Scheduled a new show on the Smoky Mountains for Tuesday at 1PM… Author J. Greg Johnson will talk with me about his book on the Smoky Mountains

On Tuesday, I’ll be talking with J. Greg Johnson on the latest episode of the GoSmoky.com Internet Talk Show.  He is the author of the book, “Sanctuary: Meditations from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”  He spent a lot of time hiking around the mountains prior to writing the book.  This book can probably best be described as a journey through the way the Smoky Mountains can and does impact each of us on a personal level. 

You can listen to the show live at 1PM on Tuesday, Jan. 12th.  Or listen later at the same link to the podcast archive.  Just click on the link below for both.  I think you’ll enjoy the show!

Raymond

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gosmoky/2010/01/12/smoky-mountain-author-j-greg-johnson-joins-us-on-the-program-to-discuss-the-mountains-and-his-book

***This show is brought to you by the place we stay when we’re in the Smokies, www.SmokyMountainTower.com.  They have brand new rates for 2010.  My wife is in love with this home.  Check out what the house has to offer, and the views from Dave’s home, and you’ll want to make it your regular place to stay in the Smokies as well.  It is located between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge at the very top of the mountain with a view of Ober Gatlinburg.  Check it out! www.smokymountaintower.com***

Video from this week’s celebration of the park’s 75th anniversary at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

I’ve been “out of touch” for a week or so.  My dad and step-mom rented a beach house on Folly Beach here in the Charleston area.  I’ve spent the last week walking to the pier, searching/digging for sea shells, swimming, body-boarding, chatting, drinking coffee (something I rarely do,) eating, relaxing and just having a good time catching up with family.  I intentionally didn’t do anything with the blog (didn’t even bring my laptop on the trip.)  I’m catching up with the blog today with a video from this week’s 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Check it out.  This is from knoxnews.com…

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/sep/03/majestic-moment-rededication-celebrates-parks-lega/

***While we were at the beach, I talked to family/friends about the Smoky Mountains, our favorite place to vacation.  The house we stayed in was nice, almost like www.smokymountaintower.com by the sea.  I’d like to stay in this beach house when I’m at the beach, just like we stay at www.smokymountaintower.com when we’re in the Smokies.  Check it out!***

Home movies from the Smokies – From the 1920s to the 1960s

 

Here’s a great article about a video of the Smokies that is being released.  It’s made in part by combining home videos from the early years of the park.  You can watch a couple of minutes of the video at the link.  Check it out!

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/23/home-movies-basis-of-smokies-film/

 

*** We make movies of our trips through the Smokies as well.  Then we head back to www.smokymountaintower.com to sleep and relax.  It’s a great place to stay ***

Smokies 75th Anniversary Rededication September 2nd.. get your tickets now!

Only 2,000 tickets available for the September 2nd rededication of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  As the official spokesperson for the Smokies during this 75th anniversary year, Dolly Parton will take part in the ceremony.  The ceremony takes place at Newfound Gap.  I am really upset that we will not be able to be there, but don’t cry for me.  We’ll be spending the week at a beach house in Folly Beach, SC. 

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/18/tickets-available-smokies-rededication/

 

******A GREAT place to stay in the Smokies is www.smokymountaintower.com Check it out, and see for yourself.  That’s where we stay.  Hope to be there again in a month or two*****

Cades Cove Campground to camping anywhere, some history of camping in the Smoky Mountains

Knownews.com has an EXCELLENT article about the history of camping in the Smoky Mountains.  I love the photo of early camping in the area.  What I love about it is how I could see the exact same scene today somewhere in the Smokies.  They also reference a book being published soon on the area.  I’ve copied the photo (from the WPA) above.  This might make a great episode of the www.gosmoky.com radio show. Check out the article.  It’s a real treat.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/jul/26/putting-up-camp/

******If you aren’t ready to “rough it,” then stay where we stay, www.smokymountaintower.com . It’s a great place:)******

Stringtime in the Smokies in Pigeon Forge, coming up in a couple weeks…

A friend of mine who works with Pigeon Forge sent me the information below about the “Stringtime in the Smokies” festival.  What better to listen to in the mountains than good ‘ole mountain music?  If you’re in the area at the time, check it out…

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (July 2009) – Mountain music claims many modifiers—driving, soulful, plaintive, lively, joyful—and Pigeon Forge’s StringTime in the Smokies adds another: free.

