The five most colorful, interesting, important or Hollywood people in the history of the mountains Frequently, when doing research for an article – or noodling aimlessly about on the internet – I’ll come across some historical figure or colorful character and wonder, “Why haven’t they turned this person’s life story into a movie?” The No. 1, person for this Robert
Where to eat in the Smokies if you have food allergies I got the call from the school nurse. John Paul – our middle child – had ingested one of the many, many foods to which he is allergic. Luckily for us, JP’s allergies aren’t anaphylactic. They don’t affect his ability to breathe. If he comes in contact with most
From Mount Le Conte to Meigs Mountain, the stories behind some of the people who had peaks named for them in the Smokies What do a Swiss photographer, a Missouri librarian and a Washington bureaucrat all have in common? Peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park have been named in their honor, of course. And it was frequently in
Local reviews the Biltmore experience at Christmas I’m not what you’d call an upper-crust kind of guy. The few times I’ve tried to make my way into the more structured world of the elite, I didn’t like it. But what do I like? I like the trappings. I love the tapestries and giant fireplaces and everything that came with being
These are the most likely months you’ll see snow in the Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg is a charming mountain town in East Tennessee that is especially popular to visit during the holiday season. But winter weather events can complicate plans for tourists and locals alike. So, even though you won’t be likely to see much snow when you visit the Smokies,
Local recalls everything that made Ogle’s so special in Pigeon Forge Ogle’s Waterpark in Pigeon Forge was once the largest waterpark in the area with six giant water slides, a wave pool, a kid’s play area and snack stations throughout the park. For three decades, it served as a beacon summoning tourists and locals to frolic in the East Tennessee
Local declares winner between two best BBQ spots in the Smokies As a travel blog writer, there are times when I find myself facing an impossible task. I’m often asked to choose the best in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. The best what? Best restaurant or best attraction? The best go kart track, pancake house or mountain coaster? And so, I
The short-lived State of Franklin and how it reshaped Tennessee In the early days following the American Revolution, a handful of counties that had belonged to North Carolina petitioned the U.S. Government to become the 14th state, eventually seceding from the United States. The State of Franklin is an odd and strangely impactful episode of North Carolina, Tennessee and U.S.
I walked the track of the Blazing Fury with the lights on, this is what I learned You’d be hard-pressed to find a local in the Pigeon Forge area who doesn’t have a special place in their heart for Dollywood’s dark ride Blazing Fury. You see, Blazing Fury is part of our heritage. It’s more than a ride. It’s a
Tennessee native lists pros and cons of this famous Smoky Mountain eatery Typically, I find that people have really strong opinions about Paula Deen’s restaurant in Pigeon Forge. Some people love it. But others … not so much. First of all, you could say that this restaurant might feel out of place in the area. After all, Deen is a