| Author | Message | ||
     Teeps |
Anyone been to the Wheels Through Time Museum? How many days did you spend in the museum? | ||
| Hughlysses |
I've been twice. You could probably spend a couple of days there if you took your time. VERY cool collection and displays. | ||
| Teeps |
Sounds good. That "What's in the Barn" show has me thinking road trip... I would probably swing by Barber too. Coming from Calif. what time of year would you recommend? | ||
| Hughlysses |
Well, Maggie Valley is in the Smokey Mountains. The only impediment to visiting is probably fall tourist traffic to see the leaves, starting in about a month or so and I'd guess running until around November 1. Area hotels will be booked up and the Blue Ridge Parkway and other twisty roads nearby may be clogged with leaf-watchers. Other than that, you should be OK. | ||
| Teeps |
So, late spring it is... That gives me over 6 months to plan. | ||
| 86129squids |
WTT is a great museum, also known as "the museum that RUNS"- Dale Walksler has over 90% of his bikes running. If he or his son is there, it's likely that he'll start one up. When I was there, he fired up an old Henderson inline 4 by tickling the carbs, "bumped" it off by spinning the rear tire in gear whilst on the centerstand, warmed it up a bit, and then proceeded to do a burnout in the middle of the museum! If you take a camera, be sure to use a good flash- unless things have changed, the lighting isn't that great. FWIW, it's real close to Cherokee NC, with a big casino, and gobs of good riding, with the Blue Ridge running right through Maggie Valley. Barber is at least a day's journey, maybe longer from there on the secondary highways. FWIW, one can simply follow highway 411 south out of Maryville/Knoxville, just stay on it, and it will take you to Leeds AL and the Barber motoplex. I've always wanted to make it there for the Vintage Days weekend- Dale Walksler will probably be there with a few of his machines. | ||
| Sifo |
WTT is well worth the visit. We spent 4-5 hours wandering through there. It's really about how long you can take it in, not when you've finished seeing things. They take pride in starting them up if they aren't too busy with other things. Sometimes Dave take is a bit beyond simply starting them up. It's a lousy picture, but that's Dale taking me for a ride on a (IIRC) 1934 Indian.  (Message edited by SIFO on August 18, 2013) | ||
| Reepicheep |
One day for sure... if you are in a hurry with your family getting whiny, you can do it in a couple hours. I would have preferred to stretch it out to 3 or 4 hours though. Great riding around there... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Careful. They are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/admission-and-hou rs.html I went there to find out this fun little fact on a Tuesday. I thought I would be safe in showing up any day except Sunday. | ||
| Buellish |
If you do go with family and they get fried on vintage motorcycle overload,when I was there two weeks ago,I noticed tons of family oriented activities in Maggy Valley. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g49313-Acti vities-Maggie_Valley_North_Carolina.html | ||
| Mtnmason |
Ha! Thats awesome. I was also lucky enough to get up on two wheels while riding in the sidecar. Dale rode me up the trails behind the place as well. What a cool experience! As for the museum be prepared to spend at least the whole day. If you're lucky and it isnt crowded Dale might do a few indoor burn outs on the old Crocker. He also fired up a Harley board tracker while we were there. I only recall two items with "do not touch" signs - both were cars. When we visited (about 5 yrs ago) he was finalized on a decision to move the whole show to Arizona. Really glad at whatever made him stick around. I cant wait to get back. | ||
| Sifo |
Ha! Thats awesome. I was also lucky enough to get up on two wheels while riding in the sidecar. Dale rode me up the trails behind the place as well. What a cool experience! Sounds like the same tour I got. Great times. | ||
| Teeps |
Thanks for the insights guys. I will probably be making the trip with one or more friends. No disinterested women or children. And, being as we are all retired. Time is not a problem, we'll stay as long as it takes. (Message edited by teeps on August 18, 2013) | ||
| 86129squids |
Also- the Blue Ridge Parkway will run from Maggie Valley up through Asheville, which is a very cool city. Truth be told, the whole Western NC area and its roads are fabulous. I'd recommend a few days there before you head to Leeds AL for MC nirvana. And, feel free to holler if you head through Knoxville or Maryville TN. | ||
| Tootal |
I had bought a Harley from Dale back in 1991 when he was a dealer in Mt. Vernon Illinois. I walked by his office at Wheels through time and he looked up and said, "You look familiar." I told him about buying the bike way back when and then he asked if I still had it and I said yes, 142,000 miles on it now! He says, "That awesome!" Then he grabs a can of gas and says," Let go start some motorcycles!" It was a great time, I highly recommend it! | ||
| 86129squids |
 Yeppers, that's another thing- if possible, see about spending some quality time with Dale W. while you're there- I classify him as one of the most interesting, cool, approachable and amiable guys I've ever met. He exudes a true love for what he does, and the good mojo is contagious! Save some $$$ for the gift shop too- the "Real School" DVDs he has for sale are awesome to watch, his GF at the time was producing awesome pottery and coffee cups with various vintage HD motor internals imprinted into the clay- plus, a T-shirt from WTT will automatically make anyone kewl. (IIRC, he runs the museum as a 501c3.) He might be raffling off some super awesuuum machine too- when I was there I blew some $$$ on tix, but alas, I wasn't THAT lucky. | ||
| Teeps |
This is sounding better all the time... | ||
| Etennuly |
Teeps I hope you let me know when you are coming to our area. If you would like I will try to take a day to show you to some great roads in the area. I can be to Maggie Valley in about an hour and a half from my place. If you are carrying tents I have room near the pool for ya! | ||
| Dwardo |
Absolutely go there. DO NOT GO IN LEAF PEEPING SEASON!! My buddy and I went in October two years ago. We had plans to ride the parkway in and out (left from Baltimore). We bagged the first day because it was raining and figured the next day would be better. Nope. 602 miles of rain, sleet, and hail. I learned (again) how good a good rainsuit can work. Anyhoo, coming out, we were stopped on the parkway for two hours because there was a bear cub in a tree. I s**t you not. The traffic was unbelievable. So ... don't go then. But when you do go, it's a wonderful museum. Dale had three bikes out the day we were there. Also, stop at Country Vittles for breakfast. Just Awesome! We're planning another ride just for Country Vittles. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The BRP is a great relaxed slow parade when you want to enjoy the views. It's not a place to ride aggressively, even if the crowds aren't there (and they generally will be), you would have to go WAY above the legal limit to make the curves really fun, and you will just get a ticket. There are other roads around there with higher speed limits, tighter turns, and less traffic. The BRP is there for the great views. | ||
| Teeps |
Thanks again for the insights and invitations. Etennuly, Roughing it; is a room with OTA tv... | ||
| Etennuly |
 I know what you mean! | ||
| Guy_glover |
Stopped in there a few years ago and Dale started at least 15 bikes or more.Had one that was found in a wall from a Guy hiding it from the IRS back in the 40's. All hand built V-Twin pushrod and sounded better than Harley builds today. Couldn't believe how fast it pulled RPM'S | ||
| Prior |
Great museum and a really cool part of the world to visit. Keep us in the loop on your plans, lots of great places to show you! Prior |
