Outdoor Life - Spring 2012

outdoor life

Explore The Wonders Of Bristol Caverns

Go Underground

Knoxville Zoo Expansion

Fun Festivals | Cool Pools | Happy Hummers | Critters Galore

Great Grilling Big Fishing Happy Camping Jumping The Rapids

Rocky Mount, Sycamore Shoals

History Alive

New At The Zoo

Carter County Tourism

Local Attractions

Wetlands Water Park

Beat The Heat

YOUR GUIDE TO REGIONAL ADVENTURES

spring-summer 2012

This is where you will find success.

How will you protect your future? Where can you go to build a better life?

These were the questions early settlers faced as they set out to settle this region. They found that surviving and thriving in an unfamiliar landscape required hard work, unflagging determination, and the willingness to forge strong friendships to meet each obstacle.

Today’s work world is no less challenging. Fifty-four percent of all jobs in Tennessee (1.8 million) will require some postsecondary training beyond high school in 2018.* Higher education has always served as the place where young and old develop workplace-ready skills while forging lifelong friendships necessary to build a better life and protect their futures.

Northeast State at Elizabethton has served the citizens of Carter, Johnson, and Unicoi counties since 1996. Isn’t it time you upgraded your skills for the new economy?

We know you want to have a better life. Let Northeast State help. After all, “we’re here to get you there”.

*from “The Complete College TN Act One Year Later: Moving Forward”. Available from tn.gov/thec/complete_college_tn/ccta_files/moving_forward/Full Materials.PDF

Northeast State at Elizabethton 386 Highway 91N Elizabethton, TN 37643

423.547.8450 ckyoung@NortheastState.edu www.NortheastState.edu

outdoor life spring-summer 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO REGIONAL ADVENTURES

20

Wetlands

Bristol Caverns

17 About OL Welcome to the 2012 Spring/Summer issue of Outdoor Life — your guide to regional adventures in Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina, Southwest Virginia and destinations throughout the Southeast.

In this issue, we offer informative articles on many different outdoor activities such as Fourth of July celebrations, summer grilling and gardening.

Full-color photographs accompany the articles, and the magazine also offers an extensive listing of regional outdoor events.

In addition, Outdoor Life contains articles on activities such as the care and feeding of hummingbirds as well as kayaking, swimming, fishing and spelunking.

This issue includes information on such popular destinations as Rocky Mount Living History Museum, Tipton-Haynes Historic Site and Roan Mountain State Park.

The front cover photo by Danny Davis shows local historic reenactor Chad Bogart in full costume during an event at the Carter Mansion in Elizabethton. Be sure to look next year for the annual spring-summer issue of Outdoor Life.

For information on advertising, call (423) 542-1539.

For information on editorial content, call (423) 297-9077.

Visit our website at www.outdoor-life.net for more details.

•••••• Editor: Bryan K. Stevens.

Writers: Ashley Rader, Robert Sorrell. Jason Mullins and Bryan Stevens.

Photography: Brandon Hicks and Danny Davis.

Copy Editing: Janie McKinney.

Front cover and inside design: Melissa Hale.

Advertising: Shirley Nave, Marcella Peek, Tony Bell, Brandy Trivett and Bill Parsons.

Advertising Design: Phyllis Davis and Lora Dunnigan.

Publisher: Nathan Goodwin.

Terrific Trout

16

Homegrown Harvest

24 Don’t forget to check out the Fall-Winter 2012 issue of Outdoor Life.

outdoor life | page 3

Saga of Sycamore Shoals Cast members proud to participate in annual outdoor drama ‘Liberty!’

By Bryan Stevens OL Editor bstevens@outdoor-life.net

Diane Gardner and Allen Sellars enjoy being part of a big family that comes together for a reunion every July under the stars in the amphitheatre at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton.

Gardner and Sellars have both been involved for several years with the annual production of “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals.”

In 2011, they even portrayed historic couple William and Lydia Bean.

Charged with the responsibility of bringing two historic figures to life, Gardner and Sellars did their homework, researching the lives of the Beans to ensure historical accuracy for their roles.

“They were one of the first couples to settle in the area,” Gardner said.

Some of the other details they discovered about the couple included their ownership of a store in Bean Station and the fact that they became the parents of 10 children.

Gardner noted that the role of Lydia brought some automatic drama.

“My character was kidnapped by disgruntled Indians,” Gardner said.

She explained that Nancy Ward, a Cherokee leader, saved Lydia Bean from being burned at the stake by her captors.

“Once you are assigned a character, you do your research,” Sellars said. “So, we kind of did our own homework.”

Sellars started participating in “Liberty!” in 2009, and Gardner took on her first role in the long-running outdoor drama in 2010.

In his very first role with the drama, Sellars won the lead role as John Carter, an important leader in the early history of Elizabethton and Carter County.

To date, Gardner’s biggest role has been portraying Lydia Bean. Her first year with the drama saw her in the role of Jacob Brown’s wife.

She has also put her talents to work in other areas involved with the successful staging of the drama.

“I have the gift of gab,” she said. “So, I have greeted people as they arrive at the museum. It’s so nice to meet people who come from so many places and who appreciate the history and beauty of Carter County.”

Gardner worked for many years in the country music industry in Nashville, where she founded Huckleberry Publishing Com-

pany.

“When I first started, I met all the country stars,” she said. “I still have a lot of pictures of all these stars.”

She got her first job in the entertainment industry writing articles for the Elizabethton STAR in the 1970s that featured her interviews with entertainers performing at the Appalachian Fair in Gray.

“My first article was with the Oak Ridge Boys,” Gardner recalled.

She enjoyed her work in the entertainment industry, but upon retirement decided to move back to Carter County.

Sellars also recently relocated to Carter County, partly because of the long-distance commute from his home in North Carolina each season for “Liberty!” practices and performances.

“It was a 200-mile round trip, or 3,000

miles in a season,” Sellars said.

Coming back to Northeast Tennessee was also a homecoming of sorts for the Washington County native.

He studied drama and speech at Johnson Bible College, now known as Johnson University, in Knoxville.

Sellars said he has been enamored for many years of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and its attention to the importance of history.

He would also like to grow more into the role of John Carter. “I’d like to continue to explore the facets of John Carter,” he said.

Sellars is also looking forward to some changes with this year’s production.

“We’re getting a new script,” he said, adding that the some additional historic figures will be added to the drama.

SSSHP Manager Jennifer Bauer and two

outdoor life | page 4

park employees, Chad Bogart and Jason Davis, worked together on the re-write.

“We’re also getting a new musical score,” Sellars said.

Both Gardner and Sellars are excited about the expansion of music in the production.

They are both singers, although injuries in a car accident now prevent Gardner from singing like she once did.

“I’ve done a ton of church singing, as well as some lounge singing,” Sellers said.

“Allen’s an accomplished singer,” Gardner said of her fellow performer.

During the 2011 “Liberty!” season Sellars got to perform a group song with fellow cast members during the play.

Gardner will also have some additional duties this year, including taking care of the drama’s many costumes. Part of her job involves making sure the costumes are historically accurate.

From April until the last performance in July will be a busy time for those involved with “Liberty!”

“It’s almost like having a family reunion,” Gardner said. “Friends get together like a homecoming. It gives me such pleasure to see many people come back every year.”

She added that not only is the production a lot of fun, it also a worthwhile community project for all the people involved.

Sellars agreed. “There’s the big family camaraderie aspect,” he said. “The stage life is fun. I like being part of something larger than myself while passing on the story of local history.”

They both agree that the history of the region’s role in the Revolutionary War is one that deserves a wider audience.

“We hear so much about the role other parts of the country played in winning our freedoms,” Gardner said. “But the role played by the Southern part of the country, such as Tennessee, is not as widely known.”

Some of the events that took place in Northeast Tennessee and the southeastern United States proved pivotal in the struggle for independence.

“Defeating Ferguson at King’s Mountain was a turning point,” Sellars noted.

He added that, as far as the British were concerned, the battle at King’s Mountain in South Carolina was a “back-breaker.”

The involvement of the Overmountain Men, who assembled at Fort Watauga at Sycan See LIBERTY, 6

Independence Day 2012 Region plans Fourth of July celebrations

BY JASON MULLINS OL STAFF jmullins@outdoor-life.net

For those looking for a way to celebrate America’s 236th birthday this summer, there are a wide range of events taking place across Carter County and the rest of the Tri-Cities region. With this year’s Fourth of July falling on a Wednesday, some events along Watauga Lake are being planned for the weekend before the official holiday.

One of the most popular ways to celebrate American Independence in Carter County has been the annual fireworks shows on Watauga Lake.

Two of the five boat docks on Watauga Lake have already set the date for their fireworks displays. On Saturday, June 30, Cove Ridge Marina in Butler is sponsoring their fireworks celebration. Officials with the marina say they will begin the display shortly after 9 p.m. Concessions will also be available prior to the start of the show.

