Elk Sighting: Where to View in the Smokies

By visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), you have an opportunity to see elk.  Elk roamed eastern North America until extensive hunting significantly reduced the population.  Thankfully the GSMNP re-introduced elk into the park in 2001.

Elk size and movement make watching them so impressive.  Elk are one of the largest land mammals in North America, reaching up to nine feet tall if including antlers.  Antlers can weigh up to 40 pounds.  Only the male elk or bull have antlers.  These bulls can weigh up to 700 pounds.  The bulls bugle loudly during the mating season of fall and aggressively guard their harem of female elk known as cows.

Looking to impress your loved one with the thrill of sighting elk in the Smoky Mountains?  A few facts about elk will help you increase your odds:

1) Timing is everything.  Elk fall into the category of crepuscular animals, meaning that they are active primarily during twilight (periods of dawn and dusk).  It's no wonder the two times I've spotted elk in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was during dusk.  I had passed by the same field earlier during the day and saw no elk.

2.  Location is important.  Elk prefer woodlands and avoid dense forest.  Elk feed on grasses.  Natural predators include black bear which can be found in the forest.  It's no wonder the two times I've spotted elk in the GSMNP was in the woodlands near the Oconaluftee Visitors Center in Cherokee.

Most websites will direct you to Cataloochee Valley in the GSMNP to see elk.  My tip - take a chance at seeing them near the Oconaluftee Visitors Center instead.  If you don't see elk, you can still tour the mountain farm and enjoy the views.  It saves you from a drive that sounds difficult.  Here's the Cataloochee Valley directions according to the GSMNP:  "The entrance road to Cataloochee Valley is a winding, gravel road that has some steep drop offs with no guard rails.  The road is narrow, so drivers may be required to stop or back up their vehicles to allow oncoming motorists to pass...A more scenic rout (not recommended for RVs) is to take a long winding road, highway 32, from Crosby, TN to the Tennessee-North Carolina state border, where the road becomes gravel.  It twists and winds into Cataloochee.  (This route is not recommended if your passengers are prone to car sickness."

Relationship #7: Water Fun, Hot Tub and Whitewater Rafting in the Smokies

This is the seventh article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge is a place for you to strengthen relationships and gain new perspective.
In the chapter "Making a Splash", the author suggest couples immerse in water together, "Water, water, everywhere and not all of it's to drink.  Relationship feeling parched?  Make the most of the revitalizing properties of H20...Once the privilege of the seriously rich, you'll find a jacuzzi or hot tub in most spas, and in many hotels and gyms.  What a great way to re-energize tired bodies."

Idea:  Why not visit the Smoky Mountains where you'll find water relaxation or adventure inside and outside the cabins? 

Leisurely soak in the tub.  Spend the day rafting the Pigeon River. Relax under the stars in your cabin hot tub.  Indigo Moon Lodge has a jacuzzi tub, hot tub, and sauna and conveniently located less than 60 miles from Hartford, TN where you'll find 12 Class 3 and 3 Class 4 rapids on the Upper Pigeon River.

Here's two whitewater rafting tours in Hartford, TN:

1.  Rafting the Smokies - recommend
Upper Pigeon River includes 5 miles of lively rapids named Too Late, Vegamatic, Razor Blade, After Shave, and Lost Guide
Member of the Friends of Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Age 8 and up, 1.5 hours, $42/person, March to Nov., Tue., Wed., Thurs., Sat, 12:15PM meet -2:45PM
Grills and picnic tables on the site
Other tours offered:  Ropes course, Zipline

2.  White Water Rafting with Smoky Mountain Outdoors
$45/person, $42 after 4PM; May 23 to Sept. 6, Tue., Wed., Thurs., Sat.
Also 1.5 to 2 hour tour and request to arrive 1 hour early, both include short bus ride
Other tours offered:  hike & paddle package $82, inflatable kayak rental for lower Pigeon River $39

Both tours require tennis shoes/deck shoes/rafting shoes.  No flip flops, Crocs, or bare feet.  If you had a positive experience with another Smoky Mountain rafting tour, feel free to post a recommendation.

Relationship Idea #6: 3 Spas Smokies Splurge

This is the sixth article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  Make Indigo Moon a place for you to strengthen relationships and gain new perspective.

In the chapter "What A Difference Makes", it encourages couples to take an occasional splurge, "Tightening belts may be good for the soul, but it's lousy for the spirit.  Do something amazing today.  Surprise your partner, go all out and spoil her rotten.  You know she's worth it...The occasional splurge may seem expensive, but it can re-energize you and your partner."

