In this issue
"Purple Violets" by Gary Wilson 

GSMA's spring-fall Wildflower Report is the best place on the web to find up-to-date listings and directions to the park's blooming beauties. This report is an exclusive offering for GSMA members and is accessible from "Smokies Insider." Remember to log in first HERE as a "returning customer." 
  • Prescribed burns support plants, animals
  • Take our bird mnemonics quiz
  • Spring Smokies Life Magazine is HERE!
  • NEW - Membership Program & Cards
  • Recommended Hike: Deep Creek Loop
  • Openings & closings are announced
  • US 441 construction projects begins
  • GSMA publishes Cades Cove memoir & new children's story
  • Smoky Mountain Mystery: Twinflowers
  • Staff Profile: Joey Heath
  • SM Recipe: Spicy Chicken Tacos with Peaches
  • Sign up for Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
  • April's Branch Out programs
  • Where in the park are we?
  • Business of the Month
  • Shop the Smokies - Support the Smokies
Take our bird mnemonics quiz
broad winged hawk
This month we're testing your knowledge of bird mnemonicsThe first person to answer all 10 quiz questions correctly HERE will win a copy of Common Birds and their Songs. Good luck!

If these quiz questions are proving to be challenging, you might want to consider signing up for a few classes at the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage, which this year is placing an emphasis on birds in the Smokies. Click on the image below to find out more about this much-loved event, for which GSMA serves as a proud sponsor.
pilgrimage
Park's reopening schedule
includes Roaring Fork

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced the 2015 spring opening schedule, which includes the reopening of Roaring Fork Motor Trail (above) on May 1, following bridge replacement work this winter. Some campgrounds and other secondary roads began opening Friday, March 13. The remainder of the schedule is found HERE.
The opposite of open?
Alum Cave (but only during the week)

The Trails of Mt LeConte
The Trails of Mt LeConte
Video by Gary Wilson

Don't fret - there's more than one way to reach Mt. Le Conte. In fact, there are four others. So even though work to improve Alum Cave Trail will close this route during the weekdays for the next two years, those who wish to visit the lodge can do so using another beautiful route. Click on the image above to learn more.
Speaking of construction...

The next phase of construction on Newfound Gap Road is scheduled to begin this week. 

Construction Work will begin with tree felling around the Big Walnut area, where retaining walls will be built to repair areas where the road is cracking and settling. This work will be off the road, but traffic may be stopped for brief periods while a tree is being cut.

 

Following a two-week pause for Easter, construction will resume Monday, April 13. The contractor will temporarily shift the road to the west by 2 to 3 feet to accommodate a drill rig used for setting the structural parts of the retaining wall near the pullout just north of Carlos Campbell Overlook. This lower overlook will be closed while the wall is being built, but the main, upper overlook will remain open. 

 

A lane closure will be required each day when crews are working; it will be reopened each evening. This will allow the road to be open to two-way, two-lane traffic at night and on the weekends, when traffic levels are higher.

 

Single-lane, daytime closures are expected until June 14. These may be set up anywhere within the project as needed. Construction will likely continue through the summer, but lane closures are only allowed at night from June 15 - August 15.

Visit Bryson City to find this month's recommended hike
Tom Branch Falls by Regina Stone
 

The Deep Creek/Indian Creek loop near Bryson City makes an excellent April outing with wildflowers and waterfalls in abundance. Stop by the new Swain County Visitor Center (in the old courthouse building at the corner of Main and Everett streets downtown) for directions and information about the area's recreational opportunities and history.

 

Then continue on toward Deep Creek Campground and the Deep Creek trailhead at the road's end. Follow Deep Creek Trail 1.7 miles to the junction with Loop Trail. Then take Loop Trail 0.6 mile and turn right on Indian Creek Trail for 0.8 mile. Take a left at Deep Creek Trail and you'll be headed back to the trailhead.

 

All told the hike covers 4.4 miles, passes by two impressive waterfalls (Tom Branch and Indian Creek), and features at least a dozen species of spring wildflowers.

April's 'Branch Out' programs
Juney Whank Falls is one of three waterfalls you'll visit when you register for one of April's Branch Out with GSMA programs.

Waterfalls and wildflowers are on the agenda for April, when GSMA members are invited to hike in both North Carolina and Tennessee with experienced hike leaders.

