- First Name
- TK
- Joined
- May 13, 2025
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 25
- Reaction score
- 37
- Location
- Central MD
- Vehicle(s)
- 25 4Runner ORP Everest
- Thread starter
- #1
Wife wanted to go to Smoky Mountains with the kids for Spring Break and I obliged her. I just asked if we could do a couple days at Tapoco Lodge, and could I drive the Cherohala Skyway to get there, and the Tail of the Dragon once there.
The first day at the lodge she asked to do the Tail of the Dragon. Well.... The ride from the lodge to Deals Gap included a couple steep spots without Guardrails and she asked to turn around. The next morning I would give it a shot.
I got to deals gap around 6:45 and started my way to Chillhowie Lake. Noticed the 129photos guy in a pull off and on my way back, pulled over to chat for a bit. He said he wasn't going to start shooting until at least 45 minutes later.
We got to talking, he was a super nice guy. Turns out he had just bought a Tacoma. I encouraged him to remove the front spoiler if he had one, and told him it was worth sacrificing the 1 mpg. He advised me on other great roads in the area, and we wished each other well as I left to continue back to the lodge.
Right before I pull out I saw him jump out of his van with the camera. I rolled my window down and he instructed me to backup a couple hundred feet and take the curve as I normally would, and look for the photos on the website the next day. I ended up being the first shots he took that day.
Back at the lodge in time for breakfast, which included leaving our cabin in time to see a couple Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and a Porsche pull in. My kiddo got to see her first Lamborghini, which she was pumped about.
The first day at the lodge she asked to do the Tail of the Dragon. Well.... The ride from the lodge to Deals Gap included a couple steep spots without Guardrails and she asked to turn around. The next morning I would give it a shot.
I got to deals gap around 6:45 and started my way to Chillhowie Lake. Noticed the 129photos guy in a pull off and on my way back, pulled over to chat for a bit. He said he wasn't going to start shooting until at least 45 minutes later.
We got to talking, he was a super nice guy. Turns out he had just bought a Tacoma. I encouraged him to remove the front spoiler if he had one, and told him it was worth sacrificing the 1 mpg. He advised me on other great roads in the area, and we wished each other well as I left to continue back to the lodge.
Right before I pull out I saw him jump out of his van with the camera. I rolled my window down and he instructed me to backup a couple hundred feet and take the curve as I normally would, and look for the photos on the website the next day. I ended up being the first shots he took that day.
Back at the lodge in time for breakfast, which included leaving our cabin in time to see a couple Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and a Porsche pull in. My kiddo got to see her first Lamborghini, which she was pumped about.
Sponsored
. As for the road, it’s why I went so early. Didn’t want to hold up folks having real fun, but I wanted to see it since I was close.
