About the Valley
Welcome to the April 2008 issue of About the Valley. Spring is a beautiful time to visit East Tennessee. You will see beautiful foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are also some great upcoming events.
THE FLOWERS ARE BLOOMING
Spring brings blooming flowers as they take advantage of good weather conditions between the cold of winter and the shade of summer.
Bloom dates depend on the weather and can vary from year to year. Here are recommended dates:
Dogwood and redbud: mid- to late-April
Spring flowers: late March to mid-May
Mountain laurel and flame azalea: May and June
Catawba rhododendron: mid-June
Rosebay rhododendron: June and July
The spring flowers are trilliums, phacelia, violets, lady's slippers, jack-in-the-pulpits, and showy orchis. You will also find the familiar dandelion. Goldenrod, ironweed, and asters bloom in late September to early October. In August, you may see wild clematis, yellow-fringed orchis, bee-balm, cardinal flower, monkshood, and blue gentian.
You can enjoy the flowers that grow along park roadsides or along quiet walkways. Designated nature trails throughout the park also offer beautiful flowers.
SPRING FESTIVAL & OLD TIMERS DAY
This weekend, May 2-3, 2008, is the second and final weekend of the 16th Annual Townsend in the Smokies Spring Festival & Old Timers Day. You won’t want to miss this celebration of music, arts and crafts, good food, and the beautiful Smokies in the spring.
Featured Events:
Bluegrass Music and Jammin’
Appalachian Demonstrations and Exhibits
Antique Cars
Arts and Crafts Booths
Food Booths, including “Smokin’ in the Smokies,” People’s Choice Bar-B-Que Contest
Wildflower Walks and Hikes
This famous event is located at the Townsend Visitor Center, 7906 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882. For more information, call 865-448-6134 or visit www.smokymountains.org/info/spring_festival/springfestival.html.
GET READY FOR THE CAR SHOWS!!
Here is a list of the upcoming car shows coming to Pigeon Forge:
May 15-17, 2008: Chevy Classics Roundup – 1955, 1956, 1957 Chevy Classics Show (Call 865-984-3758; 1-800-429-7700)
June 6-8, 2008: Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge Classic Car Show (Call 865-379-9595; 1-800-429-7700)
June 19-21, 2008: The Great Smoky Mountains F-100 Run (Call Smoky Shadow Convention Center: 864-710-7844)
September 5-6, 2008: Shades of the Past Rod Run XXVI (Call National Parks Resort Lodge & Smoky River Ranch: 1-800-843-6686; Fax 865-995-9097)
September 11-14, 2008: Grand Fall Rod Run (Call 1-800-251-4444)
EASY CREAMY FRUIT DIP
1 8-ounce package cream cheese
1 large jar marshmallow cream
1 Tablespoon vanilla flavoring
1 cup powdered sugar
Beat cream cheese with mixer until smooth. Add marshmallow cream, flavoring, and powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
Enjoy with strawberries, apples, melon, or any of your favorite fruits!
IF YOU ARE PLANNING A TRIP TO THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, PLEASE CONSIDER STAYING AT PINE CONE LODGE. THE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF A CHESTNUT RIDGE CABIN MAKE YOUR VACATION MORE FUN! CHECK AVAILABILITY AND RESERVE YOUR DATES EARLY -- MANY RESERVATIONS ARE MADE WEEKS AHEAD.
If you are interested in owning a vacation home or rental home in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, we are offering Pine Cone Lodge for sale.
Thanks for subscribing to About the Valley. We look forward to bringing you more news next month. As always, if you have any questions or comments or want to share your favorite place to visit in the Smoky Mountains, e-mail us at .
Chestnut Ridge Cabins
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