September 6, 2018 Train journey.   This morning we dropped Jax off at  “doggy jail” and drove on to Bryson City. At 10:00 am we boarded the Great Smokey Mountain Scenic Railroad Train. We chose the Nantahala Gorge Excursion and decided on the open gondola car because it would be the best for taking pictures.  It was a fun day. Traveling along the Nantahala Gorge we saw the "smoke" on the mountains, hence the name Smokey Mountains.  We saw an old Civil War cabin and lots of kudzu. I know the kudzu is extremely invasive and destructive but it is eerily beautiful, too. As it covers the trees and plants, it creates strange hoodoos in the shape of animals and people.  Some areas looked like Hobbit villages. Our server and narrator on the train was a Cherokee Indian native from the area who shared many stories and legends with us. She was very entertaining. We crossed over Fontana Lake on the old Fontana Trestle. Fontana Lake is the largest lake in NC and is part of the Little Tennessee River, which is one of three rivers that flow into the Nantahala. Our seat mates were a very friendly couple from Florida, Kelly and Bob. It was fun to share the adventure with some new friends. Our tickets included lunch and an hour layover at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. At this layover was a branch of the Appalachian Trail. We walked a little way down the trail just so we could say we had been on the famous trail. Hopefully, weather permitting, we will be able to hike a few miles on the trail next week.  Also, I am trying to convince Pops that we should do a whitewater rafting trip. Stay tuned for that decision😄. We returned to the depot at 3:30 pm in Bryson City.  After rescuing Jax, we returned to the the campground, tired but happy. Another great day!

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