Mountain Top Haven

04/17/2019

12/06/2018

Fun article about celebrating Christmas in the Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountains, Great Smoky Mountain Association, Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain History, Christmas, Christmas in the Smokies

11/09/2018

This looks like a lot of fun if you are in the area on Sunday, November 18th from 9 am to 2 pm! It is a Naturalist Ramble by the Smoky Mountain National Park: "Let's go back in time to 1881 and the tiny one-room Little Greenbrier School. Until 1925, the schoolhouse doubled as the community's Primitive Baptist Church. Here we'll receive a lesson about the good ol' days.

During our hike in this isolated setting, Liz Domingue, (pictured below) professional naturalist and owner of Just Get Outdoors tour company, will share the cultural history of the Walker family. She will explain the natural resources they needed so this family of 13 (four boys, seven girls and parents) could live a self-sustaining lifestyle in their livestock pastures, fruit orchards and vegetable fields.

After exploring the area, we'll visit the Walker sisters home and rest on their porch imagining what life was life for five of the sisters who trapped food in the forest, tended to their gardens and livestock, and openly welcomed visitors before and after the park was established.

Other highlights of the trip will include and opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat, fall foliage and stream and woodland scenes."

Go back to school in 1882 at the Schoolhouse of Little Greenbrier and take a hike on Little Brier Gap trail for more lessons when you visit the home of the Walker Sisters who lived off the land in the Smokies until the 1960s. Branch Out events are designed to enhance our members' knowledge and appre...

11/06/2018

Exciting news!!! "Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials plan to open the long-awaited section of the Foothills Parkway between Walland and Wears Valley, TN on Saturday, November 10. The public will be able to experience the entire 16-mile roadway for the first time since construction began in 1966, including the 1.65-mile section known as the ‘Missing Link’ which is now connected by a series of nine bridges." Definitely makes a trip soon an important thing to do!!!!

Park Announces Foothills Parkway Opening

10/05/2018

Okay, so this is definitely not in the Smokies..BUT these are bears! And super cute ones! And what a fun idea...At least it is a sister national park to our own Great Smoky Mountains Park!

Bulky bears are facing off online in an annual competition hosted by a US National Park.

09/30/2018

Great Smoky Mountains Birding Event!!
"Date: Sunday, October 7
Time: 8 a.m.
Location: Seven Islands State Birding Park - Kodak, Tennessee
Autumn at Seven Islands State Birding Park offers novice and expert birders a rich variety of late-season habitats to explore! This 416-acre park is a peninsula of land nestled in a bend of the French Broad River and features a diverse natural landscape of aquatic and grassland habitats, hiking trails and views of the Smoky Mountains.
It is possible for birders to observe or hear as many as 80 different species in one day while exploring the park. More than 130 species have been observed in October, alone!
Activity rating: Moderate
Mileage: 5 miles miles maximum http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07efm3m63db4171750&llr=hszagubab

09/06/2018

The Little River Railroad & Lumber Company Museum - A fun side trip when you are at the cabin is to visit this cute little museum. It is free and very interesting! The staff there have so many fun stories to share! It is also close to the Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Cades Cove and Middle Prong Trail!

09/01/2018

Biltmore!!! We have always wanted to go to Biltmore, but it was too far from our home. However, from Mountain Top Haven, it is only 1 hour and 45 min of a beautiful drive through the Smokies! And so well worth it! Biltmore is beautiful, historic, fascinating and informative! The legacy of George Vanderbilt is still very much alive on this working farm. The house, winery, gardens and farmyard are beautiful! If at all possible, we highly recommend making time on your trip for www.biltmore.com

08/30/2018

It is sorghum making time the Great Smoky Mountains! How fun! You can see it for yourself by visiting these demonstrations at Cades Cove! Starting this weekend!

September 1, 2 and 3 (Labor Day)
September 14, 15 and 16
September 21 and 23
November 9, 10, 11 and 12 (Veteran’s Day)
November 16, 17 and 18
November 23, 24 and 25

And at Mountain Farm Festival's sorghum demonstration
at Oconaluftee Visitor Center is Saturday, September 15

It’s that time of the year when Sherry and Mark Guenther pack up and head for the Smokies. But when the owners of Muddy Pond Sorghum travel, it’s not as simple as putting a few suitcases in the car.