Hot Rods, Cold Rivers, and Campground Camaraderie: Brinkley Takes Over the Smokies!
- 1nonblonde
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
April 2025: Well y’all, we just wrapped up a week at The Ridge Outdoor Resort in Sevierville, Tennessee for the Take Over in the Smokies Brinkley Owner’s Rally - and let me tell you, if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like when a few dozen luxury RVs roll into the mountains with a mission to mingle, munch, and maybe repack some brake bearings… you’re in for a ride.
Let’s start with the setting: The Ridge is chef’s kiss for RV resorts. Level concrete pads (praise be), a massive event center that could host a wedding or, say, a whiskey tasting for 100 of your closest RV friends, and amenities galore - none of which we used, naturally.
There’s a heated lazy river (new heater, still cold), a heated zero-entry pool (too busy socializing to swim), a fitness center (we pretended to look for it), and a swanky bathhouse with a communal shower room that could host a shampoo commercial. Plus, a laundry facility so nice it probably does your taxes, but we’ve got a washer/dryer onboard, so shrug.
Now, let’s talk events. This rally had more programming than daytime cable. Kicked things off with a welcome concert by Kenny Evans, and it was smooth, gospel-country magic. Themed fire pits? Check. Raffles and bingo? Lost every time. Cornhole tournament? We were strong supporters - from the sidelines.
We did hit up some tech talks: Performance Trailer Braking (because stopping is important), Skymed (who tried to sell us emergency airlifts over sandwiches), and Kleen Tank - because no one wants a funky tank. The MORryde folks talked suspension smoother than a used car salesman. And Cheltec’s Camp Champ cleaner? Smells like a pine forest and promises miracles.
Huge shoutout to Stacey Huff - Queen of Rally Planning - who made this whole thing run smoother than a freshly greased hitch. (And speaking of grease…)
Big RV news for us: We had our brake bearings repacked by Brooke of Rambling Man RV Repair, conveniently parked right next to us. Brooke discovered all four seals were blown. (Which is mechanic speak for: “Be glad you stopped when you did.”) Apparently, new seals shouldn’t blow like that, so we’re working with Brinkley on that little surprise.
Even better? Brooke’s whole family - Emma, Charlotte, and Elizabeth - were incredible neighbors. They hosted nightly firepit hangouts with snacks, sass, and stories. Charlotte showed us her budding artist skills (future graphic novel queen), Elizabeth brought 110% energy and charm (we needed a nap just watching her), and Emma is basically the operations director of the entire campground.
Day Trip Adventures: We attempted a quick visit to Gatlinburg, which was having a full-blown identity crisis during Pigeon Forge Rod Week. Picture this: Hot rods lined up like a parade, crowds lining the streets, and Gatlinburg doing its best impression of Estes Park and Las Vegas having a baby. We didn’t even get out of the truck. Just cruised, stared, and slowly escaped back to The Ridge for safety.
The Food? Plentiful and delicious:
Pre-party kick-off at Junction 35 (so many Brinkley owners we had to split across two locations - talk about a convoy!)
Catered pasta night complete with whiskey tasting from Old Forge Distillery and Old Tennessee Distilling Co. 🍝🥃
Skymed-fed sandwich lunch (safety sells better with snacks)
BBQ lunch at A&L RV Sales in Kodak, TN (with bonus Brinkley tour)
Catered BBQ Dinner back at the Event Center that sent us into a happy meat coma
Open house rig tours were a hit - we got tons of visitors and many sweet notes in our travel book. (RV people = best people.)
We also got to hang with some amazing new friends:
Ken & Melissa from upstate NY and George & Tammy from somewhere else who joined us for a scenic bike ride (and lunch) along the Little Pigeon River (great cardio, even greater laughs)
Kevin & Lisa, fellow Z3400 full-timers and creators of the RV Itinerary app - seriously cool resource for route planning!
Stacey & Matt Huff, the rally legends (already mentioned, still deserving)
Billy Calton, who gifted me a killer Kraken Fitness tee after I practically drooled over his. Octopus on the front? SOLD. 🐙💪
Oh, and check this out...
122 RVs. 267 Attendees. $7,195 raised for Isaiah 117.And maybe the most important stat of all? Hundreds of new friendships formed. This rally wasn’t just about tech talks and barbecue—it was about community. And based on the numbers and the laughter echoing around The Ridge, I’d say we nailed it.
We didn’t win raffles. We didn’t win bingo. But we did leave with new friends, great memories, a well-fed belly, and a significantly safer set of wheels. That’s a win in our book.
Until next time, Smokies. May your rivers be warm and your brake seals stay intact.
Cheers!
Comments