Cruisin the Tennessee Overhill Country

[JEFFTATE]

I decide to take an unplanned , day-trip through the Tennessee Overhill Country a couple of Saturdays ago.
I must say , this was one of the best low-pressure , enjoyable days I've had in a long time .
That is what we made our old cars into " touring" cars for ? Right ?

The Tennessee Overhill Country( http://www.tennesseeoverhill.com/ )is the area in the southeast corner of Tennessee that is bordered by Hwy 75 on the west , the Tennessee / Georgia state line on the south , extending up to the town of Vonore on the north and as far east as the mountain ridges . The area is pretty much a hilly plateau , and was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians after they were driven over (and out of ) the North Carolina and Tennesee mountains by settlers from the coastal areas. ( Hence the name " Overhill" )

The way to see the beauty of the Overhill Country is to get off the main roads . ( like I -75 and Hwy 411 ) and hit the side roads.
I did my cruise on some old , off-the-beaten-path side roads and highways that run parallel to and east of Hwy 411.



I started in Ocoee , then north up Hwy 30 , through Reliance TN.
While driving up Hwy 30 on the way to Reliance , I saw all these great , colorful signs about a restaurant ahead.
So , I had to stop at the place .
It was called :

The Creekside Restaurant
131 Kimsey Mtn Hwy
Reliance,TN.37369
423-338-2233

This place was like stepping back to Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show . It was owned and run by a retired couple . They were very friendly and the food was great . And the atmosphere was relaxing .
Here's a pic


Here's a pic of the " matre'd "


Then we went up Hwy 315 to Hwy 310 and across into Tellico Plains . Then north on Hwy 360 to Vonore , where we visited Ft. Loudon ( a French and Indian War Fort ) , and we visited the birthplace of Sequoia , and the Tellico Blockhouse.

This was the most relaxing , beautiful drive I've had in a long time .
The section of road from Ocoee to Tellico Plains ( Hwy 30 , Hwy 315 , and Hwy 310 ) was fabulous. The scenery was beautiful , and there was NO , I mean NO one anywhere behind or in front of me on the road. There were no other cars on the road but me ! It was a great drive .
And I crossed , or drove beside The Ocoee River , The Hiwassee River , the Tellico River , the LittleTennessee River , and Lake Tellico .

So , if you are looking for an uncrowded alternative place to visit , check out the Tennessee Overhill Country !
I've only expored one day around the area , but there is a lot more to explore , and Ill be going back .

[tazzz25906112]

Sounds like a great day Jeff,,, love to check it out one day...

[BayouSS]

Sounds like its time for a road trip and yes its hard to beat those old diners and restaurants for sure. Thanks for the story Jeff.

[JEFFTATE]

It's just a hop over the mountains from Pigeon Forge. Maybe 100 miles .
I really enjoyed the congestion free drive !

I love hometown stuff .

[tazzz25906112]

Hell yes and hopefully before the summer is out bud....

[73z-6sp]

fvgbhnj

[1981silverz28]

Jeff, I live on the other end of the Ocoee just barely in NC . I get to drive this quite often and I love it . I go down the Ocoee to Cleveland to eat dinner and catch a movie a couple times a month . We should get together a small group to cruise and grab a couple meals at places like that . Mom and Pops diners usually always have good food . . And YES that's what a "pro-touring" car should get used for ALOT ..

[HectorM52]

I'm game for a cruise.

[Bill Howell]

Jeff,
Vonore is about 25 or 30 miles, as I remember, south of Maryville. Only about 55 miles from here going 321, then 411. Maybe RTTHs should be a day cruise, and run down to Vonore, then across the Cheroha (sp?) Parkway and back over to Cherokee. Tennessee has so many great drives, one reason I live here now.

[David Sloan]

Jeff,
Vonore is about 25 or 30 miles, as I remember, south of Maryville. Only about 55 miles from here going 321, then 411. Maybe RTTHs should be a day cruise, and run down to Vonore, then across the Cheroha (sp?) Parkway and back over to Cherokee. Tennessee has so many great drives, one reason I live here now.

Yep Bill that would be a great ride for us to cruise, maybe try an set it up for a early friday morning leave about 9:00am to cruise over spend the day driving an enjoy some home cooking! then cruise some more back to were we came from.

Yes sir that is a killer ride that will clear your head an just relax you for sure!
we have done the tellico plains on the bikes a couple times, i cant wait to do it in the car!
Thanks Jeff really good ideas here.

[JEFFTATE]

Aw man...I wish I could experience that! I have family in the Cumberland Gap area of Virginia. (Jonesville) Went every year as a kid. I loved it! And I miss it. Now that I live in Arizona, I don't get to go there. Haven't been in 15 years. Any more pics you could share? What were you driving?

I need to move back east!

I'm going back to explore a little more , and I'll get some more pics .
The trip the other day was "spur-of-the-moment " , I woke up Saturday Morning , grabbed a brochure off my desk , got in the car , and went . No planning at all .
My wife and I needed a nice ride together .

I drove the Z06 .
Seemed like a good day for it .

[JEFFTATE]

Jeff, I live on the other end of the Ocoee just barely in NC . I get to drive this quite often and I love it . I go down the Ocoee to Cleveland to eat dinner and catch a movie a couple times a month . We should get together a small group to cruise and grab a couple meals at places like that . Mom and Pops diners usually always have good food . . And YES that's what a "pro-touring" car should get used for ALOT ..

John , you live in the right in the heart of the area .

[protouring70]

Sounds like a nice ride!!

[1981silverz28]

Jeff , David ,or Adam , anytime yall want to come up and explore let me know and i'll through some ideas around and we will find alot of cool places to cruise and eat . ( I like to eat ). Pigeon Forge to Tellico Plains across Cherohala Skyway down 28 to Cherokee and back over the Parkway to PF again would be a FANTASTIC ride . I may go that route this weekend and see how long and how many places to eat . I will let you know if I am going to . Got to get a new set of pushrods for the moneypit before then .

[nekkidhillbilly]

through that way all the time getting close to home there

[protouring70]

JOHN HENRY, thanks for the invite!!! Haha. And I thought we ere friends

[WS6]

You're making me miss home Jeff. These flat lands that surround me just aren't cutting it. I'd rather be back home running through the tree covered hills. Glad you had fun. It really is a great area to cruise in.

[1981silverz28]

BRENT !!!!! Im sorry ,I didn't mean to leave you out . We need to get a cruise together and just have a blast going nowhere inparticular with no time schedule . Any weekend from now to Aug will be great for me .

[RS_Customs]

JOHN HENRY, thanks for the invite!!! Haha. And I thought we ere friends

and me..........



Robert

[1981silverz28]

Robert , I didn't forget you either . I ment for it to be a blanket invite of all ya'll . I was going to go Sunday but it poured the dang rain here most of the day . I'm gona try again next Sat or Sun .If all goes well we are gona come get the wheels and check out David's car Fri.