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Today’s Email Announcements

Scenic Summer Train Excursions Through the Smoky Mountains

SUMMER TRAIN EXCURSION

If you’re experiencing the Summer Doldrums, we have the cure for you – getting out of the house and taking a great train ride! Escape the Dog Days of Summer with a cool, refreshing and scenic train trip through the mountains of the Southern Appalachian region. On Saturday, August 13th, 2016, the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society & Museum will sponsor its “Summer 2016 Excursion” – a train ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through the majestic Smoky Mountains and the beautiful countryside of Western North Carolina. The train follows the route of the former Southern Railway’s Murphy Branch line, established in 1891, with its five percent grade, many bridges, and the beautiful whitewater Nantahala Gorge. Much of the route hugs the banks of the Little Tennessee and Nantahala Rivers and crosses Fontana Lake Trestle, standing 100 feet above the lake and spanning 780 feet. After crossing the lake, the train will enter the breathtaking Nantahala Gorge – a natural wonder. Passengers can choose to ride in comfort in Coach Class, Crown Class or First Class. Ticket prices for adult Coach Class seats are $83 and $69 for children (2 to 12 years). Adult Crown Class seats are $96 and $79 for children (2 to 12 years). First Class seats $152 for adults over 21.

The trip will begin in the parking lot of the Liberty Bell Middle School in Johnson City, TN, where passengers will board a motor coach departing 9:15 a.m. Upon arriving Bryson City, NC, passengers will have time to shop, snack, and visit the Smoky Mountain Train Museum before boarding the excursion train at 1:45 p.m. for the 4.5- hour roundtrip to the Nantahala Gorge and return. There will be a layover at the Gorge for sightseeing. Expected arrival back to Johnson City is 8:30 p.m.

To order tickets (and lunch for Coach and Crown Classes, if desired), send your check or money order along with the number of tickets, the class of car you choose and lunch choices to Summer 2016 Excursions, Watauga Valley RHS&M, P. O. Box 432, Johnson City, TN,37605-0432. A printable ticket / lunch order form is available by going to our web site at www.wataugavalleynrhs.org and clicking on the “Excursions” link. Please specify if you will accept an alternate class of service if your choice is sold out; you will be refunded the difference. Money will be refunded if you do not wish an alternate service.

Passengers will have several options for lunch:

  1. Bring your lunch (small coolers only).
  2. The following box lunch meals will be available for purchase at $11.00 per meal

and must be pre-ordered with your train ticket.

  1. TURKEY & CHEESE ON CROISSANT
  2. BAKED CHICKEN BREAST ON CROISSANT

Included with the box lunch are chips, cookies and a choice of drink (unlimited

coffee, tea or soft drink) in a disposable cup. Box lunches can be picked up in the

concession car once boarded.

  1. We’re excited to offer our passengers a dining in historic dining cars. A truly

unique, on board dining experience in the grand tradition. A choice of meal (see

menu below) will be available for selection. Note all dining car meals must be

pre-purchased when ordering train ticket. These dinners include a choice of drink

(unlimited coffee, tea or soft drink); and a special dessert. The cost is $15.00 per person.

  1. Purchase food from the concession car.

For questions about the trip, visit our web site at www.wataugavalleynrsh.org; phone (423) 753-5797; email wataugavalley@embarqmail.com; or write us at Watauga Valley RHS&M, P. O. Box 432, Johnson City, TN 37605-0432.

Dinner Menu

 Pulled Pork Boston roast rubbed with our special spices then slow-roasted to

                     Perfection served with slaw and cinnamon apples.

Fire Braised Our freshly made gourmet salad of cashews, sunflower seeds dried

Chicken       cranberries, fresh blueberries, edamame, red onion, grape tomatoes,

Salad             shredded carrots, napa cabbage, and kale tossed with a light

                     Pomegranate blueberry dressing then topped with fire-braised

                     Chicken, seasoned and sliced.

Veggie         Our freshly made gourmet salad of cashews, sunflower seeds, dried

Lover           cranberries, fresh blueberries, edamame, red onion, grape tomatoes,

Delight         shredded carrots, napa cabbage, and kale tossed with light

                     Pomegranate blueberry dressing.

Pot Roast     Pot Roast

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The railroad has become a favorite of film producers over the years. The train wreck scene in the 1993 movie “The Fugitive,” starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones, was filmed in Dillsboro along the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. The wreckage of the set can still be viewed on the outbound train excursion from Dillsboro. The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad also was used in the filming of the 1996 comedy “My Fellow Americans,” starring Jack Lemmon and James Gardner, when they stumble on to a charter train full of UNC-Chapel Hill Fans headed for the NCAA Final Four. Train scenes in the 1998 movie “Forces of Nature,” starring Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock, also were filmed on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

FOR INFORMATION – VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT www.wataugavalleynrhs.org

Or phone 423-753-5797

Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild to Meet July 7

The Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, July 7th, at 1:00 PM.  We meet in the conference room on the second floor of the Senior Center on Poplar Grove Connector in Boone.  We will be making name tags for guild members.  Call Susan at 263-8399 for more information.

Art for Animals Sidewalk Sale July 9

Art for Animals Sidewalk Sale in Blowing Rock, NC offers a wide variety of art, including paintings, textiles, pottery, glass and more at reasonable prices.  All proceeds help with the feeding and care of the animals at Watauga Humane Society.  Come out and see us Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery from 1pm to 3pm,Saturday July 9th.

Ranger Programs on the Parkway June 29 to July 3

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Thursday June 30, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30– Children’s Hour

Activities may include storytelling, traditional games, and/or hands on simple crafts. An adult or older responsible attendee must stay with children in order for them to participate (best suited for ages 4 – 12)

Friday, July1, 2015

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Saturday July 2, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour: call 828-295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 10:00am Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.

 Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296

7:00 p.m. – Otterly Amazing!

The otter is one animal that takes great delight in life, playing in the river all summer long. So what else do they do? Come find out.

Approximately 45 minutes in length

Sunday, July 3, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. See Saturday (above) for details.

ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Special thanks to Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Eastern National, and FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway for their financial support of these programs