We came up to have a nice, small, intimate wedding ceremony. They set everything up for us and it turned out beautiful. We can't wait to go back on our anniversary. The rooms were beautiful and so were the views.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Carmelitas
36 caramels 3/4c. brown sugar 6oz. white chocolate chips
5 Tbsp. evaporated milk 1/2 tsp. soda 3/4c. chopped pecans
1c. flour 1/4 tsp. salt
1c. rolled oats 3/4 c. melted butter
Step 1: In a small saucepan (double boiler), heat caramels an evaporated milk until mixture is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, soda, salt and melted butter. Press half of mixture into greased 8x12 inch baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 300deg.
Step 3: Sprinkle white chocolate chips and pecans over cooked oatmeal mixture. Cover with caramel mixture. Crumble remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Return pan to oven. Bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Step 4: Cool in refrigerator for 2 hours before cutting. Cut into bars and store in refrigerator or at room temperature.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fly Fishing in the Great Smokies
Fishing is permitted year-round in the park, from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. The park allows fishing in all streams EXCEPT the following streams and their tributaries upstream from the points described:
Lynn Camp Prong upstream of its confluence with Thunderhead Prong.
These streams are closed to fishing to allow fish to repopulate following restoration work. For the exact location, consult the appropriate USGS 1:24,000 Quadrangle Map available at park visitor centers. Detailed information, including a complete list of regulations and a map of fishable park waters, is also available at any visitor center or ranger station.
You must possess a valid fishing license or permit from either Tennessee or North Carolina. Either state license is valid throughout the park and no trout stamp is required. Fishing licenses and permits are not available in the park, but may be purchased in nearby towns or online (links provided by state below). Special permits are required for fishing in Gatlinburg and Cherokee.
Tennessee License Requirements
Residents and nonresidents age 13 and older must have a valid license. Residents age 65 and older may obtain a special license from the state. Buy a license from the state government of Tennessee.
First Fall Fire at the Lodge
This is the place to stay
If we ever visit the Smoky Mntns again there is no point in looking elsewhere to stay. We enjoyed the beautiful lodge, very clean room, private balcony w/hot tub and awesome scenery, and most of all the innkeepers. Patrick and Sue made us feel as guests in their own home - very warm and inviting. They are knowledgable about the area and gave some good recommendations for bike trails. The breakfasts and homemade desserts were heavenly. They offer lots of movies, books and board games. This was a home away from home.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Forbidden and tuckaleechee Cavern Adventures
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
White Water Rafting in the Tennessee Smokies
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Biking in Great Smoky National Park
Both cyclists and walkers who venture out on this road will find several 19th century home sites; there are more than 70 historic structures in the park preserved from the early European settlers who lived in the area before it became a national park. Unfortunately, the villages built by the Cherokee who lived here before being forced out in the 1830s have not survived.
At our Smokey Mountain Lodge on 33 acres, you will find more opportunities for riding. We offer complementary bikes to ride on property. Bikes can also be rented for the Cades Cove area. Greenbrier and Tremont roads in Tennessee, and Lake View Drive, and Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina are great places to explore by bike. Unfinished portions of the Tennessee Foothills Parkway are also open to cyclists. Mountain biking is prohibited in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Friday, September 18, 2009
“A Little Slice of Heaven on Earth!”
For a couple or individual who needs total relaxation and gentle pampering, this is the ultimate. The food is divine. The country setting is perfect for sitting on the spacious porch(es) and rocking while the mind/brain takes a vacation worth a billion dollars. Soft music, pleasing scents, wildflowers, songbirds galore, pasture land, cattle grazing in the distance....a feeling of complete peace. Berry Springs Resort is truly the best place we've ever stayed. It is immaculate and there is absolutely no wish or need that is not automatically there for one's enjoyment already! The owners are welcoming, available and helpful with any information. We can't say enough about Berry Springs and Patrick and Sue. It is a place we would gladly LIVE!
