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.

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.

Smoky Restaurant Review #2: Mel's Classic Diner

The Smoky Mountains..one popular tourist destination.  Not surprising, it seems like every chain restaurant landed here.  If you seek the familiar, look no further:  Cracker Barrel, Baskin Robbins, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Subway, Arby's, Taco Bell, Hardees, Long John Silvers, McDonalds, Five Guys, Wendy's, KFC, TGI Fridays, IHOP, Krispy Kreme, Denny'sTexas Roadhouse, Johnny Rockets, Golden Corral, Ruby Tuesday, Shoney's...the list goes on.  However, if you are like me, you want the local taste.

Check out Mel's Classic Diner.  After a day of hiking, a hearty breakfast sounds so good.  Fortunately, Mel's makes breakfast all day long.  If eggs, bacon, and pancakes don't sound right - no worries.  Mel's serves other traditional diner food like cheeseburgers, soup & salad, and ice cream sundaes.  Check out the special signs outside; the savings may entice you to wake up early and get the early bird special.

The most important meal of the day, Ode to breakfast:
Feb:  National Hot Breakfast Month
Feb./March:  Pancake Day
March 25:  International Waffle Day
May:  National Egg Month
Aug:  National Waffle Day
Sept:  National Breakfast Month
Oct:  World Egg Day
Nov:  National French Toast Day
Dec:  National Maple Syrup Days
Wow, we need to celebrate.

Back to Mel's Diner.  When you walk into the diner, you will notice the 1950s memorabilia right away.  To your right, a jukebox.  To your left, a gift shop.  Grab a stool or a table.  It's a casual, family friendly place.  Don't just take my word for it.  Check out the reviews, 4 stars or more on Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.  Plus, it's close to Lightning Bug Lodge:  119 Wears Valley Road, Pigeon Forge, TN.

Family Idea #3: Unplug in the Smoky Mountains

This is the fifth 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, "The Biggest Turn-Off", the authors encourage couples to unplug together, "Looking for a quick fix for a dwindling relationship?  This one's fast, free, and fastastically simple.  Unplug your tv and plug in to an amazing life together."

Idea:  Why not make a pact with your partner to limit technology for at least three days?  Why not unplug in the Smoky Mountains where so much entertainment doesn't depend on a cord?  Sometimes when you are not attached, it's easier to notice the flowers and the special things about your special someone.

Plan:  Book a rental cabin and make an itinerary full of nature and sporting activities.  It'll be simple at Lightning Bug Lodge, a cabin that doesn't even have a computer with internet access.  Yes, it has quite a few tvs, but it'll be so easy to do other activities.  In a traditional motel room, it may feel like the only entertainment option is the tv. 

At LBL, you can just walk onto the deck, immerse yourself in nature, and watch the animals.  Or go downstairs for a game of pool or foosball.  Use the Shagbark resort ammenities like the tennis court, basketball hoop, and swimming pool.

Tip:  Make it a fun game.  See who can come up with as many "technology replacements" ideas like "let's go on a horse ride instead of a car ride", "let's go to the National Park and watch the campfire instead of the tv", or "let's write love letters instead of email."

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.

Smoky Mountains, Average Weather by Month

My friends would like to find the ideal time to visit the Smoky Mountains National Park.  It's an ideal place to visit, no matter what the season.  Determine what activity you want to do the most then pick your month.  This article will help give you direction with average Pigeon Forge, TN temperatures per month, thanks to weatherchannel.com.

1.  Go skiing & enjoy the peaceful snow covered mountains - Choose Winter

Smoky Mountains National Park is nearby the Ober Gatlinburg ski resort, offering skiing, ice skating, and tube riding.  Check out the LBLodge Smoky Mountain channel on You Tube for video.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LBLodgeSmokyMountain#p/c/E240D6EF56DF9040/1/SMn4iRxN69E40/1/SMn4iRxN69E

If you would rather watch the snow from a cozy indoor cabin, rent our cabin and enjoy the fireplace.  Just don't forget your boots, winter gear, and can food:

Dec.  27 - 50 degrees (average low/high)
Jan.    25- 46

Feb.  27-51

2.  Enjoy nature's flora, waterfalls, & less crowded hikes - Choose Spring

According to National Parks Traveler, "As Yellowstone National Park is to wildlife, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is to flora", check out the full article for hiking ideas to see spring flowers 

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2009/04/where-look-spring-wildflowers-great-smoky-mountains-national-park; The LBL cabin has quite the variety of plants & birds in the backyard, enjoy it from our wrap-around porch.  Bring a jacket & umbrella, May has more precipitation than any other month on average.  Consider indoor activities too like Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

March 34-61 degrees

April   43-69

May   53-77

3.  Get wet & wild in the sunshine - Choose Summer

The most visited season of the year when all the roads in the National Park are open and vacationers play in the rivers.  It's a natural playground offering white water rafting and tubing (check out links on right to "Tube down the river" or "Raft down the River").  Also, you'll have more amusement park options including Dollywoods Splash County water park.  Temperatures cool down as you ascend up the mountain, so take a break from the heat in our mountain cabin.  Bring your sunscreen, hat, picnic supplies, and water.

