Noteworthy Events in March

Western North Carolina is a great place to visit in Spring and below we have listed just a few of the events that are going to be happening in March 2013. There are also links to our cabins that are closest to the event that interests you. We look forward to these events and assisting you with whatever we can while you are in the area!

-The Yellow Rose Team

Events:

1. Fontana Classic Bass Tournament

We have some great cabins that are very close to Fontana Lake if you are coming up for the tournament! Time Out Cabin / Fontana Retreat / Bird’s Nest /

Date(s): Mar 16, 2013 – Mar 17, 2013

When: 7am-4pm Daily

Where: Fontana Village Resort and Marina, 300 Woods Rd., Fontana Dam, NC 28733

With the warmer than usual winter it will be time to wet a hook early for some championship bass action on Fontana Lake. This year’s purse is is $5,000 with first place garnering $2,000 in prize money and $1,000 for 2nd place. Prize money will also be awarded for third through eight places and $100 each for the biggest small mouth and  large mouth bass. Fontana Village Marina will be hosting the event on their docks located at the west end of Fontana Lake.

For more information contact Fontana Village at 828-498-2129 or visit: www.fontanavillage.com

2. Nantahala Brewery’s Trail Magic Release

Coming to Bryson City for this two day release event? Stay in one of our many cabin in Bryson City to make the most of your trip! The following are just a few of our cabins in Bryson City: View Point / Dream on a Stream / Mountain Time / Far Horizon / Black Forest Cottage / Black Bear Lodge / Creek & A View / Northern Sky Cabin / Willow Tree Lodge / Chalet du’Mont / Headwaters

Date(s): Mar 22, 2013 – Mar 23, 2013

Where: Nantahala Brewing Company, 61 Depot Street, Bryson City, NC

Celebrating the release of one of their most popular brews, Trail Magic, with live music and more. This will be the 4th Trail Magic Release Party, and will be offering guest the limited edition Russian Imperial Stout that is sure not to disappoint the true Brew-Lover.

For More Information Visit: Nantahala Brewing Company

3. The Third Annual Cherokee Opening Day Trout Fishing Tournament

Look no further for a place to stay when you come up for the fish tournament, all of these cabins are in Cherokee: Holly Mtn Top Lodge / Oconaluftee Lodge / Emma’s Brook / Way Away / Hidden View / Battle Cottage / Nelson’s View /  Sound View

March 29, 30 – 2013
$5 entry fee and $10,000 in tagged fish!
$10,000 in tagged fish in the rivers on the Cherokee Reservation (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch and release waters) Hundreds of specially tagged fish will be stocked in the Cherokee public fishing waters. When a tagged fish is caught it can be redeemed for cash prizes ranging from $20 to $500 based on the color of the tag. Redemption location and times to be announced. Open to all ages and for all legal fishing methods. Registration necessary to redeem cash prize.

For More Information Visit: Fish Cherokee

4. Peanuts the Easter Beagle Express Train

Coming to Bryson City for this weekend to ride the train? Stay in one of our many cabin in Bryson City to make the most of your trip! The following are just a few of our cabins in Bryson City: View Point / Dream on a Stream / Mountain Time / Far Horizon / Black Forest Cottage / Black Bear Lodge / Creek & A View / Northern Sky Cabin / Willow Tree Lodge / Chalet du’Mont / Headwaters

Date(s): Mar 29, 2013 – Mar 30, 2013

When: 11:00 am

Where: Bryson City Train Depot

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad welcomes back The PEANUTS™ Easter Beagle Express! Trains will depart the historic Bryson City depot and travel along the Tuckasegee River into the quaint town of Dillsboro North Carolina for the 1 ½ hour layover.

Passengers will join Snoopy, Lucy, Charlie Brown and our Easter Bunnies for old fashioned Easter fun! Festivities include an on-going Easter egg hunt, crafts, coloring sheets, temporary tattoos, and snacks with Snoopy and more.

For More Information Visit: Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Post Christmas Train Ride: Taking Santa Back To The North Pole

Recently Added by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad: Here’s the “Taking Santa Back to the North Pole” train ride!  Did you miss the Polar Express ride in November or December leading up to Christmas? You can still enjoy a magical trip with Santa on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad the week after Christmas.

If you will be enjoying your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental between December 26 and December 29, you will be in time to keep Santa company on his journey back to the North Pole. The train ride departs from Bryson City’s station, and includes a reading of The Polar Express, hot cocoa and lots of lively songs on its way to the North Pole.

Take Santa Claus back home to the North Pole excursions run daily December 26th-29th, at 5pm and 6:30pm.  Tickets prices are $26 for kids, $38 for adults, and kids under 2 go free. First class upgrades are always available. Plus, Santa will visit with each child and give them a special gift of Christmas. There’s a reason why families return every year to ride the Polar Express, now you can experience the magic, too!

