Roger says: We had a GREAT run. Temperature, weather and scenery was perfect!!! Dining at deport was 1st class at a rock-bottom price, and the surprise gourmet picnic - hosted by the Nelson' on the way home last nigh t- added a very nice finish to a fun day. We had 8 cars including one perspective new member.

Note from Fred Ellis:

Fred, Debbie and The Little White Mouse visit the Big South Fork Scenic Railway

The rain has left and the sky is blue this morning.  We are on our way towards Sterns Kentucky, by way of US27, to ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.  We wind our way up the Plateau, eight Miatas of varying colors and their passengers all with smiles.  Autumn is in the air and I can imagine the colors which will soon cover the landscape.  We arrive at the Train Depot around noon where we are treated to a wonderful lunch buffet at Suzanne’s Fine Dining.  What a pleasant surprise to find such good food at the Depot, the Sunday buffet is a bargain at $10.99 and well worth stopping if ever visiting the area.  Following lunch we wander around the small town and visit the museum which is included when you purchase a train ticket.  All aboard the train we soon enter the forested area of Daniel Boone National Forest, we pass an old mining community and then enter the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  The train then makes a stop at the site of the Blue Heron Mine.

“When the train makes it's stopover in Blue Heron, visitors may take a self-guided tour of the site.  Instead of a complete restoration, the Blue Heron site is designed as an oral history center, where the people who actually lived and worked here tell their story through audio recordings housed in "ghost structures".  The ghost structures are simply representations of where the actual buildings once stood many years ago.  In addition to the ghost structures, there is a picnic shelter, concession stand, and gift shop to explore.  The site is now owned and operated by the National Park Service as part of the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.” 

We spend an enjoyable time walking around the site and soaking in the mountain atmosphere.  All aboard the train - and we make the trip back towards Stearns.  I ride along looking at the countryside and daydreaming of what life was like here in the early 1900’s.  Round trip time is around three hours and most of the rail cars are open so be sure and take a jacket.

Back on the road the group of Miatas travel along at a nice pace and I enjoy the beautiful countryside that we pass through.  The section of US27 between Wartburg and Oneida is a very nice area with good pavement, several nice sections of curves and beautiful countryside.  Arriving in Wartburg we make a stop at the local park where we are treated to an afternoon gourmet snack provided by Jean and David Nelson.  They set a table complete with a nice table cloth, a crystal vase with roses, stuffed celery, deviled eggs, summer sausage, cheese, and crackers.  Wow what a nice surprise and what a great topper for such a wonderful trip.  As we head towards home people pull out of line at different places and we wave goodbye. 

Arriving home I pull the car into the garage, shut down the engine, we pat the dash and say "Thanks, Little White Mouse, we had a great time."