Day 2 of Wilderness Wildlife Week 2014 in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Mother Nature may have made the Smokies even more magical with a little more snow, however for those wanting to take one of the guided hikes today the outlook is fairly grim as most roads in the Great Smoky Mountains national park are closed right now including Newfound Gap Road, Little River Road and Laurel Creek Road cutting off all access to Cades Cove.

So far the only guided hikes in and around the GSMNP that could take place would be the 6 mile hike in the Sugarlands to the Rock House, the 8 mile hike to Ramsey Cascades, the tour of the Railroad Museum in Townsend and maybe the Owl Prowl.

Luckily it toast warm inside with no chance of snow and ice so Wilderness Wildlife Week will go on as placed in the Le Conte Center in Pigeon Forge.

Some of yesterdays favorite Wilderness Wildlife Week programs included the talk by Dr Don Linzey on panthers in the Smokies, the working with wildflowers photography workshop, and the exciting story of Doc Henderson Versus the White Caps in the Smokies.

Today's must see Wilderness Wildlife Week demonstrations include a program on a landmark anyone who comes to the Smokies knows: A History of the Towers in Clingmans Dome by Marci Spencer.

Today there is also a great program on the Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier presented by award winning local park volunteer Robin Goddard who grew up with the women, Nighttime and Low light Photography presented by renowned local photographer Eric Gebhart and don't miss the final special program of the day by presented by Ken Jenkins.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule
Day 2: Sunday, January 26th 2014

• 8:30 – 9:30am: Sunday Morning Sing-Along. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 9 – 10am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Travel Photography: Beyond the Postcard. Educational and entertaining program featuring a theme-based travel photography with diverse locations such as Tennessee, Scotland, Costa Rica, Switzerland and more. Presented by Tom and Pat Cory. Taking place at room North 2.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lewis and Clark in US History, Part 1. Presented by Peter Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
• 9:30 – 10:30am: Marking Time: A Guide to the Historical Markers in East Tennessee. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room South 3.
• 9:30 – 11:30am: World Class Stream Small Mouth Bass. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
• 10 – 11 am: Wildflowers of the Smokies Video Presentation. Presented by Jack Carman of Wildflowers of Tennessee. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Creating a Wildlife Habitat for Every Season Video Presentation. Presented by Regina Garr of Birds-I-View. Taking place at room North 3.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Wildlife and Nature Photo Trips: What to Take? Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 2.
• 10:30 – 11:30am: Weather Signs. Presented by Ila Hatter of Wildcrafting with Ila. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 11 – Noon: Smoky Mountain Llama Treks. Learn about llamas and their cousins and see pictures of llamas along hikes by Smoky Mountain Llama Treks. Presented by Steve Garrett. Taking place at room South 2.
• 11 – Noon: Discovering the Gray Fossil Site. Learn how the Gray Fossil Site was discovered and a see some of the fossils found from there in upper East Tennessee. Presented by Harry Moore. Taking place at room South 3.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: Birds the Word. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 11:30 – 12:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! 2013 Scenic City International Photography Exhibition Video Presentation. Presented by Pat Gordy. Taking place at room North 3.
• Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Where and When to Photograph in the Smokies. Presented by Roger Trentham. Taking place at room North 2.
• Noon – 1 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Out of the Dark, Part 2. The history of how one amazingly heroic deputy sheriff rescued his community from committed by nightriders in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. Presented by Tom Davis and the Graveyard Hosts: Don Williams. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 12:30 – 2 pm: Learn Clawhammer Banjo, Part 2. Limited to 10 so you must pre-register at Information Desk. Participants must bring own five string banjo tuned in the key of G. Presented by Boogertown Gap. Taking place at room South 4B.
• 12:45 – 1:45 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Lewis and Clark in US History, Part 2. Presented by Peter Seifert. Taking place at room South 2.
• 1 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Smoky Mountain Old Time Gospel Singing. Presented by Tony Thomas. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 1 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! History of the Towers in Clingmans Dome. Presented by Marci Spencer of the Appalachian Bear Rescue. Taking place at room South 3.
• 1 – 3:30pm: Casting a Fly Rod: Bring own rod if possible. Presented by Greg Ward. Taking place at room South 1.
• 1:30 – 2 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing School. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Natural Wonders of the Southern Appalachians Video Presentation. Presented by Harry Dunn. Taking place at room North 3.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Range of Light: Capturing the Mood of the Smokies. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 2.
• 1:30 – 2:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Southern Bears of Tennessee, Arkansas and Florida Video Presentation. Presented by Kate Marshall. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 2 – 3 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! Old Harp Singing. Presented by David Sarten. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! A Sunday Morning in the Smokies. Presented by Hills-N-Hollows. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Special Kids Track. Bodacious Cartooning for Kids. Limited to 100 so you must pre-register at Information Desk and please remember to bring paper and pencils! Presented by John Rose, Snuffy Smith Cartoonist. Taking place at room South 2.
• 2:30 – 3:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! Bugs and Blooms. Learn about the diverse native flora and associated insects of the Southern Appalachians, as well as their functional importance. Presented by Leon Bates. Taking place at room South 3.
• 3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! A House Divided: The Civil War in Knoxville and East Tennessee. Presented by Fred Brown. Taking place at room North 3.
• 3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Improving Your Photographic Vision. Presented by Bill Fortney. Taking place at room North 2.
• 3 – 4 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Goodness of Gander. hear about the story of good people helping Americans on our nation’s worst day, September 11, 2001, and hear how the people of Gander, Newfoundland hosted 6,500 people for 4 days on 1 hour’s notice. Presented by Rosemary Deitzer. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 4 – 5 pm: Advanced Possumology: Possum Lore, Stories, Natural History and More. Presented by Doug Elliott. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section B.
• 4 – 5 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about our Smokies Heritage! Elkmont’s Lem Ownby: Sage of the Smokies. Presented by Carroll McMahan. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 4 – 5 pm: The Beauty and History of Switzerland Video Presentation. Presented by Shannon Harris of Alpine Adventure Trails and Tours. Taking place at room South 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Digital Photo Editing. Presented by Richard Iceland. Taking place at room North 3.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Seasons and Weather: Watching the Smokies Change. Presented by Jerry Whaley. Taking place at room North 2.
• 4:30 – 5:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep, Where Do All Our Bears Sleep? Presented by Joel and Kathy Zachry of Great Outdoors! Adventure Travel. Taking place at room South 2.
• 6 pm: Tuesday Hike Signups Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section C.
• 6 – 7 pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program about the Smokies Through a Camera Lens! Nighttime and Low light Photography. Presented by Eric Gebhart. Taking place at room North 2.
• 6 – 7 pm: Our Smokies Heritage! The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier. Presented by Robin Goddard Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.
• 7:30pm: New Wilderness Wildlife Week Program! To Be Announced. Presented by Ken Jenkins. Taking place at the Greenbrier Hall Section A.