Idea:  Why not splurge for a luxury cabin rental and pampering indulgences in the Smoky Mountains?  Yes, Indigo Moon Lodge pricing isn't in the same tier as your Econo Budget Motel, but isn't it worth it to splurge for a memorable outing?  The grand space, the fireplace burning, the amenities, the bright starry nights from the deck, all to pamper you and your special one. 

Plan:  Book your luxury cabin rental and make it even special with pampering activities.  How about a day devoted to relaxation including spa treatments?  Here's three to consider in the Smoky Mountains:

1.  Beneficial to Life - massage at cabin  http://beneficialtolife.com/services_and_rates.html
2.  Smoky Mountain Massage - massage at cabin http://smokymountainmassage.com/index.htm
3.  Aurora Massage - nearby Pigeon Forge location
http://auroramassagetn.com/about.aspx

Relationship Article #5: Photograph Your Best

This is the fifth article in a series of relationship building ideas inspired by the book Re-Energize Your Relationship.

In the chapter "Snap, Crackle, and Print", the author encourages taking photos together as a couple, "Want a picture-perfect realationship?  Whether you're groping around in your home darkroom or shooting your partner outdoors, photography can put your relationship into sharp focus...Couples who shoot together stay together, as they share a developing interest."

Idea:  Why not create beautiful backdrops by bringing your special someone and two cameras to the Smoky Mountains? The best way to learn could be a class combined with immediate practice.  Here's two workshop options:

1.  Taking Better Photos (TBF) Tour - year round option
Beginner camera class at 10AM (Carino's Restaurant), lunch, and driving/walking tour in Smokies
Call Jim (865) 446-0546, $58 adult, $16 kids age 16 and under
Reservation required, usually groups of 25 or less people on Wed., Thur., and/or Sat.

2.  Wilderness Wildlife Week - May event (5/18 to 5/22/2016)
Multiple photography classes (and writing, nature education too) at LeConte Center, Pigeon Forge
Example classes from 2015 included
1) Nature photography workshop
2) Camera basics 101
3) understanding the essentials of light
4) the do's don'ts, and hours of photographing birds
5) digital photo editing made easy
6) Lightroom photo editing software
7) Turn your photography into art

 If you are teaching and practicing on your own, take advice from the National Geographic article "What to Do at Great Smoky Mountains" on Photo Ops:

"Take the Newfound Gap Road to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park (6,643 feet), for best overall views of the park and a spectacular sunset.
It's not uncommon to find low-hanging fog at Cades Cove, where early morning sunlight against the mountain backdrop offers a perfect opportunity for landscape photography.
The Campbell Overlook off Newfound Gap Road offers excellent views of Mount LeConte and surrounding forests, which are particularly spectacular during the autumn leaf-peeping season."

Where's your favorite photography class or place in the Smoky Mountains?

Relationship Article #4: Face the Music and Dance, 3 Smoky Mountain Dance Events

This is the fourth article in a series of ideas on how to take the ideas from Re-Energize Your Relationship book and apply to vacationing in the Smokies.  We hope Indigo Moon Lodge rental cabin is a place to build your relationship with your loved one.

Idea:  The chapter "Let's Face the Music and Dance" encourages couples to get their feet moving together, "Tango or twist, salsa or samba, if you're missing romance, it's time to dance...Dancing is a skill all couples should share for life."

Plan:  Why not learn a new style of dance in the Smoky Mountains?  If you've got two left feet, get away to the mountains and learn how to dance with a bunch of strangers.  You're sure to impress the neighbors when you return home with a few new moves.

Action:  If you are planning ahead with a flexible schedule, pick a dance event weekend:

1.  Heart of the Smokies Square Up
24 years of square dancing, the official folk dance of TN
Feb. 26 & 27th, 2016
$18 tickets, optional $10-12 t-shirt
Smoky Mountain Convention Center

2.  42nd Annual Turkey Strut
$45 tickets, 3 halls at the Four Season Motor Lodge & Convention Center, Nov. 20 & 21, 2015

3.  Smoky Mountain Encore
workshop and competition, Thur. fun dance, Fri. & Sat workshops, Sat. show, March 2016
attracts top clogging teams, registration coming soon

Can't get enough clogging?  Check out the USA National Clogging website.  Note that a majority of events are in TN or driving distance from the Smokies.
 1.  USA National Clogging Championship (Labor Day weekend, Nashville, TN)
 2.  Explosion Clogging Championship (June '15, Cherokee, NC)
 3.  Wilson County Fair clogging (August 15, Lebanon, TN)
 4.  Dollywood Clogging Classic (May 16, Pigeon Forge, TN)

If you can't make a dance weekend, you can always find shows and dancing in the Smokies:
    1.  Country Tonite Show (129 Showplace Blvd) for $29/adult to watch dancing, singing, comedy
    2.  Club 812@ Blaine's Bar and Grill (812 Parkway Gatlinburg) 10:45-1AM Fri. & Sat. night, 21 and over dance to dj tunes.

