Your comment that someone would be enjoying your conversation was so uncannily timely. I was, at that precise moment, having that very thought. Your discussion of family jobs and background, the injuries they suffered, and difficulties they faced really helps to flesh out the mountain culture. I appreciate your videos. They really showcase perhaps the most beautiful, richly historical, and maybe tragedy laden area in the country. You and your Appalachian neighbors are some of the most honest and resolute people in the USA.
This is by far the best video! I was born and raised in Bluefield and traveled across Frog Level to visit cousins , aunt and grandmother in Clinchburg and Meadowview,Va. My daddy would stop at little store at the turn to Frog Level buy a coke and package of peanuts put peanuts in the coke and share it. When we got to the top of mountain I would get out of car and scream to my cousin calling his name "Here I come" when we arrived my aunt would tell me she heard me from the mountain top. I made that drive alone at age 16 and daddy didn't ask if I knew the way just said drive careful since I had traveled that road starting at a few months old. Wasn't afraid at all. So thanks for the memories. I'm now in my 70's lived in Florida 55 years husband and I are getting ready to move to Tennessee. Miss those ole beautiful mountains and change of seasons. Keep those video's coming.
I have to say I'm one of those who really enjoy listening to you two talk while riding. Thank you very much for taking me along. You made my day and made me smile. I have had a hard time smiling or laughing since I lost my husband. I love seeing these mountains and riding along with you two. My husband use to take me riding in the mountains a lot before he passed and I miss it. Thanks again for all you do. Listening to you two poke fun at each other is refreshing.
I'm in mtns 9f Ga and dying of bone Ça. AT first I thot how cud I go from the fun 80s to this but I looked at those poor ww1 boys I was watching on amazon dying at 17 and 18 especially my french kin and mine is nothing. Tell me ur husbands name and I'll find him and tell him how much u love and miss him! Bonsoir
@@suzangreenier3351 So sorry to hear about your cancer. My mom died of bone cancer in 1992. My husband died from complications that his treatments cause for his rectal cancer. His name is Curtis.
Great video, you both make us feel like we're right in the car with you. I love my Appalachian home. Makes me proud to see you both highlight the greatest parts of the country ever.😊👍
Hey Shane and Melody! A big shout out to y'all! Loved the drive on the Back of the Dragon. I rode with y'all the whole trip. The wife and I honeymooned in Asheville 13 years ago last week. We have traversed many winding mountain roads with switchbacks that have been hairy to say the least. US 60 in WV as the Midland Trail from White Sulphur Springs to Fayetteville. Also driving fron Kelsey WV to White Sulphur Springs WV via WV state route 28 and 92...what a ride. You should both visit Seneca Rocks State Park on that route. As for Shane, my hat off to ya..you are a safe driver. And Melody, keep the inspirational messages coming...we all need to hear them these days🙂. These Appalachian rides would not bee the same without y'all. As for family work life, my mother's father worked on the Lehigh Valley Railroad as a Car Oiler and Brakeman. My father and Grandmother on my mom's side worked for General Railway Signal for decades. My father's father worked in a foundry. Thanks again for the wonderful company and beautiful Appalachian views.
Thanks, Mike, we loved that comment. We’ll have to try out a couple of those roads - when we recover lol. It is great to hear other folk’s back story too so we appreciate you sharing yours.
I enjoy all your videos and your conversations I grew up in WV but lived in Richlands a short while and I now live in Indiana it’s amazing where life takes ya and ya’all just bring a peace of mind of times gone by
Amazing ride along. Now I can say I rode on the Back of the Dragon. Fortunately, there was very little car traffic & no motorcycles. Thank you so much for letting me ride with you. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 😊
When I did it there was no traffic going up the mountain but some guy was following me all the way down. There weren't any pull=outs so I felt obliged to a bit faster than I was comfortable, but still safe. Finally I was able to pull over and let him pass. Going down the mountain towards Hungry Mother wasn't too bad, not like going up and up and up out of Tazewell!
Real proud of you guys. You made it without getting sick. My first time up the Back Of the Dragon made me green around the gills. But it sure is beautiful..
Beautiful drive but not for the faint of heart! Drove it from Hungry Mother to get to Jewel Ridge for the Fourth ofJuly celebration. Then did it again the next day! Enjoyed the ride thanks.
Beautiful scenery! I know it is curvy, but it is a very beautiful drive ...the overlook into the valley is amazing! The tail of the dragon is from the Tennessee north Carolina state line at deals gap into Tennessee near the smokey mountains....11 miles 318 curves....very popular with motorcyclists also...not far from maryville Tennessee....thanks you 2 appreciate it....stay safe....✌🙏❤
I heard you guys say someone will still be listening to us talk ... I was putting my baseball cards into protective plastic sleeves just listening to you both talk a matter of fact I do put you guys on while I am processing my card collection a lot I enjoy the scenery of the mountains and I love that accent you both have its so relaxing. Anyways I appreciate your videos and my father took me camping when I was 14 years old on Potts Mountain which was west of Roanoke, Virginia up in the mountains and it was beautiful up there I remember it was warm one day then freezing and windy the next morning !! I am 42 years old now but I have fond memories of me and my dad camping up and down the Shenandoah valley growing up and I will never forget it. My family is from Kent Island, Marland I grew up working on commercial crabbing boats and oyster boats. We are Eastern Shore Folks flat landers and marsh rats lol 😆 thank u all and God Bless you 🙏 thanks again !!
Sounds like you have some great memories of camping. I used to collect baseball cards, it got to be an expensive habit but I loved it. Thanks for the comment, we appreciate you watching us.
39:37 Watching still and loving the conversation!!! I am from Virginia now living in flata$$ Oklahoma... this has been the best to see the mountains again!
