Starting June 7, for one week, the lightening bugs will be in Elkmont, located in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is one of the few places in the world where you can witness the synchronized flashes of fireflies.Synchrony, repetitive group flashing, is very rare. For this one week in June, the males have a very [...]
Archive for May, 2008
This Little Light of Mine, Synchronized Fireflies on Elkmont, Great Smoky Mountains
Posted in Attractions, Environment, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Spring on May 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Water Safety in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Posted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Safety on May 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
While visiting the Great Smoky Mountains in the spring and summer, it can get very hot. The streams and waterfalls of the park seem like an excellent way to cool off but,water recreation in the National Park is not recommended and you need to use extreme caution. Downing is the leading cause of death [...]
2008 Mountain Hounds Weekend in Gatlinburg
Posted in Attractions, Events, Free Things To Do, Gatlinburg, Summer on May 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
If you see an abundance of Greyhounds in the Gatlinburg area this weekend, don’t be alarmed. It is the annual Mountain Hounds Weekend sponsored by Greyhound Friends of North Carolina. This event draws over 250 Greyhounds and their owners from 18 different states. The activities are free to the public.
Water Conservation in the Smokies
Posted in Environment on May 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This Summer is going to be hot and there is always the possibility of a drought. Here are some ways you can help conserve water:
(1) Take brief showers and turn off the water in the shower when you don’t need it (for instance lathering up shampoo). Try to keep your showers to two minutes or [...]
Golfing in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Posted in Attractions, Gatlinburg, Outdoor, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville on May 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Whether you are a beginner or a pro, the beauty and challenge of the Smoky Mountain golf courses will make you want to play here year round. The terrain-rich courses are receiving outstanding reviews. These courses offer golfers of all skill levels an interesting game, players have to hit the ball uphill, downhill, and on [...]
Are tarantulas in the Great Smoky Mountains?
Posted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on May 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
When you think of tarantulas, you most likely think of the big, furry, scary ones that you see on National Geographic or in movies. Most of these species of tarantulas live in the southwestern parts of the U.S. However, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park there is a species of tarantulas most-commonly known as [...]
Grocery Stores near Gatlinburg
Posted in Gatlinburg, Grocery Shopping, Maps & Alternate Routes on May 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
When you first get to your cozy little cabin in the Smokies you will quickly realize one thing, it doesn’t come with food. There is an easy solution to that problem… go grocery shopping. There are three grocery stores located in Gatlinburg. They are listed below. You can also click the maps for a larger [...]
Make a Splash at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Posted in Family Fun, Outdoor, Pigeon Forge, Summer, Waterpark on May 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
If you get hot this summer while vacationing in the Smoky Mountains and want a day filled with fun and excitement for the whole family, come to Dollywood’s Splash Country. This water adventure theme park has a range of water activities from the Lazy River to the Big Bear Plunge white water rafting ride. If [...]
18th Annual Family Fest in the Smokies 2008
Posted in Events, Gatlinburg, Spring on May 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The 18th Annual Family Fest in the Smokies begins today and continues all weekend. The Festival features Southern Gospel Music with singers such as Bill & Gloria Gaither, Gordon Mote, Russ Taff, and the Booth Brothers. The guest speaker for this event will be Anne Graham Lotz. The series begins at 7:00pm today and has [...]
Capture the Colors of the Wind, Great Smoky Mountains Photography Contest, 2008
Posted in Events, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Photo Opportunity on May 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
There are prime photography locations scattered throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where you can capture the beautiful colors of the Smokies. Color is in the detail of the hues in the bird’s feathers or in the blue of the piercing high-noon sky. Color is everywhere, but your imagination and camera can help capture it.
The 2008 [...]
Red Roof Factory Outlet of Pigeon Forge
Posted in Pigeon Forge, Shopping on May 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Pigeon Forge Factory Outlet Mall is often called the “Red Roof Mall”. Here you will be able to find great discounts on name brands such as Pfaltzgraff, Black & Decker, and Bass Factory Outlet & Apparel. While you are shopping stop in one of the eateries, like the B&B Deli, for a fresh sandwich. [...]
Aerial Tramway at Ober Gatlinburg
Posted in Attractions, Downtown Gatlinburg, Family Fun, Gatlinburg on May 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
You are able to see high, unobstructed views of the Great Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg as you ride the aerial tram at Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort & Amusement Park. This very large aerial tramway carries about 120 passengers from downtown Gatlinburg to Ober Gatlinburg throughout the day. Visitors don’t have to worry about parking on [...]
Smoky Mountain Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo in Sevierville, Tennessee
Posted in Attractions, Family Fun, Outdoor, Sevierville on May 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
While visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, travel to the Deer Farm & Exotic Petting Zoo. This attraction is a unique 143-acre farm & barnyard environment. Take priceless pictures of your children on pony rides or the whole family riding horse back on the guided trails. Don’t want to ride? Then you can enjoy petting and [...]
2008 Trout Fest in Townsend, Tennessee
Posted in Attractions, Events, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Spring, Townsend on May 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The 2008 Trout Fest in Townsend began yesterday and continues through today. This is a great event that keeps adults and kids entertained for hours. The outdoor festival is free and parking is free. The event will be held at the Townsend Visitors Center. For more information about 2008 Trout Fest, click here to visit their website.
4th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival, 2008
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Downtown Gatlinburg, Events, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Spring on May 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Today is the first day of the 4th Annual Gatlinburg Fine Arts Festival. The 2-day festival is being held in downtown Gatlinburg at Ripley’s Aquarium and River Road. This is a family-oriented event filled with artists from around the country, good food, and music. This event is free to the public, so come and browse the many [...]
