Moonshiner 28 -- Also Known As NC Route 28

If you enjoy driving on roads with curves and beautiful scenery, you should explore NC Route 28 from Highlands, North Carolina, to Deal's Gap, Tennessee.

Views from NC Rt. 28 are amazing. The curves and switchbacks are fun, even at the posted speed limit. And the road follows streams and rivers like this for much of the 75 miles...

The beautiful scenery, combined with the aroma of spring flowers in early May, made the trip awesome. With the exception of the very brief ride though downtown Franklin, if you travel during the week you shouldn't be slowed down.

I filled up my gas tank on the north side of Highlands,  headed out, and soon heard the sounds of the 65-ft. high Dry Falls. I had to stop. And I wasn't disappointed. For perspective, notice the size of the people standing on the right side of this beautiful waterfall...

They had just walked under the falls like this happy couple...

I took lots of pictures of the falls, but I won't bore you with them. You need to see it for yourself. There was plenty of free parking when I was there, and the walk down to the falls is short, easy and pleasant.

When I left the falls on NC Rt. 28, it followed this beautiful stream below the falls for miles...

As I traveled through Nantahala National Forest and crested one mountain I stopped to take in the view (and some pictures) of the lake below...

There was so much beauty along NC Rt. 28 that I frequently had to stop for pictures. Here's a train track along the water passing under the roadway...

Honeysuckle was beside NC Rt. 28 everywhere and it smelled wonderful. There were lots of other spring flowers, including dozens of fields of buttercups...

Of course, mountain laurel was also everywhere. In the forests and along the roadside...

When I got to Fontana Lake I took pictures of the TVA dam, lake, and the river below...

Lunch time arrived so I found Fontana Village Resort and stopped to eat. The lodge is nice, but I had to go by the lobby to get directions to the restaurant...

From the lobby you can walk out on the deck and see the pool. Nice view...

I found the Wildwood Grill with its covered deck for enjoying the scenery while you eat...

The waitress recommended the bar-b-que sandwich. A great choice and a huge serving...

On my way out I passed the ice cream parlor, general store and gift shop...

But I had to stop and see the "Pit Stop" at the Fontana Village entrance...

Across the street there's a picnic area with a little stream next to it...

Only nine more miles to Deal's Gap. Here's a Google map of Moonshiner 28 (NC Rt. 28) from Highlands, NC, to Deal's Gap and the Tail of the Dragon...

Here's a one-minute video of my recent ride on NC28 -- aka Moonshiner 28 -- on YouTube...