June  61-84 degrees

July   65-87

Aug   64-86

4.  Photograph the foliage & learn mountain history - Choose Fall

Looking for gorgeous pictures?  Shoot the changing leaf colors in Cades Cove and throughout the National Park.  Learn more about the mountain history and culture through local festivals including 1) Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival, 2) Barbeque & Bluegrass Festival, 3) Townsend Fall Festival & Old Timers Day, 4) Sevier County Fair, 5)Old Mill Square Heritage Day, 6) Trout Tournament, 7) Woodcarvers Festival and multiple car shows http://www.smokymountainharvestfestival.com/

Sept. 57-81 degrees

Oct.  43-71

Nov. 35-59

What is your favorite season in the Smokies and why?

Mingo Falls & 7 More Waterfalls Near the Smoky Mountains

The power and peace of the waterfalls, perhaps that's what draws us to visit them.  If you only go to the waterfalls within walking distance of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park visitor centers or the ones on all the postcards, you might miss the peace.  Seek the trail less traveled. 

One I'd recommend is Mingo Falls.  It's a bit difficult to find the entrance to the trail (small country roads & few signs), but once you arrive, you'll note that there's less than a dozen parking spots and there's still room for your car (especially small crowds if during the week).  Once at the Mingo Falls Campground on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, you only need to hike 0.4 miles.  It's considered moderately difficult because it includes 161 rough steps built along a creek, sometimes wet and muddy.  But when you get to the top, it's worth it.  Watch 120 ft. of water cascading down while standing on bridge.  Hear the peace.  Smell the fresh air.  Feel the breeze.

There's many waterfalls near the Smoky Mountains, here's 8 more to add to your "to see" list:
1.  Mingo Falls (as pictured above)
2.  Juney Whank Falls- moderate 0.8 trail to 90 ft. falls, from Bryson City drive to Deep Creek Campground
3.  Abrams Falls - moderate 5 mile hike to a 20 ft. waterfall, short but powerful with its large volume of water, near stop #10 Cades Cove
4.  Ramsey Cascades - difficult 8 miles, but rewarding with the park's tallest waterfall (100 ft), 4.7 mile drive first from the Greenbrier entrance (TN)
5.  Meigs Falls - 0 hike, drive along Little River Rd and stop at the pulloff 13 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center (TN)
6.  Hen Wallow Falls - moderate 4.4 mile hike from Gabes Mountain Trail, park at Cosby Picnic area
7.  Indian Creek/Tom Branch Falls - easy 1.6 mile hike, 2 falls for 1 hike special, Indian Creek Falls = 25 ft. tall, also from Deep Creek Campground
8.  Mouse Creek Falls - moderate 4 milke hike, includes Midnight Hole, a picturesque pool below a 6' falls; exit I-40 at Waterville Rd. (#451) turn left after crossing the Pigeon River and proceed 2.3 miles

Tip:  See photos before the trip to choose which one you want to visit.  I've added a photo gallery of each of the 8 falls on flickr for you http://www.flickr.com/photos/krenda/galleries/

For Nature Lovers, The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is a great place to enjoy wildflowers and teach children about them.  My child's alphabet book S is for S'mores, a Camping Alphabet, recognizes the GSMNP for it's wildflowers.  It specifically calls out an annual event, "Each spring wildflowers cover the land with a rainbow of color depending on the area, elevation, precipitation, and other conditions...The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual event of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park."  It made me wonder whether the week long festival still exist since the book publishing (2007).  In 2011, The Spring Wildflower Pilgimage will celebrate it's 61st year.  Past events included a variety of flora & fauna programs:

wildflower photography, wildflower walk,

big trees walk, fern walk

birding for the experienced, beginners photographic workshop, organic gardening, black bear & wild hog walk,

salamander foray, aquatic insects walk, spider walk

http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/wildflower/index.cfm

Visit the website for more details or better, yet, go visit the 2011 festival in April.  Most programs are located within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  If you've attended the festival, please comment and let everyone know what you liked best.

Memories at Mingus Mill

We met "Flat Lauren" at Mingus Mill, a two dimensional paper doll cut out with the picture of a very loved granddaughter.  We met her grandfather carefully taking photograph after photograph of Flat Lauren proped along the 200 ft. wooden flume, so she could be a part of the mountain memories.  My kids showed interest and so he took photos of the kids with Flat Lauren.

