My Cherokee Trip

Cherokee was Rich’s and my favorite sneak away spot. It’s so peaceful, full of nature and just so serene. We would make the 6 hour drive often sometimes make it a turn around trip just to see the beauty of the land. I go up on special occasions on my own now but they are always just for the day.

I have some wonderful neighbors now turned family. April and Carl are two of my family now and last May we were talking about taking a day trip up. She then mentioned maybe we could stay over for a night and I thought that was a good idea. A few days later she called and told me she had reservations for a week in Bryson City, a small neighboring town to Cherokee!

At first I was hesitant but since they had never been there I thought it might be a fun trip so I could show them some of Rich’s and my special places. Then I was excited for that day in May to arrive.

My sweet neighbor Judy, who loves Snowball and he loves her cared for him the entire week. From the looks of the pictures she sent, he wasn’t missing me at all the way she spoiled him. LOL We had video calls throughout our adventure and it was fun watching Snowball looking at the camera while I was talking to him, wondering where I was.

Our hotel was perfect, we had adjoining rooms and we filled the chairs that held the doors open with our snacks. They had the best breakfasts and the entire staff was so pleasant.

We started our tour going through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and were lucky to see a few elk out grazing.

One of the first stops we made was to mile marker 25 where Rich and I would always sit along the riverbank and listen to water as it flowed over the rocks. I took another rose bouquet up this time and dropped it in the water and we watched it float down stream.

Once again the butterflies were waiting for me. Both the yellow and the blue swallowtails were all around as I watched the flowers float away.

Rich and I had always talked about taking the Bryson City train ride through the mountains and along the river but we never made it. April surprised me with tickets to the train and how awesome. We woke up and it was raining, the only day of rain! But we would be inside so the rain didn’t bother us. It was a four hour ride with a half hour stop over half way back. Just as the train came to a stop, so did the rain! We were able to get some beautiful photos and the waterfall was right across from our stop. The whistle blew five times, that meant the train was ready to leave. As soon as we got back on the train, the rain started again. I think God planned it that way.

Of course our trip to Cherokee wouldn’t be complete without a stop to Harrah’s Casino. This was the first time April and Carl had been there and when they signed up for their cards, they each received a $25 voucher. They both made a little cash and had a fun time. Since I have a stash of casino credits and they are good at the restaurants, we ate at Gordon Ramsey’s then went back downstairs to spin a few more times before heading back to the hotel.

Our fabulous week came to an end but not before we stopped at Darnell’s Farm for some delicious fresh homemade jams plus fresh picked vegetables and strawberries. We all had a great time and I relived so many wonderful memories of when Rich and I would go to all these places. But now for the kicker…. April has already planned another trip up to Ashville and Cherokee again in October! I love them both so much and don’t know where my life would be now without them.