The Fifth Annual, 26.2 mile, Mountain Man Memorial March is a tribute to the men and women that serve in our country’s armed forces. This event honors First Lieutenant Frank Walkup, a UT Alumnus who was killed in Iraq in 2007 while serving our country. This event is inspired by the Bataan Memorial Death March that is staged in White Sands, NM each year. The University of Tennessee Army ROTC started the event to show its admiration and appreciation of our armed services while walking a mile, 26.2 of them in this case, in their boots. Thus the motto of the event, “Honor through actions.”

The march will begin at 9am Saturday, April 21 in downtown Gatlinburg in front of the Hard Rock Cafe and proceed up Highway 321 toward Pittman Center. Opening ceremonies commence at 8:30am.

The course ranges from highway to rural roads from rugged terrain to mountain slopes. There are three entry categories:military heavy, military light and civilian. The entry fee is $50 per person or $200 per five-person team.The entry fee covers a light breakfast, snack food and water along the route at any of the 12 water points, T-shirt, BBQ meal at the finish line and custom-made awards from the Gatlinburg area. Proceeds from the event go to the Ranger Company, devised in 1962, to provide better training for Cadets who may be deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.A portion of the events will go toward the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund in the name of First Lieutenant Walkup.

Frank B. Walkup IV followed in his father’s footsteps and chose the army for service to his country. First Lieutenant Walkup was raised in Woodbury, TN and attended the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry. Frank graduated from Airborne, Air Assault & Ranger School and was assigned to the 25^th Infantry Division in Hawaii. Summer of 2006 saw Frank deployed to Iraq as a platoon leader. On June 16^th, 2007 he was killed in Rashaad, Iraq by an IED. Frank was survived by his family and his college sweetheart Sabita Walkup.

Come out, support the troops and give to a good cause. It is very rare that you get to see a marathon in the Smokies. It is even rarer to see it done military style with 35 pound packs.

For more information visit www.mountainmanmemorialmarch.com or call (865) 974-5371.

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Mountain Man Memorial March

The Ober Gatlinburg Tram’s downtown hub is located on Gatlinburg’s west end. The downtown hub is full of gift shops and information about both the ski resort and the other attractions at Ober Gatlinburg’s mountainside location. The booth for buying tickets is located towards the back of the building. After you get your ticket you walk up the ramp and join the queue that is waiting for the next tram to arrive. During the winter months the wait can be lengthy. Skiers in all of their gear are standing in line eager to pile onto the tram stack up in the queue. During the summer months those wishing to take in the best view of Gatlinburg are eager for that same ride.

And the view of Gatlinburg is spectacular. As you leave the tram hub in Gatlinburg and start ascending the mountain you are treated to the reason for Gatlinburg’s popularity. You get to take in the quaintness of the town. You get to peak at the small mountain town that now wears the trappings of the tourist city. You can see the tops of the buildings and the layout of the city itself. As you ride up the wire to the top of the mountain you are treated to the cabins and chalets that line the mountainside, some only viewable from the tramway or the street they reside on. Gatlinburg takes on a whole different perspective from the bottom of the mountain to your final destination: Ober Gatlinburg itself.

You sit or stand in a tramway gondola. These Ober Gatlinburg Tram cars were replaced in April of 2007. Each car can transport 120 people up the mountain but the new cars provide 15% more viewable glass area. Since the tramway opened the two tram cars have transported more than 18 million people. Many of those visitors have traveled back and forth year after year enjoying the gentle swaying of the gondolas as the climb the mountain. Skiers stay year after year ready to take the slopes after they have ascended the mountain and then looking forward to the light show that is Gatlinburg as they head back down after a full day. The Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway is one of the greatest ways to see Gatlinburg and an experience in and off itself, make sure to make it part of your next trip to the Smokies.

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Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway

After sunset a whole vista of celestial ‘wildlife’ pops out.  Stars that you never knew existed hangout among familiar constellations.  Extra stars seem to accessorize Orion’s belt.  Ursa Major and Ursa Minor seem to fill out more and you can see why ancient people may have named them what they named them, instead of looking like a dipper it might actually resemble a bear.  Our view of the sky, usually inhibited by city lights, is opened up as you leave the vestiges of civilization and climb higher into the mountain.  Newfound Gap Trailhead, the parking area for one of the most hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail, is one of the best places to stargaze in the Smokies.

