Jones Cove

[gemkeeper]

[quote=JMT;1802283]

Originally Posted by Suzanne1945

That's a good one. I'm not sure of the easiest way to get from Maryville to Dillard. Do NOT take 129 over the mountains, it's a beautiful drive but torturous with something like 8000 curves in the road (a slight exaggeration, but it'll seem like it).

Just check with mapquest and see how it directs you to get from Maryville TN to Dillard GA. Its directions will probably be more reliable than mine.

That is so funny, JMT. When we plan a trip to Maryville from here in N GA, my husband gets a devilish glint in his eye, revs up the engine, and heads straight for 129!!

He suddenly turns into Mario Andretti, but with bad knees and really scary reflexes!

JMT is sooo right, Suzanne1945, there are other less hair-raising routes, but none as beautiful and exciting. I think Mapquest will take you out of Maryville on 129 and then route you to Rte. 28 and Rte. 74 into NC and then GA onto Rte. 441 right into Dillard. Have fun and enjoy the scenery!

[mbmouse]

That is the road that bikers call the dragons tail correct? Well if you think that road is bad in a car, try it in a 18 foot moving truck!!! Yes, when we moved to TN in 97, I-40 was closed due to the rock slide. We had to get to Bryson City where the boys grandparents live and drop them off then get over to Jefferson County to unload the truck. They would not let us go through the Smokie Mountain Park Way so we looked at the map, saw 129 and said "yea, that'll get us there". Stupidest thing I ever did! That was the scariest ride of my life! I was in the little pick up truck in front of the moving truck waving other vehicles off the road because a truck that size doesn't fit on that road passing any other vehicle except a bike. I prayed and cried for hours as I drove. Thought everything I owned was going over a mountain side at least 50 times that day.
In short, yea, THAT road is scary!!!! Haven't been on it since, probably won't hahahahha.

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

That is the road that bikers call the dragons tail correct? Well if you think that road is bad in a car, try it in a 18 foot moving truck!!! Yes, when we moved to TN in 97, I-40 was closed due to the rock slide. We had to get to Bryson City where the boys grandparents live and drop them off then get over to Jefferson County to unload the truck. They would not let us go through the Smokie Mountain Park Way so we looked at the map, saw 129 and said "yea, that'll get us there". Stupidest thing I ever did! That was the scariest ride of my life! I was in the little pick up truck in front of the moving truck waving other vehicles off the road because a truck that size doesn't fit on that road passing any other vehicle except a bike. I prayed and cried for hours as I drove. Thought everything I owned was going over a mountain side at least 50 times that day.
In short, yea, THAT road is scary!!!! Haven't been on it since, probably won't hahahahha.

I cannot imagine what that trip must have been like, mbmouse! My husband drives a Corvette and is on Tail of the Dragon or another scarier road here in N GA (The Snake) at least once a month for "fun". I go along to do husband/wife things once in a while, but I literally do have a bruised left arm when we get home from banging into the side of the door on the inside turns!

Boy, I can't wait til he grows up!! I sure am glad that you got that truck over the mountain. They usually have police stationed a various pull off areas just in case someone does get into a problem. I think they pretty much close their eyes to all of the foolishness from the sports car nuts and bikers. They are always photographers stationed along the road, too, taking photos for cycle and sports magazines.

They entire trip from Knoxville down to N Ga is really beautiful and a wonder. Just stay safe.

[dkaye]

Ever been to Birmingham, Alabama?? Talk about some scary areas....:-((

[rolenrock2]

If the only people who promote an area are in the business of selling land and houses then you can rest assured the people around there don't welcome all the new faces. My family is from Jones Cove and you can believe what I am saying. No one appreciates it when families break up family land and parcel it out to whoever has the cash. You can move into Jones Cove or other similar area and live there for twenty years and still be looked upon as an outsider who probably cannot be trusted. Resentment lasts a long time. Picturesque areas do not mean it's an enjoyable, safe place to live. Sometimes criminals find safe havens in these areas. Jones Cove has lots of problems and I'd not put my family in a dangerous area like that. I've heard too many stories that really scare me... and I don't scare easily!!

Oh, yeah... Deliverance was filmed in North Georgia, near Helen, Georgia on the Chattooga River.

[Ilovski]

I grew up near Jones Cove and could personally never live there. As a kid I used to pass through there on my dirt bike going to friends houses. It's not that bad but after graduating from college and living in the city I couldn't sacrifice the convenience. If you have to frequent town be prepared for a forty mile round trip. I registered for this forum because of some bad mouthing from people just passing through. I used to kick around there in grade school by myself on my motorcycle 20 miles from home. Crime is not a problem. My family doesn't even lock their doors when they leave for vacation. Living there will improve your driving skills dramatically. It takes alot of skinny pedal to get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time. Most of the people out there are hardworking country folk that would probably give you the shirt off their back if you were in need.