Fun tourist trap in Western NC

[Sigarms]

I've always wanted to ride the narrow gauge train in Colorado that goes through the canyons.

I actually appreciate that comment. Will need to look it up.

We were planning perhaps Alaska trip or a train ride in Canada next year, but my wife just asked me if I wanted to do a red rocks amphitheater concert next year in Colorado, I said sure, and now we're planning a week in Colorado next year.

Best thing is my wife ordered the tickets early, and we're in the first 5 rows.

Already looking to hit Rocky Mountain national park since we're there, and now you've given me something else to look at!

It's kind of nice not having kids in the house!

 

[part-time-Farmer-NC]

Wife, Sister and BIL all went for a train ride up that way. Got to see the fall leaves in full majesty. One really neat thing they did for the passengers was they had a group(s) of people who were stationed at specific intervals along the track impersonating hobo's performing scenes.

One "scene" was as we passed by there were two catching "fish" (a stuffed fish) from a creek.

Another was a pair of hobos playing checkers along side the track.

Another was a group cooking over a campfire.

It made us all smile and think of days gone by that we never knew personally, but read/watched on movies etc.

At the end of the journey in Bryson city we lucked up and found a chili cookoff in full swing. For something like $10 you got to get a small bowl full from about 8-10 contestants. Then voted on your favorite.

Lots of touristy shops in Bryson to visit if your inclined.

We all slept great that night although it was a little gassy... Rented a log house on the hillside for a few days. Great, memorable trip.

 

[Sigarms]

So far, I've never been to North Carolina. The train ride looks like fun!!

You must have went to Camp Pendleton?

Every Marine I know knows North or South Carolina LOL

 

[EddieWalker]

I actually appreciate that comment. Will need to look it up.

We were planning perhaps Alaska trip or a train ride in Canada next year, but my wife just asked me if I wanted to do a red rocks amphitheater concert next year in Colorado, I said sure, and now we're planning a week in Colorado next year.

Best thing is my wife ordered the tickets early, and we're in the first 5 rows.

Already looking to hit Rocky Mountain national park since we're there, and now you've given me something else to look at!

It's kind of nice not having kids in the house!

I've only been to Colorado a few times. Royal Gorge is my favorite thing that I've been to there. It's just a bridge over a canyon, but it's really high up, and the bridge is very impressive. It costs too much, but it's something that I've done a few times and for some reason, really enjoy.

I also enjoyed the drive up to Pikes Peak. It starts out in thick forest, but then you get above timberline, and it's like you're in another world. Really fun seeing how different is up that high, but be sure to bring a jacket, the temps really drop at those heights!!! They have a train that goes up there too, it's called the Cog or something like that. It's not a real train, but something designed to go up a steep mountain that's on tracks. I haven't done it, but it sounded interesting.

Probably our favorite way to see Colorado was driving to the old Ghost Towns and exploring the old buildings. Some are abandoned, other are restored and open for business to tourists.

For me, Rocky Mountain Park was just OK. We did see some elk way up above timberline, but most of the Park was just really thick forest. Yellowstone is my favorite place to go see nature, and it's night and day different then Rocky Mountain Park. I'll go back to Yellowstone again and again, but once was more then enough for Rocky Mountain Park.

 

[EddieWalker]

You must have went to Camp Pendleton?

Every Marine I know knows North or South Carolina LOL

MCRD Sand Diego for Boot Camp in the Summer of 1983. Then Camp Pendleton until I was accepted for Embassy Duty in 1985.

 

[Sigarms]

I've only been to Colorado a few times. Royal Gorge is my favorite thing that I've been to there. It's just a bridge over a canyon, but it's really high up, and the bridge is very impressive. It costs too much, but it's something that I've done a few times and for some reason, really enjoy.

I also enjoyed the drive up to Pikes Peak. It starts out in thick forest, but then you get above timberline, and it's like you're in another world. Really fun seeing how different is up that high, but be sure to bring a jacket, the temps really drop at those heights!!! They have a train that goes up there too, it's called the Cog or something like that. It's not a real train, but something designed to go up a steep mountain that's on tracks. I haven't done it, but it sounded interesting.

Probably our favorite way to see Colorado was driving to the old Ghost Towns and exploring the old buildings. Some are abandoned, other are restored and open for business to tourists.

For me, Rocky Mountain Park was just OK. We did see some elk way up above timberline, but most of the Park was just really thick forest. Yellowstone is my favorite place to go see nature, and it's night and day different then Rocky Mountain Park. I'll go back to Yellowstone again and again, but once was more then enough for Rocky Mountain Park.

Appreciate the feedback.

Colorado is one of the few Western states I've never been to other than when I'd go out to Utah to hike, and I hit Messe Verde national park on a trip one time.

 

[LittleBittyBigJohn]

I actually appreciate that comment. Will need to look it up.

I bet he's talking about the Durango-Silverton train. I'm planning on doing that in the next few years.

 

[MossRoad]

Wife and I took the cog railway up Pike's Peak back in 1992 when she was 5 months pregnant with our first. As mentioned, it starts out in trees and such, but then gets above the tree line. Really interesting.

It was 70 and sunny when we boarded.... about 15 and heavy blowing snow and ice at the top! Crazy.

 

[MossRoad]

We also figured out only states we have left to visit are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, New Mexico, Texas and Maine.

Of course, there are a lot of things in the states we have visited that we haven't seen yet that warrant a return visit.

The USA has a LOT to offer!!!

 

[BackRoad]

That Mr. Moss is a lot of territory to cover...Alaska, to Maine and then Texas...now that's a "road trip"!