I'm SO glad you left this nice long drive/video all in one piece, kids! There was something about rolling through the whole experience with you (even if I did it before, after and during the time I was getting supper ready -- in installments) that made it a lot of fun. The music you inserted into the vid was like those times on vacation when -- yes -- you do run out of things to say and (in the olden days) it would be: "Let's turn on the radio." The scenic overlooks were a real gift - especially that first one. It truly looked like a painting. My Dad's funeral was this past week. Pretty stressful. And this was both entertaining and comforting at the same time. Thank you, guys. Now don't forget to read a little Play-Doh before you turn out the lights tonight. And sing a few verses of "Gallip-olip-POLICE is Ohiiiio's way...." Now I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all night.... Thanks, guys.
I usually start at Tellico Plains, Tn. Drive or ride the Cherohala Skyway to the TOTD. Even in winter the ice and clouds add a neat effect to the drive. Plenty of waterfalls and camping to make a week out of it easily. Beautiful drive with scenery for the passengers.
Oh wowwie wow wow! Thank you SO MUCH! It's the next best thing to being there, but still doesn't convey the steepness and the dropoffs on the side! Like someone else said below, I was just driving around the back roads after moving to Wytheville in 2020. I drove to Tazewell ( the cutest little town) and saw the 16 back to Marion and I-81. I said, "That's for me! I'll be there in a jiff!" I did not know it was the Back of the Dragon, the Mid Section of the Dragon, the Rear End of the Dragon. Whew! I was just praying I'd be up and over the mountain, as it seemed to go up and up and up and up...... I'm glad you left out of Tazewell and took the route I did. Going down the mountain isn't too bad. I'm not 'askared' of switchbacks. I just didn't know how far I'd be going up the mountain with all those dropoffs on the side and how long it would take me to get across. Whew! Thanks, though. I know cameras flatten everything out but you get the idea with this video. I was totally 'askared' !!!!!
Thank you Shane & Melody. A lot of us would never have the chance to see these places or even know they exist. I think I can speak for most of us but you guys make it feel like we're family riding in the backseat just sharing memories & a good conversation. 🤗♥️
I've driven the back of the Dragon many times. In the fall it's so beautiful! Beautiful all the time. Took my sweet little dog with me many times too. He tolerated the trip really well. God rest his precious soul. I lost him two years ago. Broke my heart. Thankyou for doing this video. Brings back great memories.💙
Thanks for your videos. Entertaining and educational. Places that I've never been to. You guys ever run into wildlife? Maybe bigfoot,...lol. Awesome video thank you. God Bless.
What an amazing drive!!! I loved coming along for the drive and the fun of listening to you two charming sweet people. Shane, I was getting "car sick" just watching from this side of the screen. Melody, be careful of those "sneaky snakes", lol :-) Seriously though, I wouldn't want you to be put out of the car for any reason :-) BTY gas where I live in Canada is $2.16 a liter, that is $ 8.20 a gallon :-(
Wow , that is some expensive gas! Probably headed that way for us...when they were driving it was 16 miles to marion then after a few miles it went to 17 then after at least 5 miles it went back to 16 ...haha
@@benlaw4647 hahaha Ben, they were busy talking to us to notice the changes in the miles😁 And yeah, the gas prices suck here, hopefully you guys don’t to the point.
Thank you Shane for the Sneaky Snake memories , also for Melody in Australia there is a type of biscuit people keep in their glove box called ginger nut biscuits which you probably have with a different name but any how , help car sickness
We were heading towards the Dragon to drive it for the first time. Never made it there, there was a very bad accident on the road there involving three vehicles on a two lane road , we had to turn around , we had no idea when we would be able to go forward . They were waiting for ambulances. So thank you for showing that road.
Thank you for taking me back to my childhood memories...not this road but one nearly like it. Going from Beckley, WV to Man on Rt 99 before they ironed it out.
That view is amazing guys!!!! I absolutely love the Mountains😍 Wow made it to the end. I felt the whole time I was ridin with ya!!! Loved it-Thanks Huge 👍
Thank You for the ride along Mel & Shane. Certainly beautiful country. The start of the video background is a 'little bit-o-Heaven on Earth' . Love getting to see many local unique spots non-locals wouldn't know to look for if going here. Being a life long motorcycle junkie,,have not made it to Tail of The Dragon. After seeing this we gotta get there. Thanks again.
Melody and Shane I learn so much about America with you. Thank you for taking me along for the ride. I truly enjoyed the music with the video, it was wonderful. Hope to hear more . Your conversations are awesome too, I learn so much about you and the area. Thank you. Keep them coming.
My wife and I rode this awesome and beautiful road on our motorcycle back in 2018 loved every mile of twists and turns us motorcycle people like it that way! The Virginia tourism is promoting this stretch of highway for motorcycles and sports cars I guess they’re competing with the tail of the dragon down in Tennessee sure do enjoy your videos on that part of Virginia can’t wait to get out there again !
Rode the dirtbike up that way in April. Thompson Valley store for lunch and 91 back down toward Bristol was a great ride on dirt! Met a super cool fellow at Thompson valley store that told us about some awesome areas up that way! Turning right at that store is a super nice ride through the valley
This was one of the most beautiful drives you've ever done. Loved it. I wouldn't have been able to drive past the overlooks - breathtaking scenery. Thank you for sharing. If I was going to drive it I'd have to be the driver, as a passenger it would make me car sick for sure. I learned that about myself years ago driving in the mountains in the west.
If I did know better, Rt. 16 looks exactly like Rt. 60 that runs from Charleston to Lewisburg, WV except you would be higher in the mountains than this present road. Isn't Rt. 16 between. TN and NC? I remember traveling on that highway one time. Remember it as being very curvy, but beautiful. Thank you for taking me along on your beautiful drive Shane and Melody
Looks like a great road to ride on my motorcycle later this year. I live close to the Tail of The Dragon in Blount County Tn and it's such a pain to ride because of its popularity. Thanks for the video review.
Used to live in Thompson Valley. Could be an adventure in the winter. The trailer park you passed after the store is where I lived in the early 90s. Still have a GOOD friend I come see every now and then that lives in The Valley. Roaring fork heading up the first mountain used to be a HUGE party spot the first weekend of trout season back in the day. Tazewell is where I grew up and know EVERY road!!
