May 24, 2013 - Alarka Falls

For the Memorial Day long weekend, we headed to the mountains for a weekend of whitewater fun! We headed out from the Triangle early Friday morning and made our way out towards the mountains. It's a long drive out to the Nantahala Gorge area, so before reaching the gorge, we stopped to see a waterfall. Taking exit 64 off US-74 at Bryson City, we headed down Alarka Road away from town. After a ways, the road turned to gravel and shortly after this, we saw a dog barking furiously at something on the side of the road. We stopped to look and it...

Oct 21, 2010 - Smoky Mountain Railroad

Today we drove over the summit of the Great Smoky Mountains to Bryson City, North Carolina, for a trip on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. It was a very beautiful drive, beautiful scenic train ride - spoiled only by dirty windows - did give me lots of time to sit across from my beautiful bride and just hold hands. Beautiful day together, who could ask for more. Great Smoky Mountains Railroadhttp://www.gsmr.com/

Dec 27, 2009 - The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad

THE GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN RAILROAD Since we had four days between Christmas and New Year we decided to use one day to take a ride on the “Great Smokey Mountain Railroad”, www.gsmr.com, in Bryson City NC, about 60 miles west of Asheville. One of its claims to fame is that it was the train that was used in one of the James Bond movie that had an incredible train crash scene. However, even without that, it is well known throughout the region as one of the “must do” attractions for both adults and children. Depending on the time of year, it...

May 13, 2009 - Great Smoky Mountains RR

Another American Heritage train ride into history - Wednesday, May 13 Our first ‘long’ trip in the motorhome was in the fall of 2006 when we spent seven weeks doing a loop through 9 southwestern states. At that time we included a stop in Durango, Colorado where we took an historic train ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. It was an all day excursion on a narrow gauge railway built into the sheer cliffs of the Animus River canyon. The steam locomotive was powered by coal, and the water stations along the way were gravity...

Jul 3, 2008 - On to Bryson City, NC

Well it is time to leave Aunt Betty and Uncle Jim’s. They had the real puppets out this morning and had a quick puppet show then we had breakfast together with Aunt Betty. Then it was time to go into the motor home to pack up. It’s so nice that the kids know what needs to be done and they do it. Once the Jeep was hooked up we dropped off post cards and hit the road again. The kids spent time catching up on their books, playing games together and using the Gameboys. Once we passed Atlanta it was a beautiful drive to Bryson City, NC. We...

Oct 3, 2007 - Great Smoky Mountain National Park, North Carolina

October 3, 2007:73 miles, From Elkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee. to the Deep Creek Campground, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, North Carolina. Elkmont Campground is a pretty place, next to the Little River. We came in after dark, the ranger station was closed, and all the riverside camp sites were taken. The next day I stopped to pay and learned that the riverside camp sites (which were identical to all the other sites) cost $3 a night more than the inland campsites. Seemed like kind of a strange...

May 31, 2006 - Bryson City, NC

Wednesday, May 31, drove to Bryson City, NC. It was about an hour and half drive. Again it was a very scenic drive. Rolling hills and mountains covered with trees. After seeing Colorado and seeing the Rockies, there are few rocks to see here, just tree covered mountains here. We arrived at the Deep Creek Tube Center & Campgrounds about noon-thirty. The campground rents inner tubes so you can float down the Deep Creek River, which runs down in back of the campgrounds or they will take you up into Great Smoky Mountain Nat. Park and let you...

Feb 8, 2006 - Bryson City

Got a lift from mi mate Jeremy (who works at Bon Paul and Sharkys Hostel in Asheville) to Bryson City. Beautiful drive through the Appalachian Mountains. Not much to do in BC, but it's a lovely little town... Hill Billy country, and I saw a T-Shirt in a shop window that said, "Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!". Jeremy is gonna pick me up tomorrow and take me to Knoxville, I can't wait... (if I only knew... read the next page)