Smoky Mountain Springfest

Spring in Gatlinburg means festivals galore. From barbeque to wildflowers, there’s a celebration for everything.

To say that Spring is just around the corner would be false, but we can eagerly look ahead during these long, cold January days. With every Spring, Gatlinburg ushers in a busy festival season in the old town.

Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Springfest celebration begins March 12 and continues through June 2. People can witness the town’s transformation into Spring when the streets overflow with baskets of beautiful blooming flowers and plants. Pansies, daffodils, tulips, mandevillas, bougainvilleas, lantanas, and wave petunias are among the many varieties of flowers that can be seen throughout town.

On Easter morning, March 31, join in the local tradition and attend Ober Gatlinburg’s 14th Annual Easter Sunrise Service enhanced by the beauty of the Smokies. Free tram rides to the mountain top begin at 5:45 a.m. and continue in 15 minute intervals until the service begins at 6:30 a.m. Complimentary parking at the resort will be provided for those who prefer to drive. A breakfast buffet will be waiting and available at the Ober Gatlinburg Restaurant from 7 a.m. Until 10:30 a.m.

The smell of hickory-smoked barbeque will fill the air as folks roll up sleeves and dive in to sample their secret sauces on delectable ribs and wings from vendors from all over the Southeast in April at Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings from 5-8pm. This festive street party features live entertainment, lots of fun and barbeque ribs and wings on the open grill just for your tasting.

The 63rd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage & Greener Living Expo, set April 24-28, is another great event, especially for hikers and nature lovers who love to see delicate wildflowers in bloom. Hosted by the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the University of Tennessee Botany Department, this five-day program offers more than 150 different hiking tours of trails ranging from easy to strenuous, exhibitions, demonstrations, classroom lectures and delightful motor excursions into the wonderful season of spring in the Smokies.

Members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community will display unique handcrafted wares as they gather at the Gatlinburg Convention Center to host their annual Easter Arts & Crafts show March 28-30.

To learn more about these and other events in Gatlinburg, call 800-56-VISIT (568-4748) or visit the Gatlinburg website at www.gatlinburg.com.

Effects of the Newfound Gap Landslide

Though the recent Jan. 16 landslide destroyed nearly 200 feet of Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441), most park activities and destinations remain open and accessible to visitors.

This according to officials with the park who said some roads are still being cleared on the Tennessee side due to debris from recent storms, “but as far as Newfound Gap, you can access all the hiking trails around there, and everything that’s normally open along that road. It’s just that small section past Newfound Gap Road, just a little past the parking lot, that’s closed.”

So campgrounds, trails and picnic areas, as well as popular destinations like Cades Cove and the views at Newfound Gap near the border, are still open, and everything will stay open barring inclement weather.

Basically, the only thing visitors can’t do is get to Cherokee, N.C., via Newfound Gap Road. That, and they also can’t see the landslide, though several people at the Sugarlands Visitor Center had come to the park Thursday for that reason.

Many have come to the park specifically to see the landslide and just pass the time for curiosity’s sake. But, unfortunately, those people are being turned away from that specific area of Newfound Gap Road. National park officials have said that no one would be allowed to see the landslide for themselves.

Of course, January and February are lower-visitation months for the park, so the indefinite closure won’t affect tourism as much as it could have.

Still, the park is doing whatever it can to spread word that most of its attractions are still open.

“I’ve had people stop in and think they couldn’t get past Sugarlands, but that’s incorrect,” on park official said. “There are some people coming in, but I hope to get the word out that there is still access further into the park.”

They said there’s still no timeline for when the park reopens the closed portion of Newfound Gap Road, and as far as the trails on that portion, officials are assessing the situation.

“We’re looking at what impact it has on the trails and finalizing ideas on what we could do to have access on those trails or educate people about what’s going to happen until the road’s completely fixed.”

Preparing for Wintery Weather

It’s no secret that anyone coming to the Smoky Mountains during the winter months usually keeps a close eye on the forecast leading up to their stay. Gatlinburg Cabin Rental companies are no different. Companies like Gatlinburg Cabins Online are always working to stay a step ahead of any issues that may come about because of the weather.

