First overnighter..NEED TIPS!!

[Mr Cujo]

Planning our first overnighter...
Pam & I are going to do as instructed by our rug-rats and get away for a weekend. First time in well....ever.
We're thinking of going northward for an overnighter to see the mtns and the other touristy type things.
A mountainside cabin with a fire, a good steak, and a nice drink might be good for us old married folk..

OK..here's the deal... never done a motorcycle tour. Sure we've done day trips with friends, local rides, and such..but being newbies to real touring.. we NEED ideas, suggestions, tip, tricks, and all the other tidbits you have. We don't even know what we don't know.... So... if you have ANYTHING... We'll take the info..

Things that hit me right away..
Places to stay (not 5 star $$ but no roach pits either..)
Places to eat
Places to MISS...
Roads to ride, roads and to stay away from - Pam is sketchy about the Dragon's Tail, as am I somewhat, mostly because of the bad press...but I'd still like to go. I'm thinking it'll be fine if we can hit it off peak
Weather in the GSM for early October (This means do we need chaps and such for warmth or just long johns and long sleeves)
FYI, planning on putting the lowers back on soon anyway, so that'll be a plus I'm sure..


I've attached the rough plan, but just in case my efforts fail:

1. Covington Ga to Gatlinburg - via hwy 441 North through the GSMNP (Thinking of staying here for the night, but REALLY open to ideas)
2. Cades Cove Road westerly across and around to Lawson Crossroad
3. Generally south along the Foothill Parkway over to Deals Gap
4. Hwy 28 along the lake over to Almond
5. Hwy 74/19 south to Murphy
6. Hwy 64 East to Hayesville
7. 69/515 South to Hwy 76/2 East/South
8. Hwy 75 South through the Chatt. Nat'l Forest to Cleveland Ga.
9. Hwy 129/11 Back to Covington

Roughly 500 miles over two days.. should be easily doable, factoring in the smaller roads, twisties, and just loafin'

Anyway, here's the maps, links, and info...

Looking forward to any and all replies..

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...6,2.881165&z=9

[Fourcats]

Pack lite, eat lite...Up & gone early, makes a days ride easy. Stop at the H-D shops in the area {thats why U pack lite}. The H-D site has a Dealer locator for locations.
And there is "Mica Peak" that has "Lists" for most anything you want to do {Motorcyle trip checklist}.

[pjciii]

the best advice i can give you is, go thru your drawers and find the stuff that you should have tossed a year ago. pack that and when you are done with it just toss it...you get lighter as you go and if you need something stop and pick it up..i always camp at KOA's they have what i call a shed with a bed. it is out of the elements and it is cheap....remember all your doing is sleeping for a few hours...on longer rides every 4 days or so i will spring for a hotel to get a good nights sleep...

[FLHTDan]

I have toured a lot, by my self and with my girlfriend. It is alway more enjoyable when you have a special person with you to share that experience. Once you have determined where you would like to go make each day as layed back as you can. Put on miles but don't try to push it.
We always looked for a nice room around 5:00 and enjoyed our evening together. The more hills or mountains the less miles you will do.
It sounds like you guys are wanting to just get away (from kids).
Since this is your first, maybe you shouldn't even have an agenda and just ride each day as is. You will definitely get hooked and make it an annual event.

[bagga]

don't make any reservations to anything or anywhere in advance. that way you don't have to feel like you need to hurry up. look for a motel by 4-5 pm. it's as easy as that. take a role of toilet paper. truckstop azz wipe is not a sure thing.

[Mr Cujo]

Bagger.. LOL I never leave home without hockey tickets... Drove a truck for a number of years and am now a contractor. Both occupations have a "Be Prepared" motto. It only took ONCE to be away from base camp and unprepared to learn that lesson forever. I still keep 'em in my pickup even now..

I kinda felt like you guys would suggest a relaxed itinerary..
Dan, you nailed it. We just want a couple days to get away from the shop, the kids, and stress in general. Don't want to really junk up a couple days off with a strict travel schedule. It seems to defeat the purpose.

I like the idea of just moving off and finding something when we get to a stopping point, but want to try to have a limited number of choices. This for my sanity's sake and also to let the folks back home have a small list of places to check in case of emergency. Yeah I know.. We're supposed to be on vac..but I'll still worry 'bout my kids and they'll worry about us too...

Cruising the net last night I ran across this place... seems like a pretty nice setup.. Mostly because it's advertised as motorcycle friendly..and affordable...If I don't get any negative news, I'll keep them in the Rolodex for the trip.

http://www.huntslodge.com/home.html

Found this place over in Sylva NC and it looks pretty nice too..
http://www.mountainbrook.com/cgi-bin/main.pl


Any one got references? Alternates, suggestions??


Found some others around Gatlinburg, but nothing that just tripped my trigger.. Still searching

Thanks for the great advise and keep it coming..

[BamaFan]

I'm as anal as they come when it comes to plans/agenda. I have worked hard on this though. We have taken 3 trips since last summer and we flew by the seat of our pants. Around 5-6pm we start looking for a Mom/Pop motel. We shower and find a Mom/Pop place to eat. Have a few drinks relax and do it again the next day! It is awesome and we have some great memories from some of these places.

FHLT Dan is right, depends on where you are as to the miles. One day in Virginia we only rode 125 miles but we were moving all day! I was frigging wore out from those roads but it was worth it.

Enjoy yourselves and let us know how it went!

PS You gotta do the Dragon! It is more hype IMHO than anything but you gotta be able to say "been there done that".

BamaFan

[03GLIDE_]

Originally Posted by bagga

don't make any reservations to anything or anywhere in advance. that way you don't have to feel like you need to hurry up. look for a motel by 4-5 pm. it's as easy as that. take a role of toilet paper. truckstop azz wipe is not a sure thing.

I take trips all the time with the wife. We never make any concrete plans. If it gets too late or we get tired we just start looking for a room or a picnic table to sleep on. We took a 1500 mile trip last year and found a room every night. No problem. Drink lots of fluid if its hot out and stay warm if its cold.