Southern Expedition - Dixie Before Disney

eventhough · 08-26-09, 07:54 AM

I need a distraction. I've been working too much - like WAAAAY too much.

Anyone up for a Southern Expedition next spring? I'm thinking about a 5 day trip or so through the southeast - maybe head to to WV. It would be all back roads and camping at night. This would be a "Dixie before Disney" trip - experience the back roads like families did before the Big Box vacations - named after a book I had to read in college.

Any ideas?

Places to see/stop
Linville Gorge/Linville Falls
Highlands/Cashiers
New River Gorge
Boone/Blowing Rock
Blue Ridge Parkway

eventhough · 08-26-09, 12:12 PM

Here are some of my initial thoughts for a path.

Start in Travelers Rest SC (Greenville, ATL, Columbia, LC and other near and southern members can stage at my house).

Go up 276 past Caesar's Head State Park, through Cedar Mountain to Brevard. Pick up NC members.

Take 64 to Cashiers then North on 107 to Cullowhee. Camp in Cullowhee for the night at the lower site on Caney Fork where the two new tank traps are - or we could hit the BRP and take it north to Linville and camp on the edge of the Gorge. I did that this summer and it was pretty neat. Good views and there is about a 12+ mile gravel road that travels the rim of the gorge we could drive. We would camp about 5 miles in on that road.

From there maybe hit the Boone/Blowing Rock area.

Pick some backroads and go up into the New River Gorge in WV. Camp somewhere there. Poke around and head back South another route...

JMRINS · 08-26-09, 12:17 PM

We're expecting a new baby New Year's Eve but depending on how early in the spring, I'd be up for this or several days worth anyway! Sounds fun.

eventhough · 08-26-09, 12:35 PM

I'm thinking we need to put dots on a map of where we would like to go (think old school tourist locations), then connect them with back roads...

AGreekBoy · 08-26-09, 01:46 PM

that sounds like a fun trip, but to far ahead for me to know if i could make it.

jleeFJ62 · 08-26-09, 02:05 PM

Depends on when in the spring, but i would be down for a few days

eventhough · 08-26-09, 02:28 PM

It can be scheduled for whenever. I'm just throwing thoughts out now. Anyone know of any cool places to hit that UC doesn't typically go to? I'll update them in the first post.

99UZJay · 08-26-09, 03:19 PM

i'm game...sounds like fun..

eventhough · 08-26-09, 03:27 PM

Where would everyone like to stop? Remember to think 'old school' type stops - road side attractions, fishing, camping, sight seeing, etc.

BillWright · 08-26-09, 04:47 PM

Blew out my vacation on Bonnaroo, Rome and Croatia. Got just about enough left for appointments and emergencies.
Unless it's during Christmas vacation. Hmmm . . .

Oh wait, you said next spring. Nahh. Probably still do the jaunt to the summer house with most of my vacation.
b

eventhough · 08-26-09, 04:58 PM

Bill - I think Bonnaroo, Rome and Croatia are > than southern backroads!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillWright

Blew out my vacation on Bonnaroo, Rome and Croatia. Got just about enough left for appointments and emergencies.
Unless it's during Christmas vacation. Hmmm . . .

Oh wait, you said next spring. Nahh. Probably still do the jaunt to the summer house with most of my vacation.
b

delta21 · 08-26-09, 05:02 PM

IN. let's plan this over a bottle of tequilla, and then tell the wife's what they're in for

eventhough · 08-26-09, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta21

IN. let's plan this over a bottle of tequilla, and then tell the wife's what they're in for

LOL - remember from GSMTR, the wife has requested that I not drink Tequilla around Cruiser folk, it normally doesn't turn out well!!!

I don't think I ever let the GSMTR crowd know about this past trip...

smkymntn · 08-27-09, 12:28 PM

Sounds interesting- It would be cool to find only backroads and as many unpaved roads as possible. Count me as tentative until we get closer.

Carp · 08-27-09, 01:17 PM

Seeing as how my dad has worked Highlands/Cashiers as a phone/cable repair man for 20+ years, I know of several cool things and bet he could help us find some more things to see there. If you felt adventurous, you could go west instead of north and hit the Trans America Trail...

I'm looking hard at this...

steenh · 08-27-09, 03:12 PM

Tentatively count me in! Sounds like a great trip.

proinv · 08-27-09, 06:34 PM

I would do this!

Carp · 08-28-09, 09:00 AM

BTW, I have mapped a route from Hwy 11 to Hwy 107 consisting of gravel backroads for our camping trip a few years ago. We didn't make it then, but I'm going to do that run again with a better GPS. Then from 107 you can take Horse Cove Rd into Highlands. Cool stuff on that road. Might be a good first leg when combined with going to Highlands.

3pits · 08-28-09, 10:44 PM

sounds pretty neat, keep us posted,,,

smkymntn · 08-29-09, 12:30 PM

This is sounding better all the time.............

lt1fire · 08-29-09, 03:06 PM

I might join up for a leg of it depending on where you guys are on the weekend.
Don't get too much time off these days.

eventhough · 08-29-09, 04:26 PM

I know Danny @ Crawfords knows a bunch of backroads around him.

Lets put some 'dots' on the maps of places we want to stop and then try to connect them.

Where does everyone suggest to stop?