Sep 18, 2009 thetindells
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Rainbow Blondies
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/3 cups (10.5-oz. pkg.) candy coated chocolate chips
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped pecans(optional)
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. Beat butter and shortening until blended. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar; beat well. Add eggs, vanilla, baking soda and salt; beat thoroughly. Gradually beat in flour (if dough becomes too stiff to use mixer, stir in remaining flour with spoon). Stir in candies and pecans, if desired. Press dough into ungreased 15-1/2x10-1/2x1-inch jelly-roll pan.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until top is golden. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. About 3 dozen bars.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Heritage Day at Old Mill Square
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The Old Mill will be hosting the 6th Old Mill Square Heritage Day in 2009. Heritage means tradition and tradion means passing down information, beliefs and culture by word of mouth and example. During Heritage Day, our visitors (both local and tourists) are able to experience demonstrations of how life was when the Mill was the center of the community beginning in 1830. Everyone gathered on the porch of the Mill while their corn and wheat were being ground to catch up on the happenings in the community. A tour of the Mill will take you back 179 years in time as you watch the stones grind the corn which are powered by the water turbines with the water from the Little Pigeon River. Throughout the day, music is being played on the square, food (fried cornbread and pinto beans, fried apple pies are being cooked in cast iron pots and apple butter is being stirred as it simmers in an iron pot over an open fire. A lady is making lye soap (like our grandmothers made) whle nearby, ladies are quilting. For many of the children, this is the first time, they are able to see how tasks were accomplished by previous generations. It's exciting to hear folks say "I remember my grandmother doing that" Antique tractors and engines are also on display. Children are busy playing games on the lawn, such as horseshoes, bean bag throws and doing a cakewalk to win a delicious cake. To sum up Heritage Day at Old Mill Square is to "Take a walk back in time for a few hours of experiencing the culture of the early days living in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains. | |||||||
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Monday, September 14, 2009
Tennessee Fall Foliage Reports
The Foliage Network was developed to provide accurate foliage information for various locations across the United States. During the months of September, October, and November, The Foliage Network collects data from our foliage spotters twice a week. This data is collected, plotted, and analyzed by The Foliage Network. The end result is The Foliage Network Report which is transmitted to newspapers, television stations, and web sites. The Foliage Report uses actual data unlike other "reports" which use annual averages. Please check your local newspaper to see the latest report. If your newspaper doesn't carry The Foliage Network Report, let them know you want it!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Peanut Butter Pie
Filling
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 - 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
¾ cups creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup heavy cream
Topping
3 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Prepare the crust and bake as directed. Then cool.
Prepare the filling: In a large bowl with electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, peanut butter and vanilla.
In a medium bowl beat the heavy cream until soft peak form. Fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture. Pour filling into the crust.
Make the topping: In a double boiler, melt the milk chocolate over hot not simmering, water. Add heavy cream and stir constantly until well blended.
Set aside to cool slightly, then drizzle the chocolate over pie.
Refrigerate until firm. About 2 hours.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Forbes Fall Travel Article
Travel
America's Prettiest Fall Drives
Hannah Elliott, 09.07.09, 09:00 AM EDT
With good timing, these excursions offer some of the most vivid autumn colors in the country.
Elevation plays a key role in when and how quickly leaves change color. Higher elevations, like those of the 12,100-foot high Independence Pass, can see leaves change as early as September, while hill sides under 4,000 feet are likely to have leaves that change in October and even November.
Patrick Eisert, the innkeeper at the Berry Springs Lodge in Gatlinburg, Tenn., recommends driving the 5,100-foot Newfound Gap Road in mid-October, and then heading down to Cade's Cove, at less than 2,000 feet, a month later. That extended season is what makes the Smokey Mountains such a draw for fall tourists.
"It's not like up north, where everything changes real quick, and you have to hit it just right within a week," Eisert says. "Here, because there're so many different elevations, you come earlier and the higher elevations are going to give you color. And as time goes on, the color goes down lower and lower."
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Peanut Butter rich and creamy fudge
- 4 cups white sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
- 12 ounces peanut butter
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish, set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, milk, and butter. Bring to a boil, and cook 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the marshmallow creme and peanut butter. Gradually stir in the flour. Spread into the prepared pan, and let cool.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Ready In: 1 Hour 25 Minutes
- Yields: 60 servings
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Elk in the Smokies
Meet at the Cataloochee Ranger Station. Additional information enclosed. Teachers seeking in-service credit should call us (865-974-0150) after class ends.