Chimney Tops Trail: Total Distance = 4.0 miles Total Elevation Gain = 1,487 feet (in only 2 miles) Difficulty for a casual hiker Difficulty for an avid hiker Directions to Trailhead: From the Sugarland’s Visitor Center just outside Gatlinburg, head south on Newfound Gap Road about 6.5 – 7 miles. You’ll eventually see the peaks rise up before…
Good ol’ Rocky Top (Hey!)
What makes Knoxville so great? Aside from actually getting to experience all 4 seasons, we are also the gateway to the Smoky Mountains. The most visited National Park in the U.S.A. It’s not even a close race. In 2014 GSMNP boasted 10.1 million visitors, dwarfing the Grand Canyon in 2nd place with 4.7 million. But…
Moonlit Walk in Cades Cove
Cades Cove is an isolated little valley located in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Erosion created this unique and historic place that is surrounded by the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. John Oliver and his wife were the first white settlers here in the early 1800’s – you can still visit their original cabin…
Springtime strolls
Spring has been here for awhile now, so I wanted to share some of it with you. I love this time of year. Everything comes out of hibernation, turns a bright brilliant shade of green. Flowers come to life. Dogwood trees start to bloom. The air smells sweet, fresh and clean, but still crisp. Our…
Knoxville Eats: The French Market
I have been to France – only once so far in my lifetime. It was in high school before I really appreciated the “finer” things. Needless to say, I did not get to enjoy true French cuisine, let alone a delicious classic like a crêpe filled with strawberries and cream. So when I discovered that…
Snowy Hike on Rich Mountain Loop
In January, we decided it was time for a wintry hike in the Smokies on a weekend when the upper elevations received a nice dusting of snow. Our buddies, the Brownes, tagged along with us up the Rich Mountain Loop. The loop starts at the Cades Cove parking lot just before starting down the Cades…
Tales from the Top
Well, while I’m holed up at the house with some “head crud” as the doctor called it, I may as well get this blog done. Seasoned hikers know to prepare for varying weather conditions. It’s why we look silly when we roll out of the house dressed in layers and packing rain gear despite crystal…
Jones Wedding, June 25, 2011
Remington’s childhood friend, Hannah, got married on a very hot day at the end of June. The ceremony was outdoors at the UT Botanical Gardens, which were actually designed by Hannah’s late grandfather. The reception was held at BridgeView at the Boathouse. Lots of windows and great views of the river!