Tuckaleechee Caverns vs. Forbidden Caverns

Tuckaleechee Caverns vs. Forbidden Caverns:  Helping you choose the best for your Smoky Mountain vacation.

 The winner:  Tuckaleechee Caverns!  Why - the natural formations are much more impressive.  On a rainy day, a cave tour of either cave will be a hit with your family.  Approximately 58 degrees year round, a tour can also serve as a cool break in the heat of the summer. 

Formations:  Tuckaleechee is Different
Tuckaleechee Caverns has Silver Falls, an amazing 200 ft. waterfall. Walk inside the  Big Room, a vast room discovered in 1954 - 400 ft. long, 300 ft. across, 150 ft. deep (Mammoth cave max ceiling height =120 ft).  Inside the Big Room see the "totem pole", a 12 foot stalagmite.  Both caves have a stream, but Tuckaleechee even allows you to stop, dip your hands, and take a drink in the pure water.  You do need to prepare for stairs, significant walking, and a tour that could last over one hour.

Location:  Similar
Tuckaleechee Caverns is a hidden gem.  It's in Townsend, TN (825 Cavern Rd), the peaceful side of the Smokies.

Forbidden Caverns has more commercial advertising with billboards and location in Sevierville, TN (455 Blowing Cave Rd).

Both caves are within 30 miles of Lightning Bug Lodge, Tuckaleechee slightly further (26 vs. 21 miles), but slightly faster in time due to less traffic.

2014 Price: Similar
Tuckaleechee Caverns:  Adults $16, child under 11 $7, child under 4 free
Forbidden Caverns:  Adults $14, child under 13 $8, child under 5 years free
Look for small discount coupons in local flyers.

Timing:  Tuckaleechee Open Year Round
Tuckaleechee:  Open 7 days a week 10AM-6PM

Forbidden:  Mon.-Sat. (closed Sun.), April - Nov. (closed Dec.-March), 10AM, 5PM last tour
 

Formations:  Forbidden Cave
Forbidden Caves claims the largest wall of rare cave onyx or dripstones known to exist.  Compared to Tuckaleechee, the tour feels more commercial including an ice cream cone joke, changing color lights, and a Greek story film projected on the ceiling.  Moonshiners used the cave from the early 20's to 1943 as a hidden place to produce moonshine.  Tours last approx. 55 minutes.

You'll enjoy either tour you take.  Be sure to dress appropriately, especially shoes.  Cave floors can be slippery.

Dollywood Step by Step #3: Old Flames Candles

One of the unique aspects of Dollywood as an amusement park is it's Craftsman's Valley, celebrating the arts and crafts of the Smoky Mountains.  For many years, candles served as a major source of light.  Candlemaking began to decline after the light bulb introduction in 1879.  However, not every home immediately had electricity.  My grandfather told stories of being the first one to install electricity in Quad Cities, Iowa.


Enter Old Flames Candles store for a candle making experience.  Named after Dolly's song "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle To You", this store allows you to dip your own candle for a fee.  Thanks to my sister-in-law for treating my kids.  My kids enjoyed picking their own molded candle and choosing the wax colors.  Caution!  Wax is hot!

It's an opportunity to use creativity and bring home a truly customized gift.  Today we consider candle purchases as discretionary; candles now serve different purposes.  Sales increased in the 1990s as candles became popular home decorations and air-fresheners.  It's an estimated over $2 billion industry.  While the US has large players like SC Johnson & Sons and Yankee Candle, there's still smaller manufacturers throughout the US.  In fact, The Candle Cottage began in 1976 in the Smoky Mountain foothills and now has a 40,000 square foot facility in nearby Sevierville, TN.

Throughout the ages, candles represent joy and life-giving power.  No wonder candles continue in our religious ceremonies and alter candles get lit weekly.

If you want to watch other people make candles, visit Lorelei Candles factory (331 Glades Road, Gatlinburg), crafting since 1979.

Whether your family runs from ride to ride at Dollywood or you have an opportunity to slow down and smell the candle wax, may you have a joyful vacation day and light up someone's life.

Adventure in the Smokies - Tubing All Day

Water sports - one of the best things about choosing summer for your Smoky Mountain vacation!
Townsend, "the quiet side of the Smokies" (unless your kids scream with joy on the river), has two river routes.

The Lower Section gets described as the family friendly float.  Just gentle, relaxing rapids for age 2 and up.

The Upper Section, dubbed the adventure float because of the class 2 rapids and swimming holes, is appropriate for age 6 and up.

My kids wanted the adventure.  They also wanted their own raft.  This meant mom sometimes connected the tubes with rope and then used a lot of arm muscle keeping us together.  So worth it.  The ride switched between quiet scenic floats to a bit of small rapid excitement.  The kids squealed with delight and then jumped up and down to go again...and again.  When the sun beats down, but you feel cool in the water - it's the perfect combination.

