Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on September 2, 1940, "for the permanent enjoyment of the people." Becoming a national park was not easy for the Great Smokies. Joining the National Park System took a lot of money and the hard work of thousands of people. Establishing most of the older parks located … Continue reading Creating a National Park – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Be our guest in this beautiful, luxury cabin located in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Nature's View cabin has 3 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. Far enough away for the beautiful scenery, but close enough to popular local attractions - just 10 minutes from Pigeon Forge and 20 minutes from Dollywood and … Continue reading Feature Friday – Nature’s View
We talk a lot about hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and most of us, like me, enjoy going for a short hike. But, even if you are doing just a short 3 or 4-mile hike, it's best to be prepared. You never know when the weather may change suddenly or you may trip and … Continue reading 10 Things to Pack for a Short Hike
The John Ownby Cabin is a historic cabin in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. Located in The Sugarlands, it lies within the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was built in 1860, and is the last surviving structure from the pre-park Forks-of-the-River community. At the time, this valley was populated with three small Appalachian communities: Forks-of-the-River, Sugarlands, and Fighting Creek. The valley … Continue reading John Ownby’s 1860 Cabin
Any age, any level of rider could ride Climbworks Gatlinburg Mountain Biking Course. It's built for everyone to enjoy. The bikes are well maintained, and great models for general riders. The trail is well laid out, can be fun for experienced riders, but very doable for beginners. The uphill is a gradual climb (about a half a … Continue reading Mountain Biking in Gatlinburg TN
Metcalf Bottoms Swimming Area This picnic area located between Gatlinburg and Townsend offers great access to the Little Greenbrier River. Several shallow swimming holes are scattered along this picnic area. The area is wide and makes for a perfect spot to throw a tube into the water and relax. It’s also the perfect swimming area … Continue reading The Best Swimming Holes in Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains
The Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee are a top destination in the country for weddings due to the gorgeous scenery of Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Peaks and valleys provide breathtaking views that mirror the promise of lifelong wedded bliss. Every year, over 10,000 brides plan Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg weddings in and around … Continue reading Weddings in the Great Smoky Mountains
We visited Cades Cove in late August 2013. We turned off the main road onto a side road. There was a mother deer and her baby frolicking in a field. It was really cute to see them play together like that. We headed back onto the loop to go to the area where they have a … Continue reading “Michelle’s Weekly Pet Challenge.”
Just a few hundred feet off of US441, and just a 1/2 mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center you'll find the Mingus Mill. The mill still works and is water powered (it is not a water wheel). The Park Service Volunteers grind both wheat and corn and sell the fruit of their labor. Youngsters … Continue reading Mingus Mill
Cades Cove is 6,800-acres nestled in a beautiful isolated valley located in the East Tennessee section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is a representative sample of this Park's natural and cultural history as well as its recreational opportunities. Open fields lap against 5,500-foot mountain peaks. With more than 2.5 million visitors annually, it … Continue reading Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Cabins in the Clouds 