Week in Appalachia

Last week a friend of mine came back from a deployment so during her time off we decided to take a trip up to the Appalachians and do some exploring. We didn't really have any destinations in mind. The goal was to just get away.

After a quick search, I found @msoverland had a pretty good route running through some parts of Western NC so we had them to thank for our first day of adventure and an awesome camp spot after stopping at Judaculla rock.


The next morning we woke up to a great view and some tailgate breakfast.



After finding some open service roads, I got to test out the 4x4 a bit and then let the pup get some exercise at Looking Glass Falls.



Appalachia is a beautiful place.



After some white water rafting and saving a drunk amputee's life after he fell out of his wheelchair into a river in Cherokee, NC (long story) we decided to make our way up to KY to check out how delicious bourbon is born. I highly suggest checking out Buffalo Trace, it's an amazing place with a great vibe.



We finished the trip up by exploring Daniel Boone National Forest and checking out some of the Arches (Sky Bridge pictured above). Then began the long drive back to MS, with a quick stop at Cloudland Canyon, GA.

Overall we covered six states (MS, AL, GA, NC, TN and KY) in five days and put 2,500 miles on the rig (a lot of them off-road). The truck handled everything amazingly. While on the mountain roads, and for most of the trip because it was hilly, I kept the ECT button on (like the manual says) and I was really impressed with it. I maintained between 17-19 mpg with my @areaccessories CX topper, prinsudesign rack by @zscott, tepui ruggedized autana, indel b fridge, sos concept sliders by @EddyRRT, off-grid engineering dual battery system by @HeliMedic and loaded down with camping gear and the fur missile of course. The truck and all the after market accessories handled flawlessly and I couldn't have asked for a better trip.

Looking forward to continuing to add to the rig and next weekends trip to Big Bend!

 

Appalachia in the Carolina's is supreme...imagine what is was like a 150 years ago.

 

Great little write-up. Add a little fly fishing for trout, and it would of been a dream Trip.

 

Well just escaping cell service was a dream for me so 150 years ago would have been heaven!

Something I really want to learn to do. Love the idea of the craft and being a photographer it seems like an art form. Soon!

 

I think they actually make a touristy t-shirt that says "I saved a drunk amputee from drowning in North Carolina"

Not many glamour shots of the truck, which is the norm on this site. A lot of people's nipples get hard looking at the truck they're driving rather than the places they're driving their truck. Cool little write-up.

 

I'm jealous!!! That looks like an awesome trip! Thanks or sharing

 

Grew up a bass fisherman, but I started fly fishing about 7 years ago. Now that's all I do. Could care less to pick up another bait cast or spinning reel. I highly suggest you try it out. You'll love it.

 

Dream of mine is to live in the Great Smokey Mountains when I win the Illinois Lottery. I drove a tractor trailer all through the the Smokey Mountains back in the early 80's. Beautiful country out east for sure.

 

Thanks for sharing this OP. Great pics & descriptions.

 

Haha... I definitely got the shirt!

I'm all about the experience. The truck is just an awesome way to get there. Love my Taco!

I definitely will. Moving to upstate NY this summer for a year and I hear there are good places to fly fish up there. We shall see.

I'd love to live up there too. Dream is to live on the Nantahala River.

 

http://www.northgeorgiamountainrealty.com/homes/log-cabins/

Blue Ridge, Georgia would work for me.

 

Wow... Some of those are crzy but a lot of absolutely affordable ones that look really nice. The dream!

 

I'm happy to be able to call those NC mountains home. Next time you come up, let me know, and I'll be happy to show you what I know about fly fishing and some of the best wild trout waters in the Southeast.

 

Definitely going to hold you to that... Planning a return trip early July after the 4th.

 

If I'm not going after smallies that weekend on the New, I'm all in.

 

Dude, looks like you're going places in that Taco like your supposed to instead of whining about the transmission and u-joints lmaoo!
Enjoy, have FuN and stay safe
Cheers!

 

Looks like a great trip man. What part of MS are you from.

 

I'm stationed in Biloxi until July. Been here for about 3 years. How far is Clarksdale from the Coast?

 

Sounds like a Epic trip, one that's a memory keeper for sure. Good on you !

 

About a six hours drive from here. Sadly we are at opposite ends of the state. I was down in Gulfport at the NCTC about two weeks ago for work. Would have loved to tag along with it on that adventure, u are the only other Mississippi 3rd Gen person I seen on here.