possible rally location change

the fan · October 23, 2015, 06:46:30 PM

The place you are staying looks very interesting. The best part is according to google maps it is only an hour further than Tellico for me.

mst3kguy · October 24, 2015, 10:51:11 AM

Bill, and for you and me and other midwesterners, you have the option of going thru the dragon to get to it.

Motofun · October 25, 2015, 07:57:21 AM

When we checked with all the attendees at the 2015 fall rally, all we got was positive feedback on the current campground (Cherahola). We did discuss with Wayne and he has a waiting list for the week that we currently hold in reserve so if we move out we probably won't be able to get back in.
For my part I like the current location. Hauling a trailer, especially a big one, Tellico Plains is a straight forward proposition. The other side of the skyway is a problem for us. I remember when Carey, Henry and I stayed at the half-cabin years ago and the only real way in is from the south. This adds a couple hours to to a 13 hour trip. No way to pull a trailer through the Dragon.
I, obviously, would like to stay where we are.
Jack and Nancy

giantkiller · October 25, 2015, 11:08:57 AM

I missed this year.and I like Telico too. But I'm spoiled staying in the cabins. Offered by Telico vacation rentals.

mst3kguy · October 26, 2015, 06:13:14 PM

Quote from: Motofun on October 25, 2015, 07:57:21 AM
When we checked with all the attendees at the 2015 fall rally, all we got was positive feedback on the current campground (Cherahola). We did discuss with Wayne and he has a waiting list for the week that we currently hold in reserve so if we move out we probably won't be able to get back in.
For my part I like the current location. Hauling a trailer, especially a big one, Tellico Plains is a straight forward proposition. The other side of the skyway is a problem for us. I remember when Carey, Henry and I stayed at the half-cabin years ago and the only real way in is from the south. This adds a couple hours to to a 13 hour trip. No way to pull a trailer through the Dragon.
I, obviously, would like to stay where we are.
Jack and Nancy

J&N,

i can't remember specifically where you guys are, so i just plugged in a city in the northeast corner of PA and mapped it out from your place to Robbinsville, vs your place to Tellico Plains. Turns out travel time to Robbinsville is 8 minutes longer and 10 miles longer than to Tellico Plains. the majority of that route is either interstate or state routes (including 74). and i guess i missed that poll at the fall rally, because i haven't been happy with locations since the koa disappeared. what i know is, is that people have, in fact, been interested in moving the rally for the reasons i stated at the beginning of this thread.

mst3kguy · October 26, 2015, 06:20:26 PM

Quote from: the fan on October 23, 2015, 06:46:30 PM
The place you are staying looks very interesting. The best part is according to google maps it is only an hour further than Tellico for me.

Bill,

the campground was very big, right on a river, had a nice general store, and the cabin was very nice with bathroom and our kitchen appliances included a full-size fridge, stove and oven, and microwave. also had a/c and articifical fireplace with heat.

carey · October 26, 2015, 08:20:27 PM

Dean,

I appreciate you taking this on, but anyplace in Stecoah or Robbinsville would require a portion of 28. Not an easy drive when towing a 5th wheel. If nothing else, Tellico is easier to get to. I would prefer to get further away from the Dragon/crowds.

To me, Stecoah is no better than Fontana campground or resort for selections of places to eat. Robbinsville would be better in that regard.

Anything near Madisonville or Marysville? This could be a longer drive for our Southern brothers and sisters, but possibly easier following I-75 from Atlanta. What about Asheville?

Where ever the majority decides, I'm sure Henry and I will find it

mst3kguy · October 26, 2015, 09:24:52 PM

carey,

in my opinion, i'm not too interested in maryville or madisonville, as those are still west of the cherohala, hence still the problem of riding into the sun.

bryson city does not involve traversing sr 28, it's right off 74. in fact, it's just a few minutes after where we turn left onto 28 from 74, to head towards franklin.

it has 17 or so cabins, some modern, some rustic, i'm pretty sure all had showers, all had kitchens. plenty of rv sites, and plenty of tent sites. an 8-shower bathhouse for the tenters. the office had a supplies---ice, firewood, pretty much everything the koa has, plus a fair amount of food items. bryson city was very nice---lots of cool little diners and pubs.

wouldn't it be nice if we had a location that met everyone's needs---cabins with showers, tent sites with showers, rv hookup, in a good location near plenty of the roads that we ride? wouldn't it be nice if we had a location where everyone was there at that location? wouldn't it be nice if we had a location that had plenty of dining establishments? wouldn't it be nice if we had a location that allowed us to ride one of our most favorite roads without tainting it with riding into the sun every time?

racerman_27410 · October 26, 2015, 11:49:06 PM

oh wouldn't it be niiiiiiice...... love me some beach boyz

the fan · October 27, 2015, 06:48:13 AM

I'm with Dean on this one.

Since the closing of the KOA the rallies have lost some of the 'magic' for me. Before it had a great vibe and really felt like a rally. The past few years have been fun, but it was more like a trip to the mountains with a few old friends. Not necessarily a bad thing, but no where near as memorable.

Keep in mind that I can head down and ride the mountains anytime I want, but choose to only head down for the rallies. Hell for the past few years the only riding I have done is at the rallies...

As far as the sun in the eyes thing... It beats a sharp stick, but I am getting old and it's now more about comfort than adventure... sometimes.

mst3kguy · October 27, 2015, 10:24:30 AM

Correction: the campground is just past where we turn _right_ onto sr 28...

ddlewis · October 27, 2015, 12:01:25 PM

Bryson City, still 2 hours out of TPTN, is about where I deeply regret my decision to ride down. it would be SWEET to be able to stop there.

To get over to the east side of the mountains off I81 S, just before Knoxville, take I40 towards the SE then take 74. Shouldn't add much if any time and is easy driving. Even all the way into Stecoah is still pretty easy.

ECFR not what it used to be in koa days. I'm liking the idea of a change the more I think of it. The worst thing about it is no more Tellico Beach drive in. That hurts me.

mst3kguy · October 27, 2015, 12:12:12 PM

Suzanne took some pics of the campground. Someone volunteer to post them on here and I'll send them to you.

mst3kguy · October 27, 2015, 12:42:00 PM

http://www.deepcreekcamping.com/diagram.html

ddlewis · October 27, 2015, 02:07:23 PM

Quote from: mst3kguy on October 27, 2015, 12:42:00 PM
http://www.deepcreekcamping.com/diagram.html

Are you saying you think this is the place?

It looks good and I like the location.. my only concern is it looks a little more family oriented - less biker centric. What's their bonfire/potato cannon/timpani policies? We don't want to be hassled by the man for drinking beer after 10:30.

If you think it would work for us and be an upgrade that's good enough for me to give it a shot.

News:

possible rally location change

the fan

the fan