We
began our first full rally day with an early lunch at Donna’s Old Town Café
about 10 miles down the road in Madisonville where I went with the buffet and
thought the fried chicken and the fish were both very good.
From
there we headed for the mountains with a first stop at Tellico Grains Bakery in
Tellico Plains, TN where they make artisan breads and pastries while also serving
light lunches – we bought cheese cake with berries cooked in it - delicious.
We
then headed up the Cherohala Skyway and stopped at the first viewing area for a
look out over the typically hazy summer conditions.
After
crossing into North Carolina we turned onto a gravel road and made the few mile
drive up to Whigg Meadow, which is one of several unexplained balds in the
southern Blue Ridge Mountains – there are several in the Smokies, but I believe
this may be the only one you can drive to.
After parking, it was an easy couple of hundred yard walk to the top
where we looked around, took a few pics, enjoyed the cool, and headed back to
the cars.
When
we left Tellico Plains our thermometer registered 94F and when we arrived at the
5000’ Whigg Meadow, it was a very comfortable 72F with a light breeze – I was
ready to just stay up there. It was nice
to be guided by Louie Lusk who is very familiar with the area after years of
hunting there.
We
then drove back down toward Tellico Plains and stopped a mile out of
town for supper at the Tellico Beach Drive-In, usually just called “The Beach”
by the locals and it has been in business since 1962. The menu is posted outside, you order at the
window, they cook your food, and call your number when it is ready. You then sit at picnic tables along the cool
waters (and breeze) of the Tellico River.
I had a large hamburger for the outrageous price of $2.80 – no wonder
they have drawn in customers for 56 years.
That cold mountain river water sure looked tempting on this hot day.
After this full day, it was just back to the campground with no planned evening activities.
After this full day, it was just back to the campground with no planned evening activities.
Photos
can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.
Have
a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
6/19/18 Event Dates
6/19/18 Event Dates
Sounds like you had a wonderful day out and about. That is an amazing price for a good hamburger too.
ReplyDeleteLove the group picture. Everyone looks like they are having such a good time. A good hamburger is hard to find at any price so you really did hit the jackpot.
ReplyDeleteThe river looks refreshing.
ReplyDeleteLarry, Looks like a great day! We've been meaning to get over to Donna's since their fire so thanks for reminding me. We ate at Tellico Grains today... We'll definitely have to go looking for that 'bald' too! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteThanks for always taking the time to upload all your photos. Love following along on your trips. Donna'a reminds me of a couple of restaurants in the small towns around where I grew up in Kansas.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great day with tasty grub.
ReplyDeleteGood photos.....Good group lots of laughs.........HRB..
ReplyDeleteThe photo of the bakery goods certainly did look great. Sounds like a nice day out.
ReplyDelete