March 14 - 16

Jellico TN Run

"Pictures"

Hey everybody we are going to Jellico! Do you mean Tellico? Nope, we are going to Jellico TN. This sentence was repeated many times because nobody has ever heard of Jellico TN. I would some up the whole trip by saying that it was OK. Jellico is located 1 hour north of Knoxville. It is a very small town with no food chains, three funeral homes in a 1 block radius. Besides that the people are very friendly, helpful and grateful for us visiting. When we arrived the Director of local tourism came up to us at the hotel to give us maps and tells us where the good places to eat are. The next day at the SFWDA meeting the mayor came by and gave the shortest speech of the day, I swear.

Just so you know, I deleted 45 of my pictures so I don't currently have the SFWDA meeting pictures and few other really good pics. Anyway, the SFWDA meeting was very long going over a wide range of topics. After that we had a raffle to raise money for a lady in GA who was in a terrible traffic accident. Sammy, Martha and the Tursky's cleaned house from CORE. There where over a 100 people there with almost as many rigs. I mean rigs, I saw every thing from stock to rock buggies. They had every type of jeep with every type of setup, stretch, Rockwell axles, LT1 engines, lot's of 44's, every color, bronco, blazers, Cherokee, Suzuki's, and so on. After that we headed to the trails for Saturday. The trails are on private property and located 12 miles east of town. We divided up into groups and headed in. Most of CORE was on the Med/hard team. The first thing you see when you enter down into the rock garden area is the big boy area. There where a few jeeps going at it. They blocked our path so we took another hard route to our section. I do mean section because apparently they don't really have long trails with obstacles in them, they just have obstacles. So on Saturday we really didn't go far. I think the whole coarse we took was only a quarter mile long. Well most vehicles couldn't get over the first obstacle without winching. We even broke a few rigs right off of the bat. Just ask John Stowe why he wanted a wide track Dana 44 so fast when we got back.  After the first big rock the next obstacle was the 100 foot shoot of rocks and obstacles. I believe Wes, Tom and Thomas made it through will little problems then sat in traffic while the group in front of us diagnosed a broke crank shaft sensor that was preventing a YJ from starting. After that there was a very nice hill climb that Barclay made his way up. I didn't see how the rest did. Once done there we went exploring the other trails because by the end of the day we didn't go far. Every trail that we found was a dead end. The exciting part of that day was that Bryan G layed his Toy truck onto the drivers side. After that we headed back, got cleaned up, ate dinner and drank a few and told stories while hanging out at the best western patio.

Come Sunday most people where going home but somebody found a local who owned a hill. This hill had a trail so we took another chance. Word spread quickly and about 15 rigs showed up. The trail we went on was really a lengthy trail. We must of went 15 miles over the course of the day. It had about 4 somewhat challenging sections. What made the trail cool was the scenic overviews, caves and obstacle types. Nobody broke anything and we were on are way home by 5. So to some it up I would say that Saturday was less then I expected but that Sunday helped make up for it. I wouldn't go back to Jellico as is but that place is very close to becoming a terrific trail location. As other folks post there opinions I will add them here. JH

This is who is coming so far:

rom Charlotte, NC Airport

1 Begin at Charlotte/Douglas International on Tunnel Rd and go South for 0.3 miles
2 Turn right on Yorkmont Rd and go South for 0.7 miles
3 Turn left on West Blvd,NC-160 and go Northeast for 1.1 miles
4 Turn left on Billy Graham Pky,US-521 and go North for 2.4 miles
5 Turn right on ramp at sign reading "I-85 S to Gastonia" and go Southeast for 900 feet
6 Turn right on I-85 and go West for 69 miles
7 Exit I-85 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 70 I-26 to Asheville / Columbia" and go West for 0.9 miles
8 Continue on I-26 and go Northwest for 57 miles
9 Exit I-26 via ramp at sign reading "I-40 W to Canton / Knoxville" and go Northwest for 0.6 miles
10 Continue on I-40 and go Northwest for 104 miles
11 Exit I-40 via ramp at sign reading "Exit 393 I-640 W / US-25W to Lexington and I-75 N" and go Northwest for 0.3 miles
12 Bear left on I-640,TN-9,US-25W and go West for 7 miles
13 Exit I-640,TN-9,US-25W via ramp at sign reading "I-275 S / I-75 N to Knoxville / Lexington" and go West for 0.5 miles
14 Continue on I-75 and go North for 53 miles
15 Exit I-75 via ramp to US-25W - Exit #160 in Tennessee. Go here to view local directions to the event facility.

Total Trip - 298 miles

Camping & RV Facilities

Indian Mountain State Park - Jellico, TN
Indian Mountain Road
Jellico, TN 37762	Hours of Operation
(423) 784-7958	Park: 7 a.m. - Sunset
www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/indian/	Office: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Park visitors can enjoy fishing at the two small lakes, picnicking, camping, and two walking trails (one paved and one unpaved). There are 49 sites with paved pads to serve both tent and RV campers. The sites have water, electricity with 30-amp breakers and a dump station. All sites have picnic tables, and grills are located throughout the camping area. A modern bathhouse with restrooms and showers is available to campers.

Mountain Lake Marina & Campground
136 Campground Road
Lake City, TN 37769
(877) 686-2267 - In TN: (865) 426-6510
www.mountainlaketennessee.com

Full hookups, cable TV, cabins with lake view, motel, large marina, boat launch, restaurant on the water, excellent fishing, fishing guide service, swimming pool, playground, shuffleboard, game room, miniature golf, laundry, camp store and firewood. Pets are welcome and must be kept on leash. Open all year.

Hotels

Best Western - Holiday Plaza
Interstate 75 and US 25W, PO Box 177
Jellico, TN 37766	Check In: 2:00 p.m.
(423) 784-7241	Check Out: 11:00 a.m.
ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE	Small Pets Allowed

Enjoy a restaurant, tennis court, and free parking. All rooms are equipped with cable television, air condition, and room service. Children 12 and under stay for free.

Days Inn - North Tennessee State Line
P.O. Box 299
Jellico, TN 37762	Check In: 2:00p
(423) 784-7281	Check Out: 11:00a
ONLINE REGISTRATION HERE	RV & Truck Parking

Barber/beauty shop; coffee maker in room; fishing; free local telephone calls; 24-hour front desk; handicapped rooms/facilities; meeting/banquet facilities; no smoking rooms/facilities; free parking; RV or truck parking; outdoor pool; restaurant; shops/commercial services; television with cable.
 

Jellico Motel
181 Douglas Lane	Check In: 2:00 p.m.
Jellico, TN 37762	Check Out: 11:00 a.m.
(423) 784-7211	Trailer Friendly
	Small Pets Allowed

All rooms are equipped with Cable Television with Cinemax; air conditioning; 24-hour front desk; no smoking rooms; free parking; outdoor pool; restaurant. Very convenient to I-75.

Restaurants