Hi Deek,
Congrats on the new coach. I'm going to test what you mentioned in the OP about the journey being the more important item. There are hundreds of places I could recommend. Each has their own unique things to see. However, I'm only going to recommend a few so you will actually make it to Cleveland in your lifetime. My assumption is you have a class "A" coach. Consider I 75 North:
1. Exit 309. Take route 44 West to the Crystal River/Homosassa area. Stay at the Homosassa Carefree Resort. Go to
Homosassa River RV Resort, Florida Rv Parks
However, the reason to invite you to this area are two places to eat. The most important is Neon Leon's. Go to
Neon Leon's Zydeco Steakhouse and read about it. Reservations are a must.
Leon Wilkerson was the base guitarist for The Lynyrd Skynyrd band. The restaurant and the CG are about 1/2 mile apart. Great food and if you are there on Wed or Fri - Sun there is live music. When you call for a reservation, ask what music is playing on which night. The next place to eat is Dan's Clam Stand at 2315 N Sunshine Path Crystal River 352-795-9081. They do not take credit cards. Good seafood. However, this place has the absolute best Key Lime pie on the planet. Now when you drive up, you'll ask yourself what you've gotten yourself into. Trust me, this is a good place to eat.
2. Continue on I 75 North to Atlanta. Take the beltway (I 285) to the East (counter clockwise). Your goal is Stone Mountain. Stay at The Stone Mountain Park And Campground. If you have SAT TV, ask for a site in the circle that is next to the office. Mention you need SAT TV. This is a Passport America park (first night only). The attraction is Stone Mountain Park. Originally it was a memorial to the Confederacy. Ask if the lazer light show will be held when you are there.
3. North on I 75 to Knoxville, TN. Leave I 75 and take I 40 East to exit 407. You're goal is Hidden Mountain Resort. Go to
Smoky Mountain CabinsThe Dell RV Resort | The Resort There are two places one must eat at. The first is The Tin Roof Café. You passed it on the way to the Resort. It is about 1/2 mile before the resort on Apple Valley Road. Go to
The Tin Roof Cafe The owner or her gourmet chef make everything themselves. Open for lunch only, 11 AM to 4 PM. The "lunch" will be outstanding and very filling. The next place is the Apple Barn Restaurant. Again you passed it on the way to the Resort. Go to
The AppleBarn Cider Mill & General Store, Inc. For me the food is a glorified Cracker Barrel. However, if you visit the area and don't eat at the Apple Barn, people will look at you a little different. The resort is located within a mile of almost all the shows. Smokey Mountain Opry is the best. The resort is about a mile behind the Opry.
4. Go back to I 40 and take I 81 North and I 77 North. Your goal is Beckley, West Virginia. The sight to see is Tamarack, The Best Of West Virginia. It is where artisans from West VA display and sell their wares. It is very upscale and high quality. There are several CGs in the area. I can tell you where not to stay. Do not stay at Beckley Mine Exhibition Mine CG. For a coach of any size it is not friendly. It is down right hostile.
What has all this accomplished. You may not be a better person, but you will be a larger one! The wife will have had a chance to buy enough unique items to fill the basement of your new coach.
From Beckley you can head North on I 77 up to the Cleveland area. By the time you get to Cleveland you'll have given your baby a good workout, you'll still be full from all the local food and the wife will be smiling because of all the local shops you took here to.
Good luck and many happy miles.
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