Family Idea #1: Relax & Re-Learn Letter Writing in the Smokies

This is the first article on a series of ideas leveraging tips from the book Re-Energize Your Relationship and applying them to vacation ideas in the Smokies.  We hope Lightning Bug Lodge (LBL) is a place for you to build relationships and gain a new perspective.

"Read Em' and Weep" Chapter 1 Idea:  This chapter explains the beauty of a handwritten letter and how texting is a poor substitute.  On a vacation with fewer distractions than normal, take time to express your feelings in writing.  The book suggests surprising a special someone, "Write a letter to the woman or man in your life and leave it for them when they come back from work or the store.  Hide love notes in his suit pocket.  Tuck them under her pillow or pop them in her pocketbook." 

Take Action:  When you are at Lightning Bug Lodge, you are so high up the mountain, your texting likely won't work.  What a great opportunity to re-learn the art of letter writing.  I've provided stationary at the cabin to make it easy for you - just bring your thoughts.

Special Offer:  For those not staying in the cabin tonight, I've made custom LBL note cards.  I'll send a set free to the first 3 people to respond to me with their address.  Follow "Meet the owner" link (upper right column) to find my contact info.

Frommer's Top Destinations 2012

According to Frommer's Top Destinations 2012:
Best Beach:  Hanalei
Best Cruise:  Tromso
Best Food & Drink:  Lima
Not certain whether I'll travel to these far away lands, but I know I'll return to the Top Family Destination.  Yes, Frommer's online rated the Smoky Mountain National Park as #1.
Best Family Vacation spot:  Smoky Mountains National Park

Alexis Lipsity Flipper's description of the park is poetic:

"You and your family can cocoon yourselves in true wilderness, hike a trail in utter silence... Listen to the concert of leaves fluttering in the breeze.  you will be doing what untold folks have done before you --from Cherokee warriors to coonskin-clad pioneers--and it will feel fresh and new.  And when the swirling silver mist crowns the mossy peaks, you'll understand why these smoky heights continue to fascinate, as they have for untold centuries."

Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN also made a Frommer's top list America's Best New Theme Park Rides & Attractions written by Carrie Havranek.  Of the 12 rides recognized, Dollywood's Barnstormer was one of them.  Take your big kid if she likes a thrill.  With swings flying high over the barn rooftop at 45 mph, it'll pump her adreneline.

For full Frommer article, visit their website:
http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?p=11&axn=pause&group=599&cat_cd=3600&layout=win

When to See the Leaves Change in the Smokies

Travel & Leisure magazine, REI sporting retail store, and Smoky Mountains - what a great combination!  As a Travel & Leisure subscriber and a REI member, I was excited to see an online article by Travel & Leisure choose the Smoky Mountains as a Top 12 Best Affordable Adventure & quote an REI employee.  The article "Go biking, hiking, and boating among the fall colors -all for a great price" by Diane Mehta (Sept. '09) describes the Smoky Mountain autumn beauty:

"The reds, yellows, and oranges of the Great Smoky Mountains explode all around you as you hike the Appalachian Trail up Clingmans Dome, then ridge-walk through hardwood forests, emerging on top of treeless mountains.  Fog floats among the trees and settles in the valley, adding a mystical feel without diminishing the powerful colors.  Says Tim Loftus of REI Adventures, which operates several fall hiking trips in the area:  It's like a fireworks show out there."

So when should you book your cabin rental at Lightning Bug Lodge to see the "fireworks"?  According to NPS.gov (National Park Service), it depends on the elevation:

Highest elevation:  mid Sept.
High elevation (above 4,000 ft):  early to mid Oct. - drive Clingmans Dome Rd
Mid to low elevation:  mid Oct. to early Nov.

For the full article, visit Travel & Leisure website:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-affordable-fall-adventures/1

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?

I'm Not a Frog, but I'm Thankful & Green

In such a beautiful world, we have so much to be thankful for and opportunities to recognize others.  This article recognizes the employees at rental management companies and hopes to inspire green action. 

We wanted to choose upscale cabin rental management company, so our guests would have the best service nearby.  Cabin management employees manage Lightning Bug Lodge and Indigo Moon Lodge on a daily basis.  Besides reservations, they have a full-time office and maintenance staff, so you can get help any day of the week.

When giving a gift, I also think about how I can help the environment or society.  Our gift this season was re-usable water bottles.  Perfect for hikes and keeping plastic botttles out of the landfill. 

Did you know that only 27% of plastic bottles get recycled in the US (according to Earth911.com)?  And the number of bottles we use keeps climbing.  In 1976, the average American drank 1.6 gallons of bottled water.  By 2006, it increased to 28.3 gallons!  You can make a difference, choose a re-usable water bottle.  For other recycling facts, visit Earth911.com.http://earth911.com/recycling/plastic/plastic-bottle-recycling-facts/