The Kell Blog

We went to visit the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad last month. We drove up to Bryson City, NC on Saturday, rode the train through the Nantahala Gorge, stayed overnight and drove home Sunday morning.

We kept our destination a surprise from Link. We just told him that we were going on a special trip. He got to watch movies in the car on the way there, so he was pretty excited anyway.

We left first thing Saturday morning, and arrived in Bryson City around 11am. We had lunch near the train station, then visited the model train museum. There are two set-ups inside. The first one is geared for kids. All around the outside are buttons to press, which activate various trains, lights and sounds. But the big set up is in the other room. I made a movie (beware the music is a little loud) of it. If you look closely you can see Link running around.

Of course there was a gift shop, and of course tons of Thomas stuff. We got Link a puzzle and daddy a train. Then we went to the station to wait for the train. There was a live band there playing train themed music. Link was pretty tired (it was right about naptime), but seemed happy nonetheless. He perked right up when the train arrived.

We had seats in the climate controlled car. We let Link sit next to the window. Link and Alex walked around the cars and checked out the dining car and the snack bar. The train ride was about 4 hours round trip, including a one hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We were all pretty tired by then. After the layover, we brought out the iPod with the Thomas shows. Link was happy and mom and dad got a rest.

When we got back to the station, we had to drive to Dillsboro (about 20 minutes) and find the hotel. We were a little worried, but found it pretty easily. Unfortunately when we checked in, we found only down pillows and the front desk said that was all they had. Using my handy iPod, I was able to find an Eckerd not far away, where we got some Benadryl and foam pillows. Then we had a mediocre dinner at a steak place in Downtown Dillsboro and went back to the hotel.

Despite the late hour, Link was reluctant to go to sleep. Finally we got the lights out and we all went to sleep. The next morning, Link woke up very early and therefore so did Alex and I. Link played with his new puzzle while Alex and I showered. The hotel had a lovely breakfast spread, so we had a nice breakfast and the lady gave Link a stale biscuit to feed to the ducks on the river.

The train ride was great, and the hotel was nice (as long as you aren’t allergic to down and don’t accept a room by the elevator).