Due to the fact that there are no street lights at Newfound Gap Trailhead, there are no cities close enough to see and the fact that at night most of the cars in the parking lot are left by overnight hikers.  This leaves the parking lot vacant and the passing cars don’t add enough light to affect your night vision.  Once you get to the parking area, go to the furthest end of the parking lot, turn off all the lights in your car and wait for your eyes to adjust.  Once your eyes are used to the dark you will start to see some amazing sights in the night sky.  Remember that you are above 6,000 feet in this parking lot, so you may want to bring a coat in the spring or fall because it ill be cooler then it is in the valley areas.  If it is 60 in Pigeon Forge, it will be at least 10 degrees cooler on the mountain.

Another thing to keep in mind is the moon.  If the stars are brighter in the Smokies, then the moon is ten times brighter.  A full moon on top of the mountain is a glorious thing to behold but if your planning on seeing stars keep the phase of the moon in mind.  The perfect time to view stars by the millions is during the new moon.  With the moon out of the way, you will have an unobstructed view of the stars and your stargazing trip to the Smokies will be complete.  If you want to see an amazing moonrise, then get to the summit early during a full moon and it will bright enough to read by.

Because of the lack of lights on the mountain it is possible to take pictures of this starry expanse.  You will need to turn the flash off on your camera and you will have to use fairly long exposures.  Long exposures (one and half to two minutes minimum) will produce star lines on the exposure.  The Earth’s constant movement in relation to the unmovable positions of the stars causes the star lines. This is what you want.  Lots of light into the camera and giving the camera enough time to absorb the light you are letting it will make the outline of the trees hazy and the stars will be small streaks in the sky.  You’ll need to use a tripod to eliminate movement of the camera.

If you are looking for an after-hours opportunity for your family to enjoy something they may not get to see anywhere else, get out of the cabin or hotel room, pack up the cool weather gear and head to the top of the Smokies, or a place like Cades Cove.  Put a sleeping bag on the hood of your car, lean back and enjoy the view.  Instead of looking at the gorgeous mountains below the heavens, turn your eyes upward and look at the stars.

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Stargazing in the Smokies

The light switch to Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic lighting display will be flipped up on Nov. 9  and for four months visitors can cruise, mouths agape, through the wintery lighting spectacular. The town promotion has continued to grow in popularity and it shows with the million dollar investment in LED (light emitting diode) bulbs strung across every light post and city tree. Displays highlight the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its inhabitants including deer, foxes, squirrels and rabbits. Many of the timeless displays visitors have grown accustomed to over the past 22 years have been converted to crisp LED as well. Most recently, fanciful snowmen, dancing fountains, a group of international children and a shiny rocking horse joined the lineup.

The first three phases of the $1.6 million-plus rollout of custom designed and fabricated lighting displays are marked by sections reminiscent of winter forests, evergreens and romance. Now, Hwy. 321 features an injection of new displays. In all, switching to LED displays have saved some 95 percent in energy costs and allow for 120 days of lighting.

But don’t just come down for the lights on Wednesday, Nov. 9, stay for the  Chili Cookoff on Wednesday, November 9. Homemade chili ranging from mild, hot, to really hot will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. on the Downtown Parkway, highlighted by the Winter Magic LED lights unveiling.  The Winter Magic Chili Cookoff will feature more than 20 restaurants, attractions, civic groups, retailers, banks, and public service agencies serving more than 30,000 cups of chili and competing for a variety of awards.

Those attending are encouraged to vote for their favorite chili. These votes will be tallied to award the coveted People’s Choice Award to the most popular chili. A panel of judges will cast their votes for other awards, including: Best Presentation, Best Chili Apron, and Best Chili. Cookoff winners will be announced and trophies awarded at 7:15 p.m.

Verified chili sample providers for this event include: Corky’s BBQ, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant, Dick’s Last Resort, Fox & Parrot Tavern, Gatlinburg Elk Lodge #1925, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Great American Grill at Hilton Garden Inn, Johnny Rockets, Loco Burro Cantina, Mellow Mushroom, MountainBrook Village, Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery, Partridge & Pear, Puckers Sports Bar & Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sevier County Utility District and Titanic Museum Attraction.

This year’s event will be spiced up by the smooth Motown music of The Tams, featuring original member Charles Pope and Little Redd. The Tams have been entertaining for over 40 years and are known for such hits as, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”, “What Kind of Fool”, “I’ve Been Hurt” and “Untie Me.

