We are thinking about going up a day or two early and doing some outdoorsy activities. Anyone want to join us for a midweek white water rafting adventure, or horseback riding perhaps??

Also, coming from Florida and we could use some local knowledgable advice on where to go for this.

 

I went rafting on the lower Oocoe (Oh-Coe-Ee) a year and a half ago. I stayed in Cleveland thursday night, and drove the 20 or so minutes to the base camp.

It was fun, certainly nothing like WV but because the river is dam controlled, it's a safe bet you'll get some water flow. I imagine the water will be quite cold this time of year, though.

 

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!

 

Ocoee is great...and yes you will freeze your @$$ off this time of year. Water temp will probably be in the high 40's low 50's.

 

Well, after a bit of research it seems they only open the river on the weekends in April. I think rafting is out

If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know!

 

If you can't raft, maybe drive the Blueridge Parkway, go to Mt. Mitchell, or go to Chimney Rock? Or the Biltmore Estate. Go see the waterfalls in the area. There's plenty to do if you can't go rafting.

 

Best I have found is a 3-hour canoe float down the French Broad River at sunset. Through 8,000 acres of preserved Biltmore Estate property ... should be beautiful & relaxing !
The company is: Southern Waterways in Asheville, NC.

We also plan to visit the Hot Springs one evening. You can reserve your own "hot tub" for an hour for $25. It's just across the border in Hot Springs, NC.

I have also researched a few scenic drives around the TN / NC area.
(1.) Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail -- 11 mile loop, one-way for 8 miles; from Gatlinburg, take Airport Rd. ... 441 S. ... right on Hwy 321 ... 1 mile on left motor trail begins
**2.4 mile hike "Grotto Falls Trail" begins off Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail; hike to a watefall which you can walk behind!!
(2.) Newfound Gap Rd. = US 441 thru the Smokies .. 33 mile scenic hwy (1 hour drive time) ... connects Cherokee, NC & Gatlinburg, TN ... rises 3,600' from Gatlinburg to Newfound Gap ... spectacular vistas of Oconaluftee & West Prong of Little Pigeon Valleys
**.1 mile S of Newfound Gap = Clingman's Dome Rd ... leads to Clingman's Dome, which is the highest point in TN
**many trailheads begin off this road, also
(3.) Foothills Parkway

This is where I got the info:
http://greatsmokymountains.areaparks.com/p...l?content=peaks

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Willie Gee
Best I have found is a 3-hour canoe float down the French Broad River at sunset.