Earlier in the day, Cove Ridge will also take part in the Watauga Lake Clean-Up event. Area residents who are interested in helping with the clean-up effort are encouraged to come to the Little Milligan Boat Landing at 9 a.m. The event will also provide participants with the opportunity to win prizes for collecting trash. A picnic with live bluegrass music will take place later in the afternoon at 3 p.m. For further information on the clean-up or the picnic, please call Mary Salters at (423) 768-0363.

Photo Contributed

Visitors to Roan Mountain State Park take part in a watermelon eating contest during last year’s Independence Day celebration. For additional information, call Roan Mountain State Park at (423) 772-0190.

n See FOURTH, 30

outdoor life | page 5

Liberty n Continued from 4

more Shoals to march to King’s Mountain, helped turn the tide against the British.

Those contributions are part of the motivation for Sellars and Gardner to maintain their involvement with the long-running outdoor drama.

“People with ancestors in this area can be proud,” Gardner said.

She looks at “Liberty!” as a valuable history lesson for preserving the stories of the people who banded together to fight for freedom.

Of course, it’s also crucial that they can tell the story in as engrossing a manner as possible.

Thanks to some talented individuals, the production also boasts top-notch pyrotechnics and the Fort Watauga battle scenes choreographed by Austin Crum and Chad Bogart.

“The pyrotechnics are always awesome,” Sellars noted. “Audiences always ‘ooh and ahh’ for the special effects.”

At some point in the future, Sellars said he would like to try his hand at directing “Liberty!”

Gardner said she is happy with any role in the drama. “I just like getting to play a part,” she said.

In this year’s “Liberty!” production, Gardner will take on the role of Esther Doak,

the wife of Rev. Samuel Doak. Rev. Doak is known for his sermon and prayer delivered at Sycamore Shoals on Sept. 26, 1780, prior to the mustering of forces that marched to South Carolina to confront the British at the Battle of King’s Mountain.

Sellars will portray Chester McKenzie, a fictional character, but one for which Sellars has spun an entire history.

“Chester’s a hard-working man, dedicated husband and a good father,” Sellars said.

In the history Sellars has created for the character, he also has a wife, children and grandchildren. Chester has also seen much fighting by the time he marched off at age 70 to fight along with other Overmountain Men at the Battle of King’s Mountain.

His story also ends at that pivotal battle. “At King’s Mountain, Chester gave his life while pushing another soldier out of the way of a British shot that would have killed the other soldier,” Sellars noted. “That’s the kind of man Chester was — a brave warrior, skilled fighter and, most of all, a patriot of the first order.”

To learn more about the story of Chester and other characters, attend an upcoming performance of “Liberty! The Saga of Syca-

more Shoals” in July.

••••• The 34th performance season of “Liberty! The Saga of Sycamore Shoals” will open Thursday, July 12, and run for three weekends in the amphitheater at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton.

Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $9 for students; and children five and under are admitted free. For more information, call (423) 543-5808 or visit www.liberty-drama.com.

The yearly production is sponsored by the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area. The production will offer combination “dinner and show” tickets for one price each Saturday during the run of “Liberty!”

These combination tickets are $22. Tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $15. These tickets will provide a meal, pre-show entertainment and admission to the drama.

Reservations are necessary for the “dinner and a show” tickets. To make reservations, call (423) 543-5808.

Performances are held each evening, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, beginning at 7:30 against the backdrop of the re-creation of Fort Watauga.

outdoor life | page 6

Greeneville ready for Music Fest

The second annual Greeneville Summer Music Fest will be held Saturday, June 23.

Darrell Bryan, Executive Director of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center, and Brooke Williams, Band Director for Greeneville High School, encourage music enthusiasts to mark the date on their calendars. Activities are planned throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m., culminating in a bluegrass concert at 6 p.m. featuring Brand New Strings from Townsend and the James King Band. King is the SPBGMA Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year.

“We are excited to be teaming up with NPAC on this day to raise funds for our band camps and instruments,” Williams said. “We want people to come enjoy music, play games, buy crafts, eat and help a worthwhile cause.”

The event will feature craft booths outside on the grounds of NPAC and n See MUSIC FEST, 7

The Copperhead Agkistrodon contortrix • Tennessee’s venomous snakes all belong to a family of snakes called pit vipers, which have a specialized, heat-sensing pit on the front of the head. There are four species of pit vipers in Tennessee: Copperhead, Western Cottonmouth, Timber Rattlesnake and the Western Pigmy Rattlesnake.

• According to the website for the Tennessee Herpetological Society, Tennessee is home to two sub-species of copperheads, the northern and southern. The northern is the most common species inhabiting most of the state. The southern is found primarily in the southwestern corner of the state.

• The Copperhead is named for the copper-like coloring of the head. The background color of the back and sides is tan to pinkish. Darker, chestnut colored bands

across the back and sides form a unique pattern.

Each band varies in width and is often described as hour-glass shaped.

• The website for Tennessee Herpetological Society identifies old abandoned debris piles, rocky wooded slopes and abandoned pastures and fields with plenty of cover as preferred habitat for Copperheads.

• Adult Copperheads usually grow to a total length ranging from 20 to 37 inches.

A few specimens may exceed 3.3 feet in length with males typically larger than females. The maximum length recorded for this species is a 1931 record for a specimen that reached 53 inches.

• How venomous are Copperheads?

Experts identify this snake as the least venomous snake in Tennessee. Although most reports of snakebites by venomous snakes in Tennessee are attributed to Copperheads, deaths are extremely rare. Although seldom fatal, a Copperhead bite is painful and may still produce serious health consequences.

• Unless molested, Copperheads prefer not to bite. An agitated Copperhead will vibrate its tail in a manner similar to rattle-

snakes. They prefer to avoid humans and, given the opportunity, will avoid contact with people. However, the Copperhead also tends to “freeze” in place when threatened, which can lead to bites when humans do not see the well-camouflaged snake and step on or near the hidden serpent.

• The website for South Carolina Wildlife identifies the Copperhead as the most common venomous snake found in the eastern United States. It is also known by the name “Highland Moccasin,” probably because of its relationship to the Water Moccasin.

• The state of Tennessee is home to about 32 species of snakes. Only four of those species are venomous. All snakes are protected by law and are impor-

In the grassy area in front of the school there will be several different activities for children to be enjoyed at a nominal cost.

On the “front porch” of the high school beginning at 11:30 a.m. will be free bluegrass music until early in the evening.

Featured will be some of the area’s favorite bluegrass groups: Strong Ties, Lonesome Pine, and Walking in Tradition. Folks are

encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and enjoy the day.

“We are so excited about this event — being able to raise funds for our band, but also to be a part of a community event,” said event chairman Kay Grissom. “We’re excited that the 22nd annual Saturday Nite-Out Downtown Cruise–In will be going on that day. We hope lots of people from outside

tant parts of their ecosystems. It is illegal to harm, kill, remove from the wild or possess native snakes taken from the wild without a permit. Like other snakes, the Copperhead is an important factor in the control of potentially destructive rodents.

• Female Copperheads do not lay eggs.

They give birth to live young, typically 4 to 7 at a time, but births can produce as few as a single young snake or as many as 20.

• In addition to Tennessee, the Copperhead can be found in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The Copperhead also ranges into Mexico.

• This snake has inspired the name of the southern rock band Copperhead.

Many athletic teams are also named for the Copperhead.

Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Copperhead is the most common venomous snake found in the eastern United States.

Music Fest n Continued from 6

Greeneville High School featuring all types of crafts, ranging from items made out of wood to paintings and needlepoint to decorated T-shirts.

In addition, the event will offer a limited number of food booths featuring local restaurants or groups. For instance, there will be a barbecue lunch and dinner served from Top Choice BBQ.

Stressless® personalized comfort FREE recliner accessory with purchase of any Streless® recliner and ottoman. Also, receive $300 OFF Sunrise recliners in select colors.

May 4 - July 8.

One-O-One West Main Street, Jonesborough 1- 423 753-4648 • www.mauks.com Mon.-Thur 10am - 5pm • Fri & Sat. 10am - 5:30 pm

of Greeneville will decide to come for both events.”

For more information, call Grissom at (423) 470-3183.

Tickets are now on sale for the concert in the evening featuring Brand New Strings and the James King Band. Adult tickets are $22.50 and student tickets are $15. Call the NPAC Box Office at (423) 638-1679.

What memories will you make this summer?

• Jet Skis • Boats • Swimming Pools • Vacations • Lawn Mowers • Farm Tractors • Camping/Fishing Equipment • RVs • Landscape Projects • Motorcycles and so much more!

We’ll happily “float” you a loan!