Five diverse bands are scheduled for the two-night festival, Aug. 14 and 15 (Friday and Saturday). The Aug. 14 performance is at Old Mill Square, and the Aug. 15 event is at Patriot Park.  Guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for festival seating.

The lineup:

Aug. 14 (7 p.m. start)—The Knoxville-based, four-member Wild Blue Yonder; Gary “Biscuit” Davis and Company, whose namesake is the only three-time National Banjo Champion; and Timberwoods, which recorded its first CD in the studio of bluegrass and country legend Tom T. Hall.

Aug. 15 (6 p.m. start)—Timberwoods; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper (Cleveland has six Fiddle Player of the Year Awards and two Instrumental Albums of the Year Awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association); and SteelDrivers, a band that blends bluegrass, country, soul and other contemporary influences in a fusion that Vince Gill has called “an incredible combination.”

StringTime in the Smokies is on the official calendar of the 75th anniversary of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  It is the sixth Pigeon Forge-sponsored event with that recognition.

Performers’ information and other StringTime in the Smokies details are available at www.MyPigeonForge.com/StringTime or by calling 865-429-7350.  General information about visiting Pigeon Forge is available at www.MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-251-9100.

 

 

*****When you’re done watching the pickin’ and grinnin’, stay at our favorite place, www.smokymountaintower.com We’ve enjoyed several stays in that home****

NEW GoSmoky.com Internet Radio show tomorrow morning 10:30-11AM

It’s been awhile since I have been able to host an episode of “The GoSmoky.com Internet Radio Show.”  I will host one tomorrow morning from 10:30-11:00AM.  The topic of the show will be the 75th anniversary of the Smoky Mountains National Park.  I’ll be discussing the Smokies and Pigeon Forge with Leon Downey, the Exe. Dir. of the Pigeon Forge Dept. of Tourism. 

I also plan to get you up to speed with some Smoky Mountain related news.  We’ll take a look at what’s going on in the area.  If you don’t catch it live at www.blogtalkradio.com/gosmoky, you will be able to hear it later at www.gosmoky.com.

It should be a fun show.

Raymond

ACTUAL VIDEO of Roosevelt at the Groundbreaking of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I just found this from Holly at “Friends of the Smokies.” This is an excellent blog with information on this weekend’s events remembering the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There is also actual footage of FDR coming into the area, and speaking at Newfound Gap. Take a look at it. Great stuff! Click below for full info…

http://www.examiner.com/x-4661-National-Parks-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d6-Great-Smoky-Mountains-National-Park-75th-Anniversary-weekend

***** Please visit my sponsor, http://www.smokiesrentdirect.com to find the home we stay in while in the Smokies, “The Mountain Tower.” Located between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, it has some of the best views of the mountains anywhere.  Check it out!******

20 Former residents of the Smoky Mountains to discuss life in the Smokies

If you’re going to be in the Smokies June 6th, here’s something you will not want to miss.  20 former residents of the Smokies will talk about their experience living in the Smoky Mountains.  I hope someone records this to play online somewhere.  I’d love to hear their stories.

http://www.wate.com/global/story.asp?s=10430303

Knoxville native to play FDR in re-enactment of Great Smoky Mountains National Park dedication

 

75th anniversary plans are well underway.  It looks like officials will have a re-enactment of FDR coming to the Smokies 75 years ago to dedicate the park.  A Knoxville native is slated to “play” FDR.  Find out more below:)

http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/43407452.html