Click here for ticket information.

See what the Polar Express train ride is all about here.

Take a hike…at Deep Creek

Bryson City teems with renewed energy and hiking season is in full swing. Want to get some exercise on a hot summer day and stay in the shade? Deep Creek is your perfect hiking destination. Deep Creek provides an amazing area for hikers of all extremes. Come out and enjoy the beautiful forest and fresh air. The trees and flowers provide the perfect sunblock and the creek is an all-natural air conditioner. Crystal clear water provides a platform for the tubers and swimmers.  Hikers can enjoy the easy hike along the creek and visit many wonderful sites along the way. The waterfalls make for an excellent destination.

Signs mark the paths you can take, so you can always choose your destination with ease. Photographers are invited to hike and shoot everything caught in their lens. Waterfalls, scenery, and wildlife can give any photographer a cold chill. Benches and landmarks provide rest areas and the creek provides the perfect swimming hole. Is running more your style? The trail is a very wide and accommodating to all hikers, runners, tubers, and anyone enjoying the summer. Deep Creek is where all hikers should gather to celebrate this tradition and enjoy the great outdoors.

2012 Winter Events in Western North Carolina

Got cabin fever and need to get out for a weekend retreat? Winter is a great time to visit the mountains, check our current listings of events and concerts for February and March 2012: Area Events, Outdoor Recreation and Activities, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Concerts and Events.

December Schedule for the Polar Express!

The December Polar Express Dates are as follows:

December 1 –11am, 5pm & 6:30pm

December 2 –11am, 5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 3 –2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm, & 8pm

December 4 –5pm & 6:30pm

December 7 –6:30pm

December 8 –11am, 5pm & 6:30pm

December 9 –11am, 5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 10 –2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 11 –5pm & 6:30pm

December 12 –5pm & 6:30pm

December 13 –5pm & 6:30pm

December 14 –5pm & 6:30pm

December 15 –5pm & 6:30pm

December 16 –5pm, 6:30pm, & 8pm

December 17 –2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 18 –5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 19 –5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 20 –5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 21 –5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 22 –5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 23 –5pm, 6:30pm & 8pm

December 24– 5pm & 6:30pm

Get Your Tickets for the Polar Express!

Looking for some holiday fun while visiting your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental? Then, Put on your favorite pajamas and hop aboard the Polar Express! Book your tickets for the Polar Express at the same time you book you cabin for a hassle free experience….just call us at 800-528-0760.

The Polar Express train excursion is inspired by Chris Van Allburg’s classic holiday story of a boy who takes a magical Christmas Eve train ride to the North Pole and learns that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.

Enjoy music from the motion picture soundtrack as you sip hot cocoa and listen to a reading of “The Polar Express”. The train winds through the countryside on the way to the North Pole where Santa will be waiting. Santa will hop aboard the train for the journey back to the depot. As guests sing along to Christmas carols, Santa will visit with each child and present them with a special silver sleigh bell.

For more information click here.

 

Over 48,000 passengers rode THE POLAR EXPRESS with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2012 and we hope to see you this year! The 1 ¼ hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the “North Pole” to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board THE POLAR EXPRESS, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot. THE POLAR EXPRESS begins November 8^th and operates through December 29th

Smoky Mountain Trains Museum admission is included with all train excursion tickets. Without train excursion admission is $9 for Adults and $5 for Children.

**THE POLAR EXPRESS is not afraid of a little winter weather!  No snow, rain, or gloom of night will keep the THE POLAR EXPRESS away!  Of course, we want all of our guests to remain safe on their travels. Rest assured THE POLAR EXPRESS will operate.  In the event that the North Carolina Highway Patrol or Department of Motor Vehicles deems travel unsafe on Interstate 40 or Highway 74 resulting in a closure, please call your reservations staff at 1-800-872-4681 for further details and instructions.

We encourage guests to plan ahead and stay apprised of the latest weather developments. YOU MAY RESCHEDULE your trip AS LATE AS 48 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SCHEDULED DEPARTURE with a $6.00 fee per ticket. If a cancellation occurs 48 hours before your scheduled departure a fee of $14.00 per adult ticket and $7.00 per child ticket will be applied.  Once you are WITHIN 48 HOURS OF YOUR SCHEDULED DEPARTURE, the tickets are NON REFUNDABLE.

Use our Physical Address 45 Mitchell St. Bryson City NC 28713 to find an alternate route  if 441 Smoky Mountains National Park road is closed.

                     -The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

So get ready to come to Bryson City this Christmas season and enjoy the thrill of reliving one of your child’s favorite movies. See you soon!

WNC Pottery Festival: Everybody’s Just Claying Around!

