Tenn, NC, Vir, Maryland, Del

[Ron Davidhizar]

We are planning a trip from Indiana down through Gatlinberg, across the Smokies, then straigt east through NC to Virginia, and head North at Norfolk to go to my daughters in Wilmington De.

I'm interested in anyone familiar with the trip between Gatlinberg and Norfolk. Is there anything that we should definitly see? We are interested in History, Landscapes, quaint towns with interesting shopping and restuants.

[Ron Davidhizar]

We are planning a trip from Indiana down through Gatlinberg, across the Smokies, then straigt east through NC to Virginia, and head North at Norfolk to go to my daughters in Wilmington De.

I'm interested in anyone familiar with the trip between Gatlinberg and Norfolk. Is there anything that we should definitly see? We are interested in History, Landscapes, quaint towns with interesting shopping and restuants.

[Ron Davidhizar]

In addition, any good camping oportunities, state parks etc.

[paz]

We did part of that trip last year in reverse order - Pa through Delaware, through NC, to Pigeon Forge.

If you're at all into racing, there are many NASCAR race shops in and around Charlotte. You can tour most of the shops and racing museums for free.

Also in this area is Winston-Salem, which has the restored village of Old Salem. If you like to eat barbecue, this area of NC has some of the best.

Near Knoxville is the Museum of Appalachia that has interesting old-time crafts, music, log cabins, and barns. Also near Knoxville is the quaint Victorian town of Rugby.

To the northeast of Gatlinburg there is an artist community off U. S. Route 321 centered around Glade and Buckhorn Roads. Of course, anytime we are near Gatlinburg, we have to drive the loop road around Cades Cove. Lots of old log cabins, churches, and wildlife.

There is a link to our blog at the end of my post where the above travels are discussed in more detail, including the campgrounds where we stayed and some of the barbecue restaurants we tried. You will need to click on the archives for October 2007 in the right column of the blog.

Enjoy your trip.

[Ron Davidhizar]

Thanks, some good ideas, any Civil War stuff?

[rjf7g]

Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina all have a "Civil War Trails" system. Click here for information. Do you have any kids going along? There is a great book (Ghost Cadet) about the VMI cadets who fought in a battle at New Market, VA...kids in grades 4 - 6 love it and a trip from Lexington, VA to New Market allows them to re-live some aspects of the battle. There's a great reenactment on Mother's Day weekend.