As a priority, Gatlinburg Cabins Online attempts to keep all their guests abreast of the chance for wintery weather before they arrive and during their stay.

Just a few short years ago, one neighboring company experienced one of the worst case scenarios: hundreds of visitors stuck in their cabins just outside Pigeon Forge, some for 3-4 days before they were reached. It’s a situation Gatlinburg Cabins Online and other Gatlinburg Cabin rental companies want never to happen again.

And while this is usually the slow time of the year for cabin rentals, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t guests still checking in. Some prefer the quieter, slower months in order to enjoy the Smokies.

Many cabins found at Gatlinburg Cabins Online are located in the hills surrounding Gatlinburg, some within even a stone’s throw from Ober Gatlinburg ski resort. No matter what the weather report says, during the winter months be prepared for anything. Power can go out with the first icicle and pipes can freeze up within minutes.

Many companies even ask their guests pack an extra supply of food and blankets if the power goes out. Some people even bring their own firewood if they know they’re renting a cabin with a fireplace.

If bad weather does hit, most companies including Gatlinburg Cabins Online ask that their guests stay in their cabins until local road crews can get snow or ice cleared. Around here, road crews are ready at a moments notice for the onset of a snowy or icy forecast.

However, it is encouraged if you do own a four-wheel drive vehicle, or have chains to put on your vehicle, to drive it here for your stay.

At Gatlinburg Cabins Online, guests are going to be aware of the possibility of winter weather. And if there is a possibility, guests can be moved to cabins in lower elevations if need be.

Cabins at Gatlinburg Cabins Online have already been pretreated for wintery conditions with salt available should the need arise in the future.

Recent Snowfall a Hit at Ober

Despite all the area power outages, delays, traffic pileups, etc., as well as the bad Newfound Gap Road collapse, the recent snowfall blast that occurred last week did have a positive effect on one local entity – Ober Gatlinburg.

Ober was already operating at greater capacity due to some upgrades in snow making equipment that were purchased during the off season. With the added real snow from last week’s storm, slopes were fully covered and skiers were taking advantage of the conditions.

The forecast for the coming week calls for cold temperatures at night and a number of sunny days which meas Ober should continue to see busy slopes for the foreseeable future.

It was reported that just one day after the snowfall, lefts and slopes were as busy as they’ve been this season, and last. For many, it was just what the resort needed.

Thursday’s big snowfall packed on an extra 6-10 inches of snow according to Ober staff. The more snow, the easier it is to enjoy the slopes and it makes the resort that much more enjoyable and attractive.

The additional helping of wintery weather also allowed Ober Gatlinburg to open the resort’s tubing course for additional days. Ober had originally been running the tubing area just two days a week prior.

The appeal of the slopes also brought out-of-town visitors, meaning more money to be spent in the town of Gatlinburg and its Smoky Mountain neighbors of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.

The staff at Ober expects the slopes to be busy in the weeks ahead with several hundred bookings already.

Dick’s Last Resort

Fun for All and All in Fun

This is not your typical restaurant.  Inside Dick’s Last Resort, you will find a surly waitstaff, cascades of napkins, 2 foot tall paper hats and lots of fun.  Dick’s Last Resort has developed a reputation for their atmosphere over the years and they have brought that atmosphere to Gatlinburg, TN.  Good food an good drinks are always a part of the experience but the reason people come is for the live entertainment and the interaction that you have with the waitstaff.

The Experience

Dick’s Last Resort is all about the waitstaff and the way that the treat their guests.  Really, it is more of the way that the trick their guests.  When you walk through the doors you are going to find out that you are not at a typical family restaurant.  You will find a surly group waiting the tables, throwing napkins at the guests, verbally sparring with each other and everyone at the tables and of course serving amazing food.  But before we jump on to the food, realize that this is not a normal place you have decided to eat.  You came for the live entertainment that the staff provides.  They are not going to say thank you and please, they are not going to tell you you made a good choice on your meal selection.  They are going to make jokes at your expense, place hats with a snappy epitaph on them on your head and potentially throw napkins at you.  Don’t be afraid to bring the kids though, bring the little ones with you and let them get in on the entertainment, Dick’s Last Resort promises to keep it family friendly.

