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My daughter is renting a house similar to what you've described in the Otto area (unincorporated county land) about 5 miles to the south of Franklin. There are several homes like hers in the area, she's in a manufactured home, 1450 sq. ft., 3/2 on 5 acres with a horse barn and 1 1/2 acres pond that has some nice bass in it. The house is on the market for $185K. She was considering buying it (so was I) but sees a move in her near future. The houses like this run from about $140K to $220K depending on the property. A nice section retirees like is known as Coweeta Lake that has a small lake and flowing streams that the dogs love.
Here's an example ... 466 Coweeta Lake Cir, Otto, NC 28763 - Zillow
You'll find other properties like this on the north side of Franklin in the area known as the Iotla valley (Google Burningtown Road, Franklin, NC). Gorgeous views in either part of town.
Hi fellow C-D members! Beautiful morning here in the mountains. The snow has melted, but the sky is blue and the air is crisp.
Rather than start a new thread, I'd like to ask if anyone can give me suggestions for traveling from Lake Lure to Franklin on Sunday or Monday. I am currently staying in Lake Lure and, although it's so beautiful and peaceful here, it is time to continue my journey.
Which route is the best to get from here to there? I've checked all the online maps and my GPS, and there are only 2 shown. One is to continue on 64/74 to I-26 and head north for a while and then cross the mountains on 23. The other is a bit confusing to me. Google maps shows I head south for a while on 25 and then north (?) to Flat Rock, which I guess is the scenic route. I'm not concerned about getting lost, since I always find my way back to civilization, but I don't want to get stuck or drive off a cliff! (cries the wimpy flatlander)
I remember last year when I was in Franklin and trembled all the way to/from Sylva, but I'm getting a little better at driving on these roads. Still, I want to take the safest route with the best driving conditions, even if it means going a little out of my way. If anyone has traveled these roads, especially in the past few days, I'd appreciate your feedback & advice.
Also, the temperature will be rising and Monday's forecast is for rain & 50-60 degrees, so the ice should all be melted by then. I don't know if I should pay for an extra night where I'm currently staying. I'd rather checkout as scheduled on Sun morning, since I have cabin fever, although if you're stuck inside, a warm, cozy cabin in the mountains is the place to be.
I even made a small, deformed snowman on Wed night, but he melted quickly. Good thing, because the poor guy didn't have a nose. (all I could find were stones for eyes and a leaf for his mouth) My back was killing me, but reliving a moment of your childhood is worth the price.
How about going north out of LL to I-40 west to 23/74 south, exit 27 off I-40?
I-40 should be cake by then, and 23/74, (The Smoky Mtn Expressway), down to Franklin is not exactly a nail biter.
GL, mD
How about going north out of LL to I-40 west to 23/74 south, exit 27 off I-40?
I-40 should be cake by then, and 23/74, (The Smoky Mtn Expressway), down to Franklin is not exactly a nail biter.
GL, mD
How about going north out of LL to I-40 west to 23/74 south, exit 27 off I-40?
I-40 should be cake by then, and 23/74, (The Smoky Mtn Expressway), down to Franklin is not exactly a nail biter.
GL, mD
[URL]https://goo.gl/maps/ck40l[/URL]
Thanks. So many of the roads have 2 or more route numbers (state, US and local) so it's difficult to tell if they're the same or different directions. I was trying to avoid 23, but maybe it's not so bad. I spent the last week of March in Franklin last year and remember calling regarding a reservation for a cabin I saw in Hendersonville on VRBO. The owner warned me that the roads were slick and she didn't think I'd make it up the road, but maybe the weather was bad. In Franklin the roads were fine, but I was staying near 441. I suppose as long as the temperature is above 40, I won't need to worry about black ice. Where I'm currently staying (Riverbend) the road to the cabin is gravel and steep. Getting up is okay, but leaving is like going down a roller coaster. I guess you get used to it, but I would need to trade my Camry for a vehicle with more ground clearance.
Alt-74 is a narrow, winding, 2 lane road...not sure the OP would be comfortable on it.
Is that the road that passes through Highlands? If so, you're right! I don't know where the roads aren't winding and narrow. I took route 9 north one day and then someone told me to go south instead and take I-26 to Hendersonville or Asheville, which was better. I haven't done as much traveling as I planned because of the weather and also my car is making a racket. I just had it checked before I left FL, but anything can happen in 2 months. It's riding well and it's quiet when idling. It gets very loud at high speeds, so it might just be the tires.
The route I suggested does require you to do a few more miles on Alt 74, but IIRC you have to do about 5 miles on it to get 'out' of LL, even going down 64...not pitching my suggested route; just another idea.
Downhill: put your car in low/lower gear, go slowly, don't hit the brake, but if you do the ABS should 'chatter' but slow you down. On gravel, downhill, slow as molasses is rec'd.
Maybe some dedicated winter snow tires for next season? Even in Front Wheel drive, a set of serious dedicated snow tires makes for much more reliable and secure feel driving, and a set should last several seasons at ~3 months per year use.
Mtn driving is cake, but it requires being/getting used to it, knowing your car, and less is more in terms of steering wheel/brake input.
GL, mD
I guess you wouldn't like this drive/climb to ~11,000+ feet?
I grew up in MA and often traveled to NH, ME and VT to ski. Many years ago I'd drive to Smuggler's Notch and even to Canada for a long weekend. I've also traveled along US 1 in Calif, but that was then and this is now. I lived in Colorado for a short time in the 70s. I'm not saying an extra 30 or 40 years makes a person frail, but I've been living in Southwest Florida for 20 years, so I need some time to adjust (or I've really turned into a Namby Pamby.
Yes, maybe it's the car or the tires, not just the driver. However, one problem I frequently have is when I see other drivers behind me. I don't mind cruising along slowly, but I know they want to get around me and do my best to be courteous. However, sometimes there are no places to pull over for miles. I guess I just need to ignore them as long as I'm not driving too slowly and following the posted limit.
By the way, nice Vette!
Last edited by justNancy; 02-27-2015 at 01:00 PM..
Reason: shorten post
Just to follow up.. I drove from Lake Lure to Franklin this afternoon and the weather was very pleasant. I left Lake Lure at 1:30 and arrived at my destination before 4, stopping for gas along the way. The drive wasn't as scary as I expected, although the twists & turns through Gerton were challenging and fun at the same time.
Yes, I am trying very hard to stay on my side of the road.
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Beautiful morning here in the mountains. The snow has melted, but the sky is blue and the air is crisp. 
