The Great Outdoors Resort - 5 nights
Really picturesque drive on 76; lots of wildflowers.
Really picturesque drive on 76; lots of wildflowers.
FRANKLIN
Great downtown.
Great downtown.
Little Tennessee River Greenway follows the Little Tennessee River and a tributary, Cartoogechaye Creek. Enjoyable walk along the river.
Tried the local BBQ places:
Fat Buddies BBQ--terrible service; ribs OK; sliced pork a little dry.
Hog Wild BBQ--ribs good (not as good as Carolina; better than Fat Buddies). More family oriented--everyone had Franklin Panther t-shirts for the football game.
Fat Buddies BBQ--terrible service; ribs OK; sliced pork a little dry.
Hog Wild BBQ--ribs good (not as good as Carolina; better than Fat Buddies). More family oriented--everyone had Franklin Panther t-shirts for the football game.
Scenic Drive: Wayah Creek Road; couldn't find Rufus Morgan Trail. Drove up to Wayah Bald--about 3 miles on dirt road; thankfully only passed 1 car. Fantastic views. Drove along Nantahala; beautiful scenery.
Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine: one of the original native mines. Dig a bucket of dirt then sift dirt with a screen in a trough of water. A worker comes by to see if there is a ruby, sapphire, tourmaline. We found 1 sapphire 2-3 carrots; 7 were about half carrot, 8 quarter; 18 were big pin head size. A vial of souvenirs--nothing of jewelry size. Spent the entire day from about 11-5. Fun looking and hoping.
Lots of WATERFALLS & cute mountain TOWNS in the area:
Highlands: Cullasaja River Gorge and FallsAbsolutely breathtaking; just a little road pull off. Dry Falls; walk behind it.
Highlands: Cullasaja River Gorge and FallsAbsolutely breathtaking; just a little road pull off. Dry Falls; walk behind it.
Cashiers - Carolina Smokehouse for lunch. Great ribs; pulled pork OK.
Nice stores for shopping.
Nice stores for shopping.
Whitewater Falls: easy walk 153 steps; very nice.
Bridal Veil Falls: car can drive behind it.
Dillsboro - lots of neat shops.
Sylva - Nick & Nate's on Main Street. Great lunch bar: lasagna, pizza, salad, dessert.
2025-02-10