On Thursday, we visited the Cherokee Museum and Oconalftee Village. Very well-done museum and quite informative. At the village, the Cherokee demonstrated various skills and explained the culture of the native Americans.
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Along with Al and Linda, we took an eBike ride to the “Road to Nowhere“. What a great bike ride. Very hilly and beautiful. The ride is about 11 miles long; Kelly was able to get his bike up to 32mph going down the steep hills.
One of the most unique areas in Bryson City is found on Lakeview Drive in an area locally known as “The Road to Nowhere,” part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park After the construction of Fontana Dam flooded other access roads, a replacement highway was promised in the 1960s, However, construction was halted due to environmental issues, and the Road to Nowhere was born.
Steeped in history, the Road to Nowhere is a scenic drive, hiking destination and monument to the past, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A six-mile winding road weaves through the National Forest, with multiple scenic stops along the way to pull off and take in the view of Fontana Lake. At the road’s end, a mile-long tunnel stretches under rock, which must be traversed on foot to reach hiking trails on the other side, including Noland Creek Trail, the Goldmine Loop, and Lakeshore Trails. Be sure to bring a flashlight on this adventure!
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We arrived 3 days early before the Taste of Blueridge Caravan to relax and see the local sites. We are staying at the Grumpy Bear Campground which sits on the Tuckaseegee River; unfortunately, our site is not along the river. This is a well-run campground with very nice bathrooms and laundry facilities. The spots are a bit cramped, but the river is great. Reserve early so you can get a spot along the river.
Sunday, we met Al and Linda from the caravan and went to Darnell Farm to buy fresh vegetables and other treats. What a great place to get good food and also to sit, relax and enjoy the river. The farm is literally right across the road from the campground.
The group then took the 2-mile bike ride into town. Bryson City is a very nice little town with lots of restaurants and a brewery. We enjoyed walking the town and having a drink at Bryson City Outdoors. NIce.
Monday, Pam booked a 90 minute session @ Lakeview at Fontana – Soaking Cabana. Wow, what a great setup. We enjoyed a very relaxing soak while having adult beverages. Very relaxing.
Tuesday, we rode our eBikes with Al and Linda to the “Road to Nowhere“. I have a blog post.
On Wednesday, the group went white water rafting starting out at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). It was a 3 hour experience (2 hours rafting) and we travelled about 8 miles down river. It was a Class 2 & 3 rapids. It was our guides first time taking a group down the river. We hit a few rocks and had had a blast. No one fell out and everyone had a great time. Pam wants to do it again but next time with class 4 rapids!
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We were able to stop and visit my brother Shawn and his wife Jodi for a couple of days, along with their kids. Ashley and Conner. Austin and his girlfriend Ashillie .
We had a great time visiting and seeing the sites in Monroe. The town is working hard to improve the downtown area.
We had dinner Thursday night at the Southern Roots Bar and Grill. Everyone enjoyed their meal. I had the Prime Rib Special – Outstanding.
Friday morning, we visited the Dandelion & Friends Mercantile (Cafe and Shop). Pam loved this place. The coffee and bakery goods were fantastic and they all kinds of unique gifts and things. Pam picked up some great gifts for our Caravan that starts in a few days.
We had lunch at the Franklin Court Grill.
In the evening, we headed back to town to try out the Courthouse Self Pour Beer & Wine. A really cool place. None of us had ever been to a self-pour place before. Everyone gets a card to put onto the reader for 1 of 2 taps. You pour as much or as little as you want. It charges by the ounce and adds it to your tab.
For dinner, we ate the Tex-A-Lina food truck serving BBQ outside the Southern Range Brewery.
We ended up the night walking around downtown.
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