Waving goodbye to our old Steam Engine ride through the Great Smoky Mountains, this man seemed to be playing a character in our story of the day. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergI am always humbled by nature’s ability to survive man’s efforts at change. Trees and shrubs and small plants resume growth in the Limestone rocks’ crevices. The railroad path’s required blasting openings in parts of the Smoky Mountains for easier routes. Limestone cliffs and boulders are evidence of such labors. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergOur railroad tour follows along the edge of the Tuckasegee River. The greens of the forestlands reflect in this beautiful river. It’s name is derived from the Cherokee name, “turtle place”. Turtles seem to appear frequently in my life, so it seems. But that’s another story. As beautiful as this ride was it saddened me to think of the Cherokee’s loss. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergA part of me wanted the train to stop so I could study the colors and patterns of the blasted rock. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergWe pass by Fontana Lake, formed by the a Dam at the Little Tennessee River, is home to a small community of house boats. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergAnd sadly this view, like many is overshadowed by the thick growth of Kudzu. Change is natural, it is apart of life. I try to imagine what this environment will look like in a hundred years. Perhaps nature is smarter and more resilient than we are and will just evolve to a new and perhaps better “nature”. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergGotta include an image of our Steam Engine! Interestingly, our ride home was via a diesel engine. Unable to turn the train around for our journey home a diesel in the rear of the train is enabled for our backwards ride home. It is a quieter ride, but somehow less picturesque. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergGentle rain falls in the Tuckasegee River during our short stop. Copyright 2021 Pamela BreitbergThe Tuckasegee River in the Great Smoky Mountains was teaming with people eagerly embrassing the challenge of the rapids. Copyright 2021 Pamela Breitberg
All more majestic than the next. Thank you for sharing Mrs. Pam.
My pleasure!
adorable trip and very impressive pictures, Pamela! Great you could do that.
It was my first time in the Smokies and I am sure it won’t be my last.
Thank you bubble bath person! I accidentally deleted your nice comment.