22 Oct Great Smoky Mountain Raiload 1940’s Style

Happy Wednesday Ladies!

I mentioned on Monday, that while staying in Bryson City, NC, the main reason was for us to go on a 4.5 hour ride on a 1940s rail car on the Great Smoky Mountain’s Railroad. We took a lot of pictures, so I hope to give you an idea of what we experienced on the railroad, and I had to wear my 1940’s style Karina Dress called the Megan for the trip. What could be more apropo? If you didn’t get to read about our combined over night stay at the BNB McKinley Edwards Inn, read about it HERE.

Here comes the train!

Here is our train car, they are already seated! ^^^

Me trying to pose without the train occupants all looking at me. ( It was funny as we were the young ones!)

Looking pensive.

Taking requests for banjo songs. Not adverse to playing Ozzy Osbourne or Pink Floyd.

Our dining car.

One of the views of the river on the train.

Right in this area was a part of the Appalachian Trail. We saw a hiker go through here.

End of the ride, all of my makeup is off, my hair is a bit frazzled, I had a great time, but tired.

Hair accessory for the era.

You can really see the saturation of colors while taken inside the train.The Megan, my favorite style by Karina Dresses.

My hubby. all dressed up and a place to GO! Lookin sharp in his Macy’s Bar III fitted top and dark slim fit denim.

Heading back to Bryson City.

The day began early enough as me trying to get as much hot water out of the jacuzzi tub at 7 am as possible! We got a great rate due to the fact that the place is undergoing some maintenance. When we were there, I noticed that my first bath wasn’t hot, and a plumber was called out. Nevertheless, I thought I wouldn’t take chances, as this is a part of my therapy, let me tell you, to relax WITH bubbles in a jacuzzi tub with hot water! So, as much as I wanted to crawl back in bed, we began the day not too much later, having coffee in our rooms, feeding the pups, and then going out for a quick bite ,( bagels and more coffee) before we would later have to show for the train.

My hubby treats me so well, and bought first class seats on the 1940s rail car, as there were other less , lets just say, supportive and comfortable options ( the open air car : really neat but not at 60 degrees, the coach, also very interesting and compatible to it’s era’s design: however, how do I put this… ” My derierre would not be able to withstand a 4.5 hour trip on nothing but hard wooden seats!! ” ( Sorry, I have always wanted to use derriere in a sentence). The first class 1940s car was just that, what you would have ridden in such a time, little lamps hovered unobtrusively over our two person table. We received many complimentary items such as a substantial coffee travel mug, 2 stemless wine glasses, and the parting gift of a large tote to carry everything back with. Our train “swag bag” if you will.

We also, were given a meal of tilapia, creamed carrots, potatoes, and a roll. Of course, we bought a bottle of red wine for our trip. As we were beginning our journey, we noticed two people, a man and woman, dressed in southern attire from a bygone era, waving to us. Later, as we returned, what seemed to be a different couple in the same spot waving. My husband and I like to learn the history of things, so we purchased a book on the history of the Smokey Mountain RR. “The Wavers” as they are called do come out at certain times, noting the schedule of the train and it’s passengers. Could you imagine the conversation, waiting in line at the nearby, grocery store. ” Deep Southern Accent”  MAN:: “Honey, it’s gettin late. You KNOW we have a place to be, and people to be a’wavin’ for. ” WOMAN: ” You are so right, Earl, Who says we need bread and milk, when we NEED to be back for our 2:00 Pm Wavin’ TIme.”  Honestly, must make for good conversation, or perhaps they like the interaction with the people.

We heard a banjo player on board, and truly at the time, the only banjo song that came to mind was ” Dueling Banjos”. You all know the one from the movie, ‘Deliverance”. Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, dum. .. ( repeat..) Boy sitting on a bridge. I am sure you would know it if you heard it. So he took requests, of “Old Joe Clark”, many other folk tunes, and also told us he plays Pink Floyd. We did enjoy him and he was an excellent player.

As we went around the Nantahala Gorge, we did see kayakers, and also houses on the water that must now be permanent places to store belongings. We took many pictures, that I just didn’t have room to share them all.

I decided I wanted to dress in the era of the day. So I brought my new Karina Dress, the Megan, which is the 40’s style with the full skirt , v neck, and flutter short sleeves. THe print with the maroon and black caught my attention. Since the weather was cold, damp, and rainy, I didn’t imagine my hair would make it, even if I knew how to style my hair in a 40s style. I will need to study some Youtube videos to learn how to do this. Instead, I wore a black,beaded,  shiny hair accessory, reminiscent of the era, drop, earrings, and we were advised to wear flats, as there was an opportunity for us to drink, and also drink moonshine, I did not need something else to put me off kilter.

We truly had a good time, and spent the next day, visiting some of the local small shops, and of course, I came away with blackberry moonshine jam, soap, pictures of my husband and I in a frame I picked, as well as a pair of grey long gloves with buttons down the side. When you walk up and down the street and see everything, that tells you how small the town is.

This was something we wanted to do for about 7 years, after we moved here to Lake Norman, in the Charlotte area, Finally, we just did it, we really wanted to go for the Fall foliage ride, as it was beautiful to see the reds, oranges, yellows, in the changing of the leaves.

Hope you all enjoy the rest of the week,

Jess xo

Dress C/o Karina Dress
Megan, Jewerly and Hair accessory ( Etsy), Shoes: Clarks ( Concert choir flats), Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff ( Wine)