So, it’s not until January. But if you’re anything like me, winter is the time of year you get stir crazy. Plan now to avoid that, and have something to look forward to! Every year, the city of Pigeon Forge puts on Wilderness Wildlife Week at the Music Road Hotel & Convention Center. This year [...]
Hint of Color Blossoms Across the Smokies
September 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Do you have your fall trip to the Smokies scheduled? Prime leaf viewing days will be here before we know it. According to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fall Color Report for 2011 (as of Wednesday): There is just a hint of color in the earliest changing trees at this time. A few sourwoods, [...]
Swimming in the Smokies
August 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Summer is drawing to an end. But despite the fact that kids are starting to be back in school, we still have at least a good month of summer weather. Plenty of time to visit that ole swimming hole… People often ask us: So, can you swim in the mountain streams in the Smokies? Well, [...]
New Record Set for Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike
August 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Jennifer Pharr Davis finished hiking the Appalachian Trail last Sunday. And she did it in only 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes. That beats the old record, set by Andrew Thompson in 2005, by more than a day. To top his record, Jennifer had to do a 60-mile day on Friday. That’s right, folks. [...]
Animal Spotlight: Peregrine Falcon
July 13, 2011 By 1 Comment
The Smoky Mountains are best known for the black bears that roam the mountainsides. But there are other varieties of wildlife worth noting, too. One of them is the Peregrine Falcon. It’s a beautiful, majestic-looking bird. Here’s a quick list of facts about the Falcon. Read it, and impress your friends with your knowledge during [...]
10 Facts About Black Bears in the Smokies
June 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Every time we’ve been to the Smokies, we’ve tried to see black bears. Doesn’t everyone? Well … not everyone. In fact, my friend Kim is taking her family on a trip to the Smokies soon. They’ve never been. They can’t wait to visit Ober Gatlinburg, and they have the perfect cabin all picked out. But [...]
Hiking the Appalachian Trail
March 25, 2011 By 1 Comment
It’s 2,181 long miles — stretching from Georgia to Maine. And people HIKE that distance! It’s absolutely amazing to me! I’m in major awe of it. And recently, I’ve run across some neat stories from the good old Appalachian Trail. Here they are: John and Liz Hasenmyer. This one is near and dear to us [...]
Green All Winter Long
January 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
By Guest Blogger, Paul Lightfoot, Grounds Supervisor for Taylor University/Botanist What stays green in winter in the Southern mountains? You are all probably aware that there are many trees that stay green all winter, including the Red Spruce, several species of pines, Carolina Hemlock, and Fraser Fir. But you may not automatically think of the [...]
Christmas Tree for the Animals
December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Here’s a fun idea for cabin Christmas gatherings! Kids and adults alike will love this one. Try it! I have to give credit to my mother-in-law. She sure is creative when it comes to the holidays. This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas activities — and it works especially well in the mountains! Decorate [...]
