Thanksgiving in the Smokies
The humble mountain communities of the Smoky Mountains have been celebrating the fall harvest and Thanksgiving before there were established societies and towns. Groups of farmers would gather at someones house, they might eat in the yard by the barn if the weather was good or if it was too chilly to eat outside they […]
History of Waynesville, NC
Colonel Robert Love, an American Revolutionary War soldier, founded the western North Carolina town of Waynesville in 1810. Love is the one person to thank for donating the land that the courthouse and jail now stand on. It also makes up the town square. Waynesville gets its name from Love’s former commander in the Revolutionary […]
Sevierville, TN
“Your Hometown in the Smokies” Sevierville is the county seat of Sevier County, Tennessee and the hometown of Dolly Parton. Since the early 90s, Sevierville has grown both the borders of the city and its influence on the tourist industry. Adding many shopping opportunities, entertainment venues and lots of good food, Sevierville is becoming its […]
Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians
As I have been writing about various locations, cities, restaurants and other touristy concepts in the Smoky Mountains area, one thing that I have realized that I have not focused on is the people that inhabited the area before the European settlers moved in. To that end, let’s talk about the Native Americans that dominated both sides of the […]
Appalachian Trail – A History
Appalachian Trail A History The Appalachian Trail is one of the big draws for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Conceived in the 20s, this brain child of Benton MacKaye had the first section established in 1923 and now it is one of the three big trails in the United States. Starting in Georgia and ending in […]
Mountain Man Statue
“As you get older, remember to be yourself” And it is from this saying that the Mountain Man, Yosef, got his name. And of course, Yosef is the mascot for Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Now, when you find the statue on campus, you might wonder: why does he look so angry and why […]
Newfound Gap Road Re-Opens Early Following January Landslide
Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) which runs from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC reopened Monday, April 15 2013 following a three month closure. The road was closed due to a January landslide that washed away a 200-foot section of pavement. Work on the road was actually completed a month ahead of time, and as a reward for […]
Property Management
So you have purchased a rental cabin and you have decided that you want to rent it out as an investment property. While the vacation rental industry is alive and well in the Smokies, and it can be a highly lucrative business, there are basically two ways to manage your vacation rental property: V action Rental By Owner […]
Real Estate
There are many opportunities for those looking for Real Estate in the Smoky Mountains. Whether you are looking for an investment property, commercial property or a home to relocate to, real estate of every shape and size abounds in the cities around the Smokies. Relocation After you have visted the Smokies for the third or […]
Oak Ridge, TN
The Secret City Oak Ridge is not only known as the Secret City but it is a secret that needs to be passed on to tourist visiting the Smoky Mountains. From great museum based around its atomic history to cultural events, this town, right outside of Knoxville is a great day trip while you are […]