Great Smoky Mountains National Park Podcasts & Blog » National Park http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog Enjoy the Smokies Courtesy of the Great Smoky Mountains Association! Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:38:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 62nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: April 25-29, 2012 http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/spring-wildflower-pilgrimage-april-25-29-2012/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/spring-wildflower-pilgrimage-april-25-29-2012/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:25:27 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=2276 Save these dates! April 25-29, 2012, is the 62nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies. www.SpringWildflowerPilgrimage.org

]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/spring-wildflower-pilgrimage-april-25-29-2012/feed/ 0 Smoky Mountain Old-Time Music http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/smoky-mountain-old-time-music/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/smoky-mountain-old-time-music/#comments Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:26:21 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=2167 Old-Time Music   Old-time mountain music is an important part of the rich cultural history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Come listen to some of this historic music at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in this new video with guest video blogger Walter Wuthmann.
]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/smoky-mountain-old-time-music/feed/ 5 Barred Owl http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/barred-owl/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/barred-owl/#comments Sat, 14 May 2011 22:31:42 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=2086 barred owl Every hike seems to bring different experiences, and if you’re in the right place at the right time, you may have the chance to see some wildlife. Have a look at this cool barred owl seen on the Rich Mountain Loop Trail this week!

]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/barred-owl/feed/ 0 Dogwoods in Bloom http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/dogwoods-in-bloom/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/dogwoods-in-bloom/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2011 05:03:30 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=2057 dogwood Beautiful dogwood trees are common below 3,000 feet in the Smokies. With their showy white displays, they brighten up the forests during this time of year and remind us that spring is here but a short time. Get out in the park to see them right now, or take a look at this short video to enjoy the lovely dogwood while it’s in peak bloom.

]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/dogwoods-in-bloom/feed/ 2 Nordic Ski Patrol at Clingmans Dome http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/nordic-ski-patrol-at-clingmans-dome/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/nordic-ski-patrol-at-clingmans-dome/#comments Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:27:03 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=1530 Nordic Ski Patrol   Meet some of the members of the park’s Nordic Ski Patrol, a volunteer group that serves as a contact point for visitors using Clingmans Dome Road during winter. Among their many responsibilities are reporting weather conditions, providing cold weather emergency medical services, and assisting with search and rescue. Click here or on the photo to meet them!

Closed captioning is available for this video by clicking the caption button in the lower right-hand corner of the video controls. ]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/nordic-ski-patrol-at-clingmans-dome/feed/ 2 Icy Cataract Falls http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/icy-cataract-falls/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/icy-cataract-falls/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:05:37 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=1520 Icy Cataract Falls   The year has certainly started off with a chill! Click here or on the photo to check out how Cataract Falls looked after two weeks of freezing temperatures! ]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/icy-cataract-falls/feed/ 0 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Conquering The Chimneys (Whew!) http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/hiking-then-climbing-the-chimneys-whew/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/hiking-then-climbing-the-chimneys-whew/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:17:13 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=41 On one of the clearest days in the Smokies, what could be better than conquering the Chimney Tops? Click the photo below to watch a quick video about the ins and outs of climbing one of the most popular hikes in the Smokies… and about making it to the very, very top.

Click here or on the photo below to “take a hike” with Mari!
Chimneys Hike

]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/hiking-then-climbing-the-chimneys-whew/feed/ 1 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Bear Jam! http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/bear-jam/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/bear-jam/#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:57:27 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=39 Mari and a hundred of her closest friends see a bear! Check it out.
Bear

]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/bear-jam/feed/ 0 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK Crafting an Heirloom Rocking Chair http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/crafting-an-heirloom-rocking-chair-2/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/crafting-an-heirloom-rocking-chair-2/#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:31:18 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=38 You’ll love to see Randy Ogle making a rocking chair like the one Aden Carver made.

One of the Great Smoky Mountains’ most remarkable residents was Aden Carver, born at Smokemont in 1844. Carver lived to be 101 years old. He was a farmer, craftsman, millwright, and deacon of the Oconaluftee Baptist Church.

He lived through 5 American Wars. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate Homeguard. He was rejected when he tried to enlist for World War I (at age 76). At the age of 90, however, he was allowed to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

At 92 he helped restore Mingus Mill, which he’d helped build in 1885-86. The secret to a long life? “Staying on my feet and working hard,” said Carver.

Here’s a photo of Aden Carver, 1844-1945, with the rocking chair he built.
Aden Carver

A rocker made by Aden is in the park’s historical artifact collection. In honor of the Park’s 75th, Randy Ogle has reproduced Aden’s fine chair.

Randy’s family has been making chairs for three generations. Each rocker is made from solid maple with a hand-woven seat and is signed by Mr. Ogle. Click on the photo below to watch Randy work on a rocker and explain about his craft.

]]> http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/crafting-an-heirloom-rocking-chair-2/feed/ 2 GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK What’s That Tune? http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/whats-that-tune/ http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/whats-that-tune/#comments Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:02:16 +0000 admin http://www.thegreatsmokymountains.org/blog/?p=29 It was an ambitious hike: 23 miles up one of the highest mountains in the Smokies, to a legendary spot: Rocky Top!
rocky top

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