Deep Creek Hike in North Carolina - Rose Brostic will lead this moderate loop hike with emphasis on wildflowers and area history. Waterfalls to be seen on this hike include Tom Branch Falls and Indian Creek Falls. Juney Whank Falls is also nearby. This hike will be a gentle pace, stopping and answering questions about flora and fauna. Saturday, April 11

Schoolhouse Gap Trail in Tennessee - Naturalist Liz Domingue will lead a pleasant wildflower and birding ramble on this trail, which is also known as a great birding spot - a very rare warbler species is known to nest along this trail. Saturday, April 18

For complete information on these and many more "Branch Out" programs, as well as registration details, please visit us HERE.
Smoky Mountain Mystery:
What happened to the twinflower?

US Forest Serve photo
On a late summer day in 1892, botanist Albert Ruth collected a specimen of a delicate wildflower called the twinflower (Linnaea borealis). He labeled the specimen location simply "Sevier County-in mountain woods." Ruth was a veteran botanist who collected over 5,000 plant specimens and was generally very exact.

The twinflower is not only celebrated around the world for its beauty, but also because it was a favorite plant of its namesake Linnaeus, the granddaddy of modern botany and natural history classification. The flower is a northern species found in bogs in boreal spruce-fir forests, like those habitats scattered along the spine of the Great Smokies and Blue Ridge mountains. But in the Appalachians, twinflower has only been documented (aside from Ruth's specimen) as far south as West Virginia. Evidence of its existence in the Smokies was therefore highly noteworthy.

However, no one has found it since, even though many botanists, intrigued by Ruth's specimen, have made a point of searching for it. So what became of it? Was the northern wildflower, perhaps a relic from the last ice age, extirpated late in the 19th century? Did Ruth make a mistake on his specimen label? Or as North Carolina botanist Dr. Peter White once wrote on the subject: "The mists of the high mountains still protect some secrets on the rugged, rhododendron-tangled slopes."
Several spring publications 
available in stores, online
"The Return of the Chestnut," one of five featured stories in this spring's Smokies Life Magazine, reminds us how this species was distroyed. It was 1904, when dying chestnuts were first seen in the New York Zoological Park. "...the leaves withered and turned brown, and the bark shed away leaving 'grey ghosts' to haunt the woods." The article's title, however, is one of hope that one day the "dream of restoration" will become a reality. Get your copy of the latest Smokies Life Magazine HERE.

The newest park newspaper, the Smokies Guide, is also available at all the usual locations in and around the park, as well as in its digital format HERE.

Also available is the Bear Paw membership newsletter. Each year the spring Bear Paw includes GSMA's annual report, as well as an accounting of how aid-to-park funds were used in the previous year. Members can access the latest Bear Paw HERE.
Official Park Store
Shop the Smokies; Support the Smokies!

 

Your Junior Ranger will love his new vest and hat.


 

Kids of all ages will love pretending they're National Park rangers while wearing this lightweight Junior Ranger activity vest.
 

With plenty of pockets, zippers and Velcro closures, they'll be able to keep all sorts of small treasures safe. Perfect for family outings to the Smokies and ready to be decorated with hike patches, pins and more!

 

One of our most popular items in years, these pottery mugs are made in the USA and will remind you of your trip to the Smokies with every sip you take. This mug comes in four colors with four different logo options: historic cabin, tulip poplar, black bear and all three. Collect all four!




Mountains of fun and education await within the pages of this clever activity book all about the Smokies. Your kids will be intrigued by the matching problems, word games, coloring and other activities.
Business Member
of the Month

Photo-Hikes

520 Woodslope Circle

Kodak TN 37764

Phone: 865.446.0487 

Email:  [email protected]

What is a photo-hike? Glad you asked. It's photography session built around a hike. It is a new set of experiences designed to help folks find the best spots to see & photograph the Smokies. Plain & simple, we are photographers who can't wait to share what we know about photo-ops in the Smokies!
 
GSMA members receive a 10% discount

 

New Business Members

 Sell My Timeshare NOW - Pigeon Forge 

100 Domain Drive Suite 100

Exter, NH 03833

Phone: 877.815.4227

Email: [email protected] 
 

Olympia Granola

Bemidji MN 56619

Phone: 615.674.3773

Email:  [email protected]

*Get your trail bars HERE or at any of our visitor center locations.

 

GSMA Members Benefit...  

GSMA Members earn discounts at more than 50 North Carolina and Tennessee businesses. Think about it - 20% off here, $5 off there, and before you know it, your membership dues have paid for themselves. It's our way of saying "Thank You" for your membership! See our complete list of supporting business on our website.

  

Get your business seen here!

