Girlfriend's Weekend Idea #1: Scrapbooking in the Smokies

A friend and employee of mine took vacation each year to scrapbook with friends.  I thought her tradition enabled a terrific way to spend quality time with friends and accomplish story preservation.  Scrapbooking is more than a photo book; the combination of words and visuals tells the full story for today and future generations.

Idea:  Why not plan a girlfriend's weekend in the Smoky Mountains to scrapbook?  An inspirational environment will stir your creativity.  At Lightning Bug Lodge, there's plenty of room with tables in the kitchen and living room.

Plus we've provided a complimentary scrapbooking folder, papers, and cut-outs for each guest/family.  While supplies last. 

Plan:  Gather your girlfriends, rent a cabin, and head to the Smokies with all your scrapbooking gear.  Paper, scissors, glue - check!  Stencils, pens, stickers - check!
After a day of scrapbooking, figure out what additional supplies you need.  Good news - you will be close to Pigeon Forge which has 2 scrapbook stores next to each other (near the outlet mall).  These stores have the highest variety and lowest prices I've seen to date.  Stock up for the year and return back to the mountains.

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 Comparison #1: Waldens Creek vs. Cades Cove Riding Stables

The kids have been horseback riding at a YMCA camp & I'd like to take them riding in the Smoky Mountains.  Thought I'd share the options and comparisons of 6 options in or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Overall, I'd recommend Waldens Creek Stable based upon the site, the prices, and a check on philanthropy. 

1.  Philanthropy - all equal
At first I was most interested in the operations within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park because I like to support a good cause.  However, I believe these companies operate within the park, but don't necessarily give their profit to the park. 

2.  Prices - all equal (prices may change, so check out the link)
1) Waldens Creek Stable, $30 1 hour, March to Jan., 9AM-3PM, 5 or older
http://www.waldencreekstables.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=17

2) Cades Cove Riding Stables, Townsend, $25 1 hour, 9-4:30PM, 6 or older
http://www.cadescovestables.com/hours-rates.shtml

3) Smokemont Riding Stables, near Cherokee, NC, $25 1 hour, 9-5PM, 5 or older
http://smokemontridingstable.com/

4) Sugarlands Riding Stables (or Smoky Mountain Riding Stables), near Gatlinburg, TN, $25 1 hour = 4 miles, 9-6PM summer, 5 or older

http://www.sugarlandsridingstables.com/

http://www.smokymountainridingstables.com/rates.html

5) Five Oaks Riding Stables, Pigeon Forge, TN, $29.99, 5 miles

http://www.adventureparkatfiveoaks.com/

3.  Location - Best Walden Creek Stables, Mid=stables within Park, Low=Five Oaks

Walden Creek Stables - dedicated horse farm off the beaten trail with beautiful mountain view, lots of land, Western theme building and tasteful large gift store.  If you are staying at Lightning Bug Lodge, it's only 1.1 mile from the Shagbark resort entrance.

In comparison, Five Oaks Riding Stables is located near major road across from the Tanger Outlet Mall and splits their focus by offering zip line tours too.

Horseback riding has it's dangers, so please check into the safety record of any place you choose and ride at your own risk.

Smoky Mountain Cabin: Bears Belong Outside

Of course the most famous Smoky Mountain animal is the black bear.  We know the bears are living in our backyard; we just have not seen them yet.  The construction crew told us they saw plenty of their signs on the ground.  Our neighbor across the street saw one carry away the entire $70 "bear proof" trashcan off his deck. 

If you see a bear near Lightning Bug Lodge, please tell us your story.  The population density in the Great Smoky Mountain National park is approximately one bear per square mile, ie 500-600 bears live in the park.  Tip:  Locals tell me if you want to see a bear, drive to Cades Cove in the park.

For safety's sake and the bears longevity, please do not feed the bears.  We recommend using our $600 National Park standard bear trash cans, eating your picnic on the highest deck, and quickly removing all food once done.  Also, our neighbors warned to jog during the day, not at dusk and dawn.  Tip:  Be especially careful in March and April when newborn cubs emerge and mothers are highly protective.

Think about your odds vs. the bear. 
     Size:  Can stand 6 feet at shoulder height, weigh over 400 pounds,
    Ability to find food:  prefers berries but flexible & will eat human food, has a keen sense of smell
    Athletic ability:  easily climb trees, and run up to 30 miles per hour
If you do encounter a bear, make a lot of noise and retreat.  Don't act dead.

We hope the only bear in the cabin is the stuffed animal bear photographed above.  It was given to my daughter at the local furniture store, along with a popsicle.  She was a happy girl!  Let the bears be happy, let them wander freely outside.

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.

"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.