Want to get a head-start on your holiday shopping? Then head to the beautiful town of Dillsboro, NC for the Western North Carolina Pottery Festival on Saturday, Nov. 5th. Dillsboro is just a few miles from your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental and is just off the highway.

Enjoy a stroll along the tree-lined streets of this picturesque little town while enjoying demonstrations from some of the nation’s best potters. With so many great artists in one place, you are sure to find the perfect gift! This year’s featured potter is Elmer Taylor, an talented artist whose work can be seen in exhibits and museums throughout the country.

There will be vendors, a day-long raffle and lots of demonstrations. The fun begins on Friday, Nov. 4th with the WNC Clay Olympics and the lighting of a wood-fired kiln. Festival hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission is $3 per person; kids under 12 admitted free! Come see why the WNC Pottery Festival has become one of the area’s top arts events. For more information, click here.

Where to View Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains

The fall leaf season is in full swing and the Smoky Mountains are awash with brilliant reds, oranges and yellows. The reason we enjoy such a spectacular color season is that the Smokies have a remarkable variety of trees. Nearly 100 different species of trees including sugar maple, scarlet oak, sweetgum, hickory and birch contribute to our annual show.

You can find brilliant autumn colors just about anywhere in the Smokies. There is no need to grumble your way along roads crowed with leaf-lookers! Chances are, you will have an amazing view of from the deck of your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental! While the Blue Ridge Parkway is a popular destination that offers breathtaking long-range views, you may experience bumper-to-bumper traffic that can detract from the serene natural experience you were hoping to have. The most popular spot during this time of year is Cades Cove, which you may wish to avoid if you aren’t keen on the smell of muffler exhaust.

One great option is to board the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad to view the fall foliage while enjoying a relaxing train ride. No need to pull over and get out your camera every five minutes; just park in downtown Bryson City, hop aboard and let someone else do the driving while you take all the photos you like!
If you prefer to drive yourself, check out Cataloochee, on the eastern side of the Park. It is much less crowded because it’s away from the most traveled routes and is a little harder to reach from the Tennessee side of the park than Cades Cove. You will see the same spectacular colors and it is bound to be less crowded, even during peak color season. Most likely, you will even get to see some Elk!
Directions: If you are coming from Bryson City or Cherokee, take I-40 to exit 20 and follow the signs 11 miles to Cataloochee. The trip from Cherokee is approximately 82 miles round-trip and can take several hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.  Have fun!

Little Kids Kayak on The Tuckaseigee River In Bryson City

Nantahala Kids Club paddles thru Bryson Cityon on the Tuckaseegee River

It takes just a few minutes to get to downtown Bryson City from your rental cabin in the Bryson City or Cherokee area. When you arrive, you will discover that although it is a small town, there are some very big things happening, here!

If you are downtown on a Wednesday afternoon, chances are you will see dozens of kayaks floating on the Tuckaseegee River. The “Tuck”, as residents fondly call it, flows right through the center of Bryson City. And no, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you – the kayaks are tiny! That’s because the paddlers are very young – most around the age of 8 but some as young as 4! This is Nantahala Kids Club, a community group of kid paddlers that gets together once a week when the weather is nice. Local kayaking outfitters (Endless River Adventures and Nantahala Outdoor Center) volunteer their awesome instructors (and a company founder – Juliet Jacobsen Kastorff!) to teach the kayaking skills to the kids.

Bryson City is home to quite a few Olympic paddlers and they love to have the chance to share their passion for the sport with young people. Most parents of club members also enjoy paddling with the group. While most club members are just getting into the sport, others are more experienced and have already participated in freestyle or slalom competitions. With access to great whitewater and wonderful instruction, it is indeed possible that several NKC members could compete in the 2013 World Freestyle Kayaking Championships that will be held in nearby Nantahala Gorge!  For more information on the club, visit the Nantahala Kids Club facebook page.

The 99th Annual Cherokee Indian Fair Is October 4-8th

Performance of a traditional Cherokee dance

If you are looking for a fun way to experience some local culture while enjoying your Bryson City or Cherokee vacation cabin rental, then check out the Cherokee Indian Fair. This local fall festival is in its 99th year and is an exciting celebration of art, music, dance and local tradition.

The festival has all the usual carnival rides and games but also adds local flare with activities such as the Baby Crawl Contest, Blow Gun Contest and the Cast Iron Lid Toss, Stickball games, traditional dances, crafts, storytelling, fireworks and bands such as the Drifters, Litefoot and the Charlie Daniels Band. This event is not your average fair! It is distinctly Cherokee and is sure to provide a good time for everyone. (It’s also an awesome event at which to do a little early Christmas shopping!)

The Cherokee Indian Fair is held from October 4-8 at the Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds in Cherokee, NC. It’s only 15 minutes from Bryson City on the scenic old Highway 19 backroad. For more information and a schedule of events, click here.