Just returned from Deals Gap trip (Full Version)

CBR >> Racing and Recreational >> Road Trips

Just returned from Deals Gap trip


  

OldFatGuy -> Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/2/2006 6:57:46 PM)

Well, as some of you know, I recently bought a beater van to haul my bikes around in and took the maiden voyage Thurs - Sunday from St. Louis to Deals Gap.

The van turned out to be PERFECT for just such a trip. It rained on Thursday and we took the van up to the store to take pictures next to the sign. The tail of the dragon was virtually empty and we only had to pull over once to let a couple of bikes pass.

Here's a pic of the van at the infamous sign (my lovely wife acting as Vanna White):
[image]http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9078/dsc04985to6.jpg[/image]

This is a pic of the wife at the dam north of the dragon. She was riding her Shadow, and of course I was on the 1KRR:
[image]http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/998/dsc05004sm4.jpg[/image]

This is a pic at the overlook. We didn't take too many pics of us, but KillBoy, Zee Photography, and someone else was taking pics and as soon as they upload them at the end of the week, I'll post up some of their pics:
[image]http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6034/dsc04992ua2.jpg[/image]

On Saturday, the dragon got pretty crowded, so we headed off to the Nantahala Outdoor Center to eat at the River's End. If you've never been there, it's worth the ride. I think it's only about 40 miles away and we prefer coming in from Robbinsville and coming down the mountain and watching the rafters and kayakers. Here's a shot of the River's End restaurant:
[image]http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4781/dsc05024um4.jpg[/image]

This was my 3rd trip to the dragon and I have to say it was the most enjoyable - mainly because I was on the 1KRR. This is the first time my wife had ridden her own bike (at the dragon) and she took it pretty slow. I escorted her through each time and she only rode in once and then back out each day and we stayed to the inside and waved people by when they came up behind us. She was slow, but not any slower than some of the Harley dudes that were too macho to move to the side and let you pass -- I had to work my way around several groups of those lug heads. [:@]

Any way... all in all it was a good short trip. We only rode on Friday and Saturday. I don't think my wife could've handled much more. I rode the Dragon about a dozen times while my wife shopped at the store or watched and took pics and video from the overlook. The van was a true champion. One night I even left the lights on in the van for about 2 hours before someone notified me, but the van fired right up without any complaints.



  

cbr04 -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/2/2006 8:33:03 PM)

great pics! glad you guys made it back okay [:)]


kodiak1122 -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/2/2006 10:24:20 PM)

Great pics.
You really don't look old or fat as one might expect.
Thanks for posting.
Makes me want to go even more now.


SpeedTrap -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 12:39:16 AM)

Look's like you guys had a good time.


hondadriver4life -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 1:03:12 AM)

sounds like fun... alas i wish i wasnt so poor...... lol


GEARHEAD69 -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 8:10:58 AM)

Is that a GPS on that 1krr?? how'd it work out for you ?


Tahoe SC -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 1:11:44 PM)

nice pix!! great place looks like...

not to step on any toes, but what's up with that first picture...from the looks of the van and where your wife is standing...she looks like she's at least 7 feet tall!!!!!!!!!!!!

t


mlcjr -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 1:52:53 PM)

Nice pics, thxs for sharing. In the pic with your wife and the lake behind her, is that a boat launch or just no barrier at the egde?

mike


OldFatGuy -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 3:03:15 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: GEARHEAD69

Is that a GPS on that 1krr?? how'd it work out for you ?



Yeah, it is. It's a Garmin 2620 and I've had it for a while. I bought a mount for my '06 F4i but never used it, so I tried it on the 1KRR and had to get much longer bolts and a couple of spacers to make it work, but it did the job. The GPS makes riding around in unfamiliar areas so much better, plus it helps with finding restaurants and such as well.


OldFatGuy -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 3:05:32 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Tahoe SC

nice pix!! great place looks like...

not to step on any toes, but what's up with that first picture...from the looks of the van and where your wife is standing...she looks like she's at least 7 feet tall!!!!!!!!!!!!

t



lol! Nah, she's not that tall. Must just be an optical illusion. They have like a ramp so you can back you trailer, pickup, or van and unload your bikes. She's elevated quite a bit in the pic. [:)]


OldFatGuy -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 4:41:55 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: mlcjr

Nice pics, thxs for sharing. In the pic with your wife and the lake behind her, is that a boat launch or just no barrier at the egde?

mike



That's actually part of the dam. You can drive right up to it, but not on the dam itself. There were a couple of guys fishing right over the drop-off behind her. Hiway 129 has several boat ramps and parking areas on it before you get to Deals Gap though, if that's what you are wondering.


doncollins -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 6:32:23 PM)

I'm glad the van worked out for you and the pics look great.


thirdgenlxi -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 8:03:14 PM)

Sweet pics!! Ahh the memories [:(] I was just up there in May and it's AWSOME up there!!! Sooo many neat roads you can explore for days and days on end without ever getting bored. Sure didn't want to come home to boring flat SoFla after that. Where did you guys stay at, the Deals Gap resort or at Fontana Village or someplace else?

Glad to hear you had a great time and a safe trip! [:D]


OldFatGuy -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 8:56:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: thirdgenlxi
Where did you guys stay at, the Deals Gap resort or at Fontana Village or someplace else?


We've stayed in the area several times now and we always stay at the same hotel in Alcoa, about half way in between Knoxville and The Dragon. There are plenty of good restaurants there, as well as other amenities. We had hotel points from our various stays and the 3 nights ended up being totally free! lol Makes the mini vacatoin that much sweeter! [:)]


hobbs51 -> RE: Just returned from Deals Gap trip (10/3/2006 10:21:00 PM)

[X(][&o]Hi old fat guy,
glad you had a safe trip wish i had known you were their i live in kingsport i would have liked to come down and meat with you all maybe next time[:@]


  

Page: [1] 2   next >   >>

Return to CBR Forum home page or view the Full Version of this page.