the one behind you in the pics is why I have no desire to do the tail of the dragon. Twisties are fun in the Vette, but not if you don't know what's coming the other way. Glad you had fun and enjoyed it and didn't get in any wrecks. As you well know from being from around here, our roads are pretty boring. Some of those other roads you were on sound interesting.
You're right. The main reason I even decided to drive The Tail was for a new picture. I certainly prefer most of the other great roads up there like Chelohala Skyway. That's a tremendous road you get to carry tons of speed through the turns. It's STILL more enjoyable on a motorcycle in the mountains, but a blast in a Vette for sure. Oh, and hey, you've heard they say "318 Turns in 11 Miles" for the Tail of the Dragon? Well, Someone once told me that somewhere here in Florida there's a route called "The Tail of the Gator." It's suppose to have "11 Turns in 318 Miles." LOL!!
I'd love to go on my rocket, but It scares me thinking about those blind corners, as well as the big *** trucks where part of the trailer hangs over into the other lane.
10-23-2018, 08:36 PM
Tail of the Dragon/Smoky Mountain Trip
If you get a chance, I highly recommend this route. It's sometimes called the "Dragon Cherohala Loop." NC28 > US129 > TN72 > US411 > TN360 > TN165: "Cherohala Skyway"
