Adventure in the Nantahala Gorge

I decided to try a real adventure, so I did a combination zip-line and river rafting trip. I did a zip line in Mexico ten years ago, so wasn’t a first-timer. But I wasn’t really prepared for the heights and distances on this excursion. Needless to say, I completed the course, but white knuckled it most of the way. Definitely not for the faint of heart or fearful of heights. There were only three of us with two guides, so I had plenty of support but no time to regroup before on to the next of eight zip lines.

The rafting was tame by contrast and a welcome relief to be nearer to terra firma. Our guide made it more exciting by doing 360’s around boulders. We only lost one person in the water that trip. But she didn’t go far and we were able to haul her back into the boat.  All in all it was an exciting day in the Nantahala Gorge.

Great Smoky Mt Railroad

I thought it would be fun to take the train up the Nantahala Gorge, winding along several rivers with magnificent views. At least that was the ad. I did check Trip Advisor and knew there were mixed reviews, but went anyway. It was a pleasant trip and I did see fine amazing scenery; however, along the rails the predominant vegetation is kudzu. This is an invasive species brought over from Japan for erosion control. Well it does a great job of that but takes over many roadsides or disturbed areas growing like a weed. It smothers trees and other vegetation and some say is “swallowing up the southeast”.

Lake Fontana, NC

It's not often I visit a dam with such history and magnitude as Fontana Dan, the largest east of the Rockies. It’s an impressive structure and has a nice visitors center, with videos showing its construction from 1942-1945 as a wartime effort to generate enough electricity to power manufacture of wartime airplanes after Pearl Harbor and the US entry into WWII.  Five thousand men were called into service to complete this dam in a record 3 years, in time to help end the war. The dam was built to help with flood control, a problem in this area which gets over 50” of rainfall every year.  The result is Lake Fontana. Many people were displaced from their homes and many were able to keep their homes as floaters on the lake.  Attempts by the government to get them to vacate have been futile, so there the continue to live.  Another artifact is the Road to Nowhere, culminating st the tunnel after 6 miles of road construction. It was intended to go along the north shore of the lake dso families could visit the cemetery where their lived ones are buried.  Instead, once a year the government takes boats of people across the lake to the cemetery.

Cherokee Nation

I have to give special notice to the Cherokee Nation. These people have lived here for over 10,000 years and like other Native Americans, were displaced by white men.  The Cherokee were granted sovereignty and given back a portion of their land here in North Carolina.  I visited the Cherokee Museum and found it one of the most impressive museums, not only for its historical depiction of these people, but how they used technology and visual effects to tell their story.  

Bryson City, NC

The Great Smokey Mountains National Park is divided between Tennessee to the north and North Carolina to the south by the Appalachian Trail, the longest footpath in the eastern  US, over 2100 miles. The Pacific Crest Trail is over 2500 miles long.  After leaving Clingmans Dome, I headed south to Bryson City, on the southern edge of the Park.  It’s less assuming than other towns on the park boundary. It’s claim to fame is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, a steam train that travels through the Nantahala Gorge. More on that tomorrow.  So I spent the first two days here exploring more waterfalls. Can you see too many?  After theses months, I am losing track of which ones I’ve seen, but for my blog  which will help me keep track of them.  Adding to the list are Mingo falls, June Whack, Indian Creek and Tom’s Branch Falls.

Clingman’s Dome

After breaking camp and a short hike to Laurel Falls I headed to Clingman’s Dome. This is the highest point in the Park and on the Appalachian Trail around 6644’ in elevation. It’s a short but steep hike from the Visitor’s Center on asphalt pavement.  The observation tower provides 360’ views; however, it was very overcast when I climbed to the top.  The Smokies typically have a blue smoke haze enveloping them, caused by human-generated pollution which gets trapped in the valleys.