The Green Exchange - LBL DVD Library

Similar to our book library, Lightning Bug Lodge has a DVD library in which you may exchange a DVD of your own for a LBL DVD.  We call it The Green Exchange.  Bring home a new to you favorite movie back home.  Perhaps a comedy that reminds you of fun times and laughter in the cabin.  Perhaps a romance that reminds you of a honeymoon or anniversary celebration in the mountains.

We bought over 40 DVDs for your viewing pleasure.  As of September 2010, here's the titles:

1) Baby Mozart
2) Dr. Dolittle 2
3) Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins
4) Racing Stripes
5) Nims Island
6) Sesame Street Celebrates Around the World
7) Miss Spiders Sunny Patch Kids
8) Baby Prodigy
9) The Wind in the Willows
10) The Legends of Sasquatch
11) Baby Neptue Discovering Water
12) Songs from the Station Thomas
13) Nature Baby
14) Lilo & Stitch 2
15) Thomas Sodor Celebration
16) See & Learn Numbers
17) Let's Make Music
18) Envy
19) The Simpsons Movie
20) Guess Who
21) Zoolander
22) Balls of Fury
23) Trading Places
24) Take the Lead
25) Somethings Gotta Give
26) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
27) Edward Scissorhands
28) Wild Hogs
29) Fun with Dick & Jane
30) Calling All Engines
31) We Were Soldiers
32) True Grit
33) Johnny English
34) The Producers
35) Lawrence of Arabia
36) The River Wild
37) Monsson Wedding
38) Blades of Glory
39) Short Circuit
40) Tom & Jerry Whiskers Away

We know you may want more choices, so we also brought over 50 VCR movies.  See next post for the titles.

Introducing the Green Exchange: LBL Library

We want you to have a delightful stay at our cabin and we would like to be as environmentally friendly as possible.

From going on many vacations, I understand one of the joys you may look forward to is time to actually read a book.  However, even on vacation other activities may make it difficult to finish the book.  No worries at Lightning Bug Lodge because you can take the book home with you.  Just exchange it for one of your used books.

It will be fun to see how the collection evolves with travelers from around the country.  I've provided 50 books to begin the library.  Since this is a family friendly cabin, I've included both adult and childrens books.  Perhaps you find a new bedtime story as you gather near the fireplace.  At the end of the year, I'll show you the new list.  Here's the 50 books available in September 2010:

1) Nathans Fishing Trip
2) We're Going on a Nature Hunt

3) Alexander & the Wind Up Mouse

4) Wind in the Willows
5) Mysteries & Marvels of Nature
6) Day of the Dragon King
7) Busy Bear Goes to the Beach
8) Websters College Dictionary
9) Chasing Kangaroos
10) It Takes a Village
11) Three Cups of Tea
12) Chicken Soup for the Nature Lovers Soul
13) The Secret Language of Girlfriends
14) Miss American Pie
15) The Art of Possibility
16) Still Making Waves
17) At Large & At Small
18) The Darkest Evening of the Year by Dean Koontz
19) Away
20) The Wanderer
21) Finding Father Christmas
22) Barefoot
23) The Hornets Nest
24) Simple Abundance
25) Burning Bright
26) Creepy Crawly Creatures
27) Lady and the Tramp
28) Off to Sea
29) W is for Wind
30) The Michigan Count Book
31) Sunny Numbers
32) The Ancient World
33) Olivia Joules & the Overactive Imagination
34) Little House on the Prairie
35) Bravo Amelia Bedelia
36) A Bargain for Frances
37) Jingle Bells
38) Hour of the Olympics
39) Someone Like You
40) Common Phrases & Where They Come From
41) Angel Dogs with a Mission
42) Fetching Dylan
43) Lapham Rising
44) Pets in America
45) Abundance for Beginners
46) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
47) Poems and Rhymes
48) Teamwork in Tonka Town
49) Big Birds Guessing Game
50) Shapes Around Town

What book would you contribute to the library?   What kind of books would you like to see in the library?

Luxury in Nature, a Smoky Mountain Example

What do we mean by luxury in nature?

Coming from quite a bit of experience in tent camping & scout camping, there's no doubt that an air conditioned, heated cabin is luxury.  However, we took this cabin to the next level with choosing only the best in furnishings. so you feel surrounded in luxury. 

Here's one example, one of the chairs is a Lonsdale Barstool from Frontgate.  Inspired from the 18th century classics, this barstool uses the finest leather hide (considered top/full grain) and hand crafted solid hardwood.  In the cool grey color, it's a custom order.  In trying to be as green as possible, I went to the outlet where people returned their custom ordered fine furnishing (and saved at least a little green in my purse too).  While the standard barstool sells for $699, the custom chair costs $899 and 7 weeks if you order online. 

Frontgate's slogan is "outfitting America's finest homes", I'd add "and finest cabins".  Only the best for our guests; Relax and enjoy!