Smiling Faces

The thing about trains…it doesn’t matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on. That’s a quote from the conductor on the Polar Express, the train featured in the popular holiday movie.

And it is also true for The Steam of the Smokies – the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. It’s a wonderful way to spend the day. We departed from the depot at Bryson City and everyone on the staff of the railroad greeted us with big smiles. It was evident that they all loved their jobs and loved to share their passion for the train with everyone on board.

Our seats for the excursion were in the first class dining car and throughout our journey we were entertained by musicians and a local fellow that I call “the Mountain Man.” He was full of knowledge about the train and the surrounding mountains, lakes, rivers, and kudzu!

Conversation and laughter filled the train car as we satisfied our appetites with old-fashioned pot roast, pulled barbecue pork, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, green beans and lots of sweet tea.

It was a great day of no cell phones, internet, email or television that was filled with smiling faces and spectacular scenery as we were transported back in time.