Picking a viewing spot...

I am lucky, I happen to live very close (15 minutes) to an area that has totality. I'll be taking off that day and I know my wife will be off work, so I'm trying to plan the day.

First question, on a map like this: http://www.eclipse2017.org/2017/maps/ky-tn-nc.gif

Is there going to be any difference between being on the edge of a shaded area and being on the blue line? Is it just length of time for totality?

Secondly, does anyone have any tips on what areas would be best to view from?

I'm thinking I want to be in an area with very few people (if any) preferably out in nature, with unobstructed views of the sky.

To take it a step further, if I can find a spot along the map linked that has some beautiful hiking, maybe waterfalls or at the top of a lookout somewhere. And then position myself in an area where the natural beauty of the landscape will be right below where the sun is in the sky, so that you can get both pieces of beauty at once.

Or should I just go to some parking lot somewhere in the shaded areas?