Hey Guys,

I'll be back in Charlotte Wednesday through Monday visiting the girl. We're trying to go up into the mountains. I know there is a ridiculous hotel/resort up there (i forget what its called), but I think it's booked and way too expensive. Is there any place to go that we could just spend the day sight seeing?

I've never been there but its supposed to be really beautiful.

table rock is a usual spot for most people... you can always tackle the dragon!

Whatever you do, please try to avoid Boone. There are too many tourists around as it is.

I plan on hittin' up the Grove Park Inn for my GF and I's anniversary, but we're thinking about going up this weekend for a day trip.

Is it possible to go to these places just for a day? She lives in south charlotte so it might be kinda a hike.

Boone is amazing, but the leaves aren't too great right now (i'm guessing that is what most tourists enjoy seeing) Asheville is always a winner

Banner Elk is a great little town a few miles to the west of Boone, be sure to hit up HWY 194 between Banner Elk and Vilas...its tight, technical and fun as hell

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=banner+elk+to+vilas+nc&sll=36.184165,-81.816902&sspn=0.132178,0.32135&ie=UTF8&ll=36.204391,-81.819992&spn=0.132144,0.32135&z=12&om=1

I don't know if you feel like making the drive, but it's not much further past Boone. There's a couple of smaller B&B's right outside of Gatlinburg that are more friendly and they provide discounts most of the time. The one we went to, we received a major discount (partly for me being military and the other because it was late November). Shoot me an e-mail and I'll get the name of the place. The proprietor is a nice woman and her and the daughter run the entire show. There's shopping for the misses 20 minutes away also.

The Grove Park Inn and Asheville are great and can be done in one day if you spend your time right. Blowing Rock is nice too if you're up near Boone. Theres' some good resorts up there and near main street there are some nice shops and things. If your feeling adventurous you could try to see the Brown Mountain Lights... :devillook

Sugar Mountain is already blowing snow.

Banner Elk is a great little town a few miles to the west of Boone, be sure to hit up HWY 194 between Banner Elk and Vilas...its tight, technical and fun as hell



that road is so much fun. i didn't realize how much fun it really was until i owned a bmw....what a difference. good call!

Water Shed...Little of everything

that road is so much fun. i didn't realize how much fun it really was until i owned a bmw....what a difference. good call!

when I was out there back in August for the hillclimb we spent like 3 hours going back and forth on that in my little 318ti - it was awesome!!