As much as it pains me to think our beloved Dragon might be closed, it's better to be prepared in any case. For those not familar with some of the other incredible roads in the area, I'll be putting together some printable PDF's of drives leaving Fontana that are Dragon Free. HERE is the link. Feel free to make suggestions and I'll add them as I can.

 

I think it would be nice if some of us MOTD veterans posted some other roads around the Dragon we have taken in the past years, maybe even a Google Maps outline or a Mapquest outline so that others that have never been or only once or twice will have some ideas to choose from. Whatcha think?

 

My favorite route - Wayah Road out and back, with Rhymer's Ferry on the return.

N Carolina 28, NC to N Carolina 28, NC - Google Maps

As drawn takes 3-4 hours depending on how you drive. Can easily extend it and go on into Franklin for lunch in the middle. Can substitute NC28 for either the out or back leg - though Wayah is so deliciously different depending on which direction you're going, I always want to go both ways on it...

Rymer's Ferry Road is not recommended for cars lowered more than 1". But it's bliss.

 

I quite like 28 leading from Fontana Village to the Dragon: some nice straightaways into big braking and tight turns, flanking a beautiful lake. You then can take 129 south and loop back to the village.

 

A few years ago a me and a friend took a trip to the Log Cabin Restaurant in Highlands, NC. The trip took us by 3 waterfalls on the way. Lots of curvy roads and took a little bit to get there. But was an awesome drive and the food at the restaurant was just as good as the drive.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...,1.054001&z=11

 

It'll likely be open by the time we get there.

Open or not, if all you drive is Hellbender and the Dragon you're really missing out on some great driving and sightseeing. I have to echo the drive to Highlands as being *almost* as good as the Dragon itself. Just be courteous of locals as there are plenty of cross streets there, whereas the Dragon has none.

 

Wayah Bald Road

 

Since we had two thread going on here, I merged them. If anyone wants to make a pdf of their drive and sent it to me, I'll add it to the Dragon website HERE.

I've always wanted to get around to doing this, so between being on crutches at home and the Dragon out of commission, this is as good a time as any

 

Cannot stress this enough. While US 129 has a reputation of being a place where aggressive driving is more accepted, the last thing we want to happen is get ourselves labeled as those "Reckless *********s and their Cars". Unfortunately, it will only take one incident to discredit the entire event in the eyes of the local populace. Remember we are guests in their backyard.

I must also defend the decision to close US 129 in TN until safe travel (reasonably supported by EMS services) can be restored and ask that you do not punish TN citizens by not spending money in TN. TN is suffering financial woes just like everyone else. The US 64 project is already costing the state a small, unplanned fortune. If resources and funds have to be prioritized to keep larger commerce routes open, then, so be it. Just this week a 2 lane sink hole opened up on I-240 around Memphis. Thousands of vehicles travel that highway every day. Emergency repairs were made, but that, too, was another unplanned expenditure.

Come for the people, camaraderie and scenery. There will be plenty to see and do.

 

Alternate route from western TN into NC is having some issues.
Landslide slows traffic through Smoky Mountains


Associated Press - March 29, 2010 5:45 PM ET
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) - A landslide in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has slowed traffic on U.S. 441 in North Carolina.
Park officials said Monday that crews cleared debris from the road about one mile south of the Tennessee-North Carolina line. Flagmen allowed one lane of traffic through a parking area adjacent to the slide. No injuries were reported.
Officials said they would close the road overnight and determine Tuesday if the situation has stabilized. It's the main highway over the mountains.
East Tennessee has had several recent rock and landslides.

 

Per their hotline, both lanes are now open.

(865-436-1200. Once you hear a voice, dial extension 631)

 

You mean US441?

 

US 441 is Open from what was said on the recording

 

yes, don't get to excited, US441 is open, US129 is not

 

Been going to DG with the Miata gang for 12yrs and Wayah Road to Franklin with lunch at Fat Buddys is a yearly run, but look out for loose gravel in some of the corners especially with all of the rain they have had this year.
We found Wayah by accident by just turning off of several roads. Because of so much traffic on the dragon a small group started running roads that we didn't know much about. There are several roads that are great for the spirited driver but be in front of the Wine & Cheese crowd or you will not enjoy yourself.