Ted was able to take time off on Friday afternoon and we headed south to North Carolina for our 28th wedding anniversary getaway. We drove in and out of rain for a little bit. Rainstorms coming through the mountains are no joke! But then it all cleared off and the sun came out.
We stayed at the Stonebrook Lodge.
It was warm! We walked next door to Wyze Guys for supper. We had yummy burgers and pickle fries!
A pretty view from the balcony! But the week had taken its toll and we crashed early!
Ted had made reservations for us to ride the GSMR. We walked to the depot and waited to board at 10:00am.
Another beautiful day in the Smokies!
Watching people...and dodging people with their heads down on their phones while walking. Uff da!
Even on time off...Ted had to deal with work issues.
"Are you smiling?"
"Yes."
Contemplating life...and listening to other passengers talk. Ted had reserved seats in a First Class car that was for the 21 and older crowd. After watching all the people dragging little children down to the loading areas, I was very thankful! Naughty children with mean speaking parents for four hours in an enclosed space does. not. sound. relaxing. at. all. And can I say, I am appalled by how parents speak to their young children in public. Talk about abusive and unloving...and everyone is just ok with it...my how things have changed since we were young!
We had a lovely (and calm and quiet) ride. The steam engine pulled us west to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The Fontana Dam controls these waters. The river had whitewater rafting, kayaking, and tubing available, but the water is between 40-50 degrees all year long! No. Thank. You!
Back in the day, the government officials decided to flood the land that people owned, so they put houses on the water. And, of course, the government had to figure out how to insert their power and collect tax money. There are about 450 floating cabins on this lake. Several people stood on the decks and waved as the train passed.
It truly was a time to be still...and for a time...there was no cell service.
Ted ordered a yummy lunch of roast beef and pork roast. It was very tasty and the sweet tea was good.
We had an hour "layover" at the NOC, so we walked around and then found a place by the river to watch the kayakers come through and practice on the gates.
The sound of the water was soothing and peaceful.
Ready to board again! This time...the diesel engines were pulling us back to Bryson City...now our car was at the back of the train.
Dessert was served on the return trip along with a side of the one-man-band! He was an interesting character.
The car enjoyed "Sweet Caroline" and he was excited when people sang along with him.
This part of the trip went faster with the diesel engines pulling. We were back to the station in 45 minutes...just as the pouring rain ended!
We didn't buy the tourist pictures...
but we did look at them and snap a picture. The guy made the mistake when he took the picture to tell Ted that he didn't look happy. Oh dude...just leave well enough alone! And not a way to make a sale! After a week of nasty people and crazy behavior...he wasn't in the mood for people to be snapping pictures...let alone strangers.
Hey...at least he looked...while he squeezed my hand tightly. We are not the average tourists. We will not pay $40 for a picture...ever. But if you walk away...I will snap a picture of what we will miss...because EVERY SINGLE TIME Ted will mess it up on purpose! Come to think of it, Teddy does it now too!
Want to see a man smile? Give him a good meal! We walked to Anthony's that night for supper. We had to wait a little bit, but this pizza was so yummy it was worth it!
A walk back as the sun was setting...a water wheel...and construction!
It was a very nice time away! Rest, holding hands, yummy food...
and beautiful sunsets and sunrises over the mountains of NC.
A foggy start for our trip back home...
a stop at a farm stand...
and another beautiful sunny day after the fog burned off!
We got to see first hand the damage to I-40 from Helene. It is amazing to see...the lay of the mountains, the depth of the valley where the water collected, the small river that is right now, the power it took to move the land and highway, the number of vehicles that pass through the area...
the time it is taking to try to fix it...
a tunnel...
wondering if they will ever be able to get those lanes back for that approximately 15-20 mile stretch.
Back to our home state...seems weird saying that...
It was only 2...almost 3 hours away. There are more places on our bucket list to explore in this mountainous region!
But for today...we are back home to share some fresh peaches and sweetcorn with the girls! They took great care of our puppies and got to enjoy the pool too.
It is always fun to go away...but it is always nice to come back home too!
