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.

4 Swallowtails in the Smokies

When you are near the Smoky Mountains, you learn to look all around you.  Because when you submerse yourself in the forest and look up, you might find a delightful scene or animal, not just another traffic light.  I took this photo of the Spicebush Swallowtail in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but I saw one resting on a branch near our cabin too.  The iridescent blue makes me believe this one is a female.  The males are bright green.

 

The Spicebush Swallowtail is found only in the Eastern US and extreme southern Ontario.  While it is the state butterfly for Mississippi, I felt surounded by them in TN to my delight.  The Tennessee official butterfly is the Zebra Swallowtail, a black and white striped butterfly.  TN recognizes 2 other insects, the firefly and ladybug and a state agricultural insect (honeybee).  The firefly was designated the official state insect in 1975.  The importance of the firefly, commonly called lightning bug, to the state was one of the inspirations for our cabin name Lightning Bug Lodge.

Swallowtails are the largest butterflies in the United States.  There are 33 species in the US; besides the Spicebush and Zebra, there are four other swallowtails found in the Smokies:  1) Pipevine Swallowtail, 2) Giant Swallowtail, 3) Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, and 4) Black Swallowtail.

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.

Animal Neighbors in the Smoky Mountains

 One of the joys of owning or renting a cabin in the Shagbark resort is the amazing wildlife.  You just never know what type of animal you will see.  Something about the mountains encourages you to slow down and explore. 

* praying mantis and grasshopper: my kids discovered in our front yard

* racoon: seems to be a regular near the Shagbark guard house. 

* wild turkeys:  For three days straight, I needed to bring my car to a halt coming down the mountain because a family of wild turkeys were walking on the road.  Look closely in the wooded photo and you will see three turkeys.

Ok, you may be looking for more exotic animals than a racoon.  No worries.  The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is full of animals.  Besides black bears, you may keep your eyes out for these creatures:

Salamanders:  27 different species in the area make it the Salamander Capital of the world
Red wolves:  Native to the Smoky Mountains and reintroduced in 1991, 25 of the world's 350 remaining red wolves live in the park
Tip:  Look between Cades Cove and Sugarland Visitor Center
Elk:  Native to the Smoky Mountains, but lost due to over-hunting and loss of habitat in the area.  Reintroduced to the region in 2001.
Snakes:  Yes, watch out, especially for the two poisonous varieties - Northern Copperhead and Timber Rattler.

Which 2 places in the world can you find the Synchronous Fireflies?

An invitation to see the synchronous fireflies (or lightning bugs) would read something like this:

What:  A magical natural light show
Guest Stars:  Synchronous Lightning Bugs, 1 of 2,000 firefly species, less than 1% of fireflies
Who:  the first 800-900 people
Where:  Great Smoky Mountain National Park or Southeast Asia
When:  2 weeks in June, approx. June 6-14th, nightly show at approx. 9-9:30PM

Yes, the synchronous lightning bugs are only found in GSMNP (Elkmont campground as most well known location within the park) or Southeast Asia (specifically the rivers in Kampang Kuantan Malaysia).  For me, the GSMNP location in TN would be much closer and cheaper trip.

For many years the only known synchronous fireflies in the world were found in Malaysia.  It was within our lifetime that the lightning bugs were documented as being in the US too (1994).  In the early 1990's an Elkmont community resident & naturalist noticed the lightning bugs in Elkmont.  She convinced a professor at Georgia Southern University to visit. 

Are these lighning bugs exactly the same in 2 far apart places?  Although both flash in synchrony, the light pattern is different.  The Asian lightning bugs oscillate their flashing in a metronome like manner (on, off, on, off) in a regular sequence.  However, the Elmont fireflies flash in a series of about six blinks and then pause for awhile before starting again.  Why the difference, I'm not certain.  I think scientists have a lot more to learn about these newly found beetles.

If you accepted such invitation, here's the directions you would be given:

Where:  Park at the GSMNP Sugarland Visitors Center, ride the $1 Gatlinburg Trolley to the Elkmont campground.  Please note Elkmont entrance closes to cars 5PM to Midnight

When:  Trolleys begin at 6PM & end when full or 9PM (previous reports of being full at 7:30PM or earlier).  Trolley to site runs every 20-25 minutes.  Trolley returns up to 11PM.

What to bring:  Flashlights with red cellophane, lawn chairs & blankets, food & water in backpacks.  No alcohol or pets.  Please note there is no service at the site & only portable potties.