If you own a business and want to become a GSMA Business Member and reach more than 40,000 email inboxes each month, please contact Westy Fletcher HERE.
GSMA's SOCIAL experience 
 
We're up to more than 372K FANS on Facebook! We get more "Likes" when you help. Share our posts and invite your FB friends to "Like" us on 

We have a new Twitter
Follow GSMA HERE

  Follow us on Pinterest
HERE Suggest some pins

Subscribe to find hundreds of Smoky Mountain videos from GSMA HERE
Prescribed burns are designed
to mimic Mother Nature

NPS Photo


A primary goal of the National Park Service is to preserve native plants and animals, as well as the natural processes that perpetuate them. Park managers have learned that fire is one of the natural processes some plants and animals depend on. 
For most of the history of this national park, NPS has suppressed all forest fires within its boundaries. However, extensive scientific research has proven the importance of fire in maintaining healthy ecosystems.


 
Prescribed burns are being conducted in two park locations:

- Cades Cove through March 31, where visitors can expect to see firefighters and equipment in Cades Cove near Cooper Road Trail, Abrams Falls Trail, the Elijah Oliver Cabin and Hyatt Lane;

- Cataloochee Valley along Wash Ridge through mid-April to improve elk habitat.

 

"We are applying prescribed burning techniques that we have refined over the past few years which have proven to be highly successful in mimicking a natural ignition from Mother Nature," said park burn boss Shane Paxton of the Cades Cove event. "We will have a very experienced team of fire managers on the ground to ensure the prescribed fire is meeting the desired objectives."

The purpose of the Cades Cove prescribed fire is to reduce hazardous fuel accumulations and to restore a diverse and functioning fire-dependent ecosystem. Trees throughout the area have been killed by pine bark beetles resulting in a high fuel load of dead and down woody materials.  The prescribed burn will help reduce these hazardous fuels and brush, while also helping to restore the mature yellow pine-oak forest native to the site.

The field near Hyatt Lane will be burned as part of a cost-effective strategy to prevent the open fields from being reclaimed by forest. These seasonal controlled burns help perpetuate native herbaceous species that provide high quality cover and foraging opportunities for a diversity of wildlife including deer, turkeys and ground nesting birds. 

"By conducting controlled burns, we are able to maintain the openness of the cove to preserve and maintain its historic character while also reducing non-native species," said Fire Management Specialist Dave Loveland.

"One of the goals of the (Cataloochee) prescribed burn is to improve elk forage and habitat," said Wildland Fire Module Leader Shane Paxton. "This series of burns will reduce the number of fire-sensitive trees and shrubs while increasing the regeneration of oak and yellow pines along with increasing the cover and diversity of native grasses and wildflowers.  Over time, this increase in herbaceous vegetation on the forest floor will improve forage for elk which graze the nearby meadows."

 

The unpaved portion of the Cataloochee Entrance Road beyond the Pretty Hollow Gap Trailhead, locally known as the Wood Creek section, will be closed to vehicles during the burn. However, visitors may park at the Beech Grove School and hike up the road to the trailheads in the upper valley. No trails closures are expected during the burn operations. Visitors should expect to see smoke in the area.

For more information on the use of prescribed burns in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visit HERE.
Clingmans Dome opens this weekend

Weather permitting (and so far it's looking good), the seven-mile road to the park's tallest peak will reopen for the season this Friday, March 27. 

Clingmans Dome Information Center & Store 

Hours of operation 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
 

Located at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, 7 miles from Newfound Gap, this visitor center sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet. A half-mile trail leads from the visitor center to the Clingmans Dome observation tower atop Clingmans Dome, the third highest mountain in the East. Exhibits in the center provide an overview of the history of the area and the rare spruce-fir forest ecosystem.

"An Island in the Sky" is an excellent way to experience Clingmans Dome when the Smokies are far away. Written, directed and filmed by GSMA Cinematographer Gary Wilson, "An Island in the Sky" is the first in our Smoky Mountain Explorer film series.

NEW fact & fiction arriving on
GSMA bookshelves next week

 

A Personal History

Who better than Judge William Wayne Oliver, direct descendant of John and Lucretia Oliver, to tell the story of growing up in Cades Cove? Written by a judge and scholar, the book is very precise, especially in matters of feuds, murders, moonshining, and barn burnings in the cove, as well as the lawsuit over land for the national park. It's a delightful memoir of an idyllic childhood in the Smokies.


 


Lisa Horstman, author and illustrator of such popular children's books as "The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball" and "The Troublesome Cub," has outdone herself this time with "Sabrina: A Great Smoky Mountains Story." Sabrina is the tale of a special kind of squirrel who finds herself in a strange new home after a run in with an owl. Readers are invited to follow along as Sabrina learns how to survive, and then thrive, in her new environment.

