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Up in the misty mountains on a Smoky Mountain High; Where to start!
Not sure if I'd call this a review, as there are a few of those already, but I do think my recap may answer a few questions and give those who are within 6-8 hours drive a viewpoint that may encourage attending this particular Bronco Off-Roadeo location.Answer to the first question is, YES! Yes attending the Great Smoky Mountains location is worth the drive, or flight, and cost of lodging. Wasn't my first time to the area, as I've been to Gatlinburg, but it's been 20 years strangely and the area feels similar (traffic), but a lot has changed, (development). Off-Roadeo is maybe an hour West of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Maryville is a nice town that has seen growth in recent years which means for a visitor, there's more to make you comfortable. the City of Townsend sits between Maryville and Gatlingburg and is where my wife and I stayed. This is another town that has grown, has great local spots to stay, eat, and drink "Tasty Beverages". The main thoroughfare of Lamar Alexander Parkway, which leads directly from Maryville to the entrance of the National Park isn't yet filed with a bunch of food chains, but instead has local options that will not disappoint. The lodging options range from affordable to bougie lodges, so there is something for everyone and all income levels. We were at The Dancing Bear Lodge and were not disappointed; place is great and their Apple Valley Cafe has some good food. (Get the burger and fries). Due to proximity to the park, there are a ton of AirBnB options in the area as well; a ton!
This Off-Roadeo itself surprised me. I was expecting something simple and a collection of fire roads or something'; this was not that. Given that Off-Raadeo is a corporate event meant to showcase "all of the good merits of the product the company sells; Bronco", most other manufacturers offer a curated take on a day that gives the appearance of adventure meant to convince customers who would never dream of doing any of these things in normal life, that the toy they've purchased gives supermagicinal powers to the driver, boosting one's ego, and convincing they've made the smarter choice than everyone else did. Well, again, this was not, that. This Off-Roadeo is a trail network built on a property with enough variation that shows what Eastern US wheeling looks and feels like.
Tennessee Off-Roadeo trails are cut tight. There are areas where you'll question why you didn't pay the extra $75 for damage protection (I did not and wouldn't). There are many spots where you'll squeeze between trees, or a tree or stump and a large rock. The rock crawl section is short, but demanding and if you've never done any crawling before, in the words of our awesome instructor "you may feel things through your body you've never felt before in this section!" There were a couple of people in my group who'd never done any off-roading and he was spot on. My wife has only rode with me on a few outings and she felt it as well; this was the highlight of the day and my heart rate increased as well; good stuff! We ran trails for close to 6 hours all in 4L and there were several spots where the rear and even front lockers will be used. These are not 2H trails. Sure, some I'd do in 4H, but I have even more respect for 4L riding, as I only drop down normally when I really need it, but will use it more often now.
There are roughly 25-30 Broncos at the Tennessee location, so I think they anticipate a crowd and they should. Thursday October 10 had two time slots, as there was a 9AM class, while my 8AM class had 3-4 groups of 3-6 Broncos. Yes, there were a few 2 Doors, which was great, but I had to wheel a Moor Door WildTrak. The guy who took the 2 Door talked and I felt it best for him, as he is new to this, and owns a 2 Door, manual! Told him he overrules me with that rig any day!
Everyone had a blast and were tired and sore at the end of the day. Was great to get my wife behind the wheel and she looked the part all day with her outfit that some referred to as "Bronco Chic". Yeah, really.......
Other highlights: I had a camera crew with me all day. They installed an action cam on my dash and for a so called "high speed section", which wasn't since we were in 4L all day, but it was still fun; had a cameraman in the backseat with us who turned out to be from my wife's hometown in Alabama, small world! We had fun with him in the truck and I did my best to flip the Bronco; I didn't. My wife stole the show and did an interview early on and they did with me at the end. I assume this was for "that other Bronco forum" that I'm not active on, but have an account. Was cool and I had my new Sasquatch Believer camo t-shirt on for full-effect.
More important than the Off-Roadeo experience was getting to meet up with @vrtical for some beers the night before, as I hadn't seen him since we ran Jeep Badge of Honor trail, Beasley Knob in Georgia last year. He drove all the way from around Maryville to Townsend and we drank at The Abbey (very nice place with a stream running behind the bar with outside seating; they sell food as well, but we didn't grab any).
On the Off-Roadeo day, although we weren't in the same group were @Beach_Bum, Ken and @618TRVLWILD, Ashley. Great to share that we're all like we are on here. Ashley also honored me with the hook up to what I've missed out on for 4 years; a Pineapple Pizza patch, which I promptly added to my headliner. I couldn't be happier! Meeting up with these two made the trip worth it and we took a selfie.
Also in my ride group was @WoolyBugger who was ready to go early and did the first driver demonstration and took command of an Everglades all day; jelly! lol!
Wife and I also ran the Foothills Parkway the day we arrived, which is nice, but no Blue Ridge Parkway, but that won't be an option for a while, sadly. We spend the day after in the park. For those who haven't been, Smoky Mountain National Park can change your life if you stop, get out, hike, or just linger a bit. The weather was perfect and although the park was and usually is filled to be brim with people, it's always a great time, so come and visit. Wind Rock Off-Road park is also close by if you've still got energy after Off-Roadeo.
The location looks great, the instructors were awesome and are some wheelers for sure, but also are patient and well versed on the trails they've cut for us and boy did they make them fun! Ours was the 4th class as they call it, so we ran an extra trail at the end which was a bit of a monster and my wife was driving, so she now feels so much more confident and that's what it's all about. I think they were able to turn at least a couple of consumers into folks who are willing to take on some lighter stuff in their own Bronco, so the day was a success. No one has to go all Ultra4 or YouTuber, just get outside and enjoy the day in nature trusting the vehicle that can get you out there and back again.
If you're still here, thank you for reading and go ahead and sign up for wheeling Deep South style; it's time and money well spent. I'm just glad they finally opened this site, it's a ROLL DAMN TIDE!
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