Blue Waters Mountain Lodge

Perhaps more than other wildlife, the trout’s tenuous survival the Smoky Mountains can be traced back to the effects of man’s activities on the environment. Since trout only live in pure, cold water, they are highly sensitive to excessive silt loads, increased water...

When a mountain man says something is “not worth shucks” he means it is poor or worthless.  And when it comes to choosing a terse exclamation to express his disgust, regret or impatience he more than likely will settle for “Aw, shucks!”  All of which is an outrage and...

Old Christmas will start this week.  There will be no minstrels singing, no bells will be ringing.  In another age, back when a changing world walked ever so slowly in the hidden hills – many a mountain family celebrated January 6th as the day of Jesus’ birth. These...

To many an old timer who grew up here in the mountains, oranges were as much a part of Christmas tradition as holly and mistletoe, eggnog and boiled custard.  Whenever they whiff the pungent smell of an orange being peeled, no matter the season, they think of...

For folks who cling lovingly to the traditions, this is the season of the punch bowl, the steaming cup and the syllabub churn.  Like snow, mistletoe and holly, the festive bowl and the hot grogs and chilled nogs are inseparable from the tradition of Christmas. Though...

There is a pot of gold and cask of brandy hidden somewhere in the laurel crowned hills hereabouts.  For over a hundred and fifty years folks have been trying to unearth this golden cache, but it has proved to be just as elusive as the proverbial treasure and the end...

The pumpkin, truly a symbol of autumn is deep-rooted in American life.  In the early days, it was used stewed in soups, in stews, in pie and pudding.  The flesh was dried for winter and early spring.  The seeds were used as a delicacy. The early settlers here in the...

There is nothing like a smell to stir old memories.  Smells are surer than sounds or sights to make the heart strings twang.  They have that achingly familiar power to evoke the past.  And a good strong whiff can stab you in the heart with pain, longing and...