Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run

Pigeon Forge rod run will get your motor running!
Pigeon Forge rod run will get your motor running!

Pigeon Forge Spring Rod Run will get your motor running! The area’s largest automotive event will feature top 25 awards, ultimate 5 awards, a huge cash giveaway and a swap meet with hundreds of cars! Fans will enjoy free parking at LeConte Center.

Set up days will be April 5th and 6th. Show hours will occur between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the 6th and 7th and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9th. The award ceremony will be in the Greenbrier Room at LeConte Center Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Don’t forget to preregister for the $8,000.00 cash giveaway Friday at 5:00 p.m.

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Cades Cove Buffalo Herd Stampede

Smoky Mountain buffalo herd stampedes through Cades Cove.

Cades Cove Buffalo Herd Stampedes through the valley. Millions of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were treated to a very special surprise. The largest herd of buffalo in the south eastern United States, over 2,000 strong, were recently released from a nearby holding facility. The herd wasted no time reclaiming their historical range in the Smoky Mountains.

“We are thrilled the buffalo have returned to the safety of the National Park,” said park official G. Howie Lyes. “No living person has had the privilege of viewing the buffalo in the their historical natural habitat until now!”

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Smoky Mountain Southern Mac And Cheese Recipe

Smoky Mountain Southern Mac and cheese is the perfect dish for your comfort food cravings!

Smoky Mountain Southern Mac and cheese is the perfect dish for your comfort food cravings!

Smoky Mountain Southern Mac And Cheese Recipe is the perfect side dish for any meal and sometimes it is a great meal all by itself. All you need is a pot and a stove to make this treat. This recipe is perfect for the holidays or any time you are in the mood for some Southern comfort food.

Each time we make this recipe we are reminded of the first time we cooked it up. It was a cold, January day in the Smoky Mountains. Snow blanketed the hills and a wet chill had seeped into our bones during a long hike. Icicles hung low from the roof when we returned home and a fierce wind shook the house. We were in the mood for something that not only tasted great but would also lift our spirits. While raiding the pantry we discovered all the ingredients needed to make this simple, savory dish. We rolled up our sleeves, grabbed a cheese grater and the rest is history. The first taste brought a smile to our face and a warm, full feeling to our bellies. Needless to say there were no leftovers!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups of pasta (elbows or shells)

12 ounce can of evaporated milk

1 1/2 cups of whole (sweet) milk

2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of shredded cheese (we love a combination of extra sharp cheddar and aged Swiss)

Directions:

Combine the pasta, evaporated milk, milk, and salt together in a large pot. Bring ingredients to a boil until the milk is almost completely absorbed by the pasta. It should take about twelve minutes to absorb the milk. After the bulk of the liquid has been absorbed add the butter and shredded cheese. Stir until the butter and cheese have completely melted. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. We also like a dash of cayenne pepper to take it to a  another level!

Bonus HeySmokies culinary tip: Adding a dash of fresh ground nutmeg will have your friends begging you for the secret ingredient.

We can’t take all the credit for this scrumptious dish but we always will take another heaping helping. Big thanks to Ms. Haymaker and busy bee who always bring love to the kitchen!

 

The Cades Cove Experience in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The 6,800-acre valley comprising Cades Cove, one of the most visited areas of the park, provides a glimpse of a bygone mountain lifestyle. Travel in your car or truck (no RVs or commercial vehicles) on a one-way, 11-mile paved loop road. Sightings of deer, turkeys, black bears, coyotes, ground hogs, raccoons, butterflies, and other animals are exciting and common.

Great Smoky Mountains Sunrise in Cades Cove

A Great Smoky Mountains Sunrise in Cades Cove.

Those seeking an out-of-the-vehicle experience may enjoy cycling the loop or hiking the many trails found in Cades Cove. One of the most popular hikes is to the picturesque Abrams Falls. Midway of the loop, the Cades Cove Visitor Center, home to the John Cable Grist Mill, the Gregg-Cable House, a Cantilever Barn and other farm buildings, is the perfect place to pause. Grassy meadows and banks of the babbling stream provide great picnic venues. Graveyards, located beside several historic churches in the cove, bear mute testament to early residents.

 Cades Cove Need to Know

  • The path into the cove is open from sunrise to sunset year-round.
  • It can sometimes take more than four hours to complete the 11 mile one-way loop during the busy summer and fall seasons, and on most weekends. Sparks Lane and Hyatt Lane offer shortcuts out of the cove.
  • The road is closed to motor vehicles each Wednesday each May to late September.
  • The loop is closed to cars until noon each Saturday in December to allow bicyclists and hikers a quiet journey. Bike rentals available at the Campground Store. Enjoy an ice cream cone from the Campground Store too!
  • Cades Cove Riding Stable offers guided trail rides on horseback, hayrides, and carriage rides from early March through late November. For more information and prices, visit CadesCoveStables.com or call 865-448-9009.
  • A self-guiding booklet is available for a small fee at the Orientation Shelter at the beginning of the loop.
  • Cades Cove Picnic Area has charcoal grills for cooking or consider packing a basket for a picnic in the cove. Don’t forget a blanket and chairs.
  • Please pack out all your trash!
  • Bring binoculars for optimal wildlife viewing.

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