Experiencing America > Road Trip Year...2003 > Deep-South & The Mountains > Day 4
Day FOUR...
Wednesday, June 25th, 2003
During dinner last night in Ringgold, Georgia, we noticed the lower fuel prices than in Tennessee. So we jaunted south of the boarder for fuel.
Back to State #6!!
While paying for gas, we decided to change our luck on the Georgia State Lotto. It did not turn out in our favor. Instead of heading back north on Interstate 75, which was backed-up with road construction near the state line. We head through Ringgold and took Georgia State Route 151 north into Tennessee.
NB GA St Rt 151 north of Ringgold.
Back to State #4!!
Once in Tennessee we headed north on Tennessee Secondary State Route 321 to Tennessee Secondary State Route 317. That tool use west to Interstate 75. Our goal for the day was Charleston, West Virginia. While on I-75 we noticed North Carolina wasn't to far east. Well if you have seen a trend in this sight...you might know we went. Near Cleveland we jumped on BY-PASS U.S. Rt. 64 to U.S. Rt. 64 which was the direct route between I-75 and North Carolina. U.S. Rt. 64/74 runs directly through the Cherokee National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains.
Marker on U.S. Rt. 64/74.
In the Cherokee National Forest the highway we have been traveling on ran along the Ocoee River and Lake Ocoee. Lake Ocoee is formed by the Ocoee Dam. This dam is part of the TVA network of waterways running from Kentucky Lake on southeast.
The Ocoee Dam.
Looking southeast over Lake Ocoee.
A plaque of the TVA dams.
Looking east along U.S. Rt. 64/74.
Now to North Carolina!!...State #7!!
We traveled through a small part of the western tip of the state. The whole time we were in the state, it was within the Nantahala National Forest. We took U.S. Rt. 19/64/74/129 to Andrews, via Murphy, and stopped at a state rest area.
A traffic stop in the middle of the highway near Murphy.
At Topton, we took U.S. Rt. 129, which was a little two lane highway that curved through the mountain. This highway was very narrow at times, but had some scenic spots along the highway.
Looking north along the Tennessee River from the U.S. Rt. 129 bridge, near Tapoco.
Back to State #3!!
You know we seem to keep coming back to this state. Next stop is Knoxville...Knoxville...Knoxville!! North of Maryville, the Tennessee State Highway Map is a little miss leading. It makes you think you can get on Interstate 140 from Tennessee Secondary State Route 33. Well you can't. Once we found I-140, it connected us to Interstate 40/75, which took use straight into Knoxville. The main attraction to stop and see is the suns sphere from a past world's fair. This is located in Downtown Knoxville. It is not an easy thing to get to. The signs are very miss leading.
A sign for World's Fair Park.
The Sun's Sphere.
Now it was time to get back on the road. The journey across the mountains on U.S. Rt. 129 took more time that expected. So we headed out of Knoxville on Interstate 40 and headed due east.
A billboard for Rusty Wallace's Dealerships.
In Eastern Tennessee, Interstate 40 ducks south into North Carolina, so we kept going east on Interstate 81. This took use through the Tri-City Area (Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol).
Now to Virginia!!...State #8!!
Interstate 81 runs east west across Western Virginia. Being later in the afternoon, we hit a bit of traffic due to a highway project. So we decided to experience the scenes of the local area. Unfortunately, so did every one else. Our little side trip took use through Abingdon.
A chicken at a resturant in Abingdon.
Once back on I-81 it was smooth sailing all the way to Wytheville. Here our fearless motor vehicle needed re-fueling. So we found an Exxon just east of Wytheville. After everything was fueled up it was back on the highway and we headed north on Interstate 77. This highway cut directly north through the Appalachian Mountains and the Jefferson National Forest. It also had two tunnels. The first is the Big Walker Tunnel, near Bland. At the Virginia, West Virginia State Line you find the East River Mountain Tunnel.
NB I-77 near the entrance to the tunnel.
NB I-77 in the tunnel.
NB I-77 near the East River Mountain Tunnel. Looks like the Big Walker Tunnel.
NB I-77 at the entrance of the tunnel.
Now to West Virginia!!...State #9!!
Shortly after entering West Virginia, Interstate 77 joined the West Virginia Turnpike. This took us directly to the states capital, Charleston. Our place of rest for the evening was the Sleep Inn off Interstate 79 and U.S. Rt. 119, near Yeager Airport. Shortly after getting settled in the room, the power went out. From what we were told, most of the Greater-Charleston Metro Area was out of power for most of the night.
Day FIVE...