Snow on Mt Leconte - or "What a difference a week makes!"

This picture was taken Monday, April 24th, 2012 from the pull over on the Gatlinburg Bypass.  There was still a good dusting of overnight snow on the top of Mt. Leconte as you can see in the distance, that’s downtown Gatlinburg in the middle ground.  We locals often joke that if you don’t like the weather just now you should wait an hour and see what it’s doing then!  Here we’ve waited a week and gone from a little snow to the low 80′s this Monday, April 30th.   No matter what the weather, its always beautiful in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.

Fantastic Mountain Views out of every window will take your breath away.  There is lots of space on the 2 large wrap around decks for you and your guests to enjoy the views and fresh air – even while you are bubbling away the the large Hot Tub!

Bearway to Heaven is technically a Gatlinburg Cabin but it is located in between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee so you will l0ve the location.  Hmm… Fun everywhere and all you have to decide is which direction to go, Right or Left?  Or stay in the cabin and have fun and games at home – after all you have a pool table, air hockey and foosball tables in the large game room on the lower level – you know, the one with the Hot Tub!

Here are some recommendations for things to keep in check as you make your way and make your stay here with us at Baskins Creek.

1. Get plenty of walking and exercise in. Children are naturally extremely excited in new areas with fun stuff all around them and that energy needs to go somewhere. Look for hikes or some of the city parks to let them run around and work off those desserts and treats and let them calm down naturally once it gets to be evening time.

2. Look for ways to make learning fun in the Smokies by making games out of educational opportunities here in the Smokies. Look for what your kids are focusing on and interact with that focus. If your child is watching a frog, ask him or her what they like about the frog and just ease into talking to them how the frog jumps and eats and lives, etc. Children are all about imagination, so use that as a springboard into learning.

3. Kids lose things – there is no getting around that. Keep a checklist of what you and your family brought and check it off every so often.

4. If you brought a large family as part of a reunion, check websites for group rates and keep an eye around town for coupon books that are helpful in several ways. Restaurants in town fill up quickly so PLAN AHEAD and make reservations for the best chance there will be ample seating.

5. It’s not always about planning, you know. A little bit of improvisation and spontaneity can go a long way on vacation; especially if plans don’t go right in the first place. Remember you’re on VACATION. You came here to get away from stresses and lighten up! Have fun and feel free to go a bit on the wild side (within reason) here in the Smokies.

The Smoky Mountain Field School

The Smoky Mountain Field School mission is as stated:

The Smoky Mountain Field School enhances public appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the natural world while promoting the idea of learning as a joyful and enriching part of life.

2012  Class Schedule

April Classes include:

Amphibians & Reptiles of the Smokies
Incredible Edibles & Traditional Medicinals
Spring Wildflower & Nature Photography
The Perfect Hike
*Waterfalls with Your Children

May Classes include:

Bears of the Smokies
Geology of the Smokies
Old Growth Forest: Albright Grove
Spring Wildflower & Walker Sisters’ Homesite Day Hike
Birding in the Smokies
Mt. LeConte Hike & Overnight in the Lodge
Fly Fishing in the Smokies
*Birding for Beginners
Late Spring Wildflowers & Ferns
Backpacking with Confidence

June Classes include:

The Light Show in the Smokies
Nature Sketching: Watercolor or Pencil
Salamanders in the Smokies
Basic Visual Tracking
Day Hike to Mt. LeConte
Incredible Edibles & Traditional Medicinals
Wildflowers, Ferns & Ecology of Roan Mountain
Fly Fishing in the Smokies
Incredible Edibles & Traditional Medicinals
Photography for Naturalists
Intermediate Photography for Naturalists

2012  Class Schedule There are Classes Every Month through October 2012 – Add something unforgetable to your Smoky Mountain Vacation this year!!

Stay 3 Nights and Pay for 2

In Remaining Available Units now thru July 5, 2011

Available on New Bookings into

Cabins, Chalets, Condos, Townhouses & Nestle Inn Motel

Internet users – Please enter

“july4th” in Remarks.

Book by Phone at 1-800-436-7811

Please note that the Cooper Road Trail from the Beard Cane/Hatcher Mountain Trails junction to the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed due to storm damage. The Wet Bottoms Trail is closed as well. We believe that this will now complete the list. 