Love what you guys are doing!!! Beautiful! Talk about a road that will make u sick- try 219/55 from Lewisburg WVa up through Marlinton and then on up to Snowshoe Resort! Holy Smokes talk about getting sick. It's called the Seneca Trail. I believe it's an old cow path-for those of you who were born and raised in the country you know what I'm talking about😁. My Dad used to call me a flatlander. I was born and raised in the Eastern Panhandle of WVa, however I've been all over this Beautiful state.Graduate of MU down in Huntington! Go Herd! Love my Home State! Miss it EVERY DAY😁😁
I live in Marion, about 500 feet off of Back of the Dragon and about 2 1\2 miles from Hungry Mother State Park (I actually work at HMSP now). The increase in popularity is unbelievable for both HMSP and BOTD, as well as both Marion and Tazewell! Thanks for the exposure! Y'all look me up next time you're in Marion and I'll take you two out to lunch. Or dinner!
Looks like a very beautiful drive! Doesn't seem to bad. I have ridden through the Rockies and I live in Washington State. The drive up to Mt. St. Helens is worse it seems like. The roads up there were destroyed in the 1980 eruption. Love you both! Take care! PS. Gas is over 5.25 a gallon around where I live!
Sunday afternoon is THE day for Back of the Dragon for bikes. Sundays in Tazewell is bike day. EVERY Sunday we've come down so far this year, The Back of The Dragon restaurant is packed and the town is nothing but bikes. Our SUV is DEFINITELY in the minority on the road.
Hi Guys, Yes I enjoyed your video as I always do. I agree with you. I don't care much for those curvey roads, lol. I enlarged the picture on my monitor and sit back with my headphones on and watched this to the very end. I enjoyed listening to you guys chat and fuss at one another a little. (You guys need to enjoy the fussing while you can. My wife & I were the same way back when. But the last ten years have gone to hell, lol.) You guys are the best. I put your videos on my FB page a year or so back. I have family in that area. They seem to enjoy your videos also. You guys stay well & safe out there on the road. God bless you.
I love your videos and your discussion on this video of what people do for work in these small communities was very interesting. You always keep me interested!
Love riding along with you guys I’m a NC Mountain girl! Love watching your videos. My plan this summer is to go to some of the places you’ve visited. Been to Bluefield, Beckley, Welch. Read Rocket boys(loved it) watched the movie! You all feel like family!
Thanks for the ride :). We're going to be riding in on our motorcycles September. I didn't think it was that curvy. We did the Tail of the Dragon last year and man oh man, that ride was WILD. I'll let you know after we ride it how I found it.
That was one long and winding road. I've been on winding roads but nothing like that one. You wouldn't want to be drinking the try driving on that! Enjoy riding along with you two
Hello from Martinsville Va 24112 excellent service on the video I'm looking forward to coming up to the back of the dragon June 9th thru 11th to the OTR today May 27,2023 time 6:30pm
Another wonderful trip riding along with you guys. The view from those overlooks are almost as pretty as melody. As always enjoy the conversations from you two and the downhome feel it adds. You guys are awsome
Luv the drive and the references to one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time...'Christmas Vacation'! I have actually camped @ Hungry Mother State Park and driven the Back of the Dragon.
Hungry Mother is a great place to camp!! And Christmas Vacation is one of my favorite movies as well. I quote it all year long, “it’s the gift that keeps on giving”! Haha - Melody
My daughter and I drove this road about four years ago. We were in Tazewell and wanted to go to Marion. We looked on the map and said "oh, that's a straight shot to Marion." NOT!!! Oh my gosh we were never so scared on a drive in our lives. Absolutely BREATHTAKING views, once you get a little past being so afraid. lol I'll have to forward this to my daughter to remind her of our ride. :-) I just love this part of the country. I grew up around Richlands. Would love to move back but all my family is here in Cleveland now and I can't get them to move. Seeing this makes me think I might be able to suck it up and just move on my own. Thanks guys!
Great ride. I live in Roanoke and retired from Norfolk Southern. Have seen a lot of the places you go over the years. My wife of 56 years grew up in Conaway, west of Grundy 9now Big Rock). Learned to swim at Hungry Mother. Have a cousin Joyce Cullop who lives in Marion. Can't wait to tell her about this video... Skip Salmon
Beautiful place, I have been on a worse road then that in AZ , I actually like curvy roads but this one on AZ was very scary, it was all primarily up a rocky mountain , very narrow . Wish I knew the name of that road.
Love you guys videos I would Love you guys to do some video;s of Ewing Virginia and the hollers there Middleboro Ky Cumberland Gap Tenn the pincle Mt Thank you guys keep up the great work
So far I'm at the 32 minute mark and I'm loving it. You mentioned tea. I love 50/50 lemonade tea, any brand I can find. But yeah, I love roads like that. Parts of it remind me of the western end of the former Route 24 in western Morris County, NJ. The section I'm thinking of runs from Long Valley to Schooley's Mountain. There are signs at both ends stating "Steep grade ahead. Trucks use alternate route." It's too steep and too winding for trucks to even drive on it. I think the speed limit is either 30 or 35, and you wouldn't want to go faster. I was disappointed when y'all muted your talking and put on the music, but that's okay. I watched the whole thing and enjoyed it. That last scenic view reminded me of one along I-80 in Morris County, NJ, and except that one gives a wider view. If I lived closer I'd love to drive the Back of the Dragon.
Thank you so much! We kind of worried everybody would be tired of hearing us talk so I appreciate you saying you were disappointed when we stopped! We’ll remember that next time! Thanks again! - Melody
I've not ridden Back of the Dragon, but I have ridden Tail of the Dragon. I don't know which one is more technical, so I appreciate your doing this video to show what the BOD is like. I like to know what's ahead of me when I go into a ride like this. I will say, though, that doing these roads on a motorcycle is easier. When I take a curve on a bike, I lean it. Then going around a curve in a cage, I find myself trying to lean it and can't. This one certainly has its share of scenery, though.
