Visitors learn history of Park as Wildflower Pilgrimage winds down

Wildflowers are a part of every Wildflower Pilgrimage hike, even when the focus of the hike is the rich history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park according to The Mountain Press story by Candice Grimm - click here

But on a hike to the Walker Sisters' cabin and Little Greenbrier School, not even Pink Lady Slippers could steal the spotlight from the history of these hardy mountain women.

All during the moderate hike from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, leader Raymond Palmer pointed out places where buildings had stood and events had taken place.

Although some participants struggled a bit with the heat and the climb, all seemed refreshed by a short lesson learned while seated at a desk inside the cool, dimly lit Little Greenbrier School.

Through pictures of past classes, and long-told stories from students who had attended the school, hike participants learned what it was like to have attended the little log school, as well as some history on how the Park acquired the property.

The lesson was enough to lure the hikers on up the trail to the Walker Sisters' cabin, where Palmer described the lives of the five women who became famous for the way they lived - no running water, electricity or central heat, and by growing what they needed on the 122-acre farm.

Their fame was sealed after a writer mentioned in a 1936 National Geographic article about the new national park that he had come upon two women sitting on their porch paring apples, and they told him they made all their own clothing. The story did not include the women's names, but it had to have been the Walkers, and from then on thousands traveled the narrow road to their cabin to see them, visit, and buy their handmade items.

Walker Sisters of Little Greenbriar - Smokies Store - click here

Little River Road - Sugarlands Welcome Center to Townsend and Cades Cove - Click here

May 2 & 9 - “Mountain Communities: Fighting Creek, Forks of the River, and the Sugarlands”

May 2 & 9 - “Mountain Communities: Fighting Creek, Forks of the River, and the Sugarlands” - An interpretive one-mile, one-hour easy hiking program is presented at 10 a.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (865) 436-1200 (Bicentennial)

Wildflower Pilgimage - Salamander Foray Fun For ALL Ages

Great Smoky Mountain National Park - The Mountain Press - Getting wet and muddy almost always appeals to children, but it apparently can also bring out the kid in adults of any age.

The Great Smoky Mountains are known as the "Salamander Capital of the World!" Salamanders are an especially abundant and diverse group in the Great Smokies. In fact, the great majority of vertebrate (backboned) animals, including human visitors, in the park on any given day are salamanders.


This week, "Adults comprised about half of the 25 participants in a Salamander Foray led Tuesday by Carey Jones as part of the Wildflower Pilgrimage, but not one of them shied away from splashing through streams or scrambling around the woods flipping rocks and rolling logs in search of salamanders."

Early in the search, an uncommon Spotted Dusky Salamander was captured by an older woman, who turned out to have a knack for locating the slippery little critters with big eyes and long tails.The little kids also caught their share of the 30 species of salamanders living in the Smokies, including a Southern Red-backed Salamander, a Seal Salamander, and many others.

Many guests at the Bear's Den cabin have reported seeing small salamanders up on the deck near the hot tub or on the front porch "sunning" themselves. They are rather elusive but be patient. They'll often come back day after day, so you'll want to keep your camera ready.

The article Photographing Salamanders by Richard D. Bartlett has some great photography tips and images. Click here for the article.

Click here for the complete Mountain Press story.

Smoky Mountain Winery - Gatlinburg, TN

Are you looking for a tasty experience when you are in Tennessee? If so, then you should really schedule a visit at The Smoky Mountain Winery in Gatlinburg. Located at 450 Cherry Street in Winery Square, this is the place to go for the best wine that Tennessee has to offer.

Directions: From downtown Gatlinburg at traffic light number three, take 321 North (East Parkway). Winery is located 1/2 mile on right in Winery Square. If you're staying at the Bear's Den, just head down the mountain to Roaring Fork Rd and take a left into town at E. Parkway. The winery will be on your left.

Whether you are a big time wine connisseur or not, you are sure to enjoy a visit to this great winery. The Smoky Mountain Winery opened up back in 1981, and since then have received tons of awards for their tasty specialties on regional, national and even international levels. A visit to this winery is actually a great experience that can be fun for your entire family.

