I'm driving up to visit Tidal and go do the Dragon. I want to meet him and Lisa over closer to the Dragon than just staying at their place in Charlotte. Not wanting to drive up to Charlotte and then jump in the car the next morning and drive 3.5 hours to the dragon.

So.... where do I stay? I'm driving up from Tampa. Leaving around noon. I don't want to stay right close (like Robbinsville) because I think it's too far to do in one day. Also, being unfamiliar with the roads, I'm afraid I would get lost back in there at night.

I was thinking about somewhere along the interstate. Maybe up near Asheville? Anyone else have some thoughts/experience? Thanks.

 

I'll give you the two choices that I have done several times in the past:

A). Stay at the Fontana Resort on Hwy 28. It's about 10.5 hours from Zhills/Plant City with plenty of food and rest stops to account for. Getting up early and hitting Hwy 28 for about 15 minutes on your way to the Dragon is the greatest tease known to driving. It is not quite as tight as the Dragon but it will wake you up. Pull into the store front where 28 dead ends into 129, gather yourself a little meditation and then let 'er rip heading north on the Dragon.

B). This is the way that we like to do the trip. We travel up I-75 to Macon. Get over to 441 up to the most northern town in Georgia called Dillard. We stay at the Holiday Inn Express which is only about 2-3 miles south of the North Carolina border. This drive is only about 8 hours from Zhills/Plant City. Be sure to eat at the Dillard House Country Style Restaurant for dinner. Then the next day, get on 441 to Franklin NC, get on Hwy 28 northbound to Hwy 19/74. Go west only about 5 miles or so and the Hwy 28 picks up going north again. This will take you straight to the Fontana Resort and eventually the Dragon. When I push it, I can get from the Holiday Inn to the Fontana Resort in just a tad less than 2 hours, add another 15 minutes to get to the Dragon. But, the drive on 28 before you get to 19/74 ROCKS!! Again, this is another warm up to the Dragon.

By the way, this is the same route that I take no matter which place I stay at. If I leave in the morning, I'll go all the way up to Fontana. If I leave work early around noon, I go to Dillard and bunk down.

The only other option is I have stayed at Dillard, then jumped WEST over to Highlands on Hwy 106 ( Holiday Inn is on the corner of 106 & 441). Then take a killer road (Hwy 28 over to Franklin, continue as above to the Dragon.)

Hope all of this helps. WHEN are you going? The wife and I are going to be in Gainesville GA for a wedding on Friday the 23rd of Sept (next weekend). Then we are getting up on Sat the 24, heading up to the dragon for the day going the same route that I just highlighted above.

Zacksdad2

 

We are doing The Dragon on 9/30, Friday.

 

Thanks a bunch. This is really good info. Too bad we'll miss you by a weekend. This is the one that works for me and my work schedule.

Anyone else have some suggestions? Always looking for options.

 

Ashville is a great place to stay...Two hotels, just off I-40 on 25, right in front of the Biltmore Estate. One is the Baymont, and across the street is another. Forgot the name, think it's a Clarion? Take the "Blue Ridge Parkway" Unbeleivale views!, to U.S.441 in the Smokey Mtn's. Travel across the mountain to the Gatlinburg by-pass. Go to Pigeon Forge..Light #5 U.S. 321.Turn left. Follow 321 thru Townsend, just prior to entering Marysville turn left on the Foothills Parkway. It will dead-end on 129! Turn left and you will be about a mile from the entrance at the "Dragon" Very,very scenic and "Lots" of "Twisties"!!!!

 

Asheville is a terrific place for us after the Dragon. The Mellow Mushroom for Pizza and 4 different micro-breweries makes this the perfect place to wind down and relax. The Biltmore will humble you.

Zacksdad2

 

Isn't that Tidal's favorite pizza place??

 

It use to be. The one by our house sucks and always burns/overcooks the bottom of the pizza. We do home made ones now and also have new NC favorite places. If they didn't overcook them though, they'd be top two or so.

I love all pizza. I'm a pizza

 

That's all he eats. I still can't figure out why he isn't 500 pounds.