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(click on title to go directly to story)
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Our technology upgrade
was designed with you in mind
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No online platform is perfect, but we hope our new website design will prove to be more user friendly and help connect you more often with your favorite national park. |
In an effort to help you more efficiently connect technologically with the world's most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains Association is taking steps this week to upgrade major portions of our software and hardware platforms, including our store checkout registers, our membership database and - WAIT FOR IT - a new website! No, really, you'll have to wait for it, because of these three areas, the website will be installed last, hopefully by late February.
In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and your understanding as we move in this direction, which was ultimately designed to enable more seamless interactions between you and your national park. We know how much you love the Smokies, and nothing should stand in your way of learning more about it, least of all a difficult-to-navigate website, right!? To accommodate the software, w
e'll introduce a few minor tweaks to our membership program, too.
While our website store is offline for a couple of weeks, those not nearby should reach out to our Mail Order Department by email and phone (865.436.7318, Ext. 226) for assistance. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by any of our visitor center stores to find a great selections of educational and interpretive items. All purchases support Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Campground fee increase to
help
with maintenance backlog
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced a fee increase for frontcounty campgrounds and picnic pavilions effective March 1. Over the past year, officials reviewed public comments, operating costs and projected budget levels to determine rate increases ranging from 10-25 percent.
Rate increases are necessary to meet the rising costs of operations, reduce a backlog of maintenance requirements on park facilities and initiate needed improvements. Park officials are also improving the efficiency of campground management by adding three campgrounds to the national reservation system through
Recreation.gov.
"Park visitors have long enjoyed camping and picnicking across the park in spectacular settings that offer space for relaxation and renewal," said Superintendent Cassius Cash. "Maintaining and servicing these facilities in the mountains presents a unique set of challenges and, with increasing costs, these fee increases are necessary to ensure the continual care and operation of these special places."
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Short-eared owls are making
Cades Cove a winter habit
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Following successful field restoration efforts, Short-eared Owls are on the hunt in Cades Cove. Click above to watch this short film by GSMA's Gary Wilson.
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Great Smoky Mountains Association is proud to have contributed some $70,000 in the last 10 years to Cades Cove Field Management and Restoration, the results of which are being realized today through the return of a variety of native wildlife.
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Think you're a groundhog expert?
Test your knowledge with our quiz
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| If our website is down for repairs, but you just have to get your hand inside one of these groundhog puppets, give us a call at 865.436.7318, Ext. 226. |
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With just two days to go, the world will soon know if Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early or late spring.
Fill in the hours until then by taking our groundhog quiz and test your knowledge of the park's largest squirrel. (That's right, groundhogs are technically squirrels.)
Be the first to answer all 10 questions correctly, and we'll send you a copy of
Mammals of the Smokies and our delightful
groundhog puppet, in case you'd like to try your hand at predicting a different outcome than Phil.
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America's public lands make
perfect backdrop for love stories
The Department of
Interior
is getting ready for its annual Valentine's Day video, and they need your help. Send videos and photos of your weddings, proposals and special moments with your significant other in national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands HERE
. Please remove watermarks, list the location and submit no later than Monday, February 5, for a chance to be in this year's special Valentine's Day video.
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Big Bend Killing
is featured on NPR's On Point
"Many Appalachian ballads tell dark stories of murder, violence and revenge," said
On Point host Jon Harwood. "And who doesn't like a true crime story in any genre?"
Album producer Ted Olson, along with folk singers Elizabeth LaPrelle and Carol Elizabeth Jones, joined the NPR program January 17 to perform and talk about the fact that ballads were the newscasts of their day. And as is the case today, the news that was preserved and passed down through song was not always so cheerful.
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'Be Prepared.' Boy Scout motto
is difference between life, death
Waiting for Wanetta: A Mother Says Thank You to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Boy Scouts' Day, which is recognized each year on February 8, brought to mind that after his backcountry rescue, Eric Johnson partially credited his survival to what he learned during his Scouting years:
Be Prepared.
Click above to watch as videographer Valerie Polk retells the
story
of a mother's moments of anguish, followed by a lifetime of relief upon hearing her son and his friend had been rescued. Then pick up a copy of
Into the Mist
to read the details of this heroic rescue by park service personnel as told by author David Brill.
For more on what it takes to stay safe while exploring the Smokies in the winter, check out our new Cub Report feature, A Little Sluice of Heaven, below.
