Devil’s Triangle

We stayed for 20 days just outside an area North of Knoxville, Tennessee, referred to as the Devil’s Triangle. As members of Xscapers, we stayed at the Escapee’s Raccoon Valley RV Park at membership rates of $17/night (weekly rate) for full-hookup sites.  Situated an easy drive to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Wind Rock Off-Road park it was a perfect location for us.  Internet access is great through AT&T.

Site 11 at Raccoon Valley Escapees Park, 10 miles North of Knoxville, Tennessee

 

Jeep Badge of Honor Trail

The former The Coal Creek Company (now the Wind Rock Land Co.) has converted much of the mining operational areas into an off-highway vehicle (OHV) use now as a huge 73,000-acre park Northwest of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Earned another Jeep Badge of Honor at Windrock OHV Park on trail 26. Moderately difficult rating, but mostly just a drive in the woods on a beautiful day.

 

Devil’s Triangle

You may have heard of the Devils Triangle’s most popular sister route, the Tail of the Dragon.  Recently paved 44 miles of road is a great drive outside of Knoxville, but there are some places where it is a few hundred feet drops from the white line with nothing between you and the valley floor.  We took a turn off the beaten path and had some amazing views of the area from the peak which ended at the Red Oak Baptist church situated in a Wildlife Management Area with a moderately challenging road to the peak.  Churchgoers must either have side-by-sides, ATVs or SUVs to get to their church service.

Does free mud improve the complexion?

 

1000′ feet up and 3 miles off the Devil’s Triangle Highway 116.

Pigeon Forge

Now that Jason has been transitioning back to his “normal” job in technology services and less on CoVID, he has been able to take some time off from work.  We took a day and drove down to Pigeon Forge and checked out the <a href=http://www.smokymountainalpinecoaster.com/” target=”_blank”>Smokey Mountain Alpine Slide</a> (exciting for the kids, just an expensive ride in the woods for adults) and picked up some items we wanted at the Lodge Cast Iron store and the Coleman outlet store.

 

Spring has sprung in Knoxville, Barb’s favorite Daffodils have sprouted three times now this spring. We so far have seen them pop in Florida, Georgia, and now in Tennessee. Unfortunately, this means for Jason’s spring allergies he has experienced three springs now with the explosion of spring pollen time.

 

Tennessee was a little chilly each morning, some mornings it got cold enough the heating switched from the dual roof heat bumps to the forced-air LP gas furnace. This warms a 12″ wide section of the floor and Wheezy (left) and Rico (right) found the perfect spot to park their bums and warm them!

 

Found some amazing pizza on a drive through the country. Snappy Tomato is a local chain. We enjoyed their Hawaiian pizza on a thin crust.

 

Duck Donuts made to order hot and fresh from the fryer to you. Amazing! In Knoxville, Tennessee, and in Woodbury, Minnesota!! Looking forward to checking them out in Minnesota when we return.