It looks like y’all aren’t on “The Tail of The Dragon.”. You NEED to do that one. It’s road 129. It’s not for the faint of heart. But I stayed with y’all the whole ride. The Dragon runs from TN to NC. Tennessee has the switch back turns. I’ll be watching and waiting. By the way, the music was mighty fine!
I live in Colorado Springs and we have Pikes Peak. It's a 14 mile drive with an elevation gain of about 7400ft switchbacks. Back in the day it was a dirt road with no guardrails. That was a scary drive. From the sounds of it Melody would love the drive. ❤
Beautiful drive. I could not get my wife on it because once we made it to the end she'd put me on the side of the road. I'm only 22 minutes into it but I gotta take a break. I love you two you all keep me smiling
Is the back of the Dragon the same as Hungry Mother Mountain? If so I remember going across it as a young child and got car sick really bad and never went through there again .
I laughed when i saw the sign Hungry Mother ! lol I love the curvy roads myself. Also maybe its just the audio but i hear a bad tire or wheel bearing noise on your car ? They make a wobble or rumble sound.
Hey guys you crossed three mountains. Born and raised in Marion so I've been across many many times. I now own a motorcycle so I claim the back of the dragon as my home track lol
What about the several dead volcanoes in North Carolina that includes Pilot Mountain in that number? They, if I remember right, should be in the west end of the state. What about publishing an Appalachian Overlooks calendar for sale as merch?
Hey guys back in the 80s when I was 20 or so we used to race everything from motorcycles to mules on 421 lol. Oh crap. Just told how old I am. Lmao god bless from greendale. Love to all
Some roads in Puerto Rico have curves like this, BUT, they ALSO wind up and down over hills/mountains!! (Talk about car-sickness…). HOWEVER, Appalachia IS surprising…. BTW, your vids are interesting…AND, I LOVE U’all(s) acc nuts…!! Z😂😂👍🏼👣
I guess the back of the dragon is like the tail of the dragon here in North Carolina and Tennessee. That is a very crazy road. Y'all should definitely come and drive the tail of the dragon.
Y'all can have the "Devil's triangle" hwy 116 lake city to Petros. My wife and I have a jeep Wrangler and I'll post my own videos of some very good back road forgotten Cumberland mountain roads and communities.
I drive a 2020 Chevy Spark LT on that road and I truly love it... At Frog Level y'all are talking about getting sick??? I invite you to ride along with me and experience the road how it's supposed to be driven
Your comment that someone would be enjoying your conversation was so uncannily timely. I was, at that precise moment, having that very thought. Your discussion of family jobs and background, the injuries they suffered, and difficulties they faced really helps to flesh out the mountain culture. I appreciate your videos. They really showcase perhaps the most beautiful, richly historical, and maybe tragedy laden area in the country. You and your Appalachian neighbors are some of the most honest and resolute people in the USA.
Well thank you so much! We appreciate you and your kind comments! - Melody
This is by far the best video! I was born and raised in Bluefield and traveled across Frog Level to visit cousins , aunt and grandmother in Clinchburg and Meadowview,Va. My daddy would stop at little store at the turn to Frog Level buy a coke and package of peanuts put peanuts in the coke and share it. When we got to the top of mountain I would get out of car and scream to my cousin calling his name "Here I come" when we arrived my aunt would tell me she heard me from the mountain top. I made that drive alone at age 16 and daddy didn't ask if I knew the way just said drive careful since I had traveled that road starting at a few months old. Wasn't afraid at all. So thanks for the memories. I'm now in my 70's lived in Florida 55 years husband and I are getting ready to move to Tennessee. Miss those ole beautiful mountains and change of seasons. Keep those video's coming.
Thanks for riding along with us, Linda, you must have been a pretty dadgum good driver at 16
Oh wow. Curvy, but beautiful. Black Mountain was crazy. A road that scares me is 441 from Gatlinburg TN to Cherokee NC.
Yes, 441 is a beast too
I enjoy all the Real Appalachia videos! Thank you Melody and Shane! I really do feel like I'm in the car riding along. ❤️
Thanks for riding along with us , Robin
I have to say I'm one of those who really enjoy listening to you two talk while riding. Thank you very much for taking me along. You made my day and made me smile. I have had a hard time smiling or laughing since I lost my husband. I love seeing these mountains and riding along with you two. My husband use to take me riding in the mountains a lot before he passed and I miss it. Thanks again for all you do. Listening to you two poke fun at each other is refreshing.
Thank you so much, Celeste! You made our day with this comment! We’re so glad to take you along with us! - Melody
I'm in mtns 9f Ga and dying of bone Ça. AT first I thot how cud I go from the fun 80s to this but I looked at those poor ww1 boys I was watching on amazon dying at 17 and 18 especially my french kin and mine is nothing. Tell me ur husbands name and I'll find him and tell him how much u love and miss him! Bonsoir
@@suzangreenier3351 So sorry to hear about your cancer. My mom died of bone cancer in 1992. My husband died from complications that his treatments cause for his rectal cancer. His name is Curtis.
Great video, you both make us feel like we're right in the car with you. I love my Appalachian home. Makes me proud to see you both highlight the greatest parts of the country ever.😊👍
Hey Shane and Melody! A big shout out to y'all! Loved the drive on the Back of the Dragon. I rode with y'all the whole trip. The wife and I honeymooned in Asheville 13 years ago last week. We have traversed many winding mountain roads with switchbacks that have been hairy to say the least. US 60 in WV as the Midland Trail from White Sulphur Springs to Fayetteville. Also driving fron Kelsey WV to White Sulphur Springs WV via WV state route 28 and 92...what a ride. You should both visit Seneca Rocks State Park on that route. As for Shane, my hat off to ya..you are a safe driver. And Melody, keep the inspirational messages coming...we all need to hear them these days🙂. These Appalachian rides would not bee the same without y'all. As for family work life, my mother's father worked on the Lehigh Valley Railroad as a Car Oiler and Brakeman. My father and Grandmother on my mom's side worked for General Railway Signal for decades. My father's father worked in a foundry. Thanks again for the wonderful company and beautiful Appalachian views.