Northeast Community Credit Union 547-1200

outdoor life | page 7

BeMyCu.org Always here when you need us

Happy Camping

Campgrounds abound in national forests, parks

BY Robert Sorrell OL STAFF rsorrell@outdoor-life.net

Campground opportunities abound in the mountain and lake regions of Northeast Tennessee, ranging from secluded Cherokee National Forest sites to state-of-the-art Tennessee state park properties.

Three state parks in Northeast Tennessee offer an array of camping opportunities, as well as cabins. This year also happens to be the 75th anniversary of the state park system.

Several events are being held throughout the year at parks around the state.

“Our parks are more relevant today than ever,” said Brock Hill, Tennessee’s deputy commissioner for parks and conservation.

“We have the second-most-visited state park system in the Southeast outside of Florida. I don’t believe you’ll find a system in the country as diverse as what we have right here.”

Beautiful Roan Mountain State Park has a large 107 site campground and 30 cabins.

The park encompasses 2,006 acres of southern Appalachian forest at the base of 6,285-foot Roan Mountain. Park elevation ranges from 3,000 feet in the valley to around 3,700 feet on surrounding ridges. The park’s rich hardwood forests allow for a great diversity of plant and wildlife, and are home to a wide range of hiking trails with difficulty levels ranging from easy to strenuous. The park also offers cabins, camping, fishing, swimming, a historic farmstead, a meeting facility, and various educational programs throughout the year.

It was recently announced that the Roan Mountain State Park Campground will receive a $1.26 million upgrade, to enhance the site.

“Tennessee State Parks is focusing attention on facility upgrades at park locations that provide the best opportunities for a return

on those investments.” Hill said. “Roan Mountain State Park is one of our parks that continues to attract campers and other outdoor enthusiasts in great numbers. We expect to better serve our current visitors and attract new guests in the coming years through this strategic investment. Both our state park and the Roan Mountain region will benefit.”

Hill said it is unknown when upgrades at the campground at Roan Mountain will be completed. In the meantime, the campground already has plenty to offer guests.

All of the park’s 107 campsites have a grill and picnic table and are located near a bath-

house with hot showers. The campground has 87 recreation vehicle sites with water and electric hookups and 20 tent sites. There are no electricity or water hookups for the tent sites.

Like all state and federal campgrounds, sites at Roan Mountain are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The 30 cabins are located in the woods at the state park. Each cabin has a front porch with rocking chairs, fully outfitted kitchen, full bath with tub/shower, wood burning stove and gas/electric heat. Firewood, bedding and towels are provided by the park.

Reservations may be made up to a year in advance for individuals or families, and two years in advance for groups reserving at least five cabins.

Roan Mountain State Park is located at 1015 Highway 143 in Roan Mountain, Tenn.

Contact the park at (423) 772-0190 or 1-800250-8620.

David Crockett Birthplace State Park at the Greene and Washington County line has 88 campground sites. The beautiful park consists of 105 acres along the scenic Nolichucky River. It is centered around the traditional birthplace of legendary Tennessee frontiersman, soldier and politician David Crockett, who was born here in 1786. In addition to the campground, the park includes a replica of Crockett’s birth cabin, a museum and a large campground.

The campground covers a large portion of the park, facing the banks of the river. Of the park’s 88 campground sites, 40 of these have full hook-ups, including electric, water and sewer. Another 31 of the sites have water and electricity hook-up only. The remaining 17 sites are primitive tent sites with hook-up.

The park also has a swimming pool and a playground.

David Crockett State Park is located at 1245 Davy Crockett Park Road in Limestone, Tenn.

The campground can be reached at (423) 257-4500 and the office can be reached at (423) 257-2167.

Warriors’ Path State Park near Kingsport has a 134-site campground. All sites have tables and grills and 94 are equipped with water and electrical hookups.

The park was named for the site’s proximity to the ancient war and trading path used by n See CAMPING, 22

The HampTon’s Campground

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

Where Liberty Began

725-2634 957-9356

423-543-5808 1651 W. Elk Avenue, Elizabethton, TN 37643

www.sycamoreshoalstn.org www.tnstateparks.com/SycamoreShoals/

• Full RV Hook-ups 5322 Highway 19E • Hampton www.hamptonscampground.com • Tent Sites • Shower House Accommodations for up to 100 people for • Bathrooms • Anniversaries • Birthdays BE A HAPPY CAMPER • Reunions

outdoor life | page 8

Flying Jewels

Attract hummingbirds by following some simple tips on care and feeding

By Bryan Stevens OL Editor bstevens@outdoor-life.net

From early April until the first of October, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds take up residence in the region’s gardens and yards. A favorite of many nature-lovers, these tiny birds provide hours of enjoyable observations for their human hosts.

It’s astounding to think that this tiny bird has more than 320 relatives in the family Trochilidae, derived from the Greek term trochilos, which translates as “small bird.” As marvelous as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is in the eyes of bird enthusiasts, the hummingbird family is an incredibly diverse one with many unusual members. In some parts of Central and South America, it’s possible to see dozens of species of hummingbirds.

Most hummingbirds, almost by definition, are tiny birds.

They range from the size of a bumblebee to the size of some common songbirds.

The Bee Hummingbird or Zunzuncito (Spanish for hummingbird) is endemic to Cuba and Isla de la Juventud. With a A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird sips sugar water from a feeder. A landscape planted with nectar-producing flowers can also attract these tiny birds to your yard.

mass of about 1.8 grams — a penny weighs about two grams — and a length of only two inches, it is the smallest living bird as well. Roughly the size of a bee, this tiny hummingbird may visit 1,500 flowers in a single day just to obtain enough nourishment to fuel its body.

By contrast, the world’s largest hummingbird is the aptly named Giant Hummingbird, which weighs 18 to 20 grams and measures approximately eight and a half inches in length.

When the Giant Hummingbird spreads its wing, they unfurl to a width of eight and a half inches. This hummingbird of the Andes mountains of South America is the size of an Eastern Bluebird.

While you are enjoying the return of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, keep in mind the journey they took to reach that sugar water feeder in your yard.

The Ruby-throated Hummingbird spends the winter months in Central America, which means that twice a year they make an incredible migration. For instance, these tiny birds fly 500 miles non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico during both its spring and fall migrations.

Here are some helpful hints for attracting Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to your yard: • Department stores and gardening centers sell a wide variety of hummingbird feeders in a range of colors and designs. Because hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, many feeders incorporate at least some red components.

• Do not add red dyes to sugar water. Do not purchase commercial sugar water mixes containing red dyes. The red dyes add nothing of nutritional value for hummingbirds, and some experts maintain that the dye is potentially harmful.

Why take the risk? You can easily make your own sugar water at home. Using a formula of 1 part sugar to four parts water, let mixture come to a boil and allow to cool. Your sugar water mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week to 10 days.

MILITARY, POLICE & OUTDOOR SUPPLY

Military Police & Outdoor Supply provides the best equipment possible to local Military Reserve units and local Law Enforcement agencies.

3102C Bristol Highway Johnson City, TN 37601 • 423-631-0138

• A typical hummingbird consumes half its weight in sugar each day, and feeds five to eight times each hour. However, they are territorial. To ensure that each and every hummingbird has access to sugar water, consider placing several feeders at different locations in your yard.

• Be sure to clean your feeders often, especially during hot weather. Use a bottle-brush to scour the inside of the feeder tube. Change the sugar water in your feeders every two or three days in hot, humid weather. Letting the mixture spoil could potentially jeopardize the health of your visiting hummingbirds.

• Do not use honey in your feeders. Honey ferments easily and promotes a fungus that can kill hummingbirds. Do not use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. They are of no nutritional value to a hummingbird.

• Provide a well-planted landscape to attract hummingbirds. These tiny birds depend on nectar, but they also supplement their diet with insects caught in flight or gleaned from leaves and spider webs. Hummingbirds will also feed on tree sap that they can access by holes drilled by Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, a species of woodpecker. Trees and shrubs added to your landscape can provide both shelter and potential foraging sources for insects.

• You can add a wide variety of flowering plants and shrubs to your landscape as nectar sources for hummingbirds.

Some of the best flowers include Canna, Cardinal Flower, Bee Balm, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, Wild Columbine, Crocosmia, Pineapple Sage and Fuchsia. They will also visit non-red flowers, including Great Blue Lobelia, White Beardtongue, Blazing Star, Phlox, Delphinium, Rose of Sharon and Wild Bergamot. Jewelweed, a native species of Impatiens, is extremely popular with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.

• Hummingbirds enjoy flying through a spray of water and bathing on wet leaves. To increase your enjoyment of this tiny bird, a number of commercial misters/sprayers are available.

••••• By ensuring their basic needs — food, shelter and water — you can make your yard and garden much more attractive to visiting hummingbirds.

