2009 Winter Break Trip Day 1 – Details

Mama Fu’s
I have got to say, we are becoming regular patrons of the Mama Fu’s in Atlanta. Great food, reasonably priced, great service. Have eaten there 3 times in the last month.

Cherokee
We made the decision to get a hotel room in Cherokee instead of Maggie Valley based on two criteria. The first was the free hot breakfast offered by Holiday Inn Express. The second was Cherokee’s proximity to the national forest.

After getting settled in our room, we asked the front desk clerk for some culinary choices in the area. His first question was interesting: ‘do you drink?’ Odd, but not when you are in the Cherokee Nation which is dry. Not only is it dry, but it is not tourist season here, so about 80% of the business’ are closed until March or so.

Options? Eat at the Casino’s restaurant or drive to Bryson City.

Bryson City
We headed east towards Bryson City. Took about a half hour to travel the 10 miles from Cherokee to Bryson City. As we entered the town, we knew we had made a mistake. The Casino restaurant had to have been better.

The town was so dead that only a 3rd of the street lights were burning. We turned south towards route 74 and saw three restaurants open: Arby’s, Burger King and McDonalds.

Caleb had asked earlier if he could have a hamburger when we stopped for dinner. He had asked using a complete sentence in words and in sign language so we had agreed.

McDonalds

1. No cars in the parking lot.
2. Two employees sitting out front smoking
3. Same two employees rush inside to greet you.
4. Burger patties were left over from the dinner rush.