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Spring is a wonderful time to come to
the mountains. The rhododendrons, azaleas, dogwoods, and
other flowering trees and wildflowers are a beautiful
sight to behold. A leisurely afternoon drive with a picnic
lunch is time well spent. The sights of a fresh, new
season refresh the soul.
Our springs are usually warm during
the day, and the nights are just cool enough for a fire in
the fireplace to end an enjoyable day of blissful beauty.
Of course, we furnish our guests with all the free
firewood they want. |
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Summer is a season filled with
activities enjoyed by young and old alike. We have
whitewater rafting and mountain biking for the adventurous
or tubing down Deep Creek for those who prefer a tamer
water sport. Horseback riding is a sport that is enjoyable
in any season.
There are many community activities
such as craft shows, parades, festivals, and fairs during
the summer months. Ruby mining can be enjoyed during the
summer months as well. Children will also be able to enjoy
the new go-cart track in Cherokee. With lots of outdoor
space around the cabins, children have a good time playing
outside. They enjoy catching fireflies at night and
butterflies during the day. Our guests also like to sit on
the front porch during the summer months and listen to the
sound of a nearby stream at the end of the day. |
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Fall is a gorgeous time to visit the
mountains. Color abounds everywhere. The mountains look as
if an artist has painted the leaves with the most vivid
red, orange, and golden colors available. With the green
pines here and there among the colors, it is a sight to
behold. Some guests have joked of spending the afternoon
sitting on the front porch and watching the leaves change
color.
During the fall there are chili
cookoffs, hay rides, county fairs, and apple festivals in
the area. The corn maze at Darnell Farms has become a very
popular attraction for young and old. Our days are warm
and the nights are cool during the fall. In the early
fall, our guests like the sit on the porch with a hot cup
of coffee or cocoa and listen to the stream and crickets.
Afternoons in late fall call for the enjoyment of the
fireplace. |
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Winter is a special time here in the
mountains. If our guests are lucky, they may wake up to a
scene right off the cover of a Christmas card. Our snows
aren't usually deep enough to keep us from being able to
traverse the roads but are just deep enough for the
children and adults to go snow sledding. The land around
the cabins has just enough incline to allow for good
sledding.
There is nothing like the pleasure of
watching snow lazily fall while sitting around the glowing
embers in the fireplace and drinking hot coffee or cocoa
to bring peace to the soul. Guests also like to hike the
trails during the winter, and because the leaves are off
the trees, they can see for long distances. Skiing is
available at Cataloochee, which is only 30 miles from our
cabins. Cataloochee has recently added "snow tubing"
to their list of activities. People who cannot ski like to
tube down the hills, then let the lift pull them back up
to the top so they can slide down again. This is a lot of
fun for the youngsters as well. |
Any season you should decide to come to the
Smoky Mountains, you will find beauty. Some like to come just
to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, while
others like to come to hike the trails, fish, ride bikes, and
enjoy the great outdoors. Some just like to see the wildlife,
such as elk and deer, up close; these can be seen all year.
The Inspirations Singing on the Mountain is a treat for those
who like gospel music. Those events are held the week of the
Fourth of July, on Labor Day weekend, and in October almost
every year. The mountains offer peace and tranquility as well
as excitement -- it just depends on what you are seeking. For
a vacation of a lifetime, come to the mountains and discover
your own inner being at Smoky Mountain Retreat.
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