Smoky Mountain Stargazing Event

Great Smoky Mountains Stargazing Event will be held at the Highlands Science Learning Center Friday, November 15, 2019 in North Carolina. The Highlands Science Learning Center is located high above Maggie Valley in North Carolina. This low light environment is the perfect spot to view the heavens on a cool fall night. The learning center is approximately 5,000 feet above sea level and is considered one of the best places in Haywood County to view constellations and planets.

The Asheville Astronomy Club will be on hand again to lead interplanetary travelers through the stars via a variety of powerful telescopes. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to view binary systems, star clusters and minute  details of the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxies.

“National park areas offer a wonderful opportunity to stargaze,” says Park Superintendent Cassius Cash. “Visitors are often amazed at the amount of stars that can be seen simply by entering into the natural darkness of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

The fun will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a presentation indoors of what can be expected to be seen when the stars come out. At 5,000′ cold temperatures are to be expected so everyone is encouraged to dress warmly and bring rain gear – the event will proceed rain or shine. Space is limited in the free event and everyone is encouraged to sign up early. Participants must register in advance to reserve one of the 45 parking permits. Reservations for permits can be made at Star Gazing or by calling 828-497-1907.

For more information about stargazing in the park, please visit the park’s website at NPS.gov.

Apple Dapple Cake Recipe

Apple Dapple Cake Recipe. Fall is one of our favorite times of the year in the Smoky Mountains. With the cooler temperatures comes the annual apple harvest. Our Granny always said. “I can’t wait till fall so I can sink my teeth into an old wormy, Winesap apple!”  Today we pass on the worms whenever possible but not on the delicious variety of mountain apples.

What is better than a crisp fall mountain apple – perhaps it is this recipe that has proved a favorite with many of our friends. Early settlers in these mountains dried apples in order to enjoy sweet treats during those long, lonesome winter months. Today’s farmer’s markets offer a variety of apples just waiting for your family to enjoy. Our sweet tooth loves the flavor and texture of mountain apples and cake. It is no surprise that Apple Dapple cake is one of our favorite treats.

Apple Dapple Cake

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

3 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup chopped nuts (we like toasted walnuts)

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups chopped apples (we like slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Winesap)

Cooking Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Wipe bottom (only) of pan lightly with the butter wrapper

Beat together vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla; sift together flour, salt and soda and add to mixture. Stir in apples and nuts; place in a tube pan and bake in preheated oven for one hour (ovens vary so keep an eye on your cake. You may test it with a toothpick, but remember this is a very moist cake.

While cake bakes:

Mix together 1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup milk

1 stick real butter

Cook until sugar is dissolved

While cake is still warm, remove from pan; place on a rimmed plate and immediately pour hot mixture over the cake.

Bonus baking tip: A pinch of fresh, fine ground nutmeg added to the cake mix will have your cake tasters begging for the secret ingredient!

Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Update

Smoky Mountain Campfire Ban Update. As of October 22, 2019 the Great Smoky Mountains National Park backcountry campfire ban has been cancelled. Fires have been banned in the backcountry since September 26th. Drought like conditions subsided after recent rains and cool temperatures moved into the mountains in recent weeks. After considering recently lowered drought severity ratings the decision was made by management officials to lift the fire ban.

Conditions will be monitored throughout the fall season. Additional restrictions may be implemented if necessary. The U.S. drought monitor reports that the majority of the park is still suffering from moderate drought conditions. If you plan to enjoy a fire in the park please keep it confined to existing, designated fire rings and grills. The best way to ensure your fire is completely out is by using water to wet the embers until no heat can be felt. Be sure and stir the embers while pouring water on them to extinguish hidden hot spots.

Drought conditions continue to make finding drinking water sketchy in the backcountry. There is the possibility normally reliable springs are dry so plan accordingly. Many springs may run slower than normal taking five minutes or more to fill a standard quart size bottle. The following backcountry camp site springs are currently bone dry: 5, 13, 16, 26. Mollies Ridge shelter and Russell Field shelter springs are dry also. When not hiking along a major water source it is always wise to carry extra water.