Beginning April 1, "Sabrina" is being offered as a free gift for all Acorn level members. Acorn membership is available for youth through age 14. Ask at any of our visitor center store locations for more information about how your entire family can "Get Rooted in the Smokies" as GSMA members. Or check our website on April 1, when our new membership opportunities will be available online.

 
Both books are published by GSMA and are guaranteed to enhance both your's and your child's library of Smoky Mountain treasured books. Click on either image to order your copy today. All sales benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Popular waterfall trail 
remains closed for repairs

Work to repair damage to Laurel Falls hiking trail has continued since March 11, when excessive rain caused a slide on one of the park's most popular trails.

"Our trail crews are experienced with these kinds of washouts and will work to make the necessary repairs so that the Laurel Falls Trail, one of our most popular in the park, can be safely reopened for hikers," said Trails Program Manager Tobias Miller. Repairs are expected to be completed in early spring.
Flowering trees have arrived

Cades Cove, First Week of Spring
First Week of Spring in the Cove
Video by Valerie Polk

Before they turn green, a few Smoky Mountain trees decorate themselves with flowers, like the beautiful red maples featured in Valerie Polk's newest short film, "First week of Spring." Click on the image above to see what early spring looks like in Cades Cove. From Trees of the Smokies"The impressive flowers of this tree adorn the mountains in a wash of brilliant red from February through April."

What can be more welcome in early spring than the blooming of redbud trees? Redbud trees are found at the lower elevations of the park, especially at places like Little River Road, The Sugarlands, Laurel Creek Road, Cades Cove, and the Foothills Parkway between Townsend and Chilhowee Lake. Redbuds are just starting to bloom right now and should continue to mid-April. They are a smallish species, generally not much larger than dogwoods.
Membership changes take effect beginning April 1

"Change may be the only constant, but it can also serve as catalyst for growth," said Lisa Duff, GSMA's director of marketing and membership. "And growth is exactly what we're hoping to encourage with our new tree-themed membership levels."

Existing members will be interested to learn that changes in the current program are minimal. We still offer some of the most impressive benefits available, all of which contribute to an enhanced Great Smoky Mountain National Park experience, Duff said.

"With our new membership levels paying homage to the park's more than 130 variety of trees, we're introducing a new membership card design this April," Duff said. GSMA graphic artist Karen Key has done it again, this time by adding tree rings to the background of her most recent membership creation, the "Get Rooted in the Smokies" logo. New and renewing members will receive this new card design in the coming months.

"As is true with most changes we face, the new system will take some getting use to," said Duff. "We appreciate everyone's support and patience as we go through this transition." Details of the new levels are available HERE.
Smoky Mountain Recipe:
Spicy Chicken Tacos with Pickled Peaches

Tacos may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Smoky Mountains, but por qu� no? Add some pickled peaches, and you got the perfect combination of 'dulce y especias' (sweet and spice)!

Spicy Chicken Tacos with Pickled Peaches

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
zest and juice of 1 lemon
zest and juice of 1 lime
zest and juice of 1 orange
2 whole garlic cloves, minced
1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 halves of Foods of the Smokies Pickled Peaches
corn tortillas
cilantro for garnish 


Directions
Place chicken breasts in a large ziplock bag or glass container with tight fitting lid. Add zest and juice of the lemon, lime and orange. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Mix the chicken into the marinade until it's thoroughly combined. Chicken can marinate up to 6 hours but let it sit at least 1 hour before grilling.

When ready to grill, heat grill to medium-high heat. Turn the heat back to medium and place chicken on the grill. Cook for 5 minutes per side until throughly cooked. Remove chicken from grill and let cool 5 minutes before cutting. Cut warm chicken and place in corn tortillas. Top with desired amount of pickled peaches and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Makes about 6-7 tacos.

Recipe courtesy of Mountain Mama Cooks
____________________

Still hungry for more? - We've published a collection of recipes on our website exclusively for our members HERE. Be sure to log in and click on "Smokies Insider" to find all these mouth-watering delights. Then, send us photos of your friends and family enjoying what you've created HERE. Extra credit for including the Foods of the Smokies item in your photo. Who knows? You may see your photo in an upcoming Cub Report or on our Facebook page.
Where in the Park are We?

 

This month's "Where in the Park are We" image might be more aptly titled "When in the Park are We?" It may also be bringing back memories for those of you who enjoy festival time in the Smokies. Does anyone recognize this hearth? Click HERE to read Lisa Duff's blog and learn where you'll find this view in the Smokies.

GSMA Staff Spotlight:
Joey Heath

Senior Publications Specialist Joey Heath holds two of her proudest accomplishments - Heirlooms and Artifacts of the Smokies, the largest book she's designed to date; and Cades Cove: A Personal History, her latest design effort.