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Guided Hikes

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 1

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 2

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 3

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 4

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 5

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 6

2014 Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for Day 7

Events in the Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville Great Smoky Mountains.

Looking for family friendly events and activities in the Great Smoky Mountains?

Well we have just added in hundreds and hundreds of special activities, events, concerts, shows, parades and more - most for free in the Great Smoky Mountains cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, Sevierville, Cosby, Newport and Cocke County.

Year round there are lots to do in the Smokies and we have it all listed right on our 2009 Smoky Mountains Calendar of events page of the America Mountain rentals cabin and chalet rentals web site.

Only in the Great Smoky Mountains can you and your family have so much fun for so little - and it's all close to the best vacation cabin rentals in the Smokies.

This year is also the 75th anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and we will be adding in all of the celebrations and special events as they become available.

It's fitting that Dolly Parton is the Great Smoky Mountains national parks 75th Anniversary Ambassador as Dolly is the most famous person from Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dolly Parton will be on hand for some of the festivities and had graciously donated the proceeds of her new album Sha-Kon-O-Hey to the Friend of the Smokies to help fund projects in the park.

Ready to have fun in the Great Smoky Mountains? Just check out the 2009 Calender of events in the Smoky Mountains!

Click on a month on the calendar below and see how much there is to do in the Smokies!

2009 Smokies Events Calender
January 2009	February 2009	March 2009
April 2009	May 2009	June 2009
July 2009	August 2009	September 2009
October 2009	November 2009	December 2009

Last day of the Winter Heritage Festival in Cades Cove and Townsend Tennessee

Fantastic lectures, moving presentations, beautiful guided hikes, and a change to meet and mingle with former Cades Cove residents - the Winter Heritage Festival in Townsend Tennessee had it all!

The icing on the cake is that the when this years Winter Heritage Festival started, the weather was just warming up so you had the chance to hike in comfortable weather and still see snow and waterfalls locked in ice.

The picture above was taken on the geological hike conducted at Tremont on Friday. This 2 mile guided hike took us through various rock formations, hemlocks, rhododendron and pines and where the leaves were down out onto stunning vistas.

Yesterday at the guided tour of the primitive Baptist Church cemetery it was 63 degrees and the only white in the perfect blue sky were vapor trails from jets flying so far away you couldn't even hear them.

