Just returned...2nd trip a real success..NC mountains

[riven1950]

My GF and I just returned from a two week trip to the Asheville area of the NC Mountains.

First stop was Hickory Nut Falls where we stayed on the river front. Very nice people and convenient to Chimney Rock town. They have wifi in the office area only but it was good. Checked out the town, rode over to Lake Lure and Hendersonville, both short trips. Hint: the mexican restaurant was unlike any I have seen, and I've seen a bunch in Mex and elsewhere. Weird sauces and menu, food ok, but not Mex....

Then we moved to Franklin NC to Rose Creek GC. Another nice place, very clean, great rates ( PA ), nice place to just chill out for a few days. Checked out downtown while we visited D&L Body shop for a window repair,( would highly recommend them by the way ). Walked from their downtown location to a little place called the Gazebo for lunch. Good atmosphere and food. Went gem mining in a local spot and did a little SM bass fishing.

Next stop was River Valley CG in Cherokee. Nice CG, quite even on LD weekend. Wish we had a river front place but the whole campground was good. Did a little trout fishing onsite ( special Cherokee permit required ). Helped the local economy by visiting the Casino several times...

We left Cherokee and headed home via I40 so we could stop in Chapel Hill where my sister was in ICU at the hospital at CH from a car accident. She is ok but the airbag beat her up bad...(note to short folks who sit close to the steering wheel). We found a CG very convenient to the hospital called Spring Hill, no tents or bathhouse but very convenient to CH Hospital and large wooded lots with great wifi. They have a number of cancer and lung transplant folks who stay there also.

While on the trip we finally got our rig weighed at a Cat Scale:

steer axle 3200
drive axle 3260
camper 3320
gross 9780

truck 6110
By my calc trailer was 3670 and tongue weight was 350

F150 4x4 4.6l pulling a 718fd Aerolite. First time pulling in the hills. The 4.6 did great overall but does not like those really long mile or two mile steep grades, had to take my time with it, other than the no problems.

Also tried out my new scangauge. Not for mileage calc cause I knew it was bad ( 09 / 11 ) depending on terrain, but mainly for engine / trans temp. Normal engine about 190, normal trans about 178, w/o pulling. Neither one ever went over 202 that I saw so I was pleased with temps.

Overall a great trip, ( leaving out the casino part ), and already planning to return to fl this winter for a while. Love the little 718fd for 2 people.

Happy travels,

[NanciL]

mockybird wrote:

riven1950 wrote:
Did not see Unto These Hills...maybe next time.

I have been WW rafting a couple of times in Costa Rica, but never in NC. I'm a warm water person.

Then don't raft the Nantahala.. The water is about 42 degrees in the summertime coming off top of the mountain.

As one who lives in the mountains and does white water kayaking and canoeing, I hope you don't take offense, but I need to correct you.
You are right on the Nanty cold water, but it is not because it comes from the high mountains. It is dam released and comes from the very bottom of the lake.
I am at elevation 3200 feet and the water in the cascades and water in my front yard is a delightful 68 to 72 degrees in mid summer. It comes from the higher elevations of Roan Mountain which is 6000 feet high.
However if you would like to try the "Polar Plunge" come on up over Thanks Givings weekend when one of my many daughters host it for the grand children. The water then is usually between 38 and 42 degrees.
If you can stay in longer then a minute, you get a T shirt inscribed with " I survived the polar plunge"
Needless to say as the fifteen grandchildren get older and smarter, it is only the younger ones who want the applause

Jack L

[Stclairm]

Sites 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 looked good when we walked through Tanglewood

[wbwood]

Was trying to get my wife to go to Cherokee towards the end of October, but she didn't want to. Surprised.

The only thing about Tanglewood Park in Clemmons is that it will be a crapshoot to get a half way leveled site. Side to side is generally ok, but front to back, a bunch of them are way off. Better suited for those with high sitting TT's.

[Stclairm]

Pics??

[mockybird]

riven1950 wrote:
Did not see Unto These Hills...maybe next time.

I have been WW rafting a couple of times in Costa Rica, but never in NC. I'm a warm water person.

Then don't raft the Nantahala.. The water is about 42 degrees in the summertime coming off top of the mountain.

[magnusfide]

Thanks for the HT re campgrounds and prayers for your sister too.

[riven1950]

Did not see Unto These Hills...maybe next time.

I have been WW rafting a couple of times in Costa Rica, but never in NC. I'm a warm water person.

[Eycom]

What!! and no whitewater rafting on the Nantahala ? Next trip, maybe.:B

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Nice trip update! We also like River Valley RV park in Cherokee. Did you get to see the "Unto These Hills" outdoor drama in Cherokee about the Trail of Tears?
PS.. We also like Tanglewoods county park in Clemmons NC.