Happy Fourth!

Happy Fourth of July from your friends in the Smokies!

Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade

Be one of the first to celebrate Independence Day at Gatlinburg’s 34^th Annual 4^th of July Midnight Parade.

This year, the parade will be led by a recreation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s motorcade through Gatlinburg when he dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1940. The reenactment will include cars, costumes, and motorcycles from the era.

The streets will close late on July 3 and the parade begins at 12 a.m. For more information click here.

Smoky Mountain Music and Heritage Series

Enjoy music and celebrating culture? If so, the Smoky Mountain Music & Heritage Series is for you!

What: The 3^rd Annual Smoky Mountain Music & Heritage Series

When: July 3, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Old Mill Square

Admission is free. For more information call 865-423-0771.

Douglas Lake

Douglas Lake, located outside Sevierville, has more to offer than you may expect. The Lake offers activities such as camping, swimming, and boating. For the fisherman in your family, Douglas Lake is perfect. It is ranked top 5 in the nation for Crappie and top 10 for Large Moth Bass. If fishing is not for you, then spend the day just relaxing on the water. Houseboats, ski boats, and pontoon boats are all available to rent from the marina. Douglas lake will surely provide you and your family a weekend of fun. If you’re not a family of campers, click here for lodging around the Douglas Lake area.

Water Rides at Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg offers guests a lot more than just winter activities. In the summer, there is plenty to entertain you and your family as well. With offerings like a year-round amusement park, a high bank go-cart track, and tree water raft slides who wouldn’t love it? One of the rides is the Alpine Slide, an 1800 ft twin slide! Ober is perfect year-round for those who enjoy photography, or would just like to see an open view of the mountaintops. For all you winter lovers the ice skating rink is still open year-round. Click here for other attractions and lodging in the Gatlinburg area.

Cooling off in The National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The increase in climate provides the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the many swimming locations within the Great Smoky Mountains. These Numerous swimming sites can be found throughout the park. These locations are good for a quick dip or tubing depending on the water level.

Area – Location – Features


1. Big Creek – State 32 from Cosby – Quiet, peaceful area with a refreshing creek


2. Deep Creek – Hwy. 19 from Cherokee – Great for tubing, bring your own or rent one


3. Greenbrier – Hwy. 321 from Gatlinburg – Just pick any spot on the gorgeous middle prog of the Little Pigeon River. Great for tubing!


4. Metcalf Bottoms – Little River Road – wade in and skip rocks across this calm, wide area of the river. Good for tubing.


5. The Sinks – Little River Road – The Smokies’ deepest swimming hole


6. Townsend ‘Wye” – Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road intersection – placid stretch of river with grassy banks for sunbathing. Another good place for tubing.

Say Safe in the Water, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

When things get heated, be careful when cooling off. 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. Drowning is the leading cause of death in the park. If you get injured while in the National Park, depending on where you are, medical assistance could be hours away. It is especially important not to  climb on the rocks near waterfalls, and use extreme caution while walking along riverbanks, because these rocks are slippery due to mist and algae. If you do decide to get in and cool off, do no jump or dive into the water. The bottom of the water is dark and rocks may not be visible from the surface. When it comes to water recreation, use extreme caution and common sense. For more safety tips click here.

Labor Day on the Water at Douglas Lake, Tennessee

This Labor Day, rent jet skis, waverunners, sea doos, canoes, kayaks, and peddle boats at H2O Sports at Swann’s Marina on Douglas Lake. There are jet skis for all skill levels of riders, and all the rentals are performance or luxury models. Prices start as low as $30 a day, but vary depending on equipment and number of hours rented. They also have pontoons for rent, which are great for a relaxing ride around the lake or fishing. Douglas Lake is beautiful and great for spending this Labor Day out on the water & away from the crowds. Visit the website for a $10 off coupon.

Directions to the marina: From I-40, take the White Pine-Dandridge exit #424. At the bottom of the exit ramp take a right. Then take the first left onto HWY 25/70. The marina is .8 miles on the right.

The Little River & the Townsend Y, Tennessee – Swimming in the Smokies

The Little River flows through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As summer comes to an end & school starts back, your family should enjoy a vacation or afternoon in the park before life gets busy again. A great way to stay cool in the beautiful National Park is by enjoying the mountain streams. About midway between Gatlinburg and Townsend is Metcalf Bottoms, which is a great place for picnics and wading in the river. The Townsend Y is the joining of Little River and Middle Prong of Little River. This is a popular swimming hole, and on really hot days is known to be a little crowded. Many tubers use the Y as a starting point before floating downstream, usually to the first mill dam (above the Hwy 321 bridge). Don’t let the summer end without one last trip to the Smokies.

Mt. LeConte Overnight Adventures at the Institution of Tremont

You have 5 more days to register for the Overnight Adventure (Aug. 15-17) on Mt. LeConte with the Institute of Tremont. You will stay in the LeConte lodge, which is the highest elevation lodge in the eastern U.S. Saturday night will be spent at Tremont, and then Sunday morning the climb up Mt. LeConte will begin. You will learn about the National Park, the ecology around you, and the natural history of the area as you hike. Everyone will stay in the lodge over night, and return to the Institute on Monday. The program last from Saturday supper to Monday late lunch. The cost is $365 & includes all meals, lodging, transportation, and instruction. Click here register.