Thanks, Mike, we loved that comment. We’ll have to try out a couple of those roads - when we recover lol. It is great to hear other folk’s back story too so we appreciate you sharing yours.
I enjoy all your videos and your conversations I grew up in WV but lived in Richlands a short while and I now live in Indiana it’s amazing where life takes ya and ya’all just bring a peace of mind of times gone by
Thanks for all you do love to watch the A-TEAM ON TRIPS
Thank you so much, Dean
If u get up to Robbinsville, NC and Andrews... come over for biscuits and gravy thru Murphy then to Hiawassee Ga!
Oh, that sounds amazing
Amazing ride along. Now I can say I rode on the Back of the Dragon. Fortunately, there was very little car traffic & no motorcycles. Thank you so much for letting me ride with you. Thoroughly enjoyed it. 😊
Thanks so much for watching, Lynette
When I did it there was no traffic going up the mountain but some guy was following me all the way down. There weren't any pull=outs so I felt obliged to a bit faster than I was comfortable, but still safe. Finally I was able to pull over and let him pass. Going down the mountain towards Hungry Mother wasn't too bad, not like going up and up and up out of Tazewell!
Real proud of you guys. You made it without getting sick. My first time up the Back Of the Dragon made me green around the gills. But it sure is beautiful..
Beautiful drive but not for the faint of heart! Drove it from Hungry Mother to get to Jewel Ridge for the Fourth ofJuly celebration. Then did it again the next day! Enjoyed the ride thanks.
Jewell Ridge ain’t too shabby of a drive itself lol
Beautiful scenery! I know it is curvy, but it is a very beautiful drive ...the overlook into the valley is amazing! The tail of the dragon is from the Tennessee north Carolina state line at deals gap into Tennessee near the smokey mountains....11 miles 318 curves....very popular with motorcyclists also...not far from maryville Tennessee....thanks you 2 appreciate it....stay safe....✌🙏❤
Thanks for riding along with us, Ben
We loved your conversation and appreciate your willingness to share your family history.
Thank you so much, we appreciate you watching
I heard you guys say someone will still be listening to us talk ... I was putting my baseball cards into protective plastic sleeves just listening to you both talk a matter of fact I do put you guys on while I am processing my card collection a lot I enjoy the scenery of the mountains and I love that accent you both have its so relaxing. Anyways I appreciate your videos and my father took me camping when I was 14 years old on Potts Mountain which was west of Roanoke, Virginia up in the mountains and it was beautiful up there I remember it was warm one day then freezing and windy the next morning !! I am 42 years old now but I have fond memories of me and my dad camping up and down the Shenandoah valley growing up and I will never forget it. My family is from Kent Island, Marland I grew up working on commercial crabbing boats and oyster boats. We are Eastern Shore Folks flat landers and marsh rats lol 😆 thank u all and God Bless you 🙏 thanks again !!
Sounds like you have some great memories of camping. I used to collect baseball cards, it got to be an expensive habit but I loved it. Thanks for the comment, we appreciate you watching us.
@@realappalachia no problem I enjoy watching you all and thank you!!
Awesome video! Watched the whole thing, Love the Blue Grass music in the end ! What a Ride !!!!
I enjoyed listening to your conversation and I also enjoyed the bluegrass music! Beautiful ride!
Thanks so much, Annette
Beautiful scenic drive looks like a paradise!
Beautiful road! Thank you for driving through those curves and sharing this eye candy lol!! Enjoyed the convo too!
Thanks for riding along with us
39:37 Watching still and loving the conversation!!! I am from Virginia now living in flata$$ Oklahoma... this has been the best to see the mountains again!
I'm SO glad you left this nice long drive/video all in one piece, kids! There was something about rolling through the whole experience with you (even if I did it before, after and during the time I was getting supper ready -- in installments) that made it a lot of fun. The music you inserted into the vid was like those times on vacation when -- yes -- you do run out of things to say and (in the olden days) it would be: "Let's turn on the radio." The scenic overlooks were a real gift - especially that first one. It truly looked like a painting. My Dad's funeral was this past week. Pretty stressful. And this was both entertaining and comforting at the same time. Thank you, guys. Now don't forget to read a little Play-Doh before you turn out the lights tonight. And sing a few verses of "Gallip-olip-POLICE is Ohiiiio's way...." Now I'm gonna have that stuck in my head all night.... Thanks, guys.
Oh man, we are so sorry to hear about your loss, I can’t imagine what you’ve been through there. We are glad our videos give you some distraction
@@realappalachia Bless you for your kind words. And yes, your videos really are therapeutic... besides being just plain enjoyable. ❤
I usually start at Tellico Plains, Tn. Drive or ride the Cherohala Skyway to the TOTD. Even in winter the ice and clouds add a neat effect to the drive. Plenty of waterfalls and camping to make a week out of it easily. Beautiful drive with scenery for the passengers.
I absolutely love listening to you two! And I thoroughly enjoy these road trips!
Thank you!!
Oh wowwie wow wow! Thank you SO MUCH! It's the next best thing to being there, but still doesn't convey the steepness and the dropoffs on the side! Like someone else said below, I was just driving around the back roads after moving to Wytheville in 2020. I drove to Tazewell ( the cutest little town) and saw the 16 back to Marion and I-81. I said, "That's for me! I'll be there in a jiff!" I did not know it was the Back of the Dragon, the Mid Section of the Dragon, the Rear End of the Dragon. Whew! I was just praying I'd be up and over the mountain, as it seemed to go up and up and up and up...... I'm glad you left out of Tazewell and took the route I did. Going down the mountain isn't too bad. I'm not 'askared' of switchbacks. I just didn't know how far I'd be going up the mountain with all those dropoffs on the side and how long it would take me to get across. Whew! Thanks, though. I know cameras flatten everything out but you get the idea with this video. I was totally 'askared' !!!!!
