Smoky Mountain Podcasts - Tours and Story Telling

The Great Smoky Mountains Association has launched a series of podcasts that are available from their website or the iTunes podcast directory.

The podcasts vary in subject matter, including audio tours of Newfound Gap Road and tips on what to do when you encounter a bear in the backwoods. In all, they have 41 podcast episodes available and seem to be adding new episodes frequently.

Visit the GSMA website to download individual podcast episodes. If you are an iTunes user, you can subscribe to the GSMA Podcast to receive updates automatically and easily sync them to your iPod.

Smoky Mountains

September and October bring two great events to Gatlinburg

The months of September and October bring two great events to Gatlinburg each year, and both abound in beauty and are highly anticipated by those who have enjoyed them in the past.

The warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights of September, mixed with just the right amount of rain, soon transform 800 square miles of lush green forest into a brilliant palette of autumnal color.

Starting at the peaks in early October and moving down to the lower elevations through early November, Gatlinburg becomes surrounded by the most beautiful skylines you'll ever see, bringing about the spectacular finale to another Harvest Festival and preparation for winter and the millions of lights that Winterfest provides.

The storekeepers work hard to match the beauty of the autumn mountains by carrying the same colors into often-elaborate storefront decorations in anticipation of the influx of visitors coming to see the sights.

From October 11 through 28, the award-winning Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair opens the doors of the Gatlinburg Conventions Center for the Annual Fall Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair. Promoters
Sam and Tracey Large have perfected an event that consistently attracts the country's finest craft people.

In fact, the popularity and reputation of the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair have become so wide-spread that, for the seventh year in a row, it is recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeastern United States .

Arts, crafts, and music lovers will find over 180 booths featuring some of the nation's finest work.

Artisans and craftspeople are on-hand to demonstrate their skill, answer questions and offer their unique art for sale.

Coming to the mountains? It just makes sense to stay in the mountains of Gatlinburg! For mountains of information, call 800/568-4748 or visit

www.gatlinburg.com

Gatlinburg , Smoky Mountains

Three Days In Gatlinburg - Day 3

This day's itinerary calls for a wonderful hike and picnic in a lesser-known area of the park.

Greenbrier Cove is referred to as "The Locals' Entrance to the Park" because it is seldom visited by tourists. It offers some of the finest, most convenient, and least crowded fishing, hiking, jogging, picnicking, waterfalls, tubing, wildflower observation and spectacular natural settings to be found in the Smoky Mountains. When driving along the road in Greenbrier, you'll find many designated pull-offs and parking areas where you can stop to enjoy the scenery.

Let this be our little secret! In early June, the trailhead to Ramsay Cascades is the site of the "Firefly Phenomenon," a spectacular display of rare fireflies that seem to light up in a synchronized rhythm that rolls through the forest. Arrive just before dusk at the Ramsay trailhead and sit quietly two or three hundred feet up the trail. As dark falls the show will begin.

There are many trails in Greenbrier, with Ramsay Cascades being arguably the best waterfall in the Park. Be extremely careful walking on rocks along the river. They can be very slippery and severe injury can result!

Stop at the Greenbrier ranger station for maps, or visit the Sugarlands Welcome Center just south of Traffic Light #10. The hike is eight miles round-trip and is challenging. Take extra water!

Bear's Den Smoky Mountain News: Three Days In Gatlinburg - Day 2

Thanks to Jackson Mountain Homes for this article

Gatlinburg

Three Days In Gatlinburg - Day 2

8:00 a.m. to 12 noon: After breakfast drive to Winery Square and stop in at the Smoky Mountain Angler (865-436-8746) to get fishing and fishing license information. You'll find everything you need, whether you're an experienced angler or novice. Bring your own gear or rent what you need.

In Gatlinburg, you're allowed to fish in many of the city's stocked waters including West Prong of the Little Pigeon River, LeConte Creek, Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek. There are also two designated children's fishing areas that are heavily stocked with trout. These are located at North Gatlinburg Park, at the northern Parkway entrance to the city, and Mynatt Park off Historic Nature Trail.

No fishing is allowed on Thursdays when the city stocks its waters with trout. In Gatlinburg, only one hook is allowed. Corn and other bait is allowed except between December 1st and March 31st - which is strictly "catch and release." During this time, only single hook artificial lures and flies are permitted and all trout must be immediately released unharmed.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for the native brook trout, brown trout, and non-native rainbow trout that inhabit it's streams and rivers.

Gatlinburg and the National Park are crawling (or should we say swimming?) with over 900 miles of rivers and streams that are just waiting for you to cast your line.

12 Noon to 2:00 p.m: Have lunch in downtown Gatlinburg at the Smokey Mountain Brewery or Best Italian Cafe & Pizzeria and don't forget a snack in one of The Village Shops on the parkway.

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m : Naptime!

3:00 p.m. to Dusk : Take a leisurely drive to Clingmans Dome to see the sunset over the mountains. There are many overlooks and trails to explore along the way. Too long a drive? I’ve got the answer: Roaring Forks Nature Trail ! The Smoky Mountain Roaring Forks Nature Trail starts at Stoplight #8 in Gatlinburg and ends only about a 1/2 mile from the Bear's Den's front door! The Roaring Forks Trail is a one-way drive that will quickly give you and the family a feel for the Smokies.

Bear's Den Smoky Mountain News: Three Days In Gatlinburg - Day 3

Bear's Den Smoky Mountain News: Three Great Days In Gatlinburg - Day 1

Thanks to Jackson Mountain Homes for this article

Gatlinburg

Three Great Days In Gatlinburg - Day 1

Sunrise to 10:00am: Go biking in Cades Cove - it's free if you bring your own bicycle.

Beginning the second week in May, Cades Cove loop road is closed to motor vehicle traffic Wednesday and Saturday mornings from sunrise until 10:00 a.m. to allow bicyclists and pedestrians to enjoy the cove. This closure continues through the second-to-last Saturday in September.

The 11-mile one-way road provides bicyclists with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and touring 19th century homesites. Bring your own bicycle and helmet or during summer and fall, you may rent bicycles at the Cades Cove store (located near Cades Cove Campground). For information call (865) 448-9034.

10:00 a.m. to 12 Noon Have a picnic lunch in the Cades Cove picnic area next to the stream.

12 Noon to 3:30 p.m. Drive to Townsend where you can rent inner-tubes and get directions for tubing the Little River. A relaxing way to end a great day.

4:45 p.m. to bedtime. Return to the cabin for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Bear's Den Smoky Mountain News: Three Days In Gatlinburg - Day 2


Thanks to Jackson Mountain Homes for permission to reprint this series.

Gatlinburg