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Dogs
ARE allowed in the the Smokies,
just NOT on most trails, in backcountry
What better time than the start of the Chinese Year of the Dog to remind Cub Report readers that Man's Best Friend is welcome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with some obvious restrictions in the name of safety.
T
he Gatlinburg Trail, along with the Oconaluftee River Trail near Cherokee, NC, are the only two dog-friendly trails in the park. Because GSMA headquarters sits nearly on top of the Gatlinburg Trail, we see dogs of all shapes and sizes almost every day from our office windows. All conscientious dog owners understand and appreciate the park's requirement to pick up after our furry friends and keep them on short, 6-foot leashes. Retractable leashes are not recommended. Properly restrained dogs are also allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and can be walked on roads where cars are permitted.
The reasons for the park's rules restricting dogs in the backcountry are just as straightforward. Dogs can introduce diseases; their barking, scent and instinct to chase critters big and small often interferes with wildlife and visitors; and they can come into contact with insects and plants that could harm them.
If hiking in the backcountry with your dog is on your bucket list, other public lands surrounding the Smokies could be exactly what you're looking for:
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Hiking 101 outings inspired
by Cemeteries of the Smokies
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If our website is down for repairs, please call us at 865.436.7317, Ext. 226, to order you copy of
Cemeteries of the Smokies.
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This year's Hiking 101 program sponsored by Great Smoky Mountains Association takes as its inspiration one of our most popular books ever -
Cemeteries of the Smokies.
In the style of a guidebook,
includes directions to all 152 known cemeteries within the park boundary and provides in-depth histories of each site alongside a complete listing of burials and dates, kinship links and epitaphs. No other known resource so thoroughly collects this depth of information in one place, displayed with color photographs
, detailed lists, charts and an index of local family names.
Using the book as our starting point, we've designed 12 guided hikes and a bus tour to take participants into the 'heart of the park.'
Churches and cemeteries in GSMNP are sacred spaces. Indeed, it could be said that all of the
land
within the park is sacred because of those who lived, died and remain in unmarked or lost graves, in family burial plots
and
in community or church cemeteries.
And while some cemeteries can be easily found a few feet off most trails, don't be fooled into thinking these will be easy outings. Some of these trips will require many hours to cover lots of miles.
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In addition to Hiking 101, most of our 2018
Branch Out
and
Backpacking
itineraries are new to the website this week. Be sure to check them out and start making plans.
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Shop the Smokies
and stay warm this winter!
Show your support for Great Smoky Mountains National Park and stay snug and warm at the same time with this cozy thermal t-shirt. Emblazoned with the official folk art park logo of cabin, tree and bear.
All the kids in your family are sure to love our 100% cotton, glow-in-the-dark, long sleeve T-shirt. They'll love most of all that their favorite Smoky Mountains animals tracks glow in the dark.
Life
imitates
nature at Sugarlands Visitor Center!
If she wasn't before, this young park visitor is a Bears Fan now for sure. Her new black bear plush hat will not only keep her warm this winter, but it'll make her the envy of her friends back home. It's soft and comfy and a sweet reminder of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's most beloved critters - Da Bears!
All purchases benefit the park!
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Remember, if our website is down when you're ready to order, just give us a call (865.436.7318, Ext. 226, M-F, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) or stop by...
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*Member prices listed throughout the Cub Report are approximately 15% off regular price. Some member levels earn even higher discounts. Call our
Mail Order Department or visit one of our stores for complete pricing details. Call our
Membership Department to learn more about how you can join us in support of the Smokies.
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A Little Sluice of Heaven
is our
new hiking feature
*Dry Sluice: Named for a small hollow or valley called a sluice, which has a spring-fed stream that sinks
beneath the surface for several hundred yards before re-emerging. Hence, the upper part of the sluice is generally dry. - From Place Names of the Smokies
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Precaution and preparation are essential when hiking in the Smokies during the winter months. A muddy trail in the summer will almost certainly become a precarious river of ice each winter. - Photo by GSMA's Lisa Duff
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By Lisa Duff, with additional photos
by Dana Murphy
A Little Sluice of Heaven
originated when Dana Murphy and I - on separate days, as it turns out - did the same hike in different directions right around New Year's Eve. She prefers uphill climbs, so she started her day at Kephart Prong just off U.S. 441 and climbed to the shelter. From there she took Grassy Branch to Dry Sluice, and that's where the trail started to get really icy.
From the Dry Sluice intersection, it's a rather grueling 1.3-mile climb to the Appalachian Trail, which she followed past Charlies Bunion, ending up at Newfound Gap. The next day, I did the same, only in the opposite direction. We both encountered sheets of thick ice blanketing the entire width of the trails, mostly on the A.T., between the Bunion and Newfound Gap.
