This summer's biggest apocalyptic story of a doom that can and must be averted isn't coming from Hollywood. It's coming from GSMA's very own YouTube channel, and it's not intended for the faint-of-heart. Steady your nerves and click below to watch Part I. Then watch GSMA's Facebook page Friday for Part II.
 

Can this vacation (and forest) be saved?

Charlies Bunion by Gary Wilson
 

The Appalachian Trail is probably the most well known hiking trail in the Smokies, but not always the most used during the summer months. An 8-mile round-trip trek along this moderate section is just the thing to escape the hot days of summer.

Recommended hike by Marti Smith, member of GSMNP's 900 Miler Club

Starting at Newfound Gap parking lot, hikers will walk through a transitional forest due to damage from the Balsam Wooly Adelgid. Occasional views to the north and south can be seen, and around some bends a breeze may be felt. I like to call those "nature's air conditioning." Enjoy the feeling of being at an elevation of 5,000 to 6,000 feet on this trail. It can be so peaceful and relaxing. Thornless blackberries that grow at these higher elevations serve as a summer treat.

 At 2.7 miles the trail intersects with the Boulevard Trail, which takes you to Mt. LeConte. Continue to the right on the Appalachian Trail to reach Charlies Bunion. You'll pass Icewater Springs Trail Shelter and straddle the state line until you reach your destination. Enjoy the views once you arrive, but please resist the temptation to climb the Bunion, as it causes erosion and can be very dangerous.

 Return the way you hiked in and observe parts of nature you may not have noticed earlier.  It will be an easier hike upon your return.

Although most people don't think of Cades Cove as being a place to find a WW II memorial, such a tribute can, in fact, be found in the Cove.

 Upon hearing that Japan had attacked the U.S. in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and that thousands of service men and women had been killed, Cades Cove resident Golman Myers was moved to plant a sweetgum tree near his home. Encircling the seedling was a wheel rim from an automobile. As the tree grew and flourished in the rich cove soil, it expanded to the circumference of the rim.

 This touching memorial can still be seen about 100 yards off the Cades Cove Loop Road. Look for it past the hilltop "wildlife lookout," the second pullout on the right. An unmaintained path connects the road and Myers homesite.

GSMA members enjoy a hike with national park historian Butch McDade (right), who will offer a program on Elkmont history during the upcoming Membership Weekend Sept. 18-20 in Gatlinburg.

Registration for this year's Great Smoky Mountains Association annual Membership Weekend is officially open. Sign up today and join the many other GSMA members who will be hiking, touring and tasting their way through the Gatlinburg section of this national park.

The 2015 annual Membership Weekend will be headquartered in downtown Gatlinburg, TN.

Your registration includes dinner both Friday and Saturday evenings, your choice of up to three indoor and/or outdoor activities, a special volunteer opportunity, and one of the final chances you'll have to thank (and toast with a fine local moonshine!) Executive Director Terry Maddox for his years of service to our organization.

It all starts with this LINK, where you'll find a timeline and detailed descriptions of activities, payment information and special offers brought to you by our valued business partners. We're looking forward to seeing you in September!

Marketing & Membership Director Lisa Duff models the first of our GRITS t-shirts, available HERE.

A quick note on 'GRITS' and their place in the Smokies. Many of you may be familiar with GRITS as either a breakfast side dish best served with loads of butter and salt or as the abbreviation for "Girls Raised in the South."

 While both of these variations of GRITS are unique in their own way, we offer up yet another - "Get Rooted in the Smokies" has become our membership program's theme and with it many items you can wear to proudly proclaim your love for the Smokies.

 Click HERE to see our full line of exclusive members products. If you don't see have an idea for an item you'd like us to consider, please send us an email HERE with your recommendation. If we get enough requests, you could see it in our stores soon.

With half a year of service remaining, we shine the spotlight on Terry Maddox.

Terry Maddox has been Executive Director of Great Smoky Mountains Association since 1990. With his 25 years of service, Terry has been the leader of the nonprofit organization for more than a third of its existence.

Q: Where do you hail from Mr. Maddox?

A: I was born and raised in Elizabeth City, NC, with many summers spent at Nags Head on the Outer Banks.  Then it was off to UNC-Chapel Hill for four years and 13 more as an employee of the university.  I left NC for a five-year stint as business manager of Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, before accepting the executive director position here at GSMA beginning in January 1990.

Q: You announced last year that you would be retiring at the end of 2015. In your 25 years on the job, what have been some of your most rewarding experiences and accomplishments?

A: There are too many to fit in this article, but here are some of my favorites.

• Published the 1st volume in the natural history handbook series, Birds of the Smokies in 1991
• Implemented employee compensation plan in 1991
• Renovation of GSMA HQ Building and the purchase of our central warehouse in 1992
• Townsend Visitor Center store in 1992
• Gatlinburg Welcome Center store in 1993
• The huge undertaking to publish Hiking Trails of the Smokies in 1994
• 1st Point-of-Sale/inventory management system in 1995
• 1st award-winning park-themed T-shirt "A Wondrous Diversity of Life" in 1997
• Continue Reading HERE