Doesn't this look refreshing!! I took this picture of the rapids on Nantahala River at the Nantahala Gorge in NC.We had taken a round trip train ride excursion to that area leaving from Bryson City NC.I took the picture after we got off of the train for a 1 hour layover.
We had such a nice relaxing vacation.We took the interstate route.We then went through Maggie Valley and over the mountain down into Cherokee during a heavy thunderstorm.Then it was on to Bryson City.Going home we took the road through The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and over into Pigeon Forge.Both routes had about the same mileage of about 260 miles but we enjoyed the ride through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park much more.
This trip had a lot to do with trains.We took our 6 year old grandson Jeremy with us.We stayed in a small quaint motel that had only 13 rooms to rent.This was our first experience staying at such a small place and we loved it.The owners are from Texas.She called me Miss Nancy while we were there.They went out of their way to make our stay very pleasant and invited us to come back for a visit.If we ever go back to that area we will stay there again.
Our trip started on Monday which was our travelling day.We relaxed Monday evening and ate at small local pizza place.It was so nice to walk to the places in town.It was all flat which I am not used to.I had heard about their ice cream shop so we had to stop by there too for an ice cream cone.
Tuesday we went to the train museum which Jeremy thoroughly loved.There was a huge train display which we enjoyed observing.I didn't have my camera with me at the time so I missed out on some really good pictures.We ate lunch at a small diner there in town close to the train museum.The food was very good and quite reasonable in price.Jeremy and Ken enjoyed some pool time while I relaxed by the pool.
Wednesday was our 4 1/2 hour round trip train excursion from Bryson City to the Nantahala Gorge area.It was a nice morning for a train ride.I was so surprised how low the water was at Fontana Lake.The train went by that area.I took pictures that show the low lake level.We had a one hour layover at the Nantahala Gorge area.That time was mostly spent waiting in line to get a light lunch.By the time we finished eating we had to go back to the train.I was disappointed that we didn't get to look around any.The ride back to town on the train was quite warm.We were glad to get back to our air conditioned room since the day turned out to be quite warm and humid.Ken and Jeremy again spent some time in the pool.
Thursday was the big Day Out With Thomas.Our train ride wasn't till 2:30 but we wanted to get to Dillsboro earlier so that so that Jeremy could spend time looking around and enjoying the areas that were set up.After breakfast at the diner we left for the drive to Dillsboro which was about 1/2 hour away.They had parking lots set up in a neighboring town with a shuttle bus to take us 5 minutes away to the depot in Dillsboro for the Day Out With Thomas.Jeremy had fun playing with the trains and other activities.We got a late lunch at a small sit down restaurant.While we were eating a storm was coming up.It rained a little but had cleared off and cooled down some by the time we went back to the depot to wait for our train departure.
Thomas The Tank Engine pulled the train.It was a short 25 minute train ride but a lot of fun.They had a Thomas song sing along plus different Thomas songs played during the ride.The three of us enjoyed the ride.
After the train ride another storm was brewing so we decided to call it a day.We waited for the shuttle bus to take us to our car.By the time we got to the car the rain started pouring down.We got in our car just in time.We then had to find our way out of town and back to Bryson City.We got lost in the thunderstorm but finally found our way back to the highway.It hadn't even rained when we returned to Bryson City.
We got up and were on the road by 10 Friday morning.We had decided to take the scenic route and drive over the The Great Smoky Mountains National Park instead of battling all of the truck traffic on I-40.We stopped at the farm homestead in the park and walked through it.Jeremy enjoyed seeing the chickens and pigs.It was good for him to experience a farm area like that.When we got to Pigeon Forge we decided to go to Wonder Works.We had heard so many good things about it.The three of us really enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it for anyone ages 5 and up.We also did some shopping at an outlet mall while in Pigeon Forge.
We spent a few hours in Wonder Works so we weren't on the road to home till 5.We had to stop at a bbq restaurant to eat dinner.It was the same bbq restaurant where we ate on our trip to the Pigeon Forge area the end of June.With our bellies full we headed for home.We got home around 10 after a slow paced drive with a few stops.
