The Tree Of Shame At Deal's Gap

The Dragon's Tail has 318 curves in just 11 miles, so it's no surprise that there are some tragedies and mishaps along the way. Many of them are memorialized on the Tree of Shame. Jim and I took these photos the first time we rode the Tail of the Dragon. We stopped at Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort, which is the home of the Tree of Shame.

Tail Of The Dragon: What This Deadly Stretch Of Road Is Like

The Tail of the Dragon -- also called the Dragon's Tail -- is definitely a daredevil stretch of roadway. But that's not why we go there. We go there for the scenic views and a fun ride in the Jeep with the top down. I'm sure the motorcyclists hate us for that though. Here are pictures & fun facts about the Tail of the Dragon at Deal's Gap.

Balsam Mountain Offroading

In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, just outside of Cherokee, NC, is a 14-mile trail known as Heintooga Round Bottom Road. It looked pretty tame, so we decided to give it a spin in our Jeep.