There's no "extra time".

You said you were headed there in an earlier post =
"we can do a few hikes starting around Linville and going a bit south-west along the parkway a bit "

And you said you wanted to take photos of barns, etc.

You are already there (Linville) and you want to drive part of the parkway.
Just recommending a segment of the parkway that has an amazing piece of engineering - and suggestions of places to see (and photograph) near Linville. = the Linn Cove Viaduct on the BRP

If you like old barns, you'll love the Valle Crucis area and the Original Mast General Store.

Please...take 3 seconds and see if this does not appeal -
https://www.mastgeneralstore.com/cms.../valle-crucis/

I think I'm going to give up making suggestions. No matter what I suggest, you have a reason NOT to do it, although I'm using YOUR plan to make suggestions.

Have a good trip.

Bryson City has some lovely cabins to stay near some creeks. Cherokee is a casino town and a good place to use, but the idea of BC is very good.

starrs,

No!! No!! Don't give up.

I'm playing the devil's advocate. I'm just trying to make sure what we do will work better for us.

For instance, if Bryson is for some reason a much better place to base from then that would be an idea. Otherwise Cherokee is a little closer the first night, the day we go to Cades Cove, the day we do hikes along the lower part of 441 and the day we move to the Brevard area.

I haven't as yet had the chance to check out the Linn Cove Viaduct area. If it turns out to be of interest we'll definitely add it. This adds about a half hour of driving and the time we spend there.
If we can't get to the old barns in Madison County above Asheville on the first day when we drive almost right by there and move it to the last day on the way to Charlotte Airport that adds about 1.5 hours to the drive towards Charlotte.

You've given me a lot of valuable info. I have a lot of processing to do to see what fits. I have to review the hikes we may be interested in on each segment.

I really value your opinions. You've been here. I haven't.

Keep it up. Please.

If you haven't had the "chance" to click on the link I provided, it's obvious that the time I have spent trying to help you with what YOU said you wanted is time I am wasting.

YOU said you wanted to drive some of the BRP after Linville and that's what I offered. But days later, you still haven't clicked on the links I provided for you. I'm not "adding time" to your trip. In fact, I've suggested ways to "save" drive time on your trip.

I have suggested things that flesh out YOUR ideas - but you push back on every single post I've made. You call that "playing the devil's advocate". After days of trying to help you, suggest ideas, take the time to find the links and post them, you still "haven't had the chance" to click on them to see what I've suggested - but you have the time to read them and push back.

I wish I had the option to delete every post I've made on this thread. There will be no more posts from me. Your response to post #41 clears up any doubt. It's your trip. I'm trying to help you based on what YOU said you wanted and every single post I've written has been met with resistance - without you taking the time to even check out those suggestions. It makes no sense whatsoever. I may be a slow learner, but I've finally "learned" the lesson. Why should I spend more time writing posts, offering suggestions based on what YOU say you want to do, just to have them dismissed - even before you use any of YOUR time to check out the suggestions?

It's a beautiful section of the country. Enjoy exploring it.

Starrs, it was supposed to be a "quick" Smokey Mountain question!! You've obviously given TMI!! ;o(

starrs,

It's not just a matter of clicking a link. When you suggest something I click the link, then look up more info, then look for photos.

I'm also in the middle of planning another longer trip that will take place a couple of weeks earlier and it still requires work that has to be settled. Plane tickets for this one isn't a problem but the other trip has plane issues to nail down.

Also, I was out taking pictures at some events in horse jumping, motocross and kite boarding and about 1,000 pictures need work.

I do appreciate your suggestions but I'm juggling things as best I can.

What you have passed on to me has really helped me tighten things up. But it still need some some work. If I can't get in the old barns on the first day I may have to either drop that idea or get them in on the last day but that will take us out of our way.

Thanks.

Ahhh I guess that makes sense - it has gotten fairly crowded. I still love it there, but I can see why the change in the area would turn you off. Thanks for replying!

My family of 4 used VRBO for a houese in Townsend. It was perfectly located. We didn't want the 'touristy' Pigeon Forge and Gatlingburg. We wanted to hike parks and just pass through G & PF one afternoon.
The Townsend location was perfect for hiking, horse back riding, small town, information center, park entrance, etc