When you plan to visit the Smoky Mountain Winery, be sure that you make time to visit their production area so that you can take advantage of the free tour that is offered to guests. After the tour, you are then invited to get yourself a free sampling of a decent number of the stellar wines that are offered in what is called the tasting room.

The different types of wine that are offered through the Smoky Mountain Winery are simply wonderful. If you are into white wine, there are several tasty varieties for your enjoyment.

Choose from Mountain White, Leconte White, and Brookside White to name a few. Others that grace the list of wines include Muscadine Red, Blackberry, Sangria, Peach Blush, Autumn Splendor and Mountain Mist.

If you have any questions, or if you are looking to get information regarding some of the wines
offered, you can call the winery Office at (865) 436-7505 or the Tasting Room at (865) 436-7551.

Other Tennessee wineries to visit: click here.

by US Coachways - The Charter Bus Rental Company

Zeno The "Gatlinburg Spokes-Bear" Invites You To Come Visit Gatlinburg!

Yawn! Well, I've just awakened from my long winter's nap and I can BEARLY contain my excitement at seeing Spring blooming in Gatlinburg! The city is exploding with activity, so now is the perfect time to visit!

Get your paws on the new 2007 Vacation Guide and plan your perfect vacation! Packed full of fun things to see and do, it's one of the bear necessities you need to make the most of Gatlinburg!

Go here to order a printed guide, or download a pdf version now. So don't wait any longer-get your guide, make your plans, and come see me soon! (And bring some honey, will ya?)

Gatlinburg

Spring 2007 - Dollywood's New Mystery Mine Roller Coaster Ride Opens

"What if there is no light at the end of the tunnel???" That's the catch phrase for the newest addition to Dollywood's Timber Canyon area - the Mystery Mine!

The largest capital investment in Dollywood history, Mystery Mine is a one-acre expansion of the park's Timber Canyon area. Continuing the area's lumber camp theme, Mystery Mine is set in an abandoned coal mine where eight-passenger mine carts immediately plunge riders into darkness before continuing along a 1,811-foot track through the ruins of an early 1900's mine.

During the two and half minute journey, riders encounter a beyond vertical 95-degree, 85-foot drop in addition to three inversions, a headline roll, rollover loop and an immelmann. The ride finishes with several high-speed twists as the mine cars maneuver their way through a series of uncertain encounters. Mystery Mine, also known as a Euro-Fighter coaster, is the first ride of its kind to be built in the United States. (click here for animation)

Dollywood noted that state-of-the-art special effects will add to the overall ride experience. The entire attraction will last about two-and-half minutes.

"I'm so proud of Dollywood and all we've accomplished through the years," Dolly Parton said. "Maybe I'm most proud of Dollywood being named one of the top three theme parks in the entire world. That's why I thought it was important to build a world-class roller coaster like Mystery Mine "it's got a world of surprises in store for folks."

Dollywood has invested a lot in new attractions over the past several years. Last year, the theme park introduced the new $6.5 million Timber Tower thrill ride. In 2005, Dollywood spent $5 million for a 3.5-acre expansion of the park's Country Fair area and added ten new family rides. In 2004, the park built the $7 million award-winning wooden coaster, Thunderhead.

Additional Mystery Mine coverage is available from:

• The Mountain Press - click here.
• Coaster World News - streaming video report on opening weekend here.
• The Tennessean offered a piece - click here.
• The Knoxville News-Sentinel provides an article here and a video interviewing riders here.
• Knoxville TV station WATE gives its take on the happenings here.

April 28th - Wildflower Pilgrimage - Special Rachel Carson 100th Anniversary Show!!

Where else could you get $10 tickets to see a Broadway Star! Order now before they're all gone!
In a special 100th Anniversary performance, Broadway star Kaiulani Lee will appear as Rachel Carson in "A Sense of Wonder."

The best show you'll ever get to see for only $10 and the highlight of this year's Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.

April 28, 7:30-9:00 p.m., Mills Auditorium, Gatlinburg, TN.

Now you can enjoy the same show she's performed for the Smithsonian, United Nations, Sierra Club's Centennial, and Department of Interior's 150th Anniversary Celebration.

Click here to see all the details.

