We love the Smoky Mountains. Wish you were here!

Archive for May, 2012

It’s Not Quite The ‘Dragon’ But It Is One Continuous Curve

The ‘Twister’ — one of the two go-cart tracks at Cherokee Fun Park  — is a multi-level figure-8 spiral that winds its way up one side of the “8” and back down the other. The park’s other track is a more traditional road track with two overpasses. There’s also miniature golf and an indoor arcade.

The Cherokee Fun Park is located at 1897 Tsali Boulevard (US 441N) at the Acquoni Road intersection.  Hours are 10am to 10pm seven days a week throughout the summer season (Memorial Day — Labor Day).


This is our fourth birthday — Since May 26, 2008, we’ve published 216 Postcards From The Smokies. If you’re relatively new to this blog, you may enjoy browsing through our past posts… a composite picture of living and playing in Bryson City and the Great Smoky Mountains.


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The Annual Gathering of ‘Minis on the Dragon’

The tenth annual gathering of the ‘Minis on the Dragon’ group drew more than 800 Mini Cooper enthusiasts from all across the country. The early May event, centered at the Fontana Village Resort, benefitted a number of charitable organizations in Graham County. $6300 and 3000 pounds of food and beverages was donated to local food banks, and an additional $3500 was donated to the Graham County Chapter of the NC Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program.

On their website, the group describes the spectacular 11-mile Dragon section of U.S. 129 as “one of the best, if not the best sport car and motorcycle touring road in the country”. In addition to the legendary road, drivers said they were equally impressed by the beauty of the area. Most took advantage of the near perfect spring weather to explore everything around the Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park during their stay.

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Shelton Family Farms’ CSA – “Garden in a Box”

Last Friday was the first weekly distribution of Shelton Family Farms’ 2012 Community Supported Agriculture program. Now in its fourth year, the Shelton’s CSA provides members with 25 weeks of fresh produce neatly packaged in a take-home box. Above, Rita and Rogers Shelton pack this week’s box with kale, spring onions, lettuce, radishes, basil and strawberries. The selections will change from week to week throughout the season as each vegetable reaches harvest maturity.

Located in Whittier on what was once the William Holland Thomas farm, the land has been farmed by the Sheltons since Rogers’ grandfather bought the property in 1922. Today, the fourth generation of owners includes William and Sabrina Shelton, along with sons Wil, Sam, Cal, and Tom.

The Sheltons will continue to accept memberships in their CSA throughout the season with fees prorated. You can find more information on their website, SheltonFamilyFarm.com.

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Bryson City Company Makes Small-Scale Old West Wagons

When Horace Greelee said “go west young man”, J.R. vanLienden must have been listening, because he’s gone into the Old West Wagon Train business.

But he’s not making wagons for pioneers and teams of horses. J.R.’s wagons are scaled down for kids and are powered by the ‘horses’ under the hood of a garden tractor or riding mower — an “amusement ride for home or business,” he says. At the recent “Green Thumb Day” festival in Whittier (above), J.R. offered free rides on one of the wagons. And he says several can be strung together for a ‘trackless train’.

J.R. makes his wagons in the old Whittier School. You’ll find more information on his website, TinkerMania.com.

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