Come On Over

Let me tell you of a place that I now call home. I have lived here for going on almost 22 years. And really never realized the wonders that it held untill the last several years! All I can say is that I wished I had discovered all that it held sooner!

So where is it that I am talking about you ask? Oh my, it is North Carolina. That here is where I will begin my journey of letting you know what I have discovered so far!

In the "Western" part of the state, up close along the Tennessee/North Carolina state line is a town called Bryson City. Here you will find "The Great Smokey Mountains Railroad." It is one that will take you all on a 4 1/2 hour round trip to the Nantahala River Gorge. (http://www.gsmr.com/) Talk about a great ride! One that will allow you to experience first hand some of the most breath-taking views I have ever seen! You may purchase your tickets in advance (which I highly recommend) for either an open-air car or a closed car. For me it is the "Opened" one! Nothing like feeling mother-nature against your face and breathing it all in! Plus if you love to take pictures this is the way to go. Along on this ride I got to see some lovely mountainsides, barns, rivers, lakes, houseboats, and even an old steel bridge which we crossed over! And did I mention "Fontana Dam?" Yep, got to see it too. It is where the movie "The Fugitive" was filmed starring Harrison Ford! That this is one train ride that offers not only this kind of day trip, but several other kinds. Including ones just for the kids! Now as to when is the right time to go.... Personally for me it would be the Fall. Just because this is when the leaves are changing colors. Yet, the spring time is lovely too. You know when everything is blooming! But be careful if you have allergies!!!!

Now of course you have got to spend a few nights around here in order to enjoy everything that the "Western" part of North Carolina has to offer. Your choice of lodging can range from Hotels, Motels, Houses, Beds & Breakfasts, Inns, and Cabins that you can rent. You can find some really great deals by going to this website. It is http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/north-carolina. Believe me after looking at the places offered here you will be ready to just drop everything and head to these here mountains! And if you own a motorcycle, try your best to ride it here! The roads here were made for them!

Which leads me to some of thoses places that motorcyclists just love to ride! Not only are all of the roads in the "Western" part of North Carolina great for riding your motorcycle. But there are some areas that have specific type roads that seem to have been made with nothing but motorcyle riders in mind. These are for example "The Tail of the Dragon," "The Cherohala Skyway," and "The Blue Ridge Parkway." That the first two are ones my husband and I still have on our "To Do List", left to do! The "Tail of the Dragon" is only 11 miles long, yet has 318 curves in it! WOW, can you just imagine riding on this? And the "Cherohala" is great for its scenic views. Now of course it is 60 miles long and according to it's web-site very remote. As for the "Blue Ridge Parkway" it is one that we ride frequently. There are a lot of gorgeous places where you can stop and have a look see over the side! Or even a picnic lunch. Yet you may even want to go for a hike! I mean you can just ride and ride, but still stop and enjoy all that it has to offer. For more abou these places here are the links to them. http://www.tailofthedragon.com/index.html, http://www.cherohala.com/index.html, http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/.
Hopefully, I may meet you up there one day and we can enjoy a ride together!

As for places to eat, there are a lot of them. But I do love this resturant called "Granny's Kitchen." It is located in Cherokee, right down from Harrah's Casino. Talk about some delicious food at very reasonable prices! You can either order off of the menu or go for the Buffet! We went for the Buffet. There was Fried Chicken, cole slaw, green beans, squash, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, biscuits, okra, macaroni, potato and pasta salad, tomatoes, all the fixings for a fresh salad, roast beef, rice, baked beans, pinto beans, corn bread, and rolls. Plus the various deserts of Cherry and Peach Cobbler, Apple Pie, Banana Pudding, and Ice Cream! There is one desert that everyone must try though.. It is the "Peanut Butter Pie!" Talk about melt in your mouth scrumptious...... Plus there was "Sweet Tea" galore. And before I forget, there is even another location of "Granny's Kitchen in Waynesville, North Carolina! Its' food is just as tasty too!

Well I will stop for now. Thus this will continue with me describing the middle part of my state next. It is known as "The Piedmont Area!" That I just did not want to make this too long to read. Hopefully, you have enjoyed it so far. Please let me know. And if you have questions, I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks for stopping by and do return. Here is wishing you all a fun-filled and enjoyable weekend!

Nana Net