Mountain Roads (Roan Mountain: how much, to buy, live)

[GrannyLois]

Our fall peak is the 2nd week of October, or a little earlier.

Yes, east TN resembles upstate NY. I was up there in late June and thought it looked real similar, except there were hills instead of mountains. The soil is different, too.

[Trudy Rose]

OMG..Eagle..STOP !!! just thinking about those kind of roads makes my hands sweat!!! Reminds me of the trip to Muir Woods in N. California...everyone got mad at me because I made them stop the car and I got out!!!
MB we have considered those areas,too. What we really have to do is get down there and check out the area...
Thanks to all for the information and your willingness to share information to us who want to move to your gorgeous area...

[EagleI]

Originally Posted by Trudeyrose

OMG..Eagle..STOP !!! just thinking about those kind of roads makes my hands sweat!!! Reminds me of the trip to Muir Woods in N. California...everyone got mad at me because I made them stop the car and I got out!!!
MB we have considered those areas,too. What we really have to do is get down there and check out the area...
Thanks to all for the information and your willingness to share information to us who want to move to your gorgeous area...

It took a few weeks to get used to these mountain roads. The first few times I drove up my road, my heart stopped in spots. Then, I drove it in a 16 ft. moving van, and got more confidant. Today, I drove it in the rain, eating a jelly covered biscuit, and didn't think twice. My way of driving has slowed wayyy down, which is a good thing.

You'll find your favorite places once you visit...

[danielz]

Originally Posted by Trudeyrose

Good afternoon,
I have concerns that many places, such as Watauga Lake Marinas are all on steep, winding roads. The kind that have huge drop-offs and no guard rails. Yes, I am a total coward when it comes to this!

We moved here from the Albany, NY area. Those of you familiar with the mammoth nanny state of NY will understand that there is barely one mile of road without a guard rail on both sides. All rock walls within 50 feet of roads have been cut back. There are no trees near the roads. Tall fences run the right-of-ways along most major highways to keep the deer off. Etc, etc. So when we moved to a mountain farm here, I was also terrified. The eight miles to route 93 from our place isn't even steep, but is narrow, winding, no guardrails, and has lots of places to drop your vehicle over the edge.

Well, 15 months later, I now drive that road without even thinking about it. I even have to be careful not to exceed the speed limit too much. Guardrails in some places would be nice, but I no longer regard them as absolute necessities. And I do appreciate not paying all those fees and taxes to allow irresponsible and inattentive drivers to be a little more safe from themselves.

I'm sure your terror will ebb as you become familiar with the roads, also.

-dan z-

[Troyv1]

If you are still on this topic, I recently bought some land off Tiger Creek Road between Elizabethton and Roan Mountain to build on. I chose it because it is 12 miles from a Lowes and Super Wal-Mart (and other large stores) and is still rural. The highway is 4 lanes (19e) except the 2 miles of not dangerous paved country road and the last mile or so of 19e before Tiger Creek Road. I don't like the steep, no guard rail kind of roads either, but I really like this area in Tennessee. I live in the midwest flatlands. I will admit that if you continue on Tiger Creek Road for a few more miles, it gets steep and twisted, but I don't intend to go that direction very often since the roads just wander around in the mountains.

[pamperedrachel]

Watch the driveways too.... some of them are abnormally steep

[Troyv1]

My driveway is professionally built 30' wide on a 50' ROW with no more than a 15 degree grade. My house will be located 1000 feet from the road but the drive (we named it Bear View Drive because we spotted our first bear along it) is about a mile. I enjoy owning a mountain road and may eventually sell some of the land. The drive serves as an access route to another 90 acre parcel behind mine. We are working on permits and underground utilities now and should start building soon. By the way, for all out-of-towners, the Tennessee EPA has some very specific requirements. You have to get their permission before building or distrubing an acre or more. A small stream runs through my property so they are really involved, as they should be. The stream runs to Tiger Creek, a naturally reproducing trout stream and is classed as a high quality water in Tennessee. I'm glad to see that the state is looking out for the habitat. Maybe some of it will be around for my grandchildren. Maybe we will quit seeing big ugly cuts in the sides of hills and mountains.

Tiger Creek is named after one of the earlier settlers in Carter County named James "Tiger" Whitehead, a renowned bear hunter. His grave is arcoss the road from our property. He has his own "Legend" and Johnny Cash and Dr. Nat Winston wrote a children's song about him.

[Summersrain34]

Indeed the roads can be bad at times heading towards Boone
I happen to have a place Shell Crk Rd. My husband & I absolutely love it, love it, love it. We also have friends who bought a place in the Roan State Park and like us they could not be happier. I do hope you'll find a place and I am sure you will not regret the move . I loved it so much that I recently bought a business and plan to open sometime next yr after remodeling takes place. Ok the best of luck to you & your journey to relocate.
God Bless Summersrain34 @aol.com or Rainfall36@verizon.net

[jabogitlu]

This thread has been interesting to read. I had no idea some people were scared of mountain roads. I guess when you grow up on them...

[williboy]

When it's really cold, my wife never takes Sugar Hollow Road as it has a tendency to get a little icey. She will always take Leesburg out to 11E, which is a little longer.