| Author | Message | ||
     Longdog_cymru |
Hi, nothing really to do with Ulys..... Unless I hire one!!! After a wonderful time in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama and Fort Walton Beach 2 years ago, we're looking at coming to North Carolina, Outer Banks, for a week of R&R in this summer but we'll also be driving around and visiting Savannah, Georgia and obviously South Carolina and maybe Tennessee. Where should I go and what should I see??? Any and all advice would be welcome including sight-seeing routes to drive along, places to stay, good local food, etc. We're looking at spending most time, probably a week, on the Outer Banks, probably in Nags Head/Kitty Hawk area, but the rest of the time we'll tour. I know a lot of you guys live in these states, so local knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks! | ||
| Slipknot |
A week on the Outer Banks sounds rather boring. But there are lessons offered on the dunes in the flying of kites, the ones you hang onto and fly. If you can find someone with a sailboat go ask if they need crew. By honest about your experience. If you want to end it all, find one of the lighthouses and hit the sand. Pigs and radar on all roads to and from the Banks in all directions. You have been warned. If you rent a bike, and Smokey Mountain Harley/Buell might do that, I'm not sure but they are big, In SE Tennessee, and near to the best riding in the SE USA. Just ask anyone with a bike and they can direct you to the roads in NE Georgia, SW north Carolina and East Tennessee. Also, in the vicinity of Tiger, Georgia there is someone who makes really good moonshine. Ask around, you might get lucky. As for Savannah, find the waterfront bars and explore the older areas of the city. If you do any hiking in the mountains, watch for poison ivy and snakes. I've passed huge rattlesnakes on the Blue Ridge Parkway, another great ride, and poison ivy is everywhere. If you want to buy a ST1100 for some touring I'll give you a good deal and I can pick up a Uly then. Help a brother out!! | ||
| Jphish |
Cymru - So much scenery... so little time. The southern US has lots to offer, but east of the Rockies also has some spectacular vistas (southern Utah). But...with 3.5 million sq miles - gonna be hard to get it all in on a 1 week trip. Smoky mountains on the NC / Tenn border would be a great place to find a Uly rental and ride it. The local Buellers would know how to make that happen. 'chow' j | ||
| Reepicheep |
From our recent trips to Emerald Isle (which has a great non touristy / family feel to it), I would recommend making your own food. Ask the locals for a good fish market (which will probably look pretty scary) and get your seafood there, then cook it back at your condo. It was SOOOOOO much better, and pretty cheap. Yummmmm... A pound of great big scallops fried in butter with garlic for $8. Drooolllllllllll..... The deep sea fishing wasn't so hot when I was last there. I didn't end up being able to go, but with gas at $4 per gallon, you were looking at close to $1000 just to run the boat for a day to get to good fishing areas. We rented kyaks and ran around the inland waterways, and I *really* enjoyed that. Next time we go, I think I'll bring a kayak and some light fishing tackle and explore more. Tourists can fish without a license. You may not catch dinner, but it would be a fun way to relax for a day in a kayak. | ||
| Arcticktm |
London, Not clear if you plan to do any riding or not, as that would change this up a lot. If this is a car rental trip, and you plan to make it as far as western North Carolina (where I live), then the Blue Ridge Parkway is a good, safe, and popular bet. It is good on any number of wheels, though 2 is optimum. 2 good ways to check it out: www.blueridgeparkway.org or the general US National Park Service website, at www.nps.gov Type in Blue Ridge Parkway or BRP in Google and there will be more hits than a Soprano's season finale. I am not an expert on the NC coast, so will let other help there. Savannah is a very pretty downtown/historic district and waterfront, though the weather is awful hot & sticky in the summer. Weather in the mountains of West NC is about perfect in the summer. | ||
| Hughlysses |
If you're traveling the coast from the Outer Banks to Savanna there are quite a few places worth stopping. Wilmington, NC is worth a visit (I'm sure Oldog can point out some attractions), Myrtle Beach, SC and adjacent beaches have nice golf courses if you're into that. Definitely plan a day or two in Charleston, SC. Great food, lots of history, beaches, etc. Between Charleston and Savannah, Beaufort, SC is worth a visit. The Blue Ridge Mountains in NC are beautiful. If you're driving, take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful scenery there and almost any side road off of it offers excellent twisties. Just about any of the Harley dealers in the southeast will rent cruisers, but Buells are likely to be hard to find with a few exceptions. | ||
| Chadhargis |
If you end up in Tennessee, make sure you let us know. There are several of us on here who know the roads in the mountains pretty well. Savannah is a nice town. So is Beaufort and Charleston. All the low country area is known for it's beauty and great food. In my opinion, West North Carolina and East Tennessee area is one of the most beautiful parts of the country (only bested by Denver/Rocky Mtn area). Of course, I'm a mountain man....wouldn't give a care if I never saw a beach again in my life. I hate sand.  | ||
| Etennuly |
If you are coming to East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, or North Georga, PM me. It would be great to meet you and ride with you. We have several Uly riders in the area who would be glad to escort you around the places that you always hear about on the BadWeB. | ||
| Hemibee |
Charleston and Beaufort, SC is worth a visit. In Charleston be sure to take the walking ghost tour. While in Beaufort be sure to run out to Hunting Island to get a good look at the Low Country. | ||
| Longdog_cymru |
Thanks for the answers and suggestions gents  We're looking forward to visiting more than ever, although we don't have dates just yet. Can't wait to enjoy the hospitality and food!! | ||
| Hooper |
Some good articles from the Washington Post: North Caroline wine tasting trail: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic le/2009/02/06/AR2009020601885.html Restaurants in Charleston: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/artsandliving /travel/postcard-from-tom/110407.html I need to get down there myself...it's a big country! |
