[size=2] Because we will be so close to Cades Cove I am going to have to take a ride up there.If you have never been it is like heaven on earth. :smile:
It is a one-way loop that goes around an old homestead site. I believe the loop is about 11 miles, but do not hold me to it. There is some great hiking in the Park and lots of places to stop and walk around. They even have a working grits mill where you can buy some meal or grits.
We would leave Fontana Village, cross the Dragons Tail/Back, take the Foothills Parkway to Hwy 321 through Townsend. Pass through Townsend and onto Cades Cove. It is a beautiful drive.

If you would like to make the drive with me let me know. I do not know when we will go and was going to play it by ear, as I do not want to miss out on any of the fun at Fontana. I was figuring on going after one of the crossings, as I will be half of the way there by then. So how does it sound to you all? Anyone want to go? Or is there already a trip planned that I do not know about?

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Sounds nice. I'm interested.

 

Ditto!

 

FYI.. call ahead and make sure it isn't the big annual Homestead Weekend/Festival or whatever it is. We tried to do this 2 years ago... we got into Townsend and were told that it was a 2 hour delay MINIMUM into the Cove due to the festivities.

 

QueenB told us that there was an oldtimers Weekend that weekend -- but she thought that Friday morning would be less traffic than the weekend.

(Thanks to Queenie for making me look smart )

Hugs,
PB

 

I just checked the calendar and Saturday the 7th is definintely Old Timers Day in Cades Cove (plus the festival in Townsend). Friday would probably be do-able but still with traffic.

There is another drive you might consider called Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail close in to Gatlinburg. It is a lovely little drive with homesteads to stop at. It doesn't have the picturesque open-field qualities of Cades Cove but the drive is very close to and over tumbling streams (very tiny wooden bridges). Quite lovely and you could lunch in Gatlinburg if you wished. We took a few MINIs over that way at the very first Dragon Run. A little info here: http://www.imagesbuilder.com/gsmnp/r...ure-trail.html

 

If you all want to do the Roaring Fork motor trail too that is cool. I did it this past Thanksgiving and it was very nice. We also took the time to hike one of the trails to a waterfall which was cool too. I think I will try the Friday morning/afternoon drive to Cades Cove. I may go to the Motor Trail too, depending on the days events. What do we have on the calander for then?Who do we talk to about getting this on the calander?

 

Uh....me.

Hugs,
PB

 

Great want to put it on, or not? It is there if anyone wants to go and if they do not want to then that is fine too. I will be going, Friday, after the parade, and come back when ever. I just thought some others might enjoy it as much as mom and I do.

Mom is getting started good in physical therapy, and doing lots of fussing and cussing. I keep telling her, "dragon run, cades cove, dragon run....." and she works harder!
Thaks for the help.

 

Check your PMs....I so thought I sent you one last night. But I've got you on the calendar as of now -- confirm the details and we are good to go. Sorry -- I must have spaced and not hit send when I wrote it last night.

Hugs,
PB

 

Well yer Mum has some great incentives. The Dragon Run is great fun and Cades Cove is always beautiful.

 

Mom is almost as excited as me!

Bab got me on the calendar for Friday after the parade to take the drive to Cades Cove. Now I need a sign up list. I have started one and have two people on it. Did you want to go with us?

Let me know

 

Although I would love to I will likely be running a touring rally at the same time. One of those follow the driving directions and answer some questions and have heated (but fun) discussions with your navigator type things.

Donna

 

I used to have a TreeTop timeshare along Roaring Fork Is the the same one near Gatlinburg? But count me in anyway...I haven't been there in such a long time:smile:

 

The rally you planned last year was great! Well organized and a whole lot of fun.