Deal's Gap Eclipse Trip

[Lucien Harpress]

So, I'm thinking again. Normally this is a bad thing, but this time? Well, I suppose we'll see.

Now, most probably know about the solar eclipse on the 21st. I'm up in SE Michigan, so I figure we're still getting a decent show that day. But I'm a sucker for all things science and once-in-a-lifetime, and if I'm going to do this, why half-*** it? The path of totality is only 8 hours South of me, and I need a vacation. But where to go?

Initially the idea was to check out Nashville, because why not? But the more I got to thinking, the more I had to ask myself, "Where IS Deal's Gap, exactly?" The answer? RIGHT in the path of the eclipse.

So guess what I'm most likely going that weekend?

The tentative plan is to find a place close-ish to camp for a couple days and do a Sunday to Tuesday trip. I'll probably trailer the '76 down, because none of my bikes have a windshield and 8 hours on a stock seat is nothing I want to experience. Apart from that I still need to iron out ALL the details and get some good local info, but I'm looking forward to it.

Definitely stay tuned!

[5speed]

sounds like a great trip in the making

[Whiskerfish]

That one year we stayed at Fontana Village and there was a camp ground just down the road as I recall. Several members stayed there.

[CYBORG]

there is a camp ground between the gap, and Fontana, But the rooms at the gap are pretty resonable

[Oldewing]

Fontana was and is on the High end of my hotel scale for price, but a real nice place. I would use it again. There is a motorcycle first hotel , Tellico Plains Cabins that we stayed at too, they have motorcycle only garages for guests.
Tellicocabinstn.com

[salukispeed]

Saturday We are headed in a slightly different direction and have friends near Boonville Mo. it is close enough to the center of totallity that we will head to a park with solar glasses and camera and wait till the show. Deals gap sounds like an awesome place to be for it. Never though of that!

[Whiskerfish]

Don't forget tonight is the big meteor shower for those of you that are not covered up by clouds

[Lucien Harpress]

Those cabins look fantastic, but I'm running into the same issues I always do with these trips I plan, in that I'm an idiot and can't plan anything more than a week and a half out. Most places are sold out.

I'm leaning toward snagging a hotel near Gatlinburg for those two days, mostly because I can get a reservation. As much as I would like to camp, most campgrounds are no reservation- I don't want to get down there and have no place to stay. Normally a Sunday/Monday wouldn't be that bad, but with the eclipse I'd imagine things may be a bit more crowded. Still, I found some decent deals last night, and I'll probably book something tonight.

[Lucien Harpress]

Managed to snag a Ramada at the south end of Pigeon Forge for a couple nights. It ended up like something around $80 a night, which for a week out is pretty good. Now, I'll be the first to admit that Pigeon Forge as become somewhat of an overbuilt tourist trap, but it's close enough to the Dragon I'm not complaining.

The only major thing left to handle is a U-Haul trailer rental, and I should be pretty set. I've got a Go-Pro I've never used before, which I may make use of. At the very least, I'll be sure to get more pics and reports when I'm actually down there.

[Whiskerfish]

Enjoy!! I will be at home broke and nursing my dog's bum leg

[Lucien Harpress]

Thanks! Hope your puppy gets better! And the "broke" for me will probably show up right as I get home....

[Whiskerfish]

SNIP the "broke" for me will probably show up right as I get home....

[irishcarbomb]

I'll be up there visiting family, and running the gap with my kit car over the weekend.

[adecood]

Lucien The Ramada inn in Pigeon forge will be a great location for your trip. I stayed @ the Ramada for the JVMC 40th rally earlier this year and its down at the end of the strip closet to the National park. My advise would be to take the route thru the park to get down to deals gap. It will be the most scenic route to take but you'll probably have to deal with some traffic in the park. The park can get crowded during the summer. And of course with the eclipse this year that will probably add to the crowd. So take the road thru the park and pick up the Foothills parkway heading south and at the end of the pkwy you will dead end at 129 "the dragon".
Sure sounds like a great get away. Sure would like to go too.

[Sagebrush]

My advise would be to take the route thru the park to get down to deals gap.

I believe adecood talking about Fighting Creek Gap and Little River Gorge Roads. The entrance to the road from US-440 is right at the Smokey Mountain NP visitors center.

Little River Rd.jpg

It is a great road on a motorcycle.