Hayworth Tire & Auto Center Get Your Vehicle Ready For Those TIre Summer SPeCIALS! AdvenTureS

4100 Bristol Highway JOHNSON CITY

282-4211 Open Monday - Friday 8:00 - 5:30; Saturday 8:00 - 1:00

outdoor life | page 9

Hwy. 19E, Valley Forge ELIZABETHTON

543-8566

2101 W. Stone Drive KINGSPORT

245-1451

90 Days Same As Cash

New At The Zoo

More than 900 animals welcome visitors to one of Knoxville’s popular attractions

BY Robert Sorrell OL STAFF rsorrell@outdoor-life.com

The Knoxville Zoo, the largest zoo in East Tennessee, is adding a variety of animals, a safari-themed splash pad and new habitats this summer.

Tina Rolen, marketing director for the zoo, said the park had planned to open the largest splash pad in the Knoxville area in mid-May. This unique addition is located next to the zoo’s “Grasslands Africa!” habitats. The safari-themed splash pad includes play areas designed for all ages, from toddlers to teens, and also features a play area where the whole family can get in on the fun.

Vertical components are also a key part of the splash pad’s design, with life-sized giraffes that spout water when kids work together to direct the flow, water hoops and loops, team sprays that use cooperative play to send water several stories in the air and colorful giant flowers.

The splash pad is an excellent way to cool off during the hot days of summer.

Rolen said the best time to visit the zoo depends on what guests enjoy most. During the cooler hours, the animals are most active. However, the hottest part of the day is the perfect time to visit the Safari Splash to cool off. There are also cool misters throughout the zoo to keep guests comfortable and refreshed.

“And even on rainy days, zoo-goers can enjoy our indoor play area designed for pre-schoolers through elementary-ages,” Rolen said.

The Wee Play Zoo gives little visitors the

chance to run their own make-believe zoo, the marketing director said.

For those who visit the zoo often, in addition to the new splash pad, there are new animals coming to the zoo. The zoo will be welcoming two Malayan tigers to the zoo

in late May. The park will also be unveiling new lion and baboon habitats in June.

“We have also welcomed back our very popular Animal Encounters Village, where zoo visitors can get up close to some of the zoo’s animal ambassadors,” Rolen said.

n See ZOO, 13

Photo Contributed

Ravi, a beautiful female white tiger, resides at the Knoxville Zoo.

Photo Contributed

The red pandas at the Knoxville Zoo are especially popular. There are more than 900 animals residing at East Tennessee’s largest zoological park.

Photo Contributed

A giraffe at the Knoxville Zoo nibbles on plants on a sunny day. outdoor life | page 10

Shirley’s

HOME COOKING

Located across from beautiful Watauga Lake, serving home-made family-style meals.

Also visit our Country Store!

We are open Friday and Saturday 4 - 8 pm Sunday 12 - 4 pm • Breakfast Sat. & Sun. 8 - 11 am

• CARRY OUT AVAILABLE • 3266 Hwy. 321, Hampton, TN 37658 • 423-768-2092

NOW

OPEN!!

Little Pond Mountain Campground • Full Hook-ups • Nightly Rates • Excellent Location

Call for more information 423-957-1320 outdoor life | page 11

Located Next Door To Shirley’s Restaurant

outdoor life | page 12

Zoo

Peppercorn Crusted Strip Steaks taste great just off the grill.

n Continued from 10

Grilled To Perfection

Recipes offer tasty ways to grill steaks

(Family Features) — Tender, juicy, flame-kissed and seasoned just right — there may not be anything more satisfying than a perfectly grilled steak.

These recipes and grilling tips from the steak experts at Omaha Steaks will help you put the perfect steak on your plate any time you want.

Get more grilling recipes at www.omahasteaks.com. .

Peppercorn Crusted Strip Steaks Serves 4 4 Omaha Steaks Strip Loin Steaks 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 teaspoons coarsely ground black peppercorns 1 teaspoon coarsely ground sea salt 4 teaspoons garlic cloves, minced Preheat grill on high.

In small bowl, combine black peppercorns, salt and garlic.

Blot steaks dry with a clean paper towel.

Brush both sides of steaks with olive oil.

Evenly apply rub on to one side of each steak.

Grill steaks to desired doneness. Use Steak Time app or grilling chart to determine correct cooking times.

Serve steaks with rub side up.

Buffalo Sirloin Tips Serves 4 to 6

1 pound Omaha Steaks Sirloin Tips 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon chile powder 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 4 to 6 bamboo or stainless steel skewers 1 recipe Buffalo Sauce Leaves of green leaf lettuce Optional celery sticks, ranch or blue cheese dressing Preheat grill on high.

Prepare Buffalo Sauce.

Blot sirloin tips dry with a clean paper towel.

In small mixing bowl, combine sirloin tips, salt, chile powder and pepper.

Thread seasoned sirloin tips onto skewers, keeping the thickness even and allowing space between each piece.

Place skewers on grill and cook to desired doneness. Use Steak Time app or grilling chart to determine correct cooking times.

Remove skewers from grill and use tongs to slide cooked sirloin tips into a large bowl.

Toss cooked tips with Buffalo Sauce until well coated.

Use a toothpick to remove tips from bowl onto a plate lined with lettuce leaves.

Pour extra sauce into a dipping cup and serve with tips. If desired, serve with celery or dressings. n See GRILLING, 15

The Animal Encounters Village is open every day except Tuesdays through the summer. The Animals in Action show also takes place every day except Mondays at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.

“We have quite a few special events planned for the summer and fall months,” Rolen said.

On June 2, the zoo will be hosting the 25th annual Zoofari, which is an afterhours gala and a very important fundraising event for the zoo. On June 30, from 5 until 8:30 p.m., the zoo will be hosting a special kid-friendly evening called Zoo To Do, which features food, entertainment, games and animals.

The Salute to Service weekend will be held July 4-7, and all veterans will receive free admission to Knoxville Zoo on those dates. On Aug. 18, from 7 until 11 p.m., the zoo will be hosting a very popular event for grown-ups, “Feast with the Beasts.” Guests can sample food and beverages from dozens of restaurants, breweries, wineries and distilleries, and enjoy live music on three stages. On Aug. 25, during regular zoo hours, the zoo will host a special Touch-

A-Truck event, and invite visitors to get up close to some very big trucks.

The 53-acre Knoxville Zoo features more than 900 animals from around the world.

The black bears, red pandas, white rhinos, chimpanzees and the Komodo dragon are especially popular. The zoo also features camel rides, carousel rides and chats with zookeepers.

The price for entry depends on age. The cost is $19.95 for adults, $15.95 for children ages two to 12, free for children under two years old and seniors ages 65 plus is only $15.95. There is also a cost of $5 to park.

The zoo is open from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. The zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Admission and ticket sales stop one hour before the zoo closes.

Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m.

Seasonal hours are extended May through September.

To reach the Knoxville Zoo from the Tri-Cities region, take I-81 south toward Knoxville. Then take I-40 west and exit 392A and merge onto the Rutledge Pike/ TN-1/US-11W in Knoxville. Turn right on Knoxville Zoo Drive and follow the signs to the Knoxville Zoo.

Turn Key Operation One Piece Fiberglass Pools Tennessee Licensed * 40 Years Experience * Work Guaranteed * Swimming Pool Installation * Vinyl Replacement Liners * Repairs * Chemicals

WALKER’S HOME RENOVATING/POOLS Walker Roberson, Contractor

Complete line of pool supplies

outdoor life | page 13

104 Messimer Lane Elizabehton, TN 423-547-0305 423-612-4010

Bonanza Of Blooms

Rhododendron Festival returns June 16-17

By Ashley Rader OL Staff acarden@outdoor-life.net

memorialize and help perpetuate the natural flower gardens that grow on Roan Mountain.

The Miss Rhododendron Pageant was held every year from 1948 until the mid-1970s.

Visitors are invited to come to Roan Mountain the third weekend in June to take That event was originally held in the Rhododendron Gardens on top of the mountain, part in the annual Rhododendron Festival but was later moved to the state park. that will be held at Roan Mountain State The festival started as a combined effort Park. This is the 65th year for the festival that features creative artwork, tasty food and between citizens of Roan Mountain and a neighboring community in North Carolina quality entertainment. but over the years the festival became a Roan The festival will be held on June 16-17 Mountain project and the North Carolina from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in the area citizens started to host their own festival. between the amphitheater and the swimThe Rhododendron Festival will have ming pool in the state park. When the festiover 100 arts and crafts and food vendors val got its start back in 1947, it was held at the top of Roan Mountain to take advantage that will be offering their items for the visiof the blooming rhododendron gardens that tor’s consideration.

“The festival has a large variety of fine are present there. arts and crafts,” Shoemaker said. “We have The Roan Mountain Citizens Club has people who have won awards for their paintbeen hosting the Rhododendron Festival ings, photographs and other creations. It since it first began. The Citizens Club was is a wonderful variety. There is lots of food, first started in 1946 by a group of Roan Mountain businessmen who were concerned ranging from meal items to snacks like about the local economy. The following year, Sno-Cones.”