 

Q: Where do you hail from Joey?

A: Knoxville, TN

 

Q: You've worked for some interesting companies before coming to GSMA. Can you mention some of them and the positions you've held? 

A: The longest position I held before GSMA was at Philips Consumer Electronics. When I left I was in charge of designing all the packaging for all the TV products nationwide. Before that I was brand designer for Sylvania, and Philco and Magnavox brands and did tech support for our department, which was the only Mac network in the building. The main things that I learned was photography design and direction, which I must say I was pretty good at. Before Philips I worked at Metro Pulse news-paper, which I enjoyed very much. I was sad to hear the alternative weekly had been discontinued. I've also worked at High Resolutions and UT.

 

Q: When did you first start drawing and painting?  

A: I can't say for sure, but I do remember drawing an alligator by a stream when I was four.

 

Q: Which do you like better, starting a piece of art or finishing it?

A: Definitely finishing.

 

Q: Who are some of the artists you most admire?

A: H.R. Giger, the artist who designed the creatures for the Alien franchise, Marshall Arisman, Michealangelo, Vincent Van Gogh, Andrew Wyeth, Murray Tinkleman, Brad Holland, Hienrik Kley, Gary Kelley and really, any one who is better than me.

 

Q: What do you like best about the Great Smoky Mountains? 

A: That they are so close for one thing, and the wildlife. I enjoy drawing and painting wildlife almost as much as I enjoy drawing people, except wildlife is easier. I could watch them and learn about them for hours.
 

Q: I hear you have a new book coming out on Cades Cove. What were some of the interesting aspects of designing it?

A: It's called Cades Cove: A Personal History by Judge W.W. Oliver. It was one of the few books where I actually had family photos and photos of events that happened at the time to work with.  So there were lots of great photos to choose from.
 

Q: What are a few of your favorite GSMA sales items? 

A: The best seller, chocolate! But seriously, I like Our Southern Highlanders, even though there are some sterotypes and language that are not polically correct. I love the stories about this area and about people I personally know. I must also say I'm very proud of Heirlooms and Artifacts of the Smokies, the largest book I have designed. Being able to go through the archive collection and see what was left behind by the people who lived here, and providing at least a glimpse of our collection here at GSMNP is a real accomplishment and I'm glad to have been a part of it.


Want to read more?


 

Click HERE for more staff spotlights. As spotlights are added to our new website, staff are including a list of their favorite Great Smoky Mountains products, including beloved books, Foods of the Smokies, and fun, new products, all 100% NPS-approved for superior quality and value standards.


Answers
to last month's Artifacts
Quiz

 

  1. This tool was used to finish the inside of bowls, chair seats, and other concave surfaces already roughed out. Scorp
  2. This was a common furnishing in country homes. Made of wood, it had tin-plated panels in the doors pierced with nail holes to provide ventilation. Pie safe
  3. The wheel of this tool went around the outside of a wooden wheel or barrel to measure its circumference. Traveler
  4. This was used to separate grain from chaff. Raddle
  5. This useful, but tiring tool, had two blades... one to break up hard ground, the other to cut roots. Mattock
  6. Prior to the Civil War this weapon was the most common and popular among mountaineers. Kentucky rifle
  7. This was used to wind yarn. Niddy noddy
  8. This is a horse restraint device used during veterinary procedures. In case of pain, a loop placed around the horse's upper lip could be twisted slightly causing an endorphin release that overrode the pain. Twitch
  9. Hearts and flowers, double wedding ring, and double Irish chain are examples of patterns for these: Quilts
  10. Basket making was a good example of form following function. While many were made of split oak, when it came to berry picking the common "berry baskets" was made of: Tree bark

 

Winner was Nancy Biddle, Tennessee. Congratulations!
Have Questions?- For questions about online purchases, click HERE and the Mail Order department will help you.
- For questions about membership, click HERE and Judy or Marti will help you.
- For questions about business membership, click HERE and Westy will help you.
- Want to volunteer with GSMA? Click HERE and Lisa will help you.
EXTRA!
Read all about it!
The following are all instantly available, digital, GREEN publications...

+ The all-new Spring Smokies Guide (the official GSMNP newspaper) is available for viewing, reading and printing. Click HERE.
+ Be sure to check our Calendar of Events page often for upcoming park activities.
+ Read back issues. Archive editions of the Cub Report can be found HERE.
+ GSMA members can access The Bear Paw newsletter HERE and archived Recipes of the Smokies HERE. Sign in is required for both.

All purchases support the park.


Connecting today to yesterday; preserving today for tomorrow.