September 20 - 23 Vonore, Tennessee
Notchy Creek Campground
Where in the world are we going?????
It was after our stop at……. Buc-ee’s – LOL!! Haven’t seen a Buc-ee’s in a LONG time cause we haven’t been on an Interstate in a LONG time. What the heck is the draw to this place? Haven’t figured it out yet except it’s a shopping mega for all kinds of things – food, drink, stuff……..and they are always – always – always crowded!!!!!
What is up with this darn traffic? We’ve gotten so used to being on small highways and back roads! Bear jam on I40 – wow! The most unexpected place to see a big ole black bear – having a swim in the nice warm water below the bridge – neato!!!
Really nice country campground nestled in the woods by Lake Tennessee. Super quiet but too hot and humid to sleep with the windows open.
We were excited to get to this particular area as we have friends that live nearby. But……Covid struck again and they were both very sick – damn it!! So, we drove into their driveway and waved/blew kisses. We were SO bummed about not getting to hang out with Scotty and Maxine Drapo for the weekend. Mike and Scotty were in the Navy together – so they’ve known each other a long, long time……
All was not lost for something to do however!!! We were only about 45 minutes away from……the famous Tail of the Dragon – US 129 – oh yeah baby – here we come! This road has 318 curves in 11 miles – America’s favorite motorcycle and sports car road, bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest, with no intersecting roads or driveways. Guaranteed to be the ride of your life!!!!!
We were first introduced to Tail of the Dragon after we bought our first MINI Cooper in 2002. It was an instant love affair and MINI’s on the Dragon was formed. 100’s of MINI’s came every year the first week of May for many days of fun! We moved to CA in 2003 but managed to drive from CA in 2012 for a 10 year “reunion” of MINI’s on the Dragon.
Unforgettable memories……………We had a great lunch at the Fontana Lodge which overlooks the mountains and the Fontana Village, reminiscing about old times gone by!!
On our way back “home”, we drove through the Foothills Parkway of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This whole area is so breathtakingly beautiful – especially at this time of the year. The leaves are changing and starting to fall – wow – so, so pretty!
