A local’s take on why Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains have such lasting appeal Humans – quite frequently – are creatures of habit. Sure, we’ll try new things. But we often find comfort in the tried and the true. For instance, do you have a favorite Mexican restaurant? Do you have a favorite order there? Maybe it’s not something you
What are The Sinks? The Guide to one of the Most Beautiful parts of the Park A lifetime ago, we celebrated my high school graduation by taking my grandparents – who would have been in their mid-60s at the time – tubing on the Little River. We put in just below the Wye and began our “leisurely” float. Fast forward
A Guide to the Devil’s Courthouse in Transylvania County They say the Lord works in mysterious ways. But so, too, must the Devil. It stands to reason, right? He’s in Georgia inexcusably losing fiddle contests and in Mississippi luring Blues men to their eternal fate. But as much as it appears the Devil enjoys having a hand in the music
A local’s review and recommendations on the Best Things To Order at Log Cabin Pancake House When I was kid, we’d go down to Florida and Papaw would take us out on the Homosassa River to go fishing. Usually, there’d be three of us in the boat. Pap sat up in the bow and my stepdad Joe and I would
The real story behind the legend of the Gatlinburg BMW There is a mystery in the mountains of Gatlinburg. But it doesn’t have anything to do with haints, haunts, or wild people. We won’t be talking about Big Foot or spooky hollers. This mystery is much deeper than any of those fly-by-night mountain legends. It involves something at the very
A local offers his opinion on the lesser well-received aspects of Ghost Town in the Sky Up in the high mountains of North Carolina sits the rusting remains of a dream. The ironically named Ghost Town in the Sky opened in Maggie Valley, North Carolina in 1961. It was a charming – and originally thriving – Old West theme park
A local reviews the World’s Only Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg Ready to shake up your vacation or add a little spice to your day? In the Smokies, there are several attractions along the Parkway competing for your attention and tourism dollars. But the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is not only unique to Gatlinburg. It claims to
Changes to the Budget May Affect Your Next Visit to the GSMNP A GSMNP hiring freeze could ruin your next trip to the park … here’s how A political battle in Washington D.C. is leaving the most visited National Park in the country stuck in the middle. Here’s what you need to know. Let’s start here: The Great Smoky Mountain
A local ranks his favorite Restaurants at The Island in Pigeon Forge The Island in Pigeon Forge is like a self-contained vacation destination within a vacation destination. In other words, it’s like the movie Inception, but with celebrity-backed eateries instead of dreamscape mind capers. Of course, I like a vacation where I can park the car and not have to
A Local reviews Forbidden Caverns one of America’s most spectacular caverns If you think the Great Smoky Mountains are beautiful above ground, you should see what’s below. Tennessee’s vast network of caves is hardly unknown. There are tourist locations all through East Tennessee promising underground adventure and sightseeing, but it is often, I think, under-appreciated. Forbidden Caverns – located near