Randy,
Could you tell me about how many miles of 197 is not paved? Is it loose gravel, tarred and chipped, or just plain dirt?
My best friend and I will be coming from Burnsville (south) on 197 in about 3 weeks from now and if the road is dirt, loose gravel I do not want to take him on it. Ill have to find another route to get from Spruce Pine to Lake Junaluska and Canton to pick up Hwy 215 south. I am trying to take roads that I have never been on before...I don't want the Pk-way or interstate.
Edit: Ok,
I viewed (zoomed in), on Google Maps and it appears about 5 miles is not paved... time to look for another route to take I guess.....