Taking a two day Dragon trip alone, what should I do?

In a few weeks I'm planning on heading down to Deal's Gap for a couple days. Thinking of renting a small cabin close by, and doing nothing but driving those glorious east Tennessee roads.

I've been there before but only for a few hours, enough time to do the dragon twice, find the dam and then head back to pigeon forge. This time it's just going to be me and the roads are the primary attraction.

I know about the Cherohala Skyway and Moonshiner 28, but any other cool places to see in the area? I'd like to tour the dam, as well as spend way too much money at Killboy's store.

Been wanting to do this for a really long time.

Advise others when you'll be there, in case they want to go out?

Get a phone number of a reliable friend nearby and drop them off a prepaid cash card for bail? Also make sure to go during the week, leaf peepers will kill the roads this time of year on the weekends.

Find out when this guy will be there, and stay in the cabin that day:

Edit: Grrr, gif not working.

Got a convertible? This would be a perfect opportunity to take a Miata

After reading only the title, my recommendation would be hookers and blow.

Traffic can be heavy on the weekends. However early in the morning, during the week I've been able to hammer down the whole way. Careful, wet leaves can slick. Check out their website, lots of good places to go. US129 north of Dahlonega GA is good too with lots of other roads to explore.

Always watch for people who don't stay on their side of the line!

I entertained renting a car but everything I found "sporty" (v6 pony car) was around $200 a day, which is close to my max budget for the entire trip.

I plan mostly on doing nothing more than sightseeing, driving, eating cheap and sleeping.

Can't wait.

Sounds like a good plan, keep your options open and roll with it.

https://www.facebook.com/ThunderMountainGeneralStoreandDeli?pnref=lhc

It's worth the stop in here. Great guy, who is fun to talk with and makes a really good hotdog.

Look up Devils Triangle. Like the Dragon, but twistier and less run-off room.

In reply to Jerry:

hwy 60 from Blue Ridge down through Suches, the longest 25 miles around. from Suches there is Dahlonega or Helen or Good Ol' Dawsonville or lesser traveled roads. plus there are a lot of GRM ers here in the Mountains. after the first freeze they usually put pebbles on the road surface ( traction for normal folks)Caution.

Go to Gatlinburg and taste moonshine. There are at least 5 vendors now who will conduct a tasting session of all their various products. Yeah, it is only a small thimble full of alcohol but it is 140 proof alcohol. There's also a winery conducting tastings. I live and work within 45 minutes of The Dragon so let me know if you have any specific questions.

There is awesome free primitive camping 15min from the Dragon on Lake Santeetlah. PM me if that's your thing and I'll give you directions. Otherwise, just take it easy. Conditions change rapidly this time of year. People are idiots and anyone that can operate a motor vehicle will be up there with you. They run the gamut from 16-year-old-MotoGP-wannabes to roid-raging vigilante citizen traffic enforcement types, to completely clueless leaf-lookers.

Oh...and check the TN and NC calendars for bear hunting weekend. Everything you saw on Deliverance? Well that's positively metropolitan compared to bear hunters. They'll be up there with 15+ dogs with radio collars, and they have a history of throwing logs out in the road to wreck bikes. True story. You don't want to go that weekend. Based on my personal direct experience, Appalachian bear hunters are about the worst slice of the demographic in this country.