We may have paid a bit more for River Rat outing ($15 adult, $12 children), but we felt we got our money's worth.  Other nearby operations claim lower costs (River Rage $10, Cowboy Tubin' $10, and Tube Junction $8).  Most places begin at 10AM and provide unlimited rides til closing (5:30 or 6PM).

River Rat earned the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.  I'd give River Rat a positive rating too; it offered nice facility with restrooms and a friendly shuttle driver.  At the end, River Rat doesn't even make you drag your tube back.  They have a tube return (pictured in photo below).

Dollywood Step by Step #2: Country Fair High

Sometimes height matters, like when you want to soar like an eagle and see below you. 

Photo:  Sky Rider ride

At Dollywood's Country Fair, height usually doesn't matter.  Most rides have no minimum height.  Some rides you must reach a certain height to ride alone (Shooting Star 42", Amazing Elephant & Sky Rider 48"). 

Who wants to ride alone anyway?  It's so much more fun to hop on the ride with your kid and hear them squeal nearby.

When we had toddlers and visited Dollywood, we'd go on the little rides close to the ground. See prior article Dollywood Step by Step #1 for photos.  When my kids got older, we still returned to the Country Fair.  The favorite rides simply changed.  My daughter's favorite became Sky Rider, an elevating spinning ride rising 70 feet into the air.  As co-pilots, you can control the rudders or move the wings.  I always volunteered to join her.  I admit to liking the feeling of flight and getting perspective up high.

The Country Fair was designed to be like a day at the County Fair.  It includes the traditional ferris wheel called the "Wonder Wheel".  I wonder what ride becomes your kids favorite.  Share your story.  Leave a comment.

Dollywood Step by Step #1: Country Fair Cute

They are only little for a little time.  So take them to the Country Fair at Dollywood amusement park.  Dollywood has entertainment for kids at every age.  If you have little ones, you might want a strategy to visit the shows and museum first or you could be going in circles all day (-:
Photo:  Piggy Parade ride

So bring your camera and capture the precious moments.  I can't believe the employees let my husband and I ride the tiny rides.  My goodness we hardly fit and we gave observers a good laugh.  All for fun.                                                                                   Photo:  Lucky Ducky

 Photo:  Busy Bees ride

Country Fair has nine other rides:  1) Amazing Flying Elephants, 2) Dizzy Disk, 3) Demolition Derby bumper cars, 4) Lemon twist tea cups, 5) Scrambler, 6) Shooting Star drop tower, 7) Slideshow Spin roller coaster, 8) Sky Rider, and 9) Wonder Wheel.

Time with your little ones.  I felt like the lucky duck.  May the little rides give you big joy.

Cabin Review #3: Fun

The cabin book with notes left inside.  It's the first thing I check when returning to our rental cabin Lightning Bug Lodge.  I especially enjoy crayon written notes from kids. 

In five sentences this guest summed up the experience we want to hear:  "We had a good time.  Do we have to leave?  It was so fun.  I hope we come back so much.  It was fun."

Catch your own meal in the Smokies, An easy fishing adventure

According to the NPS, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park has 2,115 miles of streams and protects one of the last wild trout habitats in the eastern US.  Fishing is permitted with license except in Bear Creek (NC) and Lynn Camp Prong (TN).

However, if you have young children and want to be certain to catch a fish and eat it too, check out English Mountain Trout Farm.  A friend who stayed at Lightning Bug Lodge (LBL) recommended the experience.  Go for the experience, delicious fish, and friendly service.  Don't go there for fancy facilities or a fast or cheap meal.  Their slogan is "you hook em'. we cook em'".

The kids had a blast, so proud of their catch.  All the cameras came out.  The kids even had interest in watching the fish be prepared for cooking.  It's a great lesson that food comes from our natural environment (vs. a plastic container from Wal-Mart).  Plus the owner Charlie and his wife Angie took the time to sit down with us at the dinner table and teach us about the benefits of fresh fish vs. frozen imports.  Now that's edutainment the kids will remember.

It's difficult to find English Mountain Trout Farm online except for it's #1 rating on tripadvisor.com.  So give Charlie a call (865) 429-5553 and get off the beaten trail to 291 Blowing Cave Road, Sevierville, TN 37876.  Consider making it a day trip and tour nearby Tuckaleechee Caverns.  Search "caves" for my article on Tuckaleechee.

Cabin Review #2: Niece Weekend in the Smokies

To Billy, Trisha, Shelli, Allison, Damien, and Rylie,

Thank you so much for being guests at Lightning Bug Lodge.  Your story of your Nieces Weekend warmed our hearts.  What a great family to spend quality time together in the Smokies. 