There will also be live plants for sale the first Rhododendron Festival was held to

and the Citizens Club will have their own tent where they will have a new printing of the original cookbook from 1980 for sale.

Shoemaker said they would also have car tags and T-shirts and would be selling cold water and soft drinks.

Entertainment will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and will be a variety of bluegrass, Celtic and Appalachian style performers. Entertainment on Sunday will be from 1-5 p.m. and will have a variety of gospel performers. Past entertainers have included Jim and Cheri Miller, Bloodroot, Big Cedar Ramblers, Mountain Rhythm, Sound Traveler, Roan Mountain Moonshiners, Majestic Heights, Royal Vision, Greater Glory and Blue Edition.

Over the past few years, the festival has had an average attendance of over 20,000 people from all over the Southeast United States. They have also come from as far as California, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Canada and Scotland.

Among the Roan Mountain Citizens Club’s early accomplishments was acquir-

ing a two-lane highway to the top of Roan Mountain. State Route 143 was completed in 1952. The road to the top was previously a narrow, one-way passage. The state park, which is accessed by the highway, was created in the 1950s and developed in the 1970s. Park visitors can enjoy tent or RV camping in the campground or rent one of 30 cabins. The park also features picnic shelters, a swimming pool, tennis courts, children’s play areas and extensive hiking trails. Trout fishing on the Doe River, which flows through the park, is another highlight.

A convention center was built within the park in 2000.

The club supports the Roan Mountain Community Park, and former club member Don Christman, assisted by the late David Fleming, was instrumental in obtaining land to construct a Frisbee Golf Course as part of the community park on Highway 19E in Roan Mountain village.

For more information on the Rhododendron Festival or the Roan Mountain Citizens Club, visit the website www.roanmountain.com.

Greg’s VOLCANO

PIZZA For The Best Pizza Around!

• Fresh Italian Pizza • Italian Jumbo Sandwiches • Delicious Spaghetti Hotel Delivery Available!

Holiday Plaza

North Johnson City, TN

423-282-4541

Elizabethton - Carter County Plaza

Elizabethton, TN

423-543-3133

Try Our Hot Chicken Wings

Photo by Brandon Hicks

Gorgeous blossoms of Catawba rhododendron never fail to impress visitors at Roan Mountain’s Rhododendron Festival.

outdoor life | page 14

Grilling n Continued from 13

Buffalo Sauce 4 tablespoons butter, softened 2 tablespoons hot sauce 2 tablespoons chile sauce Mix ingredients in mixer or food processor until completely combined.

Filet Mignon With Garlic Butter Medallions Serves 4 4 Omaha Steaks Filet Mignon Steaks Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 recipe Garlic Butter Preheat grill on high.

Season steaks with salt and pepper.

Grill steaks to desired doneness. Use Steak Time app or grilling chart to determine correct cooking times.

Just before removing the steaks from the grill, place a generous medallion slice of Garlic Butter on each steak.

Let steaks rest 2 minutes, while butter continues to melt and then serve.

Garlic Butter Serves 4 to 6 2 heads garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Preheat oven to 375°F. Slice half an inch off tops of garlic heads and place on baking sheet.

Drizzle olive oil over garlic and cover with tented foil. Roast in oven for 1 hour.

Remove garlic from oven and let cool until able to handle. Squeeze roasted garlic out of the skin into food processor or blender.

Add butter, salt, Worcestershire and parsley, blend all ingredients together.

Place mixture in middle of a large piece of plastic wrap. Form into a log and wrap tightly.

Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours. Butter will keep for several weeks in refrigerator.

Ribeye Steak With Shallot Demi-Glace Serves 4 4 Omaha Steaks Rib Eye Steaks Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 cup Shallot Demi-Glace Prepare Shallot Demi-Glace sauce.

Blot steaks dry with a clean paper towel.

Preheat grill on high. Season steaks with salt and pepper.

Grill steaks to desired doneness using Steak Time app or grilling chart.

Place steaks on serving plate and sauce with the Shallot Demi-Glace.

Shallot Demi-Glace Serves 4 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 medium shallot, minced 1/2 cup red wine 1 cup demi-glace (can be found in most

grocery and specialty food stores) Salt and pepper to taste Preheat oil in a small sauce pan.

Add shallots and cook them for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes. Shallots should be well browned and some should be blackened.

Add red wine and reduce liquid by 2/3.

Add demi-glace and bring to a boil.

Reduce sauce while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes or until desired consistency reached. If desired, add salt and pepper.

Top 5 Tips for Perfect Grilling 1. Clean and pre-heat grill on high.

2. Lightly oil and season everything before you put it on the grill. This helps the searing process and prevents sticking.

3. Sear the outside of steaks when grilling, using tongs or a spatula to turn the meat, and cover the grill as much as possible during the grilling process to help lock in the great flavor and to prevent flare-ups.

4. Use the 60/40 grilling method. Grill for 60 percent of the time on the first side, then grill 40 percent of the time after you turn over the food. This will give you an evenly cooked steak.

5. Place your cooked steak on a clean plate and allow to rest for five minutes before serving to retain moisture and juiciness. — Source: Omaha Steaks

outdoor life | page 15

Fantastic Fly Fishing

Region’s waterways rich in angling opportunities by jason mullins OL STAFF jmullins@outdoor-life.net

months, the water comes out at a cold enough temperature to support trout. That means the fishing is good no matter when The abundance of mountain rivers and you go out. Even in the winter, spring or fall, the water temperature is not going to streams in East Tennessee and Western fluctuate,” Reep said.

North Carolina offer plenty of opportuniOne of the newest businesses in Elizaties for the sport of fly fishing. For those bethton — A&S Outfitters — is dedicated who are new to fly fishing, or for those to providing a wide variety of fly fishing who are thinking about taking up the sport, there are numerous resources avail- gear to area fishermen. A&S Outfitters is owned by Angela and Shawn Higgins. able to learn about the finer points.

In addition to offering custom-made fly Jason Reep is the owner of East Tenrods and custom flies, they also have a nessee Fly Fishing, which is located in Elizabethton. Reep provides guide services large selection of rods from brands such as Redington. “One of the most important for fly fishing along the Watauga and Holston rivers, in addition to other smaller things that someone who is looking at taking up fly fishing to remember is you mountain streams in the area. get what you pay for,” said Higgins. “You Reep has been providing guided trips in the area to a variety of experienced and can go and buy a rod, flies and all the other gear from a big box store, but it’s beginning fly fishermen. He said that the going to make it that much more difficult Watauga River provides some of the best to get the results you want when you hit fishing in the country. “The Watauga the streams.” probably gets more fishermen than any Higgins commented that he often river around here. There are a lot of people sells equipment and gear to customers from all over the Southeast who travel who have never picked up a fly rod in here just for a fishing trip. It really just their lives. He added that within about a boils down to what kind of fishing you’re half-hour he can provide the basics on looking to do,” said Reep. how to properly cast a fly rod. Beyond that, Reep said the economic impact from the Watauga for Carter County and Eliza- however, Higgins said a fly fisherman is constantly learning more about the sport. bethton cannot be underestimated. He noted that many people travel here, stay in “There is a great deal of art involved in area cabins or other lodging and provide a fly fishing. There is also a lot of science involved in it, too. Knowing what type of steady amount of business to the area.

For those who are looking at a potential flies to use on what stream is extremely important to how successful you will be,” fly fishing trip along the Watauga River, Reep suggests planning a day on the water Higgins said.

Both Reep and Higgins suggest speakwhen Tennessee Valley Authority is not ing to experienced fly fishermen about the generating electricity. While whitewater rafting companies and kayakers depend on sport. They noted that area fishermen are power generation for running the Watauga a good way to learn about what type of flies to use for a particular stream. in Carter County, the opposite is true for To find out more about guided fly fishfly fishing. Reep commented that the swift ing trips with East Tennessee Fly Fishing, currents created during power generating contact Jason Reep at (423) 474-4388. A can be dangerous for fishermen who are wading. It can also detract from the qual- website is also available at www.tnflyfishity of a trip from the aspect of how well the ing.com. Reep also has a Facebook page that has information about his services, fish are biting. TVA provides a power generating schedule for Watauga Dam online along with numerous photos from his guided fishing trips on the Holston and at http://www.tva.com/lakes/wth_r.htm.

Watauga Rivers.

The information can also be obtained by A&S Outfitters is located next to Krystal calling toll-free at 800-238-2264. The acat 419 West Elk Avenue in Elizabethton. cess code for Watauga Dam is 02.

They can be contacted by calling (423) One of the benefits of fishing on the 543-1552 or by email at aands_outfitWatauga River is the fact that it is fed off ters@hotmail.com. The store is open the bottom of the lake. Reep noted that Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. allows for a constant water temperature throughout the year. “Even in the summer until 7 p.m.