March 31 - May 7 - Dollywood Festival of Nations

Irish eyes will be smiling on you as Dollywood shines the spotlight on Celebrate Ireland! Watch as Ireland's renowned musical heritage unfolds right before your eyes during the spectacular show Rhythm of the Dance, featuring fancy footwork, colorful costumes and traditional music. At the Valley Theatre, Irish bands and dance troupes entertain with a lively jig and reel.

Find your rhythm during bodhrán drum lessons or try a tune on the tin whistle. See celebrated Irish artist Philip Gray and his paintings featuring breathtaking Irish seascapes and landscapes. See Irish craftsmen at work in Emerald Isle Marketplace or sample delicious cuisine during Taste of Ireland at various park restaurants.

And don't miss a world of entertainment from The Russian National Theatre, Peru's Yawar Chicchi folk music & dance, Switzerland's Streichmusik Alder, featuring folk music and alpine horns, master yodeler Kerry Christensen, Ukraine's Dyvo Kalynove, children's folk music and dance group, Zambian Vocal Group, Trinidad's Stix on Steel and Ecuador's Atahualpa.

Click here for the complete list of new shows and events at Dollywood!

Spring Car & Motorcycle Shows in the Smokies

The Spring Grand Rod Run is the kick-off event to a new season of car shows. Thousands of classic car, truck and motorcycle enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains each year.

If checking under the hood of a classic hot rod sounds right up your alley, then this is the time of year for you to visit. Shows vary from displays of big trucks to low rider trucks to antique cars and trucks. People line the streets with chairs to sit and watch the many car show participants show off their prized possessions. Click here to view a YouTube.com of last year's event in Pigeon Forge.

Booking a private log cabin in the Smoky Mountains will top off the vacation to remember, and you can take a short drive down to the Parkway to take in the hundreds of classic cars that will come from all over the country to be part of the car shows. Because of the popularity of the season and the shows, book early to avoid scrambling to find a cabin available at the last minute.

You can catch the shows year round, but a few of the biggest shows coming up are listed below:

April 19 - 22, 2007 - 25th Annual Spring Grand Rod Run Grand Resort Hotel and Convention Center (800) 251-4444

April 21, 2007 - Tennessee Gold Wing Rally (Spring Fling) - Country Inn & Suites (423) 538-8827

April 26-29 2007 - Gold Wing Riders Association. For more Info, Please Call 1-800-251-9100

May 17 - 20, 2007 - '55, '56, '57 Chevy ClassicsGrand Resort Hotel and Convention Center (865) 984-3758

July 13-15, 2007 - 18th Annual Southern Nationals Association Nationals and Open Car Show. For more Info, Please Call 1-800-251-9100

June 1 - 2, 2007 - Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge


Gatlinburg , Bear's Den , Pigeon Forge , Smoky Mountain

'Magic Beyond Belief' plans opening in Pigeon Forge

Grand Opening - First Week of May! The Fee/ Hedrick Family Entertainment Group is opening a new theater featuring a magic show. Co-owners David Fee and Jim Hedrick will open the 400-seat-theater titled "Magic Beyond Belief" starring Terry Evanswood.

For the past 10 years Evanswood has been the star of Country Tonite's morning "Grand Illusion Show Located in the former Ole Smoky Hoedown Theater at 2135 Parkway, the show will open Thursday with a grand opening during the first week in May.

Throughout the preview month, new acts will be added, including the highlight illusion of a white tiger appearing out of thin air before the audience's eyes. Renovations to the inside of the theater are complete. Renovations to the outside will continue during the next month.

"We will have an intimate magic experience at our new theater and we are thrilled to have Terry Evanswood join our company," said David Fee, co-owner of the theater. "Terry has wanted to have an evening show for a long time and we know it will be a huge success.""I perform like the audience is a group of friends," Evanswood said. "What sticks with people are the personal moments we create. I try to touch people's hearts in every performance."

The magician has been performing professionally since the age of 10. Originally from Chicago, he has appeared throughout the United States.

For Fee and Jim Hedrick, the theater's owners are realizing a magical dream too. "I used to be a professional magician," Fee said, "and my business partner, Jim Hedrick, used to be a professional juggler and we have always wanted to bring a magic show to Pigeon Forge."

