The Polar Express in Bryson City--WOW!!

We were all excited to finally be at the train station in Bryson City, NC, and and ready to experience our big adventure on the train with our son and his family, including 3 children under age eight years old! We had hurriedly parked the family van nearby, and then called for our reserved train tickets at the station window, and were told to get in a certain line to meet our conductor. The children could hardly contain their vivid excitement, as many families were all around us, & lots of the little children were dressed in their colorful pajamas, with their robes tied around them, waiting for the big adventure on "The Polar Express"! There was the rumor that hot cocoa and Christmas treats would be served on the train, and a possible visit from Santa Claus himself!! Finally, at long last--our time came up to board the train, and we excitedly found our assigned seats in the coach car, and we watched all the other families get on board, with their kids in their colorful pajamas & robes, scrambling around to get their special seats as well. Then the call finally came from the conductor,
"All aboard for the Polar Express"! We began chugging out of the station at last, and the excitement was in process!

There we were, seeing all the beautiful sights from our window seat, the
beautiful storefronts all decorated for the holiday season, the thousands of beautiful Christmas trees with their minature lights blinking off and on, and golden glowing candles in every window of each home we passed, as well as
the glorious decorations in the yards, mostly all were religious scenes. One
church was absolutely heavenly with their outstanding decorations, and the church itself was all aglow with candles and greenery. They definitely believed in the hanging of the greens for this special time of the year, when we celebrate the glorious birthday of Jesus--Our King!

We were chugging along, passing the beautiful river, and over the trussels, back into those beautiful Smoky Mountains! It was such a fun time for everyone, and then our two chefs on the train, came down the aisle with their carts, giving out delicious hot cocoa and other mouth-watering goodies to
please the palate! We were having the time of our lives, loving every minute of the beautiful sights and sounds of the train whistle, and the choo-ka-lacka, choo-ka-lacka sounds, that we were getting used to on this long
and exciting ride through the grand Smokies!

All of a sudden, the train stopped at another station, and the conductor announced that we had a special visitor that wanted to board the train, and it was none other than Santa Claus! The children and adults as well, all shouted and were so gleeful, and sure enough, there was Santa, with gifts to hand out to
all the children! He also gave them a small jingle bell to remind them that they were indeed riding on "the Polar Express" and did get to visit Santa Claus.

I did get a big hug from Santa too, and according to him, I will indeed get
what I want for Christmas! (chuckle) Everyone had a blast talking and laughing with Santa, and he finally departed the train with "Merry Christmas
to all and to all a good-night-- Ho-Ho-Ho------Merry Christmas to You-All!"

We then followed the lead of our famous chefs on the train, and sang as loud as we could all those favorite Christmas songs such as: Rudolph, the Red Nose
Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus, Silver Bells, I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas, and Jingle-Bell Rock, just to mention a few! It was indeed a grand and glorious time on this special "Polar Express"--- so if you are inclined
to take a ride on this special fun train, be sure to order your tickets very early,
as they book up very fast. Here's wishing you happy traveling on the famous
Smoky Mountain Polar Express from Bryson City! When we arrived back at the train station in Bryson City, everyone was invited to visit the train museum just over the tracks, where about 25 special minature trains were riding the rails, and you could choose your favorites and mark their schedules on your special card they give you as you enter the museum. The children loved this playland so very much, as well as the adults, and at the rest area inside, they were playing the movie for free, called none other than "Polar Express"! That place was packed with all the train riders, as well as the casual visitors that just happened on the scene!

After that, we enjoyed a delicious down-home dinner at The Famous Jarrett House in nearby Dillsboro--what a big treat that was, (it's family style eating, and they re-fill your bowls at the table as often as necesary! ) We were stuffed when we finally had our fill of those delicious treats at the Jarrett House!

Wow--what a fabulous weekend, and we also loved the beautiful cabin located at Mountain Top---(yes, literally at the very tip top of a mountain near
Bryson City, )which included a huge deck and heated jacuzzi, which we used
for relaxation every night! Here's wishing you grand adventures in the famous Smoky Mountains!! You will definitely cherish the glorious memories!