Photo Contributed

Depending on your preferences and the location, fly fishing can be enjoyed by taking a float trip or by donning a pair of waders.

Photo Contributed

For those looking to take up the sport of fly fishing, Shawn Higgins, the co-owner of A&S Outfitters in Elizabethton, recommends purchasing quality equipment.

outdoor life | page 16

Splish-splash

Wetlands Water Park offers fun for all ages

BY JASON MULLINS OL STAFF jmullins@outdoor-life.net

and national fuel prices continuing to hover in the $4 per-gallon range, he expects that trend to continue in 2012.

For almost 20 years, Jonesborough’s Townsend said the park will Wetlands Water Park has continued to be a popular destination for residents in Northeast not raise its ticket prices for 2012.

“We understand a lot of Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western people can’t afford to North Carolina. Centrally located to most areas of the Tri-Cities, Wetlands is within a short travel to Gatlinburg driving distance for families across the region or the beach this summer. The cost of looking for a way to beat the summer heat.

Wetlands Water Park and its staff members gas and the economy have hit a lot of people have spent the last several weeks making finals preparations for another season of family very hard. Since we are owned by the Town of fun and excitement. Beginning the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, the park will open Jonesborough, the Board of Mayor and Alderman agreed for the summer of 2012 season. not to have a price increase Matt Townsend is manager of Wetlands this year. I think they understand Water Park. He is anticipating another suca lot of people just aren’t able to cessful season this summer for the Jonesborough facility. Over the past few seasons, many increase their entertainment budget.

We want to encourage people from across area residents have made the short trip to the Tri-Cities area to come to Jonesborough Persimmon Ridge in Historic Jonesborough.

Townsend said attendance figures have held at instead of traveling outside the region.”

Over the last few years, the park has consistent levels from 2010 to 2011. With area

updated several different aspects of the park.

A major renovation project on the locker and restroom areas for both the men and the women has been completed. Townsend also said Wetlands has installed a new water filtration system for their attractions, along with a new heating system for the wading pool.

Return patrons to the water park will likely notice that Wetlands has completed a landscaping project to improve the aesthetics of the facility.

Wetlands Water Park features several different rides for patrons, including three flume waterslides. Townsend said the flume slides are 200, 100 and 80 feet in length.

For younger children, the park features a less intense type of slide. “We have two different otter slides for the smaller kids,” Townsend explained. “These are basically larger versions of the Slip-nSlides you find in people’s backyards.”

Throughout the summer, Wetlands Water Park’s zero depth wading pool is a favorite for children, parents and adults. The wading pool is the largest attraction in the park. It encompasses a large part of the facility. “The wading pool offers plenty of room for our guests to relax this summer,” Townsend noted.

Two of the facility’s most popular attractions are their rain tree and tumble buckets.

Built into the top of trees in the park, the tumble buckets fill with water until they overflow onto park patrons. “People really seem to like the rain tree and tumble buckets,” said Townsend. “It’s a great way to cool off on a hot, summer day.”

For parents and adults who are looking to catch a nap or work on their suntan, Wetlands has a large poolside lounge area. Guests at Wetlands Water Park should have no trouble locating a chair or deck lounger to relax during their visit.

Since Wetlands Water Park opened in 1994, the facility has been a popular choice n See WETLANDS, 22

RIVER & EARTH ADVENTURES GUIDED WILDERNESS ADVENTURES & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

• Rafting • Canoeing • Boating • Rock Climbing • Hiking • Tubing • Caving

The mission of River and Earth Adventures is to provide you with the highest quality outdoor adventure in the world.

We pair expert guides, pristine wilderness, top of the line equipment, and the best lunches on the river to guarantee you a safe, thrilling, and memorable experience.

From exploring hidden caves, to languid river cruises, to high adventure rafting, you will explore the secrets of the Appalachian Mountains.

Boone, NC • Asheville, NC • Elizabethton, TN

1-866-411 RAFT • 828-963-5491 • raftcavehike.com outdoor life | page 17

Experience The Past

Tennessee history comes to life at Rocky Mount

BY JASON MULLINS OL STAFF jmullins@outdoor-life.net

Situated only 20 minutes from Elizabethton, Rocky Mount State Historic Site in Piney Flats provides an opportunity to learn and to explore the colorful history of the State of Tennessee.

Rocky Mount Museum, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a state historic site, opened to the public in April of 1962 with a small visitor center.

Prior to 1958, the log home had been in possession of the ancestors of William Cobb since the late 18th century. Cobb came to the area around 1770 and built the two-story log home structure shortly thereafter. He later earned a place in history by assisting the Overmountain Men with gunpowder, horses, blankets and food for their march to the Battle of King’s Mountain in South Carolina.

Gary Walrath is the Executive Director of the Rocky Mount Museum and Historic Site. He said Rocky Mount is an impor-

You’re in good hands.

tant part of the founding of Tennessee and its government. “This is basically where the foundation for our government was first laid,” Walrath said. “The government for the Southwest Territory was first initiated here in 1790. That led into statehood for Tennessee in 1796.”

Tennessee Governor William Blount, who was appointed to the post by President George Washington, chose the Cobb House and the Rocky Mount property as his lodging and for the first seat of government in Tennessee. Blount stayed at the Cobb property from 1790 to 1792 before moving the capitol to Knoxville.

The Cobb Family was an early member of the Watauga Association, which was essentially the first organized government in the American Colonies. Walrath said one of the most significant reasons Cobb’s home and property were chosen

by Blount for the first capitol was because of his neutrality between the factions of John Tipton and John Sevier. Walrath explained, “Tipton and Sevier battled for

nearly five years with the State of Franklin. Cobb was not associated with either man. When Governor Blount came in the area, he saw Cobb as a middle-of-theroad person who was not painted with the brush of either Sevier or Tipton.”

The Cobb House has stood at Rocky Mount since the 1770s. Throughout the years, Walrath said the logs of the home had to be replaced. Despite that, however, the present home likely dates back to the 1820s. “The home is something of a standing, historical resource that hasn’t changed, at least under the weatherboarding, in over 200 years,” Walrath noted. It was lived in continuously by the Massengill Family, who are descendants of William Cobb, from 1796 to 1958.

That year, it was purchased by the State of Tennessee to be developed as a historic site and museum. Rocky Mount opened on a limited basis to the public in 1959.

It wasn’t until April 1, 1962 that the site opened on a regular basis.

Visitors to Rocky Mount learn about the history of the site and the area through historical interpreters. Walrath said the interpreters are dressed in costumes of the late 18th century. While

staying in character as members of the Cobb family and their neighbors and servants, they lead visitors through a tour of the history of Rocky Mount by telling stories, presenting artifacts and other demonstrations.

Rocky Mount hosts several events throughout the year. He commented that they recently celebrated one of their most popular events of the year — Rocky Mount’s Wooly Days. The gathering celebrates the Cobb family’s annual sheep shearing during the springtime. The sheep wool is then used to make shawls.

Walrath said Rocky Mount is home to several Cotswold sheep, an ancient breed.

Several of the lambs from the herd were recently sent to the Nashville Zoo where they will be bred.

On Wednesday, July 4, the site’s traditional Independence Day celebration will take place. “The Secretary of the Southwest Territory will read the Declaration of Independence,” Walrath noted. Rocky Mount will also decorate their “Liberty Tree” with ribbons during their festivities on the 4th of July. A special ceremony to n See ROCKY MOUNT, 19

Protect yourself from “mAyhEm” with one comprehensive policy

Kimbrel-Long Insurance Agency 100 B East Elk Avenue Elizabethton,TN 37643

(423) 543-7700

Photo by Jason Mullins

Charlie Long

The sheep at Rocky Mount State Historic Site and Museum in Piney Flats are a popular attraction with visitors and are the focus of the annual Wooly Day every spring.

outdoor life | page 18

Rocky Mount n Continued from 18

honor those who have fought and died for American Liberty and Independence is scheduled as part of the day.

Rocky Mount is scheduled to work in partnership with the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild for a graveyard tales event on Saturday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Walrath said the graveyard tales are an annual tradition for Rocky Mount. Area storytellers will tell ghost stories and scary tales during the evening. The event is a special fundraiser for the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild. Admission is $5 for ages 12 and up. Children from 6 to 12 are admitted for $3.

In the month of September, Rocky Mount will commemorate the Overmountain Men. Walrath explained, “On September 24, 1780, the Overmountain Men camped on Mr. Cobb’s property on the march to King’s Mountain. They were also given provisions by William Cobb that evening.”

An Overmountain Victory celebration is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 24. Rocky Mount will host members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association as they recreate the march from Abingdon, Va., to King’s Mountain, S.C. The event is free to the public.

