10 THINGS TO CHECK OUT IN THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS THIS FALL 2010

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ClingMan's Dome

10 things to check out in the Smoky Mountains this Fall:

1.  Dinner at Buckberry Lodge

2.  Sunset/Dawn at Cades Cove

3.  Hike the Chimneys

4.  Lunch at Old Mill

5.  Thunderhead Wooden Rollercoaster at Dollywood

6.  Outlet Shopping at Five Oaks

7.  Ziplines throughout the Area

8.  Luxury Log Cabins at Aunt Bug's

9.  View Gatlinburg from atop the Space Needle

10. View Multiple States from Clingman's Dome/Visit GSM National Park

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Old Mill Restaurant--Historical Landmark



Wiley Oakley: A Pioneer of the Smokies

Wiley Oakley















He was a man whose name became an icon in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many described him as a simple, hard-working, and good-natured individual who was quick to help anyone who found themselves in need and at his doorway.



It was this simple man, however, whose intimate knowledge of the forbidding and dangerously isolated region of the Smokies would open up what many Americans thought was a place better left to the few hardy natives who called it home. His efforts as a guide in the region would set new standards for those who followed in his footsteps and there were many, but, as long as he lived, there was none better than he and such reputations don’t come easy.



When the nation finally exerted its efforts to harness the power and resources of the mountain range, he began a second career of sorts that would not only make his name a household word in the small city of Gatlinburg, but become one that would echo throughout the nation as the unofficial ambassador of the Great Smoky Mountains. Wiley Oakley was born on Sept. 12, 1885 to Henry Coleman and Elmina Conner Oakley at the base of Mount LeConte. He was one of nine children born to the mountain family and they made their home in a simple cabin farm.

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals: Chicken Noodle Soup - Crockpot Chicken Soup Recipes

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals: Chicken Noodle Soup - Crockpot Chicken Soup Recipes

There's Moonshine in the Smokies

GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE - Tennessee Moonshine will be available legally for the first time when Ole Smoky Distillery opens for business in Ole Smoky Holler at 903 Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. The distillery will have a grand opening celebration on Friday, July 2 and will offer free tours, free samples of moonshine to adults over 21, and moonshine for sale.

Ole Smoky will offer a number of moonshine products: original unaged corn whiskey moonshine, apple pie moonshine, sweet tea moonshine, and peach moonshine. Moonshine cherries will be available for purchase during the holiday season. The Ole Smoky recipes are the product of the hard work and experience of local families who have made moonshine in the mountains for over a century. Dave Pickerell, who served as the Master Distiller for Maker's Mark for over 15 years, assisted with the refinement of the recipes in order to ensure a superior mountain - made moonshine.

A highlight of the facility is the authentic working moonshine still where visitors will learn the science of the distilling process as well as the history and lore of moonshining in East Tennessee. Ole Smoky is the only distillery in the state dedicated to moonshine products. Proprietors Joe Baker, Tony Breeden and Cory Cottongim place a particular emphasis on celebrating their mountain heritage as well as the historical significance of the moonshine craft in sustaining families during hard economic times of the early 20th century.

"Moonshine played an integral role in the daily lives of families in this region," said Baker. "Too often, people rely on the stereotype of a backwards old man making a cheap, dangerous product. In truth, a lot of good people made and sold moonshine in order to feed and clothe their families. Without moonshine, many mountain families would not have survived."

Ole Smoky is the first federally licensed distillery in the history of East Tennessee, and is currently one of only four distilleries operating in the state. Jack Daniel's and George Dickel received their licenses before Prohibition, and Prichards Rum opened their Tennessee facility in 1999.

Entertainment in the Smoky Mountains

Luxury lodges, log cabins, chalets, and condominiums are located throughout the valleys and mountains of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville, provide accommodations ranging from rustic to lavishly elegant. The Smokies supply an endless array of recreational activities. Visitors come to hike through the vast forests, fish in the beautiful creeks, whitewater raft, camp in the backcountry, horseback ride, and photograph the beautiful, scenic views.

Just outside the Park are the towns of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville featuring an unlimited supply of incredible shopping, dining, amusements, events and entertainment.

Visit the largest collection of Titanic memorabilia in the World, take an aerial tram to the top of the mountain, learn to horseback ride & zipline, shop for handmade mountain crafts or take the family to the Minor League Baseball ballpark. Everything your imagination can think to do is located in the valleys of the Smoky Mountains.

Trolleys operate throughout Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg offering affordable, air-conditioned transportation to hundreds of locations. They run throughout Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge. You can park & ride, so don't worry about parking or walking to each place.

Come to the Smoky Mountains on vacation! Your family will have more than enough to do for fun and entertainment. The Smokies will provide you with endless memories!