Although admission for the event is free, an $8 wristband is required for chili sampling and can be purchased on-site the day of the event, with a portion of proceeds going to benefit Pi Beta Phi Elementary School PTA. Wristbands will be available for purchase onsite the day of the event at four convenient ticket booths. For more information, please call 800-568-4748.

Other holiday events occurring in the Great Smoky Mountains region during Gatlinburg’s Winter Magic festival include Gatlinburg’s own Trolley Ride of Lights and Pigeon Forge’s Winterfest.

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg Winter Magic & Chili Cookoff

With the holiday season really kicking into gear, trolley rides will continue through the month of January, departing at 6:30 p.m. each Saturday (except on December 2, 24 & 25) at the mass transit/trolley center at Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies with additional tours at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and be sure to call 865-436-0535 for reservations.

The Trolley Ride of Lights is a chance to soak up every last bit of Gatlinburg’s holiday spirit as the trolley winds its way through streets decorated with garlands, wreaths and the occasional elf. The 45-minute tour is completely narrated so that no one will miss that oh so elusive display just around the corner, or the place you keep meaning to drive by, but have simply forgotten.

So don’t miss the trolley ride of lights, and make sure you’re waiting at Ripley’s Aquarium Plaza Saturday night at 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 p.m. and enjoy the lights!

For additional holiday events check out Gatlinburg’s Calendar of Events for a complete list of Christmas festivals and additional things do around Gatlinburg during the holidays, as well as Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas in Pigeon Forge.

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Gatlinburg Trolley Ride of Lights

The parade starts at midnight on the evening of July 3rd. The 36th annual Midnight Independence Day Parade is expected to bring in 90,000 to 100,000 spectators and the city of Gatlinburg is expecting  this to be their most patriotic and colorful parade to date.

The streets will be closed to vehicles at approximately 11 pm on July 3rd so plan to get there early. Also, traffic in and out of town could take 1-2 hours, so keep that in mind as you make you’re way to and from the parade. You can see the parade anywhere from downtown on the main strip, so don’t sweat it too much if you have trouble finding a spot in the middle of downtown…you’ll see the same parade at the beginning and end of the route.

During the parade, there will be a tribute to the 5 military branches – a major highlight of the parade and rightfully so.

Also, Gatlinburg will be having a fireworks show on the fourth of July, which will begin about an hour after sundown. The display can be seen along most of the parkway from the skylift all the way down to Applebee’s. The fireworks show is supposed to last around 20 minutes.

If you won’t be in Gatlinburg, you can check out the 4th of July fireworks in Pigeon Forge. The Pigeon Forge event will have free concerts on July 4th. The Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge events are both free and will be a great time for the entire family. Just don’t forget why we celebrate the Fourth of July!!

Article fromInside Gatlinburg, TN

4th of July Midnight Parade

 Obviously, if you are in the Smokies you are going to visit the Great Smoky Mountain National Park at some point.  If you are looking to go straight to the National Park then the Bypass allows you to get there without the stop and go traffic of Gatlinburg.  The other end of the bypass drops you off a mere two miles from Sugarlands Visitor Center.  At Sugarlands Visitor Center you can reserve campsites, get trail information, buy souvenirs and visit their exhibits giving you great information about the Park.  Besides all that, it is also a good place to stop before you head into the mountains for day hike or just a drive to Cherokee.  Let’s go back to the minivan…

 You are stopped in traffic waiting for the guy in front of you to move five inches so that you can move four.  If you take the bypass and follow the signs to Gatlinburg, you will find yourself at traffic light #10, near the Park Grill and Ober Gatlinburg, you are also going against the traffic now.  You have saved yourself some time and your family can get to enjoying Gatlinburg much quicker.  You will still have to find a place to park but you will be on the same side of the road as some of the larger Parking lots up Historic Nature Trail Road.  Also if your destination in Gatlinburg is closer to traffic light #10 then you are almost there. 

 Last but not least, when you are leaving Gatlinburg, especially if it is dark, take the bypass.  There is a scenic overlook that gives you an incredible view of Gatlinburg.  At night, with the lights on and the Space Needle shining like a beacon you get a glimpse of what brings people back to Gatlinburg year after year.  So, the next time you are headed to Gatlinburg or when you are headed to the National Park remember the Gatlinburg Bypass and you will be the hero of your vacation.

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Why Not Bypass Gatlinburg?

Welcome to Gatlinburg’s best-kept secret!

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