Rabbit Creek Trail from its trailhead at Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Junction (although campsite #16 remains open)

Rabbit Creek Trail from campsite #17 to the Hatcher Mtn. Trail Jct. (campsite #17 is open)

The 5.1 mile section of Rabbit Creek Trail between its trailhead at Cades

Cove and the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail is now closed.  That also

results in the closure of campsite #15

Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Creek

Hatcher Mountain Trail – entire trail

Beard Cane Trail – entire trail (backcountry campsites #3 and #11 are closed)

Ace Gap Trail – entire trail

Click here to see a map of the recent trail closures

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the National Weather Service have determined that a severe EF 4 tornado swept across the northwestern corner of the Park last Wednesday causing extensive damage to seven park trails. The popular Abrams Falls Trail remains impassable due to numerous blow downs and over 40 areas where root balls were ripped out of the trail surface leaving hot-tub sized craters.  Park managers hope to have Abrams Falls Trail reopened by Memorial Day.

After an inspection of other trails in the affected area, managers have announced the full closure of all or parts of seven trails totaling 22 miles.  A survey by trail workers shows a total of over 4,500 trees down on the closed sections with some areas resembling jackstraws for over a mile at a time.  They also counted over a thousand areas where trees were blown down and their roots tore gaps in the trail. In addition to all of the Abrams Falls Trail, the following trails are now officially closed to both hikers and equestrians until further notice:

Rabbit Creek Trail from its trailhead at Abrams Creek Ranger Station to Hannah Mountain Junction (although campsite #16 remains open)

Rabbit Creek Trail from campsite #17 to the Hatcher Mtn. Trail Jct. (campsite #17 is open)

The 5.1 mile section of Rabbit Creek Trail between its trailhead at Cades

Cove and the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail is now closed.  That also

results in the closure of campsite #15

Hannah Mountain Trail from Rabbit Creek Trail to Abrams Creek

Hatcher Mountain Trail – entire trail

Beard Cane Trail – entire trail (backcountry campsites #3 and #11 are closed)

Ace Gap Trail – entire trail

Total closed trail mileage is now 27 miles.

"We have closed the trails because hiking or riding them involves picking your way through a huge number of hazardous obstacles." Park Chief Ranger Clay Jordan said, "But to make matters worse, our ability to send rescuers in to extract anybody who is injured is seriously compromised."

Park managers stress that no Park roads are affected by the storm damage, and that the remainder of the Park’s 800 miles of trails remain open.  In the Cades Cove area visitors are encouraged to consider alternative trails such as Rich Mountain Loop, Cooper Road, Gregory Ridge, or Anthony Creek Trails. Access to Gregory Bald via Parson Branch Road is also unaffected. Visitors can stop at any Park visitor center for advice or access a pdf map noting affected trails by clicking the link below.

Click here to access pdf map

At the front end of April is Music in the Mountains at Sugarland; A free performance in the true heart of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee; what’s not to love? The event starts at 10 P.M. at the Sugarland’s Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road and continues on all day featuring talented performers playing Bluegrass, traditional and old songs from the mountains! A great day out for visitors in the Smokies for Springfest. (Call 1-800-568-4748 for additional information).

Then from April 20-24, those who want some Easter in their Smoky Mountain Vacation can look forward to the Easter Arts and Crafts Community Show (April 20-23) and Sunrise Service at Ober (April 24). The Easter Arts and Crafts Community Show is the Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg, one of the largest collectives of individual artists and artisans preserving the age-old arts of woodworking, pottery, and much more, showing off their talents and wares at the Gatlinburg Convention Center (free admission), while the Sunrise Service at Ober Gatlinburg is a service and free breakfast buffet at 6 AM. Its a great week to be in Gatlinburg!

Then, from April 26 to May 1st is the 56th Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage; Without a doubt the brightest spot in the events calendar for nature lovers who come to Gatlinburg. The Wildflower Pilgrimage is over 150 programs designed around the Smoky Mountains. Lectures, walks, hikes and more are offered every year. If you have even a hint of green thumb in you, you need to make plans to attend the Wildflower Pilgrimage post-haste!

And finally, on April 28th, is Ribsfest. Nothing brings society together like 1/2 a mile of ribs, wings and meat! Ribsfest shuts down the entire main road of Gatlinburg so that you can feast on the aforementioned treats at the aforementioned length! There is also plenty of additional entertainment on hand at both sides of the street and throughout. You can see more about it at www.eventsgatlinburg.com/event_detail.aspx?id=27.