The Food

The food is excellent.  The good folks knew that you weren’t coming for people to be nice to you that you were coming for the experience and the food so they made sure the food was the exact opposite of the service:  great!  Their dinner menu is covered with comfort food favorites:  ribs, wings, crab cakes, shrimp all fired and baked and sauteed and cooked to perfection.  And when you get down with dinner, you need to save room for dessert.  The dessert menu at Dick’s Last Resort is to die for.  Mile High Peanut Butta Pie, Not-Yer-Mamma’s Cheesecake and Extreme Brownie Meltdown.  The desserts are as sweet as the staff is not.

The Location

Dick’s Last Resort is easy to find.  The are right on the Parkway in Gatlinburg.  If you are at the Ripley’s Moving Theater, look at the dinosaur head and turn around, you will see Dick’s Last Resort across the street.  They are also right next to the area with Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery so you are going to pass them while you are in town anyway.

Pay a visit to Dick’s Last Resort while you are in Gatlinburg on your next vacation.  They are right down the Parkway fro your hotel.  They have fantastic food and they have a different view of service that will keep you laughing all night long.

Dick’s Last Resort
903 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN
865-277-6953
http://www.dickslastresort.com/domains/gatlinburg/

Newfound Gap Washout

The section of Newfound Gap Road that was washed away due to heavy rainfall last week is still influx as park officials attempt to figure out how to repair that portion of U.S. Highway 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s primarily recognized as the main connector road between Gatlinburg and Cherokee, N.C.

A football field-sized gap now makes up the roadway. Officials say an estimated 9,000 dump truck-loads of dirt, rock and roadway crashed 45-50 feet down the side of the mountain.

Engineers believe a subsurface spring underneath the area was a large factor in causing the landslide. It’s unknown how long the spring had been there. That, combined with the heavy rain that week, caused the collapse. In all, 8 inches of rain fell in the area between Monday and Wednesday the week of January 14.

It’s still considered an active landslide because of the continuously flowing springs underneath the road’s surface.

When it ill be fixed is still anyone’s guess. The National Park Service is working with the Department of Federal Highways to come up with a plan, as well as the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division (EFLH) to assist in the initial evaluation of the slide and develop repair solutions. Engineers have been on site since last week. The hope is that by the end of next week officials will know when construction can commence and how much it will cost.

During its busiest days, the 31-mile stretch of Newfound Gap Road can have up to 7,000 cars travel along it.

Newfound Gap Road will be open to visitors from the Gatlinburg entrance in Tennessee to the Newfound Gap parking lot as soon as it is possible. The road is open to Smokemont on the North Carolina side.

Life According to Jake

Life is Good

Life According to Jake is Gatlinburg’s local Life is Good neighborhood shoppe.  They have all of the Life is Good paraphernalia that you could possibly want and plenty of their own items as well.  Life is Good is not only an optimistic outlook on life but a great way to show your optimism and your vest for the brighter side.  In Life According to Jake, all of the items feature the Life is Good ideas and you walk out a billboard for a better outlook on life in general.

Life is Good is a New England based apparel company that started in 1994.  It is known for its Life is Good t-shirts and lifestyle items that make you feel good about the saying on your shirt.  The smiling stick figure on most of the shirt is named Jake and thus, that is why the shop in Gatlinburg is known as Life According to Jake.  The Life is Good company expanded their product line and now they are seen in more then 4,000 retail locations around the country and in 30 other countries worldwide.  Since brothers Bert and John Jacobs started the company (in a booth at a street fair), they have made this company into a nationwide phenomenon.

Life According to Jake has ll of the Life is Good apparel and gift concepts along with those that are themed for the mountains:  hiking in the Smokies, backpacking, kayaking the Smoky Mountains and the like.  You can pick up all of those Life is Good gifts that you need for those folks back home or get your optimism on and grab yourself some Life is Good gear.  Walk through the streets of Gatlinburg feeling that Life is Good, that life is better then it was before you went through the door of Life According to Jake.

Life According to Jake
634 Parkway #9
Gatlinburg, TN
865436-4008
http://www.lifeaccordingtojake.com

Gatlinburg Improv Fest

Mark your calendars for this year’s Gatlinburg Improv Fest at Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre March 8-9. It will feature a number of improvisation groups and instructors participating in a series of shows and classes over the two days of the event.