Thanks for sharing your experiences Joyce, sounds like you know the real deal
I haven’t been through there in years. Thanks for the video y’all ☮️
Thank you Shane & Melody. A lot of us would never have the chance to see these places or even know they exist. I think I can speak for most of us but you guys make it feel like we're family riding in the backseat just sharing memories & a good conversation. 🤗♥️
That’s awesome, that’s all we could hope for. We appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment.
I've driven the back of the Dragon many times. In the fall it's so beautiful! Beautiful all the time. Took my sweet little dog with me many times too. He tolerated the trip really well. God rest his precious soul. I lost him two years ago. Broke my heart. Thankyou for doing this video. Brings back great memories.💙
Great little road trip
Love y’all conversations there so funny and great! Sing it Shane!! who need a radio right?! Lol 😂 y’all are the best love every video you guys have!
Thanks so much, Cody!
Thanks for your videos. Entertaining and educational. Places that I've never been to. You guys ever run into wildlife? Maybe bigfoot,...lol. Awesome video thank you. God Bless.
Thanks for riding along with us, Kevin
What an amazing drive!!! I loved coming along for the drive and the fun of listening to you two charming sweet people. Shane, I was getting "car sick" just watching from this side of the screen. Melody, be careful of those "sneaky snakes", lol :-) Seriously though, I wouldn't want you to be put out of the car for any reason :-) BTY gas where I live in Canada is $2.16 a liter, that is $ 8.20 a gallon :-(
Thank you so much, Sherry!! And oh my goodness on the gas prices!! It’s wild and I’m hoping for everybody it comes down soon! - Melody
Wow , that is some expensive gas! Probably headed that way for us...when they were driving it was 16 miles to marion then after a few miles it went to 17 then after at least 5 miles it went back to 16 ...haha
@@benlaw4647 hahaha Ben, they were busy talking to us to notice the changes in the miles😁 And yeah, the gas prices suck here, hopefully you guys don’t to the point.
Thank you Shane for the Sneaky Snake memories , also for Melody in Australia there is a type of biscuit people keep in their glove box called ginger nut biscuits which you probably have with a different name but any how , help car sickness
That’s a great idea. I definitely need to look into getting some! Love ginger and peppermint on these rides. - Melody
Love ❤️ it you guys are the best 👌
Thanks so much, Harry
We were heading towards the Dragon to drive it for the first time. Never made it there, there was a very bad accident on the road there involving three vehicles on a two lane road , we had to turn around , we had no idea when we would be able to go forward . They were waiting for ambulances. So thank you for showing that road.
Oh man, that sounds like an awful accident. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for taking me back to my childhood memories...not this road but one nearly like it. Going from Beckley, WV to Man on Rt 99 before they ironed it out.
That view is amazing guys!!!! I absolutely love the Mountains😍 Wow made it to the end. I felt the whole time I was ridin with ya!!! Loved it-Thanks Huge 👍
Thank You for the ride along Mel & Shane. Certainly beautiful country. The start of the video background is a 'little bit-o-Heaven on Earth' . Love getting to see many local unique spots non-locals wouldn't know to look for if going here. Being a life long motorcycle junkie,,have not made it to Tail of The Dragon. After seeing this we gotta get there. Thanks again.
Melody and Shane I learn so much about America with you. Thank you for taking me along for the ride. I truly enjoyed the music with the video, it was wonderful. Hope to hear more . Your conversations are awesome too, I learn so much about you and the area. Thank you. Keep them coming.
My wife and I rode this awesome and beautiful road on our motorcycle back in 2018 loved every mile of twists and turns us motorcycle people like it that way! The Virginia tourism is promoting this stretch of highway for motorcycles and sports cars I guess they’re competing with the tail of the dragon down in Tennessee sure do enjoy your videos on that part of Virginia can’t wait to get out there again !
You 2 need the prize for making it the whole way. I was sitting on the couch and got nervous!
I understand that for sure!! - Melody
Rode the dirtbike up that way in April. Thompson Valley store for lunch and 91 back down toward Bristol was a great ride on dirt! Met a super cool fellow at Thompson valley store that told us about some awesome areas up that way! Turning right at that store is a super nice ride through the valley
This was one of the most beautiful drives you've ever done. Loved it. I wouldn't have been able to drive past the overlooks - breathtaking scenery. Thank you for sharing. If I was going to drive it I'd have to be the driver, as a passenger it would make me car sick for sure. I learned that about myself years ago driving in the mountains in the west.
Wow, I'm starting to get dizzy just watching LOL what is the speed limit on this road? As always BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!
If I did know better, Rt. 16 looks exactly like Rt. 60 that runs from Charleston to Lewisburg, WV except you would be higher in the mountains than this present road. Isn't Rt. 16 between. TN and NC? I remember traveling on that highway one time. Remember it as being very curvy, but beautiful. Thank you for taking me along on your beautiful drive Shane and Melody
Thanks for riding along with us, Judy
Looks like a great road to ride on my motorcycle later this year. I live close to the Tail of The Dragon in Blount County Tn and it's such a pain to ride because of its popularity. Thanks for the video review.
Come on down and try it out, Mike
Used to live in Thompson Valley. Could be an adventure in the winter. The trailer park you passed after the store is where I lived in the early 90s. Still have a GOOD friend I come see every now and then that lives in The Valley. Roaring fork heading up the first mountain used to be a HUGE party spot the first weekend of trout season back in the day. Tazewell is where I grew up and know EVERY road!!
