2009 COG National - things to do

[S Smith]

What interesting things do you plan to do & see while at the rally? My plan is to get in a little riding each nice day, but plan on spending more time relaxing and schmoozing with attendees. I heard there is a muscle car museum near Gatlinburg. I may squeeze that in. There is a Ripley's aquarium too, but I may pass on that. I would love to watch "Unto the Hills" at Cherokee, but was a bit turned off by the heavy tourist trap feel having stayed in that town before. Norm W mentioned he saw Fontana Dam mentioned in a History Channel show. The dam and other things nit he area played a significant role in WWII. I did some digging and I think I found something in the mysterious America realm that interests me. I will be visiting the town of Oak Ridge, and maybe the dam sites/museums. Here is some info I found... TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY DAMS The Tennessee valley authority was established in 1933 by president Roosevelt as a way to provide jobs and electricity to the impoverished Appalachian region. The Tennessee Valley is an area of approximately 41,000 square miles and lies mostly in Tennessee but also includes parts of the six other states: Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. As World War II broke out, the TVA began one of the largest hydropower construction programs ever undertaken, to provide power for critical war industries. The main industry located in the valley was Alcoa (the Aluminum Company of America) south of Knoxville, which during the war was the largest aluminum manufacturer in the world, providing aluminum to bomb and airplane factories throughout the country.During its construction peak in 1942, 12 hydroelectric projects and a steam plant were under construction at the same time, and over 28,000 were employed in their design and construction. The TVA power was also critical for the work of a secret project set up in an just south of Norris Dam in 1942. It was part of a larger effort code-named the Manhattan Project

 

[kwn306]

Steve, Sue and I did the Indian stuff back in 2004 when we took our 3K trip down the BRP and to other places and states. The end of our 2 week adventure was at OWO (Pat's) in Luray for the Fall Foliage event and that is what got Sue and I hooked on COG. Back to the Indian stuff, yes it is a tourist trap but extremely educational from what I remember. We attempted to do the muscle car museum but the line was about 400 miles long (I don't do lines), we did the m/c museum in Maggie Valley but its gone, the Gatlinburg / Dollywood area was like TN meets Vegas (I hated that part of the trip). There is a town called Franklin, NC that was really nice, lots of small shops, big retirement area for you northerners. The only time I have seen more NY, NJ and CT plates have been in FL in the winter. Great riding roads in that area. Also, just west of the Dragon there is a route that takes you north towards Bristol TN that brings you right up the middle of the east TN valley that is just beautiful. I could spend months in that area riding and never get sick of it. Stop by the camping area for an adult beverage while you are there, we should be arriving Sunday early evening. Kurt & Sue Nordstrom Spotsylvania, VA COG 6049/A VA & WV AAD's You can have more fun with girls / women than motorcycles, but they don't always go where you point um.

 

[JohnC]

Steve: The Muscle Car museum is actually in the Pigeon Forge-Sieverville area. Yes, this is the tourist area, but it has been my experience that most don't get out early. Like many in my area, it is noon or after before they come to life. That area is similar to Branson, lots of theaters. As for the dam, the museum there is worth a visit. Now if you plan to head to Oak Ridge, please check with me as that is one I have missed the many times I have been near there. Depending on what I have to do will determine what I can do, other than work. There are two areas where the traffic is not as bad, Townsend and Wears Valley. The trick to visiting the tourist areas is do it on a weekday, and do it early. Now as for the drama in Cherokee. I know every night I will have something to do. My only shot at that would be Sat night and I have an idea we may just be getting together to finalize our plans. I start packing tonight, expect to be there Fri. evening. Just about finished with the printing. ttyl, tcars John

 

[Silvera]

I recommend the outdoor drama "Unto These Hills" it has always been very well done, entertaining and educational. The Cherokee Village is also educational and worth the time to walk through. I have noticed that Cherokee (the city) has made large improvement in it's appearence and presentation. It really has cleaned up alot. Probably due to the casino, but... it really looks so much better. As you go through you will notice the big bears that adorn the roadside. Great photo backgrounds. There are also several good places to eat.

 

[silver wolf]

I'm goin 2 ride my new 09 KLR650 & put on as many miles on it that I can & take at least one of the days to go sight C'in w/ my wife in the cage as she does not ride M/C's due to extreme fear, so a tour of the dams sounds like a good day for us to do & I'll rip the twisties of the Dragon in the Forester to scare her as she just doesn't like to play like I do, so I'll bring a blind fold for her It's OK w/ me that she doesn't ride as to be honest w/ U all I really don't like havin someone on the back of my bikes & w/ the physical limits I have 2day it's better for me not to offer rides on my M/C, but between me & passengers I have taken for rides since 2002 I have gone well over the max allowable weight limit of the bike...I can offer rides to someone as I've had passengers over 225lbs be4 although I'd just rather not do it & is there anyone else that doesn't like havin passengers w/ them??? The best passenger I ever had was my Grandmother aka Little Grammie as when she went for a ride w/ me I never even knew she was on the bike w/ me until I went to get off the bike & had to let her off the bike 1st as I did not want to sweep her off the seat w/ my right leg by tryin to get off the bike myself 1st ----------------------------- Easy Does It, But Do It 09 Triumph Sprint ST aka Black Phantom 09 KLR650 aka Animal 2