The Official Rocket Across America IV Thread

[JDuke1980]

I have attached a microsoft word document I used for my last group trip I planned to the area I modified it to fit the dates and lodging locations for RAA IV. I apoligize in advance as you can see i am a bit OCD But planning Motorcycle events/trips is my hobby. Please feel free to use what ever you like from this document. Or let me know if any help is needed.

And I thought I was OCD about planning stuff out... This looks great.

On a side note... my dad is going to be off work that weekend, so he will be bringing his Rocket too. We won't be staying at the Holiday with y'all though, we'll be at the one of the campsites close by, probably the stonebridge, 1mile away.

 

[HeR3tic]

...Another attraction I may go to Sunday Evening is the play in Cherokee . . Unto these hills. Very good. That shorter route for doing the Dragon on Sunday sounds good though. HeR3tic . . you may have a booger stickin to ya.

It's a date; Unto these Hills I'm with you on Sunday for a shorter trip as well. More time to enjoy fellowship and a slow pace scenery intake. I'm quite apt to pull over and soak it it any time. A planned 8 hour tour could turn into several hours more. And I don't want to be late for supper At the moment it appears BBQ at the Holiday Saturday and I like the idea of J. Arthur's Sunday?

 

[scowherd]

I will wait until we get more feed back and come up with some alternate agenda's to propose if you would like with less mile and more social time. I have listed some things to consider below.

If it is pictures and scenery you are looking for Foothills parkway and the Cherohola skyway are great for this. Foothills parkway speed limit is 45 and no commercial vehicles allowed lots of scenic pull offs and gathering areas.

The dragon is not a spot for pictures and site seeing but there are several Professional photographer that take pictures as you ride the dragon and they can be purchased and viewed on-line. these are quality Photo's I have one blown up to 3' x 2" you can read the writing on my radar detector. this road is heavily patrolled I have experienced 10+ patrol cars in the 11 mile stretch so stay with in the speed limit, where helmet and stay on your side of the road. The deals gap motor lodge is the gathering place when riding the dragon 100 bikers + in the parking lot and plenty of Swag and food.

The wheels for time museum was great but unfortunately they shut down to relocate Nov 30th 2008.

For Those who have not been to Cherokee lately it is highly commercial (Similar to Gatlinburg) lots of gift shop, t-shirts, old time photo, etc and did I mention traffic. With that said there are still some cool places worth visiting.

The ride on 441 through the park is very scenic and the view at clingmans dome are spectacular but expect a little more traffic than other roads.

Cades Cove Is a mess If you do venture there on a bike be warned the traffic will be heavy and the average pace is about 5mph and expect frequent stops. Once you start the loop there is no turning back. There is a road at the visitor’s center called Parsons Branch Road that leads to the dragon. Do not take this it is a primitive road with 10+ water crossing and a 14% grade in some spots. I learned about this the hard way yes the rocket made it in one piece but took 1.5 hours to go 11 miles oh and by the way if you do ever venture on this road you better be packing lost of wildlife coyote's and bear.

 

[HeR3tic]

SCowherd, what do you know about horseback riding in the area of Maggie Valley into the wilderness areas of the nearby Smokys?? What about a horse rental in the area of or the direction towards Clingmans Dome??

 

[scowherd]

do not know much about the horse back riding in the area but I did find this site It should get you started on your journey.

Guided Horseback Riding - Gatlinburg TN - Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

[scowherd]

More horse back info

All Day Smoky Mountain Horseback Rides At Walden Creek Stables

Cataloochee Ranch horseback riding | hiking | cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains

 

[tdragger]

I like your original plan. I don't expect to get the chance to get back there anytime soon so I want to ride as much of the scenic roads as I can.

 

[boogerdave]

I like your original plan. I don't expect to get the chance to get back there anytime soon so I want to ride as much of the scenic roads as I can.

Absolutely . . there can be a couple of different things going on same day. I still want to ride the dragon . . I would just prefer to ride it Sunday and do some other stuff maybe on Saturday.

You're doing a great job at all of this . . . .

 

[scowherd]

keep in mind the 2 routes I put together both include the dragon. I plan on riding both routes. but I am sure we can have several different agenda and meet for the social thing in the evening.

 

[Pig9r]

1. Xhdskip
2. Wilbur-t
3. Billz
4. Trirocketman
5. Lester532
6. Boogerdave
7. Scowherd
8. Ratboy
9. Lonzol
10. Her3tic
11. Gunshots (Maybe)
12. tdragger
13. Jduke1980
14. Baggage1
15. Bohica (Maybe)
16. Tonymac