Rocky Mount is a popular destination for elementary, middle and high school field trips. Walrath said the site is visited throughout the year by school groups.

He also noted that many foreign students from East Tennessee State University come to Rocky Mount to learn more about the early history of the Southwest Territory, the Lost State of Franklin and East Tennessee. “Our museum offers a

great deal of information not just about the Cobb-Massengill family or Rocky Mount, but about the history of area. Our museum actually features displays on the area’s history all the way up to the early 20th century,” said Walrath.

Rocky Mount also can be used to host meetings, seminars, receptions, high school reunions, political gatherings and weddings. A 170-seat auditorium provides access to audio-visual technology, including projection videos and lighting control. A full kitchen is also available for any type of receptions for private or business events. “We’re not just a historic site, but we offer a full range of services to the public for many types of events,” Walrath added.

Walrath said a number of couples choose to have their wedding at the historic site because of the scenic beauty of the location. “We have many people who have their weddings here and then choose to have their photos taken with the barn in the backdrop,” he commented.

Rocky Mount Museum is located at 200 Hyder Hill Road in Piney Flats, which is just off U.S. Highway 11-E between Johnson City and Bristol. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. The site will be closed for Labor Day. Admission to the museum is $8 for adults, and $7 for seniors over the age of 60. Children from the ages of 5-17 are admitted for $5.

For additional information on special events or the park, call 1-888-538-1791 or (423) 538-7396. The museum’s website can be visited by going to rockymountmuseum.com.

Summers Past

Tipton-Haynes offers annual history camp Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site will present its annual Summers Past History Program for children ages 6 to 12.

Six five-day sessions will be offered between June 4 and July 13. Historic based crafts, music, storytelling, nature crafts, cave exploration and outdoor fun and games will be offered. Each session will be limited to 20 participants. The sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for each five-day week. The cost for each session is $100 for non-members and $95 for members. There is a reduced fee for two or more children from the same family. Parents may drop off children at 8 a.m. at no extra charge. Extended hours at $3 per hour per child are available until 5 p.m.

A new emphasis this summer will be integrating some fine arts such as water color, pen and ink drawing and printmaking. Each project will relate to its time period. Projects will be taught by a studio artist. Session I will run June 4-8 and again June 25-29. This session will highlight the history of the Northeast Tennessee Indians. Kids will participate in a variety of activities including Indian n See TIPTON-HAYNES, 25

Mallard C ove MARINA & CAMPGROUND Situated in the Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee on Lake Watauga, Mallard Cove Marina & Campground offers 190 boat slips, cabins and a campersite for up to 40, with utilities.

Photo by Jason Mullins

Rocky Mount, which has been a historic site since 1962, includes a museum featuring numerous artifacts. When visitors enter the museum, they are able to view items collected from over 200 years of Tennessee history.

outdoor life | page 19

200 Mallard Cove Drive Butler, TN 37640

423-768-3440

Subterranean Adventure Explore below ground at Bristol Caverns

BY Robert Sorrell OL STAFF rsorrell@outdoor-life.com

Lovers Leap, Santa Claus, Snoopy and the elephant are all part of the more than 200 million year old Bristol Caverns.

Located just outside of Bristol in Sullivan County, Tenn., the Bristol Caverns are one of the most popular and largest caves in Northeast Tennessee. Deep underneath the earth’s surface, lies a strange and exciting experience place.

The caverns are visited by thousands of families and school children every year, all to admire the colorful limestone formations, like stalagmites and stalactites.

The historical caverns were created more than 200 to 400 million years ago by an underground river. It now features vats rooms, columns, arches and other natural stone formations of all colors, shapes and sizes. When traveling to the core, the paved, well-lit walkways wind through the same warrior paths that

were used hundreds of years ago.

In the frontier days, Indians used the Underground River as an attack and escape route in their raids on local settlers. The river is about 180 feet below the earth’s surface.

Visitors to the Bristol Caverns start out at the gift shop and office. Tour guides leave the shop every 20 minutes. Kevin Hicks, one of the many guides, said the tours last about one hour, depending on how man stops are made for observation and rest. Hicks noted that each hourlong tour includes plenty of walking and some climbing, generally up stairs.

The paths through the caverns are well lit, with well hidden electrical lights.

The lighting allows visitors to not only find their way along the walkways, but to also better view the colors of the caves.

The tour itself takes visitors to all three levels of the caverns, from Mayor Preston’s Chamber in the upper section to the winding banks of the Underground River 180 feet below on the cavern floor.

Along the Underground River, visitors will be dazzled by dramatic displays of formations reflected in the streams waters. Visitors can also peer over Lover’s Leap, view the breathtaking Bridal Veil formation and stare in wonder at the dazzling formations of Entrance Hall.

During a recent tour of the caverns, Hicks provided much informative and entertaining information about the caves. Hicks and other guides will point out the numerous unique formations.

“I see something new every time I give tours,” said Hicks, who added that many of the guests will notice things that he has never seen before.

Some of the unique formations include ones that look like Santa Claus, an elephant, Snoopy on his dog house and people running from a burning cliff-side village. Nearby, Hicks said one forma-

dream vacation new car boat camper

Check out our great rates*

Happy Valley Credit Union 210 East C Street • Elizabethton, TN

423-542-6078

* Restrictions apply.

See loan officer for details.

outdoor life | page 20

tion looks like the villagers are trying to reach a fire hydrant. The fire hydrant formation is on the other side of a canyon from the burning village. There are also many locations in the caverns which seem to have stories to tell. Hicks noted that newlyweds can use Lovers Leap to test their love. There is also a wishing stone where visitors can touch the stone and make a wish.

Deidra and John David Miles, of Statesboro, Ga., visited the caverns recently. The couple said they enjoyed the caverns and the many things which Hicks pointed to. John Miles said he could see things in the formations as well, like a forest one wall.

The cave formations, millions of years old, display rich veins of minerals which n See CAVERNS, 21

Caverns n Continued from 20

give the formations beautiful colors of red, blue, gray, brown and sparkling white. Guides will explain the formation of the caves to visitors.

Visitors are also taken to see the river, which cut through the limestone millions of years ago. There are unique cave fish in the river. Contrary to popular belief, Hicks said cave fish are not blind. The river’s depth ranges from shallow to deep.

Also during the tour, guides will point visitors to the original opening of the cave. The opening is very tight, allowing only a little bit of light into the dark caverns.

After a tour through the caves, visitors can enjoy a picnic and walk through the Sullivan County countryside. The caverns property features several picnic tables and shade trees. There is also plenty of space for families and friends to play.

And remember to bring the camera,

there are plenty of great cavern formations to photograph.

The caverns are open year round, except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Even and Christmas Day. Between March 15 and Oct. 13, the caverns are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Between Nov. 1 and March 14, the caverns are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Prices are $13 for adults, children ages 5-12 is $6.50 plus tax, and children 4 and under is free. The caverns offer group rates, but visitors need to call for prices and schedule appointments.

Contact the Bristol Caverns by calling (423) 878-2011 or email at bristolcaverns@aol.com. Bristol Caverns is located near Bristol at 1157 Bristol Caverns Road.

Outdoor Activities

Knoxville offers full slate of summer events There’s no shortage of outdoor activities planned in Knoxville this summer season.

Look below for a complete listing: I. Knoxville Dragon Boat Festival — June 23. www.knoxvilleracedragonboats.com.

On race day, around 1,500 paddlers from corporate and community teams race for glory and prizes during the 2012 Knoxville Dragon Boat Festival race. Festival goers can participate in land activities that include cultural festivities, music, food and a kid’s fun and learning area.

II. Kuumba Festival — June 28-July 1. https://sites.google.com/site/kuumbafestival/ Experience African-American heritage through food, music, art and more! Celebrate the festival with four days and nights of live entertainment at Chilhowee Park.

This year, the festival will premiere the International Film Festival on Market Square, featuring Liberian artist, Hawa Ware. n See OUTDOOR, 25

The Sound Of Downtown Photo by Brandon Hicks

Tour Guide Kevin Hicks leads Deidra and John David Miles of Georgia through the Bristol Caverns in Sullivan County. The caverns features a one-hour tour which departs the visitors center every 20 minutes. Above Miles photographs a unique cave formation

13th annual Blue Plum Festival

by jason Mullins OL STAFF jmullins@outdoor-life.net

For the 13th year, one of the most popular outdoor festivals will return to Downtown Johnson City. The 2012 Blue Plum Festival is scheduled to take place throughout the downtown area on the weekend of June 1, 2 and 3.

David Pennington with the Friends of Olde Downtown is the Director of the Blue Plum Festival. He is anticipating this year’s event will continue to build on the event’s success of the last decade.

Pennington said the concept for Blue Plum found its genesis in an effort to revitalize the downtown district and to attract people to visit the area. “Friends of Olde Downtown are the Downtown Johnson City outdoor life | page 21

merchants group that was formed 13 years ago to rally the merchants and draw attention to downtown when there really wasn’t much going on here,” said Pennington.