Winter hiking in the Smokies, especially in the high elevation, demands special care and special gear. If you get your shoes, cotton t-shirt and jeans wet in the summer in the lower elevations, you're at risk for being labeled 'Aquaman/Woman' and laughed at by your more-prepared hiking buddies. If you do the same during the winter at any elevation in the Smokies, you're at risk of acquiring an unwanted toe tag. No joke!
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Locally Grown
Cat-head biscuits and honey add belly-filling warmth and sweetness to any winter day in the Smokies. - Photo by Peyton Proffitt
"Ask any displaced Appalachian what he misses most about being away from the mountains, and he will probably talk about soup beans, cornbread, fresh milk and butter, eggs, country ham, and homemade biscuits every morning of the world." - Sidney Saylor Farr,
More than Moonshine
By Peyton Proffitt
Winter in the Smokies delivers some of the most beautiful views
in
the park: snowcapped ridgelines, frosty sunrises, and icicles shining along mountain roads. However, this season is not always so pleasant to behold. If you grew up in these mountains, you know that Smoky Mountain winters can be harsh and unforgiving. Out of necessity, the early settlers were self-sufficient, determined, and organized folks and they started preparing for cold weather in the summertime -- luckily for us, they passed their lessons down.
Cornbread
"It would have been nearly impossible to find a settler home in the Smokies without an iron skillet of cornbread on the table - at all times. Country cornbread, hot from the oven with a fresh, nutty taste, was fundamental fare for Smokies folks..."
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Carnival season calls out for jambalaya & hot chow chow
Our many visitors from carnival towns down South know how to add an explosion of flavor to their favorite jambalaya recipe: They shop in
our stores and on our
website for this traditional Food of the Smokes:
Chow Chow! Only the very brave among them chooses the
hot variety!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 pound smoked turkey sausage or andouille sausage, cut into 1-inch slices
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained
- 1 3/4 C chicken broth
- 1 C uncooked long- or whole-grain rice
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2 green or red bell peppers, coarsely chopped
- 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 4 tsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Directions
In a soup pot over medium heat, combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover and cook 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 to 35 minutes, or until rice is cooked. Serves 6.
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For the second year in a row, Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomed more than 11 million visitors.
In 2017, a record 11,338,893 people visited the national park, which is a slight increase (0.2%) over 2016. The park continued to see the highest visitation in July, followed by October and June. Monthly visitation records were set during the shoulder season months of January, February, April, September, and November in 2017, which follows a pattern of the park seeing increased year-round visitation.
"We strive each year to provide exceptional services to the visitors who come to enjoy the Smokies," said Superintendent Cassius Cash. "With increasing visitation across seasons, this does not come without challenges. I am proud of the employees who work hard each day to meet these challenges, along with the support of our volunteers and partners who collectively help us care for this incredibly special place."
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382,161
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February
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457,921
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March
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690,615
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April
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867,375
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May
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907,646
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June
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1,304,711
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| July |
1,492,508
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August
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1,235,188
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September
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1,282,168
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October
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1,336,369
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November
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817,238
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December
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564,993
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Total
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11,338,893
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GSMNP visitation
during the 2016 National Park Service Centennial:
11,312,786
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Lookout League
Full-service fly shop and outfitter located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation less than a 1/4 mile from the national park. They carry a great selection of fishing, camping and hiking gear. They offer guided fly fishing and hiking trips in GSMNP and hundreds of miles of area streams. If you're looking for knowledge of the area and a trip of a lifetime, stop by or call and speak with a REO team member.
GSMA members save 10% on merchandise.
New Members
...in Waynesville, NC
Inn at Tranquility Farms
Bourbon Barrel Beef & Ale
Boyd Mountain Log Cabins & Christmas Tree Farm
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The Smokies are just a click away...
Now available to order
HERE for FREE (+$2.50 S&H)
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Got questions? We've got answers.
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Great Smoky Mountains Association publishes The Cub Report e-newsletter the last Wednesday of each month.
Laurel Rematore, Chief
Executive
Officer
Lisa Duff, Cub Report Editor
Contributors
Ginger Alfrey, Karen Key, Dana Murphy, Valerie Polk, Peyton Proffitt, Dawn Roark and Gary Wilson
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Share your thoughts about this issue.
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Connecting Today to Yesterday; Preserving Today for Tomorrow
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