Additional information on backcountry camping in Great Smoky Mountains National Park may be found at BACKPACK or by calling the backcountry office at 865-436-1297.

Source material – GSMNP

Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Bearly 5K Run/Walk

Appalachian Bear Rescue‘s Bearly 5K Run/Walk Saturday October 26, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. This fun family event will begin at the ABR Visitor and Education Center at Trillium Cove Shopping Center in Townsend, TN. The event will raise funds to continue ABR’s mission to rescue orphaned black bear cubs and reintroduce them to the wild. A free breakfast will be served to all hungry runners and walkers after the event!

This event will be held during the season of the witch in the Smoky Mountains and participants are

encouraged to wear their favorite Halloween costume! The winner of the best costume contest will receive a wonderful prize. The runners and walkers will not be timed but the first three to make it to the finish line will also receive a special prize!

The registration fee will be in the form of a donation to ABR and a tasty breakfast is included. Breakfast includes sausage biscuits and fruit.

Registration: September 5, 2019 – October 25, 2019: $45

Registration day of event: $50

Race bags will be available for early pick up Thursday & Friday before the race, 10am – 4pm. Every runner can only pick up their own bag and the bag of their children under the age of 18, since a waiver will have to be signed at pick up.

Dollywood Fall Fun Events

Dollywood Fall Fun Events! Everyone is invited to “get their fall on ya’ll” at Dollywood’s annual Harvest Festival. Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, presented by Humana and scheduled Sept. 27-Nov. 2, is a wonderland of fall delights. A special treat this year, the largest addition ever to join Dollywood’s Fall Festival, is Wildwood Grove. This whimsical venue features sparkling creeks, a charming village and many new rides all nestled under the massive limbs of the great Wildwood Tree. It is also the site of The Great Pumpkin LumiNights which bathes Wildwood Grove in the eerie glow of thousands of carved and lighted jack-o-lanterns.

Get your own glow on with unique face painting by Karman artists before taking a selfie with Harvey the Pumpkin, Patches the Scarecrow and all their friends, from 4-9 p.m. each night near the great Pumpkin in Wilderness Pass.

Inspirational music throughout the park, exciting new rides, creative seasonal food like Pumpkin Funnel Cakes, Caramel Apple Sundaes and Candy Corn Cotton Candy, and an exciting nightly finale made it a slam dunk for The Great Pumpkin LumiNights to be named Best Theme Park Halloween Event in USA Today’s 2019 Reader’s Choice Travel Awards.

Dollywood is also just minutes away from one of America’s most beloved natural wonders, The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This amazing venue, combined with Dollywood’s 40 world-class rides, professional entertainment and the best in Southern hospitality makes it a perfect fall family vacation destination.

This music filled festival features free concerts throughout the park which are included with Dollywood admission.

Southern Gospel Jubilee Praise 96.3 FM invites guests to visit their stage at the Back Porch Theater and enjoy gospel music harmonies.

Southern Gospel Jubilee will be appearing on stage at The Valley Theater and Showstreet Place Theater.

Helpful Tips for enjoying Dollywood:

Masks may not be worn.

Guests may not dress as Dolly Parton or Santa

Wigs, hats or other accessories may be worn as long as they do not cover the face

Portions of costumes may need to be removed when boarding attractions based on the loose article requirements

Costume accessories may not look like a weapon of any kind and no accessory can be sharp or have component that could cause injury

Costumes may not drag the ground or cause a trip hazard.

Delays on the pathway at great Pumpkin LumniNights can exceed 25 minutes; beginning at 7 pm. nightly. All traffic must enter The Great Pumpkin LumniNights through Craftsman’s Valley to help minimize the wait.

Great Pumpkin LumiNights peak volume is between 7:30-8:30 each evening

We recommend visiting Great Pumpkin LumiNights Sunday through Thursday for an optimum viewing experience.

Dollywood is located 35 miles southeast of Knoxville, Tennessee at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. in Pigeon Forge at the gateway of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Additional features include Dollywood’s Dreammore Resort and Spa. For additional accommodations, restaurants, special events, and more check out HeySmokies.com.