Hot Springs , North Carolina...Sunday...Aug 1

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Just got a call from Lucky 13 we plan on ridin' up to Hot Springs,NC tomorrow and drag some pegs across Hwy.209.

[big turkey]

Great Call.

Hardees at 10ish.

Is that the meet up time?

Big Al

[big turkey]

History
This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2009)

Hot Springs is located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. A natural hot spring is also located here, the only such spring known in North Carolina and in much of the southeastern United States. Thus, this area has long since been a destination for those looking for therapeutic relief from their ailments. Native Americans were the first to discover the 100+ degree mineral waters, and European immigrants settled the area over 200 years ago. It is reported that people were visiting the springs by 1778 for the waters' reported healing properties. In 1828, a major road was constructed through the current town, the Buncombe Turnpike, making the area more accessible.

By 1831, James Patton of Asheville bought the springs and had erected 350 room Warm Springs Hotel with its 13 tall columns representing the 13 original colonies in 1837. The dining room of this large hotel could seat 600 people. The railroad reached the village - then called Warm Springs - in 1882. The hotel burned in 1884 after 46 years of operation. Another hotel, called the Mountain Park, was built in 1886. A higher temperature spring was found, prompting the changing of the town's name from Warm Springs to Hot Springs in 1886. Sixteen marble pools were surrounded by landscaped lawns with croquet and tennis courts, and it was known as one of the most lavish resorts in the Southeast. By May 1917, the hotel and grounds were leased to the US Government to be used as an internment camp. That hotel burned in 1920, and two more were built - neither as large and opulent and both later burned as well.

Today, the springs are privately owned as a spa. Water is piped to outdoor tubs beside the river and Spring Creek. The town itself is becoming ever more popular as a modern tourist destination, for aside from the springs, outdoor recreation is abundant in the area. The Appalachian Trail runs along downtown's Bridge Street and climbs the mountains on either side of the river. Rafting and kayaking is popular on the French Broad River itself. There are numerous other hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and sightseeing opportunities in the nearby Pisgah National Forest

[Sodge]

What time would you guys be in Hot Springs? Would you do most of your backroads after you get there?

[Normandog]

Only thing I can add is the town used to be a layover for drovers driving cattle across the mtns. After all that time in the saddle I guess the hot springs felt pretty good. I read this on a plaque on the wall that surrounds the old pools.
We are looking forward to seeing y'all tomorrow Al. Carolyn said earlier this week she wanted to see her Tennessee buddies. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

What time would you guys be in Hot Springs? Would you do most of your backroads after you get there?

We'll be at the Pilot Travel Center exit 24 off I-40 ...It's the Hot Springs / Lake Junaluska exit....1:00 p.m. (est ). After we hook up there we'll do Hwy.209 and more than likely a few other backroads as we always do...Bring It...LET'S RIDE 

[big turkey]

Ron

I pumped up the tires and drained a little oil out of the Harley(OVERFILLED THE DARN THING

WHEN I CHANGED MY OIL BEFORE I HAD HEART SURGERY) now it's fine.

Valkyrie is in the shop for fork seals, still ain't got the parts, that's what I get for

taking a Honda to a Kwasaki/Suzuki shop for service, but I trust these guys and

you can't beat a mechanic you trust.

I will wear a full face helmet to protect against Dad seeing me on a motorcycle.

i would hate to get grounded at 49 and get a arse whoopin on the same day for riding when

I ain't supposed to, he's 73 and I am still scared of him.

See you tomorrow afternoon after Church and say a prayer for us Tennessee Hillbillies you know

we need one.

Big AL

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

History
This section does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2009)

Hot Springs is located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. A natural hot spring is also located here, the only such spring known in North Carolina and in much of the southeastern United States. Thus, this area has long since been a destination for those looking for therapeutic relief from their ailments. Native Americans were the first to discover the 100+ degree mineral waters, and European immigrants settled the area over 200 years ago. It is reported that people were visiting the springs by 1778 for the waters' reported healing properties. In 1828, a major road was constructed through the current town, the Buncombe Turnpike, making the area more accessible.

By 1831, James Patton of Asheville bought the springs and had erected 350 room Warm Springs Hotel with its 13 tall columns representing the 13 original colonies in 1837. The dining room of this large hotel could seat 600 people. The railroad reached the village - then called Warm Springs - in 1882. The hotel burned in 1884 after 46 years of operation. Another hotel, called the Mountain Park, was built in 1886. A higher temperature spring was found, prompting the changing of the town's name from Warm Springs to Hot Springs in 1886. Sixteen marble pools were surrounded by landscaped lawns with croquet and tennis courts, and it was known as one of the most lavish resorts in the Southeast. By May 1917, the hotel and grounds were leased to the US Government to be used as an internment camp. That hotel burned in 1920, and two more were built - neither as large and opulent and both later burned as well.

Today, the springs are privately owned as a spa. Water is piped to outdoor tubs beside the river and Spring Creek. The town itself is becoming ever more popular as a modern tourist destination, for aside from the springs, outdoor recreation is abundant in the area. The Appalachian Trail runs along downtown's Bridge Street and climbs the mountains on either side of the river. Rafting and kayaking is popular on the French Broad River itself. There are numerous other hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and sightseeing opportunities in the nearby Pisgah National Forest

The most important thing I learned from Al's valuable information above.....Don't build a Hotel in Hot Springs , North Carolina 

[big turkey]

Is it the "It Burnt Down Thing" that caught your ear.

Big Al

Smoke on the Water and this concert had a Blimp taking pictures from above.

Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water

[hubcapsc]

You should try to go over Crabtree mountain, I love that road...

http://tinyurl.com/2bf6kyj  <--- link to google map of where the road connects to 209

The link above shows how to access crabtree mt. road from the opposite end of where I
usually get on, but you kind of have to hunt and peck around in Canton to get on from where
I do, it is hard to find... if you go up it "backwards", you might have to stop and turn around to see
the awesome vista from the top, you're just at the top for an instant, and then you're on the
way down the other side on switchbacks...

I was too awe-struck to take a picture the first time I got the the top, it wasn't so good this
day...



Me going down the side you'd go up...



Wish I could go... got several rides in the near future, and I still need to get on the phone and
reserve a room for Natchez...

-Mike