27th Celebration of the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival & Games, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Posted in Culture, Downtown Gatlinburg, Events, Free Things To Do, Spring on May 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Starting today through the 18th is the 27th Anniversary Celebration of the Gatlinburg Scottish Festival & Games. Tonight will be the Grand Parade for the clans, the parade will go down the Parkway through Gatlinburg. The gates and field open at 8:00 a.m Saturday, this is where the Clan Challenge competition will be held, the [...]
4th Annual Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival, Sevierville Tennessee, 2008
Posted in Events, Family Fun, Free Things To Do, Sevierville, Spring on May 15, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Join in the events of Springfest in Sevierville at the 4th Annual Bloomin’ Barbecue & Bluegrass Festival on May 16-17. Come compete in the best BBQ competition as well as the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition. There will be live entertainment from bluegrass legends Larry Cordle, Cadillac Sky, Marty Stuart & others.
The BBQ categories include chicken, [...]
Poodle Skirts & Drive-Ins at Dollywood
Posted in Attractions, Family Fun, Pigeon Forge, Shows on May 14, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Remember when the perfect date was milkshakes at the diner followed by the Drive-In movies? Well, you can relive this exciting time or experience it for the first time at Dollywood’s Dreamland Drive-In. You can sit back and watch the live show filled with your favorite songs from the 50’s and 60’s. The show starts [...]
Horse Camps in the Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Posted in Family Fun, Gatlinburg, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Outdoor on May 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Big Creek horse camp is located on the east side of theGreat Smoky Mountains National Park. The camp was reconfigured last year, and is now composed of six drive-in sites that give you an extensive 16 miles of backcountry horse trails within the park. Big Creek is one of five horse camps in the park, [...]
Rainforest in the Smokies at the Adventures Discovery Zoo in Sevierville, TN
Posted in Attractions, Family Fun, Photo Opportunity, Sevierville on May 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Rainforest Adventures Discovery School, in Sevierville, TN, is an all year indoor Rainforest Zoo. The zoo contains over 130 species within the 400+ animals from the Rain Forests around the world. You cannot see some of these amazing animals without traveling to the rainforests of the Amazon. Live shows are performed daily. Rainforest Adventures is [...]
Townsend, Tennessee
Posted in Townsend on May 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Located about 20 minutes southwest of Pigeon Forge, Townsend offers a well-rounded view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Townsend is quiet mountain town, away from the congestion of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This area is home to the Tremont area of the National Park, including two hiking trails and direct access to the Little Pigeon [...]
Smoky Mountain String Band at Dollywood, 2008
Posted in Events, Sevierville on May 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Dollywood is filled with live entertainment and shows. When you are visiting Dollywood this season, don’t miss the Smoky Mountain String Band as they fill the streets of the park with classic Smoky Mountain Music. The three members of this authentic mountain group play the fiddle, guitar, and banjo. The show is played daily from [...]
Smoky Mountain Wetlands
Posted in Environment, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Outdoor on May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
When you think of a wetland, you may think Florida or the Outer Banks with swamps and beaver ponds. But the wetlands of the Appalachian Mountains that are spread throughout Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia are rare communities technically called non-alluvial wetlands. You may not even recognize them as wetlands as you hike through the [...]
Smoky Mountain Winery in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Attractions, Culture, Gatlinburg on May 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
What better way to experience the local flavor than with a Smoky Mountain wine? The Smoky Mountain Winery is located in Gatlinburg, TN. At the winery, some of the best Smoky Mountain wines are produced. The winery and vineyards are small, so the extra attention to detail is what makes the wine stand out. The premium mountain [...]
Traveling to Gatlinburg? I-40 Traffic Alert & Detour Information, Tennessee
Posted in Maps & Alternate Routes, Uncategorized on May 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Before heading towards the Great Smoky Mountains this year, make sure you have updated maps of your route incase of a detour. Depending on where you are coming from, some delays and detours may be worse than others due to the construction project on I-40. If you are coming through Knoxville, motorists need to be alert [...]
Rip Roaring Adventures, Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge
Posted in Attractions, Family Fun, Gatlinburg, Outdoor, Pigeon Forge, Summer on May 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
If you want a fun-filled day white water rafting with your family while visiting the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area, the closest place is Rip Roaring Adventures. Unlike competitors, they are located directly on the river, which makes the prices lower than the competition. The guides are some of the most experienced in the industry.
The Upper Pigeon [...]
Black Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Posted in Black Bears, Great Smoky Mountains National Park on May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
One thing you may think about when you hear the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the black bear. People hope to see them from a distance, but fear to see them up-close. Their life cycle and habits have been studied for years and much has been learned of these animals. There is an estimated [...]
The Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Posted in Pigeon Forge, Shopping on May 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In the historical Old Mill Square in Pigeon Forge, you will find the Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen. In the Kitchen you will find everything you need to make yourself an Old Mill breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the comfort of your own home. The newest store offers you the chance to purchase southern-style serving pieces such as [...]
Dollywood’s Splash Country: New Slide, Swift Water Run
Posted in Attractions, Family Fun, Outdoor, Pigeon Forge, Summer, Waterpark on May 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
New for Splash Country’s 2008 season is the Swift Water Run. This new slide features a giant corkscrew bowl in which you go round and round before flying down the chute. The Swift Water Run is a fun and exciting new addition to the water park. For more information about Dolly’s Splash Country, visit their [...]
Spring Time is Here at the Spring Festival and Old Timers’ Day, Townsend, Tennessee
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Culture, Events, Family Fun, Spring, Townsend on May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Today is the first day of the 2-day Spring Festival and Old Timers’ Day in Townsend, TN. This is an event to celebrate the culture of the Smoky Mountains. It is being held at the Townsend Visitors Center among the beautiful Smoky Mountains. You do not want to miss the traditions of BBQ, bluegrass music, [...]
