Where to go. What to See. Things to Do.
Sevierville’s hometown star Dolly Parton was riding in a SUV that was involved in a “fender bender”. She is already home recovering from minor injuries. The accident occurred in Nashville, TN. She made a statement that she is “just a little tired and sore”.
Kelly Clarkson wedding-Country singer Kelly Clarkson marries Brandon Blackstock in a Great Smoky Mountains wedding ceremony at Blackberry Farms, TN. It was a small wedding with family and friends in attendance Sunday October 20.
The fall foliage 2013 color show is well underway in the Great Smoky Mountains. Peak colors are this week October 20-28 in the highest elevations like Chimney Tops and Newfound Gap. A ride in US 441 through the GSMNP is a great place to view the colors. This year’s show of color is reportedly above average as compared to past years.
Take a trip this weekend. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is open. The sun is going to be out all day Sunday- first time in 2 weeks! Pack the bags, grab the kids, grab the dog, and hit the road. The visitors centers are open, the picnic areas, the campground, even the bathrooms are open! Just get out there this weekend and enjoy it all. The fall foliage show is here and beautiful. Enjoy this weekend and be safe!
With the government shutdown over, things are getting back to normal in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors Centers, campgrounds, picnic areas, bathrooms, and all roads will be open to access.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park will reopen at midnight on Wednesday Oct. 16. The governors of NC and TN announced an agreement. Sevier County and Blount County in Tennessee along with the state of TN and NC will cover the cost. The reopening will only last till Sunday October 20 unless the government shutdown comes to an end before October 20.
With reports of more than $33 million being lost from tourism in North Carolina and Tennessee due to the closure of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there is talk from officials from both states about what it would take to open the GSMNP. Other governors from across the US have funded the reopening of National Parks in there own states. The Department of Interior has stated that states can use their own funds to reopen parks. The cost of reopening the GSMNP would be split by NC and TC. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and NC Governor Pat McCrory are…
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The Great Smoky Mountains fall foliage 2013 show is happening now. At the 5,000 ft elevation and higher the fall foliage colors are peaking. During the next 2 weeks the color show will spread down to the lower elevations. Peak colors are expected the weekend of October 18-20 in the GSM. By late October peak will be over in the highest elevations with color still in the lower elevations but past peak.
A Western Carolina University economist estimates more than $33 million have been lost in revenue just the first 10 days of the government shutdown in the GSMNP and the surrounding areas. He also reports: > $12 million in lost wages $1.8 million in lost state taxes $1 million in lost local taxes Lost revenue will continue as long as the government shutdown continues and the park remains closed.
A funny rumor and true stories related to government shutdown and our nation: Helicopter dropped drape over Mt Rushmore to obstruct view of monument. (rumor!) Grand Canyon is a ghost town. Two dozen citations written by park officials for people trying to sneak into the park. School Bus route using road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park had to be rerouted because road was in national park land and road was closed to all traffic. National Park Service Guards held a tour group under armed guard in a Yellowstone National Park and told group that they weren’t to “recreate.” Couple…
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