Chris S
Tail of the Dragon / US 129
In 2021 after visting Camaro Fest in Bowling Green, KY - I made a side trip to the Tail of the Dragon / US 129 in eastern Tennessee. With 318 turns in 11 miles, The Dragon is one of the most fun driving roads in the country.
You can see more info about The Dragon here.
An overlook on Fighting Gap Creek Road on my way to enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Look at the difference! At the bottom of the mountain it was partly cloud with a bit of sun, but at Clingmans Dome / Kuwohi, I was in the clouds and nearly rain. Very cool.
After a quick run across Newfound Gap Road I settled in for the night at Two River Lodge & Cabins. It was a nice modest motel to settle in until morning.
The next morning I left to drive US 129 / The Dragon and then needed to get back home after (several hours back to Louisiana).
Quick stop along NC-28/Fontana Road, overlooking Fontana Lake.
It had rain briefly overnight but thankfully the roads were quickly drying. When I arrived to The Dragon it appeared I was one of the very first cars to run down and back up for the morning. Visting on a Monday was defintely a solid choice. I ran down to the bottom and stopped for a short break, then came back up. To my surprise (I believe 129 Photos) had just finished setting up for the day, heard me coming, and grabbed his camera to shoot some photos. I found them later and purchased a few. They came out awesome! I needed to get back home so I finished my second pass back up US 129, hit the Cherohala Skyway (TN 165/NC 143), stopped at the vistor center for a few stickers, and headed home.
