I suspected you had done Deal's Gap...

Imo, maybe the most overrated stretch in the SE,
but I understand its allure. The roads leading into
it, from all points in western NC or, the Smoky Mtns
side of TN, are spectacular driving roads. The cops
have gotten real serious on those "lead in" roads,
however.

Just not much "room" or places around there for a
"meet" other than the jammed parking lot of the
Tail of the Dragon joint. And, weekends are a circus.
But, worth a thought.
BR, mD