Thanks for adding those memories, Donnie, love hearing from folks from my home county
Love what you guys are doing!!! Beautiful! Talk about a road that will make u sick- try 219/55 from Lewisburg WVa up through Marlinton and then on up to Snowshoe Resort! Holy Smokes talk about getting sick. It's called the Seneca Trail. I believe it's an old cow path-for those of you who were born and raised in the country you know what I'm talking about😁. My Dad used to call me a flatlander. I was born and raised in the Eastern Panhandle of WVa, however I've been all over this Beautiful state.Graduate of MU down in Huntington! Go Herd! Love my Home State! Miss it EVERY DAY😁😁
I live in Marion, about 500 feet off of Back of the Dragon and about 2 1\2 miles from Hungry Mother State Park (I actually work at HMSP now). The increase in popularity is unbelievable for both HMSP and BOTD, as well as both Marion and Tazewell! Thanks for the exposure! Y'all look me up next time you're in Marion and I'll take you two out to lunch. Or dinner!
The music 🎶 was a nice touch to the ending
Looks like Route 60 in WV between Rainelle and Charleston
Looks like a very beautiful drive! Doesn't seem to bad. I have ridden through the Rockies and I live in Washington State. The drive up to Mt. St. Helens is worse it seems like. The roads up there were destroyed in the 1980 eruption. Love you both! Take care! PS. Gas is over 5.25 a gallon around where I live!
Ouch, I’m afraid those gas prices are headed our way too. Thank you!
@@realappalachia yes at places almost 6 dollars!🥲
Sunday afternoon is THE day for Back of the Dragon for bikes. Sundays in Tazewell is bike day. EVERY Sunday we've come down so far this year, The Back of The Dragon restaurant is packed and the town is nothing but bikes. Our SUV is DEFINITELY in the minority on the road.
Hi Guys, Yes I enjoyed your video as I always do. I agree with you. I don't care much for those curvey roads, lol. I enlarged the picture on my monitor and sit back with my headphones on and watched this to the very end. I enjoyed listening to you guys chat and fuss at one another a little. (You guys need to enjoy the fussing while you can. My wife & I were the same way back when. But the last ten years have gone to hell, lol.) You guys are the best. I put your videos on my FB page a year or so back. I have family in that area. They seem to enjoy your videos also. You guys stay well & safe out there on the road. God bless you.
Thank you so much, Thomas, we appreciate you watching
I love your videos and your discussion on this video of what people do for work in these small communities was very interesting. You always keep me interested!
Thanks so much, Ruby
Love riding along with you guys I’m a NC Mountain girl! Love watching your videos. My plan this summer is to go to some of the places you’ve visited. Been to Bluefield, Beckley, Welch. Read Rocket boys(loved it) watched the movie! You all feel like family!
Loved it!
Did you stay there overnight? (I hope! Lol)
Wouldn’t want to do that drive back at night.
No we didn’t get to stay overnight unfortunately lol
Thanks for the ride :). We're going to be riding in on our motorcycles September. I didn't think it was that curvy. We did the Tail of the Dragon last year and man oh man, that ride was WILD. I'll let you know after we ride it how I found it.
We hope you have safe travels and a great time
That was one long and winding road. I've been on winding roads but nothing like that one. You wouldn't want to be drinking the try driving on that!
Enjoy riding along with you two
This is beautiful country. I just love your videos. So easy and peaceful to watch and listen to.
Thank you!!
Hello from Martinsville Va 24112 excellent service on the video I'm looking forward to coming up to the back of the dragon June 9th thru 11th to the OTR today May 27,2023 time 6:30pm
Another wonderful trip riding along with you guys. The view from those overlooks are almost as pretty as melody. As always enjoy the conversations from you two and the downhome feel it adds. You guys are awsome
Thanks for riding along with us, John
Luv the drive and the references to one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time...'Christmas Vacation'! I have actually camped @ Hungry Mother State Park and driven the Back of the Dragon.
Hungry Mother is a great place to camp!! And Christmas Vacation is one of my favorite movies as well. I quote it all year long, “it’s the gift that keeps on giving”! Haha - Melody
My daughter and I drove this road about four years ago. We were in Tazewell and wanted to go to Marion. We looked on the map and said "oh, that's a straight shot to Marion." NOT!!! Oh my gosh we were never so scared on a drive in our lives. Absolutely BREATHTAKING views, once you get a little past being so afraid. lol I'll have to forward this to my daughter to remind her of our ride. :-) I just love this part of the country. I grew up around Richlands. Would love to move back but all my family is here in Cleveland now and I can't get them to move. Seeing this makes me think I might be able to suck it up and just move on my own. Thanks guys!
Thank you, Diana! We’d love to have you back in the area! - Melody
Me too! Same exact thing!!!!!
Great ride. I live in Roanoke and retired from Norfolk Southern. Have seen a lot of the places you go over the years. My wife of 56 years grew up in Conaway, west of Grundy 9now Big Rock). Learned to swim at Hungry Mother. Have a cousin Joyce Cullop who lives in Marion. Can't wait to tell her about this video...
Skip Salmon
Thanks for riding along with us, Skip, been a long time since I’ve heard someone mention Conaway
The first time I was on that road was in the late 70's . My great uncle had a houseboat on Fontana lake, And my dad took me over there to go fishing.
Boy have I got a few roads in Oregon for you and Miss Melody to drive! 🤟🤣👍
We’ll have to recover from this one first lol
Thank y’all for sharing another awesome video. I’ve done the tail of the dragon It’s really cool.
Thank you so much for watching, hope we get to check out the tail of the dragon someday
Beautiful place, I have been on a worse road then that in AZ , I actually like curvy roads but this one on AZ was very scary, it was all primarily up a rocky mountain , very narrow . Wish I knew the name of that road.
You should try the Moki Dugway in southern Utah.