Both Fee and Hedrick performed at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and were featured entertainers on Carnival Cruise Lines for over nine years. Their roots go back to being performers at Magic World in Pigeon Forge. When they opened The Comedy Barn they were performers as well as co-owners.

Show times will be 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Call 428-5600 for reservations.

Gatlinburg , Pigeon Forge , Attractions

April 13 - 22nd Annual Dolly Parade - Pigeon Forge

Join Grand Marshal Dolly Parton for the 22nd Annual Dolly Parade! Shamrock 'n Roll at this year’s parade themed “Celebrate Ireland”. The parade will be once again be enhanced by the sounds of a number of high school marching bands competing in the Pigeon Forge Music Festival.

This Dolly Parade kicks off Pigeon Forge Springfest with Sevier County's favorite daughter, Dolly Parton, as its grand marshal leading the celebration. Traditionally, over 50,000 parade watchers line the streets to admire the colorful floats, musicians, cloggers, majorettes, and a number of high school marching bands competing in the Pigeon Forge Music Festival.

The Dolly Parade will begin on River Road near traffic light #7 and will travel north along the Parkway disbanding at the Belz Factory Outlet World at traffic light #3. The Dolly Parade will get underway at 6:00 p.m. All visitors who come to the parade will get a real taste of the entertainment that can be found all year in Pigeon Forge

Pigeon Forge , Entertainment

Roaring Fork Motor Trail - Jewel of the Smokies!

The Roaring Fork area is a favorite side trip for many people who frequently visit the Smokies. It offers rushing mountain streams, glimpses of old-growth forest, and a number of well-preserved log cabins, grist mills, and other historic buildings. If you have time to make only one trip into the park from Gatlinburg, this should be the one.

To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN., at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the national park. The Noah “Bud” Ogle self-guiding nature trail provides a walking tour of an authentic mountain farmstead and surrounding hardwood forest. Highlights include a streamside tubmill and the Ogle’s handcrafted wooden flume plumbing system.

Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This narrow, but paved, road twists and turns for six miles beside rich forests, waterfalls, and mountain streams. Buses, trailers, and motor homes are not permitted on the motor nature trail. An inexpensive booklet available at the beginning of the motor nature trail details landmarks along the route.

“Roaring Fork” is the name of the stream which the road roughly parallels. It is one of the larger and faster flowing mountain streams in the park. Drive this road after a hard rain and the inspiration behind the name will be apparent. Several homes and other buildings have been preserved in this area. And a “wet weather” waterfall called Place of a Thousand Drips provides a splendid finale to your journey.

Roaring Fork Nature Trail terminates at Roaring Fork Rd., which is only a quarter mile from the Bear's Den front door!

Blog Photos by Brian J. Davis

Roaring Forks Nature Trail - The Jewel of The Smokies by Chuck Wickham

Gatlinburg , Bear's Den

April 4-7: Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community Easter Arts & Crafts Show

Arts and crafts have long held a deep association with the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Nowhere else in the South will you find a richer heritage of fine craftsmanship than in Gatlinburg. Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community, established in 1937, is the largest group of independent artisans in North America. Arts & Crafts Show - Gatlinburg Convention Center

Located on an eight-mile loop at the northeast edge of Gatlinburg, the Community proudly preserves the craft heritage of the Great Smoky Mountains year-round. This area offers you the best in a wide range of craft shops, including pottery, woodcarving, candlemaking, quilting, weaving, broommaking, and painting, among many other fine art forms.

Website/Link: http://www.artsandcraftscommunity.com

Admission: Free

Gatlinburg , Bear's Den

April 23-29 - Experts Teach 174 Classes On Smokies Flora & Fauna

The park's Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage hikes, lectures, and workshops will be held outdoors all over the Smokies and inside at the Mills Auditorium in Gatlinburg from April 23-29.

World experts in wildflowers, bears, birds, salamanders, trees, moss -- you name it -- will lead hikes and show slides and lecture on a wide range of topics. Yes, 174 different expert-led events are offered! Act quickly to reserve your spot before the most popular events fill up!!

www.SpringWildflowerPilgrimage.org


Gatlinburg , Smoky Mountains , Attractions , Photography, Hiking