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Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 1,101
From: Western NC
Mustang owners - Tail of the Dragon is for you
Now that life is resuming again, and if you visit the Great Smoky Mountains area, try to hit the nearby Tail of the Dragon on the NC/TN border. We just went again on Tuesday (w/ the Challenger) and it was a beautiful day and actually quite busy for mid-week. We never go on the weekends since it is usually so crowded. It was the usual situation with most folks driving responsibly. No law enforcement seen on the Dragon but they sure were active on the roads leading to it, especially the NC side. We saw a caravan of Porsches, Lambos, and Corvettes blow by us at 90+ and I told my wife they better have the latest radar detectors. Apparently not as they all were pulled over a few miles further down. The trooper in the Hemi Charger was busy writing. There were others pulled over as well in different areas. Even though those cars are built for speed it sure wasn't the wisest choice in this heavily patrolled area. The troopers and local LEO usually leave everyone alone on the Dragon but they don't want the crazies on the approaching highways and roads. That's been our experience over the decades we have been coming here. The entire 11 miles and 318 curves are quite the challenge if driving spirited. The key is staying in your lane. Those sport bikes are approaching fast!!! The pullouts put in several years back are helpful too for bikes or cars that want to pass.
These are my current rides, including the Mustang, on the Dragon over the years. I enjoy getting the photos from the many photographers that line the road. Only 3 were there this year compared to as many as 6 before the lockdown stuff. Very inexpensive from prices ranging from $7 - $9 for basic downloads. They offer much more like posters, etc... at higher prices. Feel free to contact me if you need specific info on anything. Replying here shares the info with everyone else.
One of these days... That and the Cherohala Skyway, and the road south from Gatlinburg... On both Ride and in Awesome. Probably will have to trailer Ride behind Awesome, but that'd be ok. Two days of doin' that would be just dandy. Maybe one one way, then the other the other way... But that's the dream, people.
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 1,101
From: Western NC
Originally Posted by shaneyusa
Looks like a lot of fun!
Oh, it is but I don't expect you to make the haul from Idaho. When we did our Alberta/ BC vacation in 2015 in the Mustang I remember how far we were from home. I also remember almost coming through Idaho by the US border but the border town was Eureka, Montana (very close).
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 1,101
From: Western NC
Siber Express, I really like your 'overhead' photo. It isn't often when Killboy or one of the other photographers has their cameras set up for those 'overhead' shots. I call them that anyway. I only have one photo out of all the cars I have taken on the TOTD with that overhead view. Going back awhile when we had a '96 C4.
Gotta Have it Green Fanatic Official TMS Travel Guide
Joined: December 17, 2012
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 1,101
From: Western NC
Originally Posted by Mustang Freak
Yep I've got to do this sometime and it isn't that far away from me!
One full day drive is easy. Just stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg TN where there is so much to do besides the national park and drives. The area reminds us of International Drive in Orlando with endless things to do from amusements to dinner theaters. Real touristy but we like it. We go often. Just a note: The weekends can be a bear with lots of traffic. Going in September, right after school opens for most, really is a good time and it's just before the jam of October Fall leaf lookers in the park. Early May is good too normally before the kids get out of school. If you like quiet mountain time, Maggie Valley on the NC side is so nice!
Oh, it is but I don't expect you to make the haul from Idaho. When we did our Alberta/ BC vacation in 2015 in the Mustang I remember how far we were from home. I also remember almost coming through Idaho by the US border but the border town was Eureka, Montana (very close).
Yes it is a long way away. Did a road trip for here to North Central Minnesota and back in a motorhome. Took us 2 1/2 days to get there. Took our time on the return trip. Lots of driving and we were not even close to North Carolina. Guess if I do it I will have to fly out there and rent a good car to give it a try. Maybe some day.
6/20/21 | 06:03 AM
seen on the Dragon but they sure were active on the roads leading to it, especially the NC side. We saw a caravan of Porsches, Lambos, and Corvettes blow by us at 90+ and I told my wife they better have the latest radar detectors. Apparently not as they all were pulled over a few miles further down. The trooper in the Hemi Charger was busy writing.
There were others pulled over as well in different areas. Even though those cars are built for speed it sure wasn't the wisest choice in this heavily patrolled area. The troopers and local LEO usually leave everyone alone on the Dragon but they don't want the crazies on the approaching highways and roads. That's been our experience over the decades we have been coming here.
The key is staying in your lane. Those sport bikes are approaching fast!!! The pullouts put in several years back are helpful too for bikes or cars that want to pass.
Maybe one one way, then the other the other way... 
But that's the dream, people.
Maybe some day.
