WE’RE OUTTA HERE

a weekend destinationkeeping you on the backroads

HISTORIC TAPOCO LODGE

14981 TAPOCO ROAD, ROBBINSVILLE NC 28771 828-498-2800 • TAPOCO.COM

Finding history wherever we travel, our recent trip south to ride some of the most amazing motorcycle roads in the country brought us to one such destination. While many riders will have the Tail of the Dragon as a bucket list item, we have ‘been there, done that’ but, after riding such roads as the Moonshiner, we gured we best give the Dragon another run.

At the tail of the Tail (or above the head, however you may look at it) you will nd a most excellent place to lay your head for a night or more. Dating back to the 1930, with major updates, additions and renovations since, the Historic Tapoco Lodge makes for one great spot to store your gear while exploring the MANY, MANY roads, paths and trails this portion of the United States has to offer. The Tapoco Lodge, getting its name from the rst letters of the former Tallassee Power Company which was responsible for the building of the Cheoah Dam, rst housed their workers on this property. The dam was nished in 1919 and about a decade later, in 1930, the Aluminum Company of America (or ALCOA as most know them), which was the majority shareholder of the Tallassee Power Company, built a retreat for their executives on that property. Company president, Andrew Mellon (of Mellon Bank, Carnegie Mellon University and, of course, his tenure as the US Secretary of the Treasury) enjoyed his time spent here and found inspiration for many of his future endeavors. For several decades the lodge was used as a resort by ALCOA as it became more of a family and friends gathering spot than an executive privilege resort. The late 1990s saw the property fall into disrepair and was sold to the Cody family of Robbinsville, NC. Tapoco Lodge was re-opened as a traditional mountain resort for all guest in 1995. Ronnie and Terry Hedrick purchased the property in 2010 and began major renovations and restorations to bring the Lodge back to its ‘glory days’, while establishing it on the National Register of Historic Places. They then passed the baton to the Bailey family of East Tennessee in 2017 who developed the 120-acre property into a rich biodiversity, beautifully landscaped with activities for all who come to enjoy its offerings.

One of the major draws to this area is the whitewater rafting on the Cheoah River. For 70 years, the Cheoah didn’t run, diverted by the Tapoco Hydroelectric Project (THP). In 2005, an unexpected benefactor brought about a change. The Appalachian elktoe, a species of mussel na-

tive only to the cool, rapid rivers of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, was given a chance for reestablishment and the THP began releasing water from the Santeetlah Dam in 2005. The current operating agreement guarantees at least 18 water releases annually until 2045, making the Cheoah whitewater an anticipated delicacy.

We like to keep our thrills on solid ground, and there is no lack of pavement on which to get those thrills here. Coincidentally, the weekend we were there was one of their release weekends, so we got a chance to enjoy the mighty Cheoah at its fullest. After we secured our very spacious and beautiful Cheoah cabin for the evening, we took a short stroll around the property, eventually sitting on the banks of the Cheoah River to watch the turbulence roll by.

The Tapoco Lodge has room for a riding group or for a simple romantic escape from the daily grind – with 9 elegantly furnished rooms/suites in the main lodge and 18 cabin rooms scattered about the property. They have kept the great rustic feel to these lodgings while incorporating all the modern convenience you may want. The lodge rooms are void of the distraction of television, as the intoxicating mountain sights and sounds should be enough to entertain or lull you to sleep. To satisfy your hunger and thirst, there is the Tapoco Tavern with indoor and outdoor seating. There are several re pits for an evening of telling tall tales, with re starter kits available at the front desk. The Tapoco Tin Movie House has been restored to its glory days when it was also used as a community center, dance hall, and for going away parties for the many local soldiers during World War II. Today they have lm screenings on weekends, as well as using it for events. We enjoyed our meal al fresco on the stone patio while watching the waters roll along. The Tavern features a wood- re pizza oven so we shared a wonderful Margherita pie and a Black and Blue burger, washed down with some local craft brews. The menu is varied and you surely will nd something to satisfy your appetite. Fully sated, we joined some other folks at the re pit and enjoyed some conversation and warmth before heading back to our cabin for a little rest before tackling some more twisties the next day. Planning a trip to the North Georgia/East Tennessee/South North Carolina for some excellent riding, you would be hard-pressed to nd a better base ‘camp’ than the Historic Tapoco Lodge. With all they have to offer, your adventuary is not far away (where adventure and sanctuary come together). ,