We love our nieces too and have great memories of spending time with them in the cabin; we are so glad you had a fun time too.  Here's what Billy, Trisha, Shelli, Allison, Damien, and Rylie had to say about their experience at Lightning Bug Lodge:

" Feb. 18 -20, 2011

Niece Weekend Getaway

What a great place to spend the weekend watching movies by the fireplace, playing pool and foosball, big family dinners, and taking lots of pictures.

Great way to connect with the kids and get away from home for a couple of days.  Beautiful and cozy."

Billy, Trishia, Shelli, Allison, Damien, and Rylie, we wish you the best and welcome you return to Lightning Bug Lodge to build more memories together.

Cabin Review #1: Cabin Love

One of our cabin guests created this picture and testimonial.  I love the beauty and simplicity of the message.  This note means so much to our family; we really cherish this note.

According to the thesaurus & dictionary, love means so much:  admire, adulate, be attached to, be capticated by, be crazy about, be enamored of, be enchanted by, be fascinated with, be fond of, care for, cherish, choose, delight, dote on, fall for, fancy, glorify, hold dear, hold high, lose ones heart to, prefer, prize, think the world of, thrive with, treasure, wild for...

We hope you will fall in love with Lightning Bug Lodge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park too.  Give love a chance, escape to the Smokies with your loved ones.

Bunk Beds at Your Smoky Mountain Cabin

 Lightning Bug Lodge is designed to be family friendly.  As owners with children, we understand the desire to both create family memories with the kids and find time as a couple.  Sometimes four or more in one hotel room doesn't always match the vision of a relaxing vacation. 

Come to Lightning Bug Lodge.  We had two bunk beds custom made locally, so you and your spouse can choose "Mountain View Serenity" (upstairs bedroom) or "Forest Life" (downstairs bedroom) bedrooms and have the kids sleep close, but outside your room.  The upstairs has a bunk with a twin over a Queen.  The downstairs has a twin over a twin.

The kids think it's cool too. When my kids have their cousins, they always head to the bunk beds and it's always a bunch of chatter and chuckles.

Smoky Mountain Cabin: Grilling in the Smokies

     Part of making memories together is making meals together.  Ligthning Bug Lodge exudes luxury in the woods, so we've bought a brand new high end grill for you to show off your grilling skills.  One of the conveniences of our location is that you will drive past a major Kroger grocery store on the way to the cabin (220 Wears Valley Road) on your way back from the strip.  Many tourists miss this major store and complain about limited groceries or high prices.  You just have to get off the beaten path.  If you are a planner and enjoy exploring local food like me, consider buying mountain food online ahead of your trip.  I recommend http://www.smokiesstore.org/browse.cfm/2,61.html.  Why?  Because your purchase serves a good purpose.  It supports the Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA), a nonprofit to help the park, which sponsors free historic demonstrations and festivals, funds the Park's library, and helps fund the environmental education program at the Institute at Tremont.  They offer cornmeal, wheat flour, sorghum, molasses, preserves, relish, pumpkin butter, honey, and pure maple syrup. 
While in the Smokies, we've also bought molasses and cornmeal at local stores, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park visitor center gift shops, and Dollywood.

Wild Turkey in our Mountain Backyard

Birding has increased significantly in the past century and birders know the Smoky Mountains as an exceptional place to see birds in diverse landscapes from forests to meadows.  Over 240 species have been found in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  It is estimated that a person who can identify most species by sight or sound and who explore as many habitats as possible can find 100 species in a day during peak migration (late April to early May). 

Where can you find them:  It's true, open fields account for less than 1% of the park and that's where the wild turkey likes to linger.  Well, you can find the wild turkey in the Lightning Bug Lodge backyard.  I took this photo standing from our cabin deck.

History:  The wild turkey has had an interesting history from protected to listed on the endangered list to protected in the park.  The Native Americans viewed the slow moving bird as "not bright" and believed eating them would weaken their spirits, so they didn't hunt them.  The Europeans didn't share this belief and hunted them until only 30,000 were left. 

A little bit of trivia:  Benjamin Franklin, who opposed the eagle as the national symbol, was a fan of the turkey, "The turkey, a bird of courage, would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards.  The turkey is a much more respectable bird for America."  Outside of the park, turkey are now hunted again and are considered as one of the four most popular game, along with wild hog, black bears, and deer.  But please don't hunt down the turkey in our backyard, leave them for the birders and shoot them with your camera.

Lightning Bug Lodge Amenities List

Lightning Bug Lodge is designed for gatherings; family reunions, girlfriend weekends, church retreats, and more.  With such celebrations in mind, we chose a large cabin (2,400 sq. ft.) with 3 bedrooms and 3 full baths, one on each floor. 

Because we appreciate nature and believe you will enjoy it too, we chose a unique location, ontop of a mountain, surrounded by woods.  It's an adventure driving up the mountain and we think it's worth it.