It was also fantastic weather yesterday to walk around the Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and see the beautifully preserved and furnished Cades Cove era buildings and outdoor exhibits.

Inside the Smoky Mountains Heritage center in Townsend treat yourself to one of the best displays of Native American artifacts and an impressive collection of antiques for the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Today the program winds down but you can still choose from 2 fantastic programs.

Cades Cove Heritage Shuttle Bus Tour
1:00pm - 4:00pm: "Trip around the Loop with Special Guest, to be announced". Meet Cades Cove Heritage Tour in front of the Smoky Mountains Heritage Center. Call (865) 448-8838 for reservations.

We highly recommend this shuttle bus tour around Cades Cove. This is a great way to see the Cove for the fist time and even if you are a long term visitor of the Cades Cove, this is a great way to learn even more about Americas favorite cove.

Why fight traffic when you can sit back and be chauffeured around! The Shuttle bus is handicap accessible.

Programs at the Valley View Lodge
1:00pm - 4:00pm: "Precious Memories-Cades Cove Homecoming II", with music from 1-2pm by Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club followed by an informal and moderated session of remembrances by Cades Cove families.

This is also a great way for those of us who love Cades Cove to have an even deeper connection. The music alone is fantastic!

This years Winter Heritage Festival in Townsend was better than ever and jam packed with events - so many in fact I that often there were 3 programs I wanted to see all running at the same time.

Last minute cabin rentals to enjoy the festival get 10% off at American Mountain Rentals.

Winter Heritage Festival celebration of Cades Cove, Tremont and Townsend in full swing

Townsend Tennessee is the place to be this weekend of for historical, musical and education fun along with guided tours of Cades Cove, Elkmont and Tremont in the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Experience the people of the Great Smoky Mountains national park, their music and all about their lives and have a great time doing it!

Listed below is the schedule for Saturday February 7th.

Programs at Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center

• 9:00 am -ll:00 am: "Growing Up in Cades Cove , With the Park" presented by Ruth Caughron Davis and Judy Myers Johns
• 1l:00 am -1l:30 am: "Growing Up" presented by questions and answers
• 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: "Dulcimer Music" presented by Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: "Hiking the AT" presented by Debbie Way and Pam Reddoch
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: "North Carolina Smokies, the Other Side" presented by Allen Coggms
• 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm: "Peace of Ground" Video

Programs at Cades Cove (Meet at Primitive Baptist Church)

• 1:30 pm - 3:00pm: "Cemetery Stroll" with GSMNP Ranger Ann Schlichting

Programs at Cades Cove Heritage Tours

• 1:00 pm - 4:00pm: "Trip around the Loop with Special Guest, to be announced" Meet Cades Cove Heritage Tours at depot. Call (865) 448-8838 for reservations.

Programs at Hemlock Hall. Dancing Bear

• 9:00 am - 10:00 am: "Tuckaleechee Cove Archeology" presented by Dr. Boyce Driskell
• 10:00 am - 11:00 am: "Native American Flute Music" presented by Randy McGinnis
• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: "Early History of Great Smoky Mountains National Park" presented by Steve Cotham

Programs at Little River Railroad Museum (All programs begin at the Museum)

• 10:00 am - l:00 pm: "Elkmont Tour" presented by Raymond Palmer
• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: "Tremont Walking Tour" presented by Ron Briggs
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: "Townsend Walking Tour" presented by Don Headrick
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: "Whistle Over the Mountains" presented by Jim Thurston

Programs at Look Rock

• 4:00 pm - 5:30pm: "Photography from the Foothills Parkway" presented by Ann Froschauer. Meet at Look Rock Parking Area. (Inclement weather which is doubtful, meet at the gate at the Walland end of the Parkway)

Programs at Talley Ho Inn

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am: "Winter Stretch and Warm-up", Yoga/Pilates Class for all levels with Maria Talley.
• 10:00 am - ll:00 am: "Traditional Mountain Remedies" presented by Ila Hatter
• 1l:00 am - 12:00 pm: "Early Bird Gets the Worm" presented by Kim Hainge
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: "Hills, Hollers, and Harmonies, Music of the Smoky Mountains" presented by GSMNP Ranger Lisa Free
• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: "Founding of a National Park" presented by Tom Harrington.
• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm: "This Land of Change" presented by Mike Meldrum
  
• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm: "Mountain Tunes and Tales" performed by, The Woodpickers

Programs at Wesley Woods

• l:00 pm - 2:00 pm: "History Hike in Capshaw Valley" with Bill Hayes. Meet at Tipton Lodge