Smoky Wedding Ideas: Poems for Action

Seeking a way to inspire your friends and family to engage at your wedding?  Growing up in the North and attending numerous German heritage weddings, I have fond memories of clinking glasses to get the bride and groom to kiss and polka dancing.  However, I wanted to challenge my guest even more during the dinner reception, so I wrote poem and printed a challenge paper for each table.  Everyone had a blast and attendees asked me to share:

(Bride's name) and (Groom's name) are in wedding bliss
Yet clincking glasses won't cause them to kiss
Instead complete a task they can't miss

Greet those at your table, for they are your new team
Perform the following as you smile and gleam

(insert task, see examples below)

Don't be bashful, don't hide behind the bar
Laugh and have fun, you'll shine like a star

Table #1 Task
Create a new cheer about love and shout it out
You all have lots of energy, there's no doubt

Table #2 Task
Write a romantic love poem, read it aloud
You're so creative and charming, you'll be proud

Table #3 Task
Act out "I'm a Little Tea Pot"
No need to sing, just hum a lot
Your team's show will be Hot! Hot! Hot!

Table #4
Do the Chinese Fire Drill around your table
Move quickly, go twice, we know you are able

Table #5
Try to whistle or make a bird call
Flap your arms and stand up tall
Don't worry, we won't let you fall

Table #6
Begin the wave, move your arms with grace
Fast or slow, you win at any pace

Table #7
Include the word "love" while you sing a song
We'll love you even if you hit a note wrong

Table #8
Touch head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes
Please repeat three times, show us how it goes

Table #9
Stand up and pretend you're an eight piece band
No bow?  No stick?  No pick?  We'll understand

For table mates meeting each other for the first time, it was a fun ice breaker.  I was impressed with my friends & family's enthusiasm and creativity.  They were laughing so hard and when we watch the video, it makes us smile all over again.  Feel free to use the idea, just write a comment after the wedding reception to let me know whether your guests enjoyed it.

What to Bring to Your Smoky Mountain Cabin Rental

We've made quite a few trips to the Smoky Mountains and stayed in rental cabins, ours or rented from others, so we've learned each time what to pack next time.  If you are staying at Indigo Moon Lodge, here's our packing tips:

1.  Imagine the activities & pack for fun:  
- Swimsuit + Beach Towel - Indigo Moon Lodge has both a hot tub and sauna.  Plus, you may be inspired to go tubing or rafting.  The cabin includes towels in the bathroom, but I usually bring beach towels.
-  Hiking Boots or Shoes, Walking Stick, + Binoculars - You can discover beautiful scenery or waterfalls on a walk together.  You may see a bear off in the distance or hear a unique bird, so bring the gear.  Perhaps you tour a cave; wear the right shoes so you don't slip.  Make the journey comfortable. 
- Sunscreen, Sunglasses, + Baseball Cap - It's so beautiful outside, you'll spend much more time in the sun than you expect.
You are likely to get muddy or wet at some point.  No worries.  By renting Indigo Moon Lodge, you have a washer and dryer.  Just bring laundry detergent.
 
2.  Imagine picnic lunches and shared meals
- Condiments & Snacks - Ketchup, mustard, steak sauce, salt, pepper, coffee, coffee filters, tea, creamer, sugar
- Plastic sandwich bags
I'd suggest a shopping trip to the local Kroger for perishable food.  By renting Indigo Moon Lodge, you'll have a stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and kitchen tools (plates, pans, silverware, etc.) provided for you.

3.  Get ready to get out and share memories
- Backpack, Plastic Bags, & Toiletries - shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, shaving cream, razor, etc.
If you are flying and want to avoid liquids, take a trip to the local Kroger when you arrive.
- GPS, Map, + Compass - Whether driving or hiking, know where you are and know where you are going.  This is true in life too, right?
- Phone + Camera - Post your vacation photos on Facebook or keep them for memories.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not have hotels, gas stations, or restaurants.  By renting Indigo Moon Lodge, you have plenty of space to pack lunches. 

2.  Be prepared for the changing weather:
One Spring Break we visited and wore sleeveless sundresses and lots of sunscreen.  The next year we returned during Spring Break and we made a small snowman.  Be ready. 
- Coat, Gloves, Rain Jacket, Gloves, Sandals + Umbrella - Besides variation year to year, it can vary within a day.  Likely alternating between sunshine and rain.
- Bug Spray & First Aid Kit