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals: Improve your relationship with an Escape to the Mountains

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals: Improve your relationship with an Escape to the Mountains

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals: Gatlinburg: A family tradition

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals: Gatlinburg: A family tradition

Gatlinburg Tennessee-Interactive Fun

Gatlinburg Tennessee-Interactive Fun

Autumn Events in the Smoky Mountains

The Smoky Mountains are a great place to visit for the Fall with your family & friends. The Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair, Smoky Mountain Harvest Festival, Annual Taste of Autumn, and Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament are just a few of the reasons to come experience Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge throughout the days of Fall.

Old-fashioned hayrides, arts & crafts, country music, fall decorations, and exhibits are designed to entertain visitors to the Great Smoky Mountain area. So make your reservations today to book a cabin rental with Aunt Bug's Cabin Rentals. They will set you up with a fantastic mountain cabin with fireplace, full kitchens, grills, hot tubs, gamerooms, and beautiful mountain views. Then, you will not only have time to relax & chill out with family & friends, but you'll have daily activities to keep everyone busy during their mountain vacation.

Autumn colors are a bit unpredictable, especially when you try to plan to view the leaves at their "peak" beauty. However, it is easy to predict that the views will be breath-taking & fabulous. So make those plans now to visit the Smoky Mountains this Fall. I promise you won't be disappointed.

GETTING BACK TO NATURE FOR YOUR HEALTH

While technology & social networking keep us all connected on a daily basis, sometimes it is refreshing and empowering to "unplug" all the machines. We have an opportunity for this when we get back to nature or go back to a time when the i-World didn't exist. We never get a spare moment to think when there's a beep or a flashing light letting you know a new text, message, or email has just arrived. This, as you know, happens countless times a day, 365 days per year. Even though you think it keeps us connected to your friends and family, you may lose yourself in all of this technological chaos or daily e-chatter.

This is why vacations may be so important to our emotional, mental, and physical health. It is also great for our romantic and family relationships. We can take a moment for a deep breath and think. We can emote, talk, and gain perspective. Whether you believe in spirituality or individualism, we may not find either truly until we occasionally "unplug." We can then take a moment for ourselves and fully experience the environment around us. So consider taking a vacation to the mountains to revitalize yourself, your relationships, and your life. It may actually recharge you, when you getaway and "unplug."

Obama Managing Crisis 'Horribly': Jack Welch - CNBC

Obama Managing Crisis 'Horribly': Jack Welch - CNBC

Jack Welch, you are arguably the best CEO in our country's history or at least in the last 50 years! However, what were you thinking when you criticize, doubt, or question the Greatest President of our age. I'm actually surprised your comments actually made it to press. After all, the liberal media usually shuts this kind of thing down before the American public ever see it. By the way, I agree but am not surprised that Obama is again pushing radical liberal ideals to the American public for renewable energy. Let's face it, the Right has said from day One, Obama had no experience of leadership or solving major problems in a crisis on any level. Let's give the guy a break, he couldn't solve a jigsaw puzzle and now we want this man of rhetoric to actually help the American people solve one of their problems? Outrageous, I say! Jack Welch says this is the difference between a businessman and a politician. You say businessman focus on solutions, while politicians focus on photo ops or blaming the blame game. I would like to take it one step further; the difference between a businessman and a politician is common sense, especially in this regard. Obama wants to bully the Corporations of the World, in lieu of an environmental disaster initiated by an "accident", but he continues to let this oil leak into our nation's most visited (Gulf) Coast. He should have every engineer in the country, if not the World, working together to plug this rig and then we can discuss liability! The Great Obama turns out to be more of the same, a politician who's decision-making and agenda continue to work against the needs of America.

10 things I learned upon moving to Chicago

1. Every one has there hand out. There is a tip, fee, premium, or tax for just about everything. This of course, is true of most cities

2. People are generally much nicer than others (Southerners, mostly) give them credit for

3. The City is much cleaner & scenic than I thought

4. The Lake, Rivers, & waterways have a strong presence & should be taken advantage of during your visit

5. It is very diverse & you should feel comfortable with that before relocating here

6. Its more expensive than anticipated

7. The warm weather is very rare & over appreciated

8. The beach is pleasant, but a zoo. Bring your party hat, not your relaxation hat.

9. Its very liberal, but mostly people still are not impressed with Pres. Obama's performance thus far

10. If you want to drive & have a car, it will cost you. Many people take advantage of the public transportation. Parking is atrocious & costly

Fmr. NYC Mayor Koch: 'We're Broke!'

Fmr. NYC Mayor Koch: 'We're Broke!' Former Democrat who calls his out party out and excludes himself as "the Liberal with Sanity!" He further explains its time to lead with common sense. If you don't have the money, you can't spend as a State (i.e. NY, CA). He says its time to vote on the issues, not on the party!

Look up Koch interview blaming his own party for bankrupting New York & other cities of the like!

"Good interview: Mayor Koch explains why the 3 Big Blue Cities (NYC, LA, & possibly Chicago) are broke!!! Finally a politician telling others they can't mismanage budgets and spend money that's not there. If only the nation would follow, what the states that are going broke...now know. You can't overtax the working, overs...pend on public programs/projects, or overpay the Unions"