If you are a fan of stand-up and improv comedy, you might want to check out Improv Fest, March 8-9. The Gatlinburg Improv Fest is a festival for improv comedians and comedian groups to come and hone their craft. At the Gatlinburg event, there will be instructors giving classes to up and coming and inspiring improv performers, along with performers doing shows for spectators. The event will be held at the renowned Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. The headline event, Chase Padgett’s “Six Guitars” act, will be held at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 8, and again on Saturday March 9, at the same time.

We understand some of you may have no clue what improv comedy is; we were also in your shoes not so long ago. We will do our best to give you a brief explanation so you can understand just how entertaining the Gatlinburg Improv Fest has the potential to be. In short, improv comedy is comedy “on the fly,” comedy in response to the environment. There is little to no scripting in improv comedy, and if done well, it is absolutely hilarious.

The multiple-award winning “Six Guitars” by Chase Padgett features Padgett taking on the personality of six different guitar players, each with their own voice, personality, and guitar-playing style. The result is a knee-slapping performance guaranteed to bring tears of laughter from the audience’s eyes.

Show times will be at announced for Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9.

For more information, email gatlinburgimprovfest@gmail.com or call (865) 325-9712.

Visits to the National Park UP 7.5% in 2012

Think the economy is having an effect on the Smoky Mountain area? Think again. Officials from the National Park services reported that half-million more visitors toured the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2012 than in 2011 – a 7.5 percent jump.

Most officials say that the increase is due primarily to the mild weather experienced during the winter and spring months.

In all, by December 31, 2012, 9,685,828 people had come through the park for various recreational purposes like hiking, mountain biking, camping, swimming, etc. As noted, that’s a 7.5 percent boost from 2011, when numbers totaled 9,008,835. It’s also the largest number the Smokies has recorded since 2000 when 10.1 million people visited the park.

Park officials say the mild weather allowed or convinced more people to travel into the park and be outdoors due to the lack of ice and snow on the roads and trails. The mild weather in the shoulder seasons and warm summer set the tone for visitation as every month of 2012 saw an increase of visitors over those recorded in 2011, they add.

December 2012 visits were 480,527 compared with 471,603 as seen in December 2011. There were nearly 2 percent more visitors in December than in the last month of 2011. Newfound Gap Road between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cheorkee, North Carolina, was closed due to ice and snow on all or part of six days during December, but the holiday season brought a large number of visitors to the park during the latter part of the month.

Here’s a breakdown of entrance visitation tallies for 2012:

Gatlinburg: 175,205 visitors

Townsend: 65,156

Cherokee: 111,574

13 Outlying Areas: 128,592

Winter Special Olympics

One of the more rewarding events you can experience in Gatlinburg are the Winter Special Olympics that occur every January at Ober Gatlinburg. It’s a great way to not only enjoy all the amenities offered at Ober, but also a way to cheer on some of the most deserving athletes you’ll ever meet.

Visitors are encouraged to come cheer on our Tennessee Special Olympics athletes as they compete for the gold and earn medals at their annual Winter Games. The two-day sports festival features events including snow skiing, ice skating and snowboarding.

Over 140 athletes with intellectual disabilities will compete in Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding and Speed Skating in divisions based on age and ability.  The traditional lighting of the Special Olympics flame will take place on Monday morning at 9am on top of Ober Gatlinburg. The medal ceremony will begin at 2pm on Tuesday.

Special Olympic athletes have a real passion for what they do and live up to their highest potentials both on the field and off. Not only are the Special Olympics about competing with one another for medals and prizes, but it is also about having fun, meeting new friends, becoming part of a team and learning new skills along the way. Children and adults are urged to train for the Tennessee Winter Special Olympics which offer three different events to compete in.

Whether you have friends and family that are competing in the Tennessee Winter Special Olympics or are simply visiting the area, this is an amazing event to attend. There is a tram available at the bottom of the mountain that can take guests up to Ober Gatlinburg. Watch competitions in Speed Skating, Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding at different levels from beginner to advanced and see which athletes go home with the gold during the 2013 season.