What restaurants offer wild meats in the Smokies? I remember the first time I ever had wild game meat as a kid. Importantly, I didn’t come from a hunting family. But I’m sure we had cousins out in the wilds of Indiana hunting rabbits and squirrel and other such critters, varmints and such. The details are somewhat fuzzy, but the
Local lists the best things to do in Gatlinburg this winter Most people don’t know that Gatlinburg has five seasons. There’s spring, summer, fall and two winters, one pre-Christmas and one post-Christmas. If you come for Gatlinburg’s first winter, it is joyful but tinged with a hint of seasonal melancholy. People are hustling and bustling – and possibly rustling –
The Smoky Mountains’ amusement park cleans up (again) at Golden Ticket Awards If I’m being honest, I never really understood just how many amusement/theme parks there were in the United States. Growing up in the Midwest before moving to the mountains, I was well aware of places like King’s Island, Cedar Point and Six Flags. I knew about smaller parks
What scientists are predicting for this year’s fall colors Science! Forgetting reading tea leaves. Leave the horoscopes at home. Got a Ouija Board? Toss it out the window! Or maybe store it carefully, respectfully in the closet so as not to anger any spirits who’ve attached themselves to cheap, mass-produced board games. Honestly, if you’re in the spirit realm and
Repairs are now complete on US 441, aka Newfound Gap Road. The National Park Service (NPS) has fully reopened US 441/Newfound Gap Road as of September 12, 2025. This is over 18 days ahead of schedule. Single-lane closures may still be in place for several more days until all final work is completed. The project has been a big success,
This Iconic East Tennessee gas station and convenience store has a reputation for clean facilities, great milk and lighting people up on social media With a history that goes back almost as far as East Tennessee, Weigel’s (pronounced ‘Why-gulls’) is a thriving regional institution. Locations in Tennessee range from Bristol to Chattanooga and as far west as Crossville. The Weigel’s
Sevier County finds itself on the front line of the battle between two growing gas station chains Buc-ee’s arrived in Sevier County, at I-40’s Exit 407, one of the busiest in the country, with trumpets blazing, massive fanfare and a welcoming fit for king. Casey’s arrived in a different fashion. The Iowa based chain bought 38 Pilot stores in East
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants twin bears Daisy and River released to a sanctuary I’ll say this for the people of the mountains: we’ve come a long way. Some may think it’s an overstatement. Others may think it’s not far enough. But my memory goes back to the days that businesses in the region used live bears
Celebrating the legacy of expert tracker Dwight McCarter “It’s the first few thousand miles, after that a man gets limber with his feet!” – Sgt. Buster Kilrain, “The Killer Angels” by Michael Shara. It’s impossible to figure how many mountain miles Dwight McCarter walked in his 80 years. He was raised in the mountains by a family steeped in the
From the Vols to the Titans and beyond the best way to watch sports during your mountain vacation We were on the road, vacationing in Orlando. Our beloved Tennessee Vols were hosting Ole Miss, marking the return of prodigal son Lane Kiffin. He was the coach who stayed in Knoxville for a season and exited for greener pastures. His departure