Bobcat vs Mountain Lion: Are There Wildcats in the Smoky Mountains?
It’s been more than 100 years since mountain lions – referred to as panthers by the mountain folk – lived in the Smokies. But, it’s very hard to convince anybody
How Fast Can a Black Bear Run? The Answer Might Surprise You
The year was 1980 and the Olympics dominated the news. The United States bested the heavily favored Russians in hockey and held on to claim the gold medal. It was
Cades Cove Cabins, Churches and Barns: 5 Sites for Your Must-see List
Some people get to live in the shadow of Notre Dame. Not the college, mind you, but the Parisian cathedral – which I suppose is a shell now. But for
Why Are the Smoky Mountains Smoky? Are They Always Smoky?
I was driving west through the mountains, going to cover a football game. Then, I crested a hill and found myself awestruck by the beauty below. The sun was behind
Where Is the Browning Knob Plane Crash? Finding the Lost Wreckage
“He was right on course,” the Civil Air Patrol Major explained to a Chicago newspaper in the winter of 1983. “He was just a little low.” Ernest Martin, founder and
The Lost Iron Mine Hidden Behind a Waterfall in the Smoky Mountains
It’s not often we get a glimpse into the road not taken. There was a movement in the early 1900s to preserve the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and
Picking This Valuable Root in the Smokies Could Result in Jail Time
There’s a treasure hiding in the Great Smoky Mountains. And no, it doesn’t come bubbling up from the depths in thick, black crude. And you can’t pan for it, or
What Not To Do at Cades Cove, 7 Things a Local Wants You To Know
Cades Cove is the crown jewel of the Smokies. It is a confluence point of natural beauty, mountain history and conservation. It is among the best the region has to
Clingmans Dome Controversy, the Tower That Weathered a Media Storm
The Hatfields and the McCoys. The Jets and the Sharks. The Capulets and the Montagues. The National Park Service and the National Park Association. Queue freeze frame, quizzical look and record
Rocky Mountains vs Smoky Mountains: Comparing Elevation, Views, Wildlife
Last fall I had the chance to visit the Rocky Mountain National Park, and I couldn’t help but to compare it to my home, the Great Smoky Mountains. The two