Chooo Chooo...

The second weekend in September we headed back to NC - this time, we headed to the western part of the state to enjoy a weekend in the mountains with my parents.  We enjoyed a weekend in Bryson City, NC where we stayed in our very own log cabin....even Bailey was able to join us.  Chad and I rarely get to go to the mountains - we've been to Asheville three times since we've been married but unfortunately, that just about sums it up!  I really enjoy the mountains but Chad isn't the biggest fan.  We used to take day trips to the mountains when I was younger and I loved them!  We spent lots of afternoons on the Blue Ridge Parkway, taking short hikes or at Julian Price Park enjoying a picnic.  My boys are still a little young for all of that but hopefully they will grow to love the mountains too.  The beach is beautiful but the mountains make for an excellent "escape!"

The weekend away with my parents was a great treat for all of us!  Payton and Owen were especially excited to go away with Grandma and Grandpa and take in the sights and sounds of the mountains.  In addition to our weekend away, we were going to enjoy a train ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad with a half day trip from Bryson City to the Nantahala Outdoor Center.  

We traveled up on Thursday night and arrived late after dark.  Friday morning we enjoyed the crisp mountain air and had a great breakfast at the lodge (included with our cabin rental!!).  After breakfast, we headed off to explore the Great Smoky Mountains and Fontana Dam.

Fontana Dam is the tallest dam east of the Mississippi.  Payton thought it was really fun to see the dam and look at all of the big parts that make a dam work.  Fontana Lake was a beautiful mountain lake as well.  Mom spotted a few "house boats" out on the lake - she's planning her next family vacation on a house boat.  We're still undecided on how long she would actually survive on a house boat....if I had to bet, I would say less than 36 hours....if that!  Payton also enjoyed throwing acorns down into the lake from up above!

We enjoyed lunch outside in Fontana Village and then headed back to Bryson City.  We spent a few minutes walking around in the town of Bryson City but quickly realized most things close early and must only do business when the train passengers are around.  It is a cute little town but overall very quiet!

Conductor Payton

Our Cabin - complete with a steep drive and a real wood stove!

We enjoyed our two bedroom log cabin.  It was just perfect for our mountain weekend. Bailey enjoyed it too!   Our breakfast and dinner were included at the lodge.  Other than a minor problem on Saturday night (when Payton abruptly got sick...NOT FUN!!) the food and service was great!  We enjoyed nice meals, vegetables and desserts every night!

On Saturday morning, we headed out for our train ride.  We were riding on the Dillsboro car.  The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad operates out of Bryson City.  The train ride was actually part of my Dad's 60th birthday present.   It took us almost a year to get the trip planned, but it was well worth the wait!

ALL ABOARD!

Grandpa and his boys are ready to go!  Choo!  Choo!

Grandma and Grandpa with Owen

It was all too much for Owen...so he slept!
Moving trains are good for babies!
He took 2 naps!

Our stop for lunch was perfect.  We stopped at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and enjoyed a box lunch right on the banks of the river.  We enjoyed watching groups of rafters and kayaks come in from their rides down the river.  Payton and Owen both enjoyed the "boats" and the ducks who were enjoying the rapids as well!

Owen enjoying lunch...and feeding a little to the ducks!

Payton and Chad enjoyed climbing on the rocks for a few minutes before getting back on the train.

We rode the train back to the depot in Bryson City.  Following our train ride, we quickly toured the model train museum.  

If you're a big model train fan, you would be in heaven!  I thought a lot of my Grandpa Joe while in the museum.  I think he had been there once before.  He would have loved it!  There were different types of trains, full towns, tunnels, all schools all the pieces necessary to make the most incredible model train city.  There were areas for the kids to interact too and Payton and Owen enjoyed watching the trains travel around all the tracks.

We spent Saturday afternoon exploring Bryson City again and headed to dinner at the lodge.  Payton unfortunately got sick in the middle of dinner which cut our night a little short.  He never got sick again but it did make for an interesting Sunday.  We skipped the home cooked breakfast and hit the road to head back to SC.  We agreed to attempt to eat lunch in Asheville.  Chad and I remembered a nice Mexican restaurant we had been to a few times before and headed there.  Payton didn't eat....and luckily, we escaped lunch without any further episodes of illness and made it all the way back home without any trouble.  Of course, on Monday, we headed back to work.....

We had a great time in the Great Smoky Mountains with my parents.  It was a nice weekend getaway and I'm sure we'll all enjoy another trip to the mountains sometime soon!

Chooo! Chooo!