 

Besides the inspiring location, we hope you build memories indoors too.  I know that beating your spouse, uncle, or neighbor in a game of pool or foosball can build a fond memory too.  Here's the list of amenities for you:

Lots of Room

* Square feet:  2,400

* 3 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, sleeps 10

* One bedroom on each level

* Beds:  2 King, 1 Queen, 2 bunks (2 twin, + 1 full/1 twin)

* 4 flat parking spaces

Inspiring Location

* Wooded view

* Winter mountain view

* Quiet mountain top, semi-secluded
* All wood real log cabin

* 2 wrap around decks

Ample Entertainment

* Sega baseball game

* Regulation size Pool table

* Foosball

* Hot tub on deck

* Grill (gas)

* Swimming pool (resort)

* Tennis courts (resort)

* 5 tvs (1 big screen)

* 4 DVDs

* 1 VCR

* CD player

* Board Games & Books

* Grill

*Picnic table

Comfort

* Fireplace

* Heat and Air

* Rocking Chairs

* Gated resort with 24 hour security guard

* No pets allowed

* Non-smoking

Convenience

* Full kitchen

* Blender, coffee maker

* High chair

* Stainless steel appliances, dishwasher

* Full size washer and dryer
* Shagbark resort only 8 miles from Pigeon Forge

Welcome to Lightning Bug Lodge!

Welcome to Lightning Bug Lodge & our blog!  We hope by sharing our cabin, you build fond memories in the Smoky Mountains.  We hope to bring you an experience you treasure for life.  Please share your stories.

It's official, you can rent our cabin.  It's been a labor of love and we thank all the wonderful local people for their support.  Thank you to our construction team, Shagbark resort employees, local hot tub company, local furniture stores, local craftsmen, and of course our real estate agent. 

We could not have done it without you.

May life be an amazing adventure for you.  May you see the beauty in nature.  May you hold fond memories of time spent with friends and family. 

Thanks for visiting our website.  Please add your comments.  We want to hear from you and continue to improve both your cabin and website experience, year after year.

Welcome to Shagbark resort!

     You will love the Shagbark resort; only 8 miles from Pigeon Forge, yet feels like a world away.  Escape into the quiet Smoky Mountain community.

     Lightning Bug Lodge is located within the Shagbark community, owned and operated by the cabin owners.  We pay the HOA fees, you don't. 

     You gain access to all the amenities just like an owner including use of the tennis courts, basketball hoop, and swimming pool.  With 1,300 acres of mountains, creeks, and meadows, there's plenty to explore right in your backyard.

As with any nice community, there are rules to keep it safe and nice.  Please note Shagbark does not allow ATVs, RVs, campers, trailers, firearms, fireworks, or charcoal grills.  If you live in Shagbark, let us know what you like best about the neighborhood.

"Mountain View Serenity", the upstairs bedroom

The upstairs bedroom has a peaceful feel with a mountain view and attached bathroom with double vanity sink, tub, and shower.  Watch the sunset over the mountains or just relax in your big bedroom which includes a King size log bed and a vaulted ceiling.

If you want to be close to your friends or family, but not in the same room, no problem.  The loft is right outside your room complete with a bunk bed, full on bottom, twin on top.

"Forest Life" - Lower Level Bedroom

When you rent a cabin in the Smoky Mountains, there's usually someone in the group looking for fun day and night.  If you are the life of the party or a bird lover, you may want to chose the Lightning Bug Lodge downstairs bedroom I've labeled as "Forest Life".  It's the closest one to the entertainment including the pool table, foosball, big screen tv, sega baseball game, and hot tub.  And after all the excitement, you are certain to get a deep sleep in your King sized log bed.  And you may feel like a King in this spacious room that includes the only walk in closet. It also has a full size bathroom right around the corner.

The lower level also has a great view of the trees and birds from either inside or out.  That's because this level has both gigantic windows and a wrap around deck.  So bring your swimsuit or a pair of binoculars and you are sure to enjoy your stay.

"Pampered Glow", the main floor bathroom

When staying in the Smoky Mountains, you want to feel relaxed and pampered.  It's time to make memories and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.  You can feel relaxed at Lightning Bug Lodge with 3 bedrooms.  I call the bedroom on the main floor "Pampered Glow" bedroom faces the sunset with four windows.  If you choose this one, you can't help feeling special and pampered. This is often the bedroom we let our parents use because it's right off the front door, no need to take the stairs inside.  Grandparents are special.

Of the 3 bedrooms, this one has the fanciest bathroom.  It's just across the hallway waiting for you with a jacuzzi tub.  Although all bedrooms have a tv, this one has the new flat screen HDTV and DVD player.  All Lightning Bug Lodge bedrooms have new handmade log bed and new matresses; this one has the $1,400 Serta matress for those who love a cushiony pampered feel.