Love you guys videos I would Love you guys to do some video;s of Ewing Virginia and the hollers there Middleboro Ky Cumberland Gap Tenn the pincle Mt Thank you guys keep up the great work
So far I'm at the 32 minute mark and I'm loving it. You mentioned tea. I love 50/50 lemonade tea, any brand I can find. But yeah, I love roads like that. Parts of it remind me of the western end of the former Route 24 in western Morris County, NJ. The section I'm thinking of runs from Long Valley to Schooley's Mountain. There are signs at both ends stating "Steep grade ahead. Trucks use alternate route." It's too steep and too winding for trucks to even drive on it. I think the speed limit is either 30 or 35, and you wouldn't want to go faster.
I was disappointed when y'all muted your talking and put on the music, but that's okay. I watched the whole thing and enjoyed it. That last scenic view reminded me of one along I-80 in Morris County, NJ, and except that one gives a wider view. If I lived closer I'd love to drive the Back of the Dragon.
Thank you so much! We kind of worried everybody would be tired of hearing us talk so I appreciate you saying you were disappointed when we stopped! We’ll remember that next time! Thanks again! - Melody
@@realappalachia You guys are fun to listen to. 🙂 I also enjoy your commentary and back story on things being shown in the videos.
Thank you Shane and Melody I feel like I am traveling along with you all
I've not ridden Back of the Dragon, but I have ridden Tail of the Dragon. I don't know which one is more technical, so I appreciate your doing this video to show what the BOD is like. I like to know what's ahead of me when I go into a ride like this. I will say, though, that doing these roads on a motorcycle is easier. When I take a curve on a bike, I lean it. Then going around a curve in a cage, I find myself trying to lean it and can't. This one certainly has its share of scenery, though.
I have watch this ride all the way & I love it!
Thanks for riding along with us
I watched the whole video, I noticed a reference to Honaker was made. My brother in law grew up in Honaker.
It looks like y’all aren’t on “The Tail of The Dragon.”. You NEED to do that one. It’s road 129. It’s not for the faint of heart. But I stayed with y’all the whole ride. The Dragon runs from TN to NC. Tennessee has the switch back turns. I’ll be watching and waiting. By the way, the music was mighty fine!
I’ve heard it is an awesome drive so hope we get there someday
I live in Colorado Springs and we have Pikes Peak. It's a 14 mile drive with an elevation gain of about 7400ft switchbacks. Back in the day it was a dirt road with no guardrails. That was a scary drive. From the sounds of it Melody would love the drive. ❤
You couldn’t drag her onto that road lol
Remember when we saw that snake on the side of the road? That was very cool! Believe that was down in the Holler! Just dont remember witch one !!
That would’ve been copperhead road! Thank you so much!
Beautiful drive. I could not get my wife on it because once we made it to the end she'd put me on the side of the road. I'm only 22 minutes into it but I gotta take a break. I love you two you all keep me smiling
Have you ever went up and down wise mountain between norton andcoeburn virginia.. I believe you turn off route 52.. that's very winding as well
Oh yes I ended up driving that a couple times before and you’re right it is winding
I really enjoyed the beautiful view tried not to look at the curvy road ugh.Music was perfect for the drive.
Is the back of the Dragon the same as Hungry Mother Mountain? If so I remember going across it as a young child and got car sick really bad and never went through there again .
I laughed when i saw the sign Hungry Mother ! lol I love the curvy roads myself. Also maybe its just the audio but i hear a bad tire or wheel bearing noise on your car ? They make a wobble or rumble sound.
Yeah my car has been dealing with a little issue but my mechanic can’t seem to trace it
@@realappalachia Bummer. I hope its an easy fix once you figure it out. Stay safe guys !
When that music was playing did you two get out and do some mountain clogging?
Hey guys you crossed three mountains. Born and raised in Marion so I've been across many many times. I now own a motorcycle so I claim the back of the dragon as my home track lol
I had no idea it was 3 mountains but I can definitely believe it
What about the several dead volcanoes in North Carolina that includes Pilot Mountain in that number? They, if I remember right, should be in the west end of the state. What about publishing an Appalachian Overlooks calendar for sale as merch?
Hey guys back in the 80s when I was 20 or so we used to race everything from motorcycles to mules on 421 lol. Oh crap. Just told how old I am. Lmao god bless from greendale. Love to all
God bless you too, John, thank you
Been all over this area when I was a little girl. It was beautiful then. I was like a little kid back then, now I am 65.
Some roads in Puerto Rico have curves like this, BUT, they ALSO wind up and down over hills/mountains!! (Talk about car-sickness…). HOWEVER, Appalachia IS surprising…. BTW, your vids are interesting…AND, I LOVE U’all(s) acc nuts…!! Z😂😂👍🏼👣
I’d love to see some of those roads in Puerto Rico. Thanks so much!
I guess the back of the dragon is like the tail of the dragon here in North Carolina and Tennessee. That is a very crazy road. Y'all should definitely come and drive the tail of the dragon.
We hope to do that someday
Enjoyed. Going there in July on a motorcycle Very nervous !
Safe travels
It looks very dabgerous. Good job.
What about highway 116 from lake City over to Petros? That's a good drive too
Y'all can have the "Devil's triangle" hwy 116 lake city to Petros. My wife and I have a jeep Wrangler and I'll post my own videos of some very good back road forgotten Cumberland mountain roads and communities.
rough 61 here in west virginia is A curvy road got few videos on it
I hear about that one a lot, must be rough
By the way that is a beautiful beautiful area you are driving through, wouldn't mind living there myself.
I miss the curvy, country roads - hard to find them in Florida.
I bet that is hard to find down there
Lol 👍 💞 😆 I'm kicking the back of your seats. Love y'all ❤️
Thanks for riding along with us, Beverly
Are you going to the Wayne Henderson Music Festival this Saturday I would really like to see that 🪕🎻
I really wish we could be we are headed out of state
Come to Shady Valley Tennessee Highway 421 Johnson County. Called the Snake
I drive a 2020 Chevy Spark LT on that road and I truly love it... At Frog Level y'all are talking about getting sick??? I invite you to ride along with me and experience the road how it's supposed to be driven
Try Cheat Mountain,from Marlinton West Virginia 🤣🤣🤣