Stay tuned for next month when we highlight the 25th Annual Scottish Festival, the Fine Arts and more activities for May! Springfest is a lively celebration and we at Baskins Creek want you to explore and experience as much of it with us as possible. Stay tuned!

Come see Spring Bloom in the Smokies!

March in the Great Smoky Mountains is sure to brighten the soul as the peeking daffodils and poking tulip bulbs reach towards the sun and usher in the Spring and, alongside it, Springfest in Gatlinburg!

Dollywood's Festival of Nations

As we put our winter blues to rest we look to the fun things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge that offer your getaway some interesting culture and entertainment – beginning with Dollywood’s Festival of Nations, opening March 26 and concluding on May 2nd, this event is one of the biggest events in the Spring season for the area and is guaranteed to please with the enormous volume of entertainment from South America, Africa, Asia and Europe in addition to the entertainment Dollywood provides year round. The Festival of Nations celebration has become of one Dollywood’s most popular events and is a sure bet to brighten your Smoky Mountain experience.

The Titanic Irish Celebration in Pigeon Forge

If March means St. Patrick’s Day and the Irish celebrations to you, then you don’t want to miss your opportunity to see The Titanic Museum during the entire month of March. Spirited Irish song, folklore and arts will be featured as The Titanic honors the many Irish decent folks who built and traveled on The Titanic.

Take a Day Trip to an American Castle!

Also consider a one day trip to the Biltmore in the month of March. As the spring bulbs bloom all throughout the gorgeous Biltmore properties, it is quite possibly the very best time to visit as they offer a $29 dollar entrance deal to anyone who purchases their ticket a minimum of 7 days in advance. This is an incredible price, nearly 50% off of the season rack rate of $59, this opportunity is one you don’t want to miss. Visit the home of the Biltmores, taste the wines created on site, enjoy the foods grown on the land and more as you spend your day at the Biltmore Estates.

If you love the movies, Gatlinburg’s 3rd annual Gatlinburg Screenfest may be the perfect special event for you! March 25-27 brings film seminars, conference speakers, idea development assemblies and more for the independent film maker and film lovers of all ages. This is a unique event that is gaining popularity quickly in the city of Gatlinburg. To learn more visit www.gatlinburgscreenfest.com.

Dogwoods Trees Blooming in the Smoky Mountains.

With April comes the 61st annual Wildflower Pilgrimage, however, many of the favorite sightings begin in March. Consider a hike to the Bud Ogle cabin or Rainbow Falls as you discover the sprouting Jack in the Pulpit, Larkspur, Trout Lily and Virginia Bluebells, known for their March appearances in the mountains! Wildflower Pilgrimage is an incredible celebration of the flora and fauna of the Mountains here and it should definitely be on your list for March activities as well!

Baskins Creek Vacation Rentals has beautiful Smoky Mountain Cabins awaiting you!  View videos of cabins to help make your selection process easy! We welcome your phone call with questions, contact our reservationist today.

Seaweed Wrap at Utopia Day Spa

As winter drags on, we really need to do something special to brighten up our days.  The Utopia Day Spa has a number of Valentine’s Day Special and they all look fantastic. 

This would be a vacation all by itself…ROMANCE FOR TWO -Relax side-by-side & receive our 1 hour signature couple’s massage.  Afterwards, enjoy your choice of chocolate-dipped strawberries or a grape & cheese/cracker plate with sparkling grape juice in a chilled wine cooler!   This sounds very luxurious. 

This one sounds more exotic… VALENTINE’S CHOCOLATE FULL PACKAGE SPECIAL –  Experience our 1 hour Chocolate Swedish Massage followed by a Mini-Facial.  Then while experiencing our Manicure & Pedicure, enjoy a delicious cup of chocolate.  A very affordable way to Pamper the one you love. 

This would be the one I would choose… PEPPERMINT & CHOCOLATE BODY GLOW & BODY BUTTER TREATMENT – We dry brush your body, loosening dry & dead skin, increasing circulation, followed by a full body Organic Sugar Scrub, getting rid of the dry, loosened skin.  Now you enjoy a hot shower & then back for a full body Peppermint & Butter Treatment.  A very relaxing & cleansing experience.

Utopia Day Spa - Outdoor Massage For Two

Click on the links above to go directly to Utopia Day Spa’s website and see their other specials.  And if you are planning a smoky mountain vacation during warm weather, an outdoor two person massage in a private setting would be wonderful the day after hiking to the top of Mount LeConte!