You can be a part of the mountain memories, bring you whole family to Lightning Bug Lodge and visit Mingus Mill.
Interesting facts:
*Historical grist mill built in 1886 located at it's original site
*Cost $600 to build it within 3 months
*Largest mill in the Smokies, serving approx. 200 families
*Able to grind more than six bushels (approx. 350 lbs.) per hr.
*Uses a water power turbine instead of a waterwheel

Last year it was in operation.  This year a part broke and the Mingus Mill volunteer eagerly awaited a government bill to pass for the funding to fix it.  You can still buy corn meal at the mill and help support the non-profit.  We all enjoyed listening to the mill history and walking along the water flowing down the miltrace.
Tip:  Watch for the signs.  The mill is not part of the Mountain Farm at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, but it's only a half mile north.

Walk through History at Mountain Farm Museum

Even if you stay in TN, you can be in NC and back in the same day.  I'd suggest visiting the NC entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, especially the Oconaluftee Visitor Center.  It's only 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC.

You can walk through the history, numerous buildings built in the late 19th century:
1) John Davis Cabin - constructed with the rare chestnut timber
2) Enloe Barn - only moved 200 yards from its native site, includes 16,000 hand split shingles

3) Messer Applehouse - originally partially underground to help insulate the apples

+ meathouse, Baxter/Jenkins Chickenhouse, Blacksmith Shop, Springhouse (for refrigeration), corn cribs, and a sorghum press.

The Mountain Farm Museum is free and located near the scenic Oconaluftee River.  The Cherokee considered the waters of the river sacred.  If you have the time, take the Oconaluftee River Trail, an easy 3 mile trail along the river.  It is especially recommended to hike during the spring, the time in which hikers have identified over 40 species of wildflowers.

Tip:  Consider timing your trip for the 3rd Sat. of Sept.  It's the Mountain Lifestyle Festival and you'll be treated to seeing people make cider and lye soap.  Plus you can visit a working blacksmith.

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.

A horseback riding adventure in the Smokies

Open Road's Best National Parks with Kids chooses the best parks for kids and describes nearby family fun.  It's no surprise that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the chosen parks.  One of the chosen activities is taking the family to Walden Creek Stables, "There are a variety of rides to accommodate both the equine novice and experienced rider.  Wagon rides are also provided...At the end of the buggy ride you can enjoy a supper show filled with cowboy songs, Native American dancing, and trick riding." 

For Lightning Bug Lodge guests, it's very convenient, only 1.1 miles from the Shagbark resort.  When we visited, there was less pagentry, serene in fact.  We watched the horses frolic in the sunshine, leisurely explored their shop guarded by a friendly lab, we giggled at the posted sign, "Have a great ride?  If so, kiss your horse and tip your guide."  That's the right order, a better idea than tip your horse and kiss your guide.

If you want to go horseback riding, I'd recommend this site (see next article for direct comparison).  If you are looking for a wagon ride, I'd recommend going to Cades Cove or Sugarlands where there's no min. group size required and it's only $10 per person.

Pigeon Forge: Wonder Works & 3 Other Fun Places for Teens

Your teens will have a blast in Pigeon Forge.  And the upside down building will make your whole family look twice and laugh while driving by WonderWorks.  Here's 4 fun places for your teen and entire family:

1.  Wonder Works amusement park

http://www.wonderworksonline.com/pigeon-forge/

Facts

What:  indoor amusement park- science edutainment plus rides - defy gravity, design a coaster, listen in the sound lab, bubble lab, space zone, bed of nails, rockwall, ropes challenge course
Cost:  $22.99 adult

2.  Titanic Attraction
http://titanicpigeonforge.com/
Facts
What:  world's largest Titanic museum attraction, 400 artifacts, movie exhibit
Cost:  $21.38 adult, $58.80 family pass (2 adults, 2 kids)

3.  Dollywood Splash Country Waterpark
http://www.dollywood.com/splashcountry_home.aspx
Facts
What:  30 acre waterpark, named "one of America's best waterparks" by The Travel Channel, slides and wave pool
Cost:  $49.40 adult daily, $86 season pass
Tip:  $10 discount pre-season online

4.  Pigeon Forge Gem Mine
http://pfgemmine.com/
Facts
What:  gem mining in wood flume, buy a mystery bucket and get your hands dirty and wet looking for gems
Where:  Pigeon Forge, next to the Three Bears General Store
Cost:  $15 starter gem bucket, $35 fossil bucket, $100 family bucket

The Journey to Shagbark Resort

Sometimes when we share a story, we find ourselves describing the journey with joy, not just the destination.  In a world of traffic in hurry, it can be a delight to slow down and smell the flowers.  You'll love the short scenic trip (less than 10 miles) from the bustling Pigeon Forge to the cabin.

Our neighbors along the road include an antique shop, wood craftsmen shops, barns, cows, and multiple white painted churches.  Here's a few of the mountain farm photos I took from the roadside.

Have you ever had a journey more memorable than the destination?  Share your story.