Dick Nelson, who owns an art gallery in Downtown Johnson City, is one of the primary architects of Blue Plum. Pennington explained that Nelson advocated an event called First Fridays, which continues to be held on the first Friday of every month. As part of First Fridays, the downtown merchants sponsored special events, including live music and other activities.

Pennington commented, “Blue Plum is June’s First Friday event. It just happens to be much larger than the typical gathering we sponsor the rest of the year. It also takes place throughout the course of the entire n See BLUE PLUM, 33

Wetlands

Camping

n Continued from 17

n Continued from 8

for birthday parties, company outings and church youth group trips. Townsend said the park offers fantastic group rates for any type of club, organization or company seeking a unique outing this summer. Bookings for private parties for any type of family or group gathering are also available. Private parties at Wetlands are offered in intervals of two or three hours. The park does provide lifeguards for the events at no additional charge and groups are allowed to bring in outside food for private events. Private parties are offered every day of the week during the summer from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bookings for parties are limited. For further information or to reserve the park for a private gathering, please call 753-1561.

Additional amenities at Wetlands Water Park include a beach volleyball court, pavilion rentals, locker rentals and a full service café provides guests with a large range of menu options during their visit to the park.

Wetlands’ menu features popular options such as hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, cheese fries, pretzels and a wide variety of beverages.

For families who have never been to Wetlands Water Park, Townsend commented that the park is committed to providing a fun and

safe experience. “We pride ourselves on placing safety first and foremost. We have trained lifeguards on duty every day of the week. Not only that, but we have a veteran staff. We currently have about 75 employees working at the park this year. Of that, over 40 are returning from last year,” said Townsend.

Ticket prices for Wetlands Water Park are $12 for adults 13 and up. Children from the ages of four to 12 and seniors over the age of 55 are both $9. Wetlands Water Park also rents tubes for $3 with a $1 refund when they are returned.

Wetlands Water Park officially opened on Saturday, May 26. The park is open all summer, Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The park is also open on Sunday afternoons from noon to 6 p.m. Townsend said the park will go to a limited schedule in the middle of August. With Washington County Schools reopening on Aug. 14, Wetlands will go to a weekend-only schedule. Townsend said the park will close for the season following the Monday of Labor Day weekend. For additional information on Wetlands Water Park, including special group rates and parties, call the park at 1-888-622-1885 or go to www. wetlandsjonesborough.com.

Don’t Don’t let let this this happen happen to to YOU… YOU… Make Make sure sure you’re you’re Vacation Vacation Ready!

Ready!

the Cherokee Indians. Since that time, the park land has known a long history of travelers.

According to the park’s website, the 950-acre area was acquired from the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1952 to serve the people in Northeast Tennessee. It is situated on the shores of TVA’s Patrick Henry Reservoir on the Holston River.

Warriors’s Path State Park is located on Hemlock Road in Kingsport. It can be reached by calling (423) 239-8531.

For more seclusion, and less amenities, visit one of the 30 campgrounds of the Cherokee National Forest, which sits on the Tennessee and North Carolina state line, straddling the southern Appalachian Mountains. The campgrounds feature a range of site amenities and services. Camping is strictly available at all locations on a first come, first serve basis.

Most campsites in developed campgrounds are large and level enough to accommodate tents, pop-up campers and recreation vehicles. A table, fire ring and lantern post are common site features. Water availability varies by campground as well as road conditions.

The most developed campgrounds offering electric hook-ups and large, level campsites are listed under “RV Camping.” The forest service also has many secluded campgrounds with few amenities. There are also several locations within the Cherokee National Forest for backpacking campsites.

A few of the campgrounds are either closed completely or partially due to tornado damage in April of 2011. The Horse Creek Recreation Area was devastated during the storms and remains closed. Other sites are open from April or May through October.

Prior to the tornadoes, Horse Creek Recreation Area in Greene County offered 15 sites, six of which are for tents. The site is located in a wooden area along Horse Creek, at the base of the mountains. Higher up the mountain is the Old Forge Recreation Area, which features 10 walk-in tent campsites.

Another Greene County forest service campground is located at the Paint Creek Recreation Area. The popular campground features 18 single sites and two double sites. Nearby, the Houston Valley Recreation Area has eight sites.

Cardens Bluff in Carter County is located along the banks of beautiful Watauga Lake. The large campground features 40 sites, although a majority of the sites are for tent use only. There are three sites which can be used for 30-foot trailers.

The Dennis Cove Recreation Area is also located in Carter County. Located along the Laurel Fork Creek, the campground has 12 secluded sites.

Little Oak Campground has about 70 sites and is one of the largest campgrounds in the Cherokee National Forest. The site is one of the forest service’s campgrounds on the eastern shore of South Holston Lake in Sullivan County. Another campground, Jacob’s Creek Recreation Area, has 27 sites.

Backbone Rock Recreation Area near Shady Valley in Johnson County has nine single sites and two double sites.

Unicoi County’s Rock Creek Recreation Area, just outside of Erwin, has 27 single sites and five double sites. The campground also has five walk-in tent use sites.

For more information on forest service campgrounds call (423) 638-4109.

There are also dozens of privately owned campgrounds around the region, especially near the Bristol Motor Speedway, around the local lakes and in the foothills.

CUSTOM MUFFLER & BRAKE ASE Certified.

We are your Complete Car Care Specialists.

• Check Engine • Change Oil • Exhaust • Brakes • Fluids • Wipers

We’ll Get You VACATION READY!

700 South Sycamore Street Elizabethton, TN 37643

Photo by Brandon Hicks

Wendell and Lisa Fulton and their sons, Wesley and Lucas, sit around their campfire at Roan Mountain State Park last summer.

423-297-1227 outdoor life | page 22

outdoor life | page 23

Grow For It!

Homegrown on your own a popular trend Who would have thought getting dirt under your fingernails would ever be considered one of the hottest trends going?

According to Doug Jimerson, Garden Core Director for Better Homes and Gardens, “growing your own fruits, veggies and herbs is something Americans are doing in record numbers this season.”

Jimerson added, “It’s cheaper to grow your own produce than buy it — one $3 tomato plant will yield pounds of produce all season long, Plus, the produce you grow just tastes better than even your grocer’s best. And while it’s healthy to eat and grow your own, gardening is rapidly gaining popularity as a great way to get some exercise, relieve stress and spend healthful family bonding time.”

Eating foods grown in your own backyard means you won’t be contributing to the carbon footprint left behind by the “food miles” it takes to bring imported produce to your local grocers — so you’re helping the environment, too.

Growing vegetables is easier than you think. Plan it properly, and you can enjoy a healthy, homegrown harvest from the fruits of your labor — without having to spend hours tending it.

Gardening 101 Sunshine is sustenance — Vegetables need at least six hours of full sun per day. The easiest thing to do is to place your garden in full sunlight. Make sure it’s easily accessible for watering….if the garden is too far from your house it could get neglected. Check the last frost date in your region and wait until threat of frost is past before you begin planting.

No yard necessary — Gardening doesn’t require a lot of room — although if you have the space and time to go large, go for it! Many popular vegetables and herbs grow just fine in

containers, making them a great option for those with limited space. For smaller yards, raised beds are an easy, low-maintenance option. If your garden is going right into the ground, just turn the earth with a shovel, toss out roots and rocks, mix in a soil amendment for healthy soil, and plant.

Water relief — Water regularly, but avoid doing so during the heat of the day when evaporation will diminish the effectiveness of irrigation. Water to wet the soil about 8 inches deep,

outdoor life | page 24

but don’t over-water.

Feed your food — All edible plants draw nutrients from the ground, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow label directions.

Growing for it Now that you’ve got an idea of the basics, it’s time to pick n See GARDENING, 25

Tipton-Haynes

Outdoor

Gardening

n Continued from 19

n Continued from 21

n Continued from 24

bead weaving, archaeology digging and making a pinch pot.

Session II will be held June 11-15 and again July 2-6 and will showcase the Pioneer life of Colonel John Tipton.

During this session kids will make bread and butter, make a basket, learn about dulcimers, learn about gardens and plant identification and much more.

Session III will take place June 18July 22 and July 9-13 and will feature the Civil War history of Landon Carter Haynes. Some of the activities that kids will get to experience are cooking over an open hearth, tin punching, learning about Civil War photography by making blueprint pictures, and making ice cream. The ever-popular “Carter’s Raid” will take place each week. In addition to these activities, which are just a few of many that will be offered during the course of the summer program, an historical drama performed by the kids will be presented to parents and relatives on the last day of each week.

For additional information and application, call Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site at (423) 926-3631.

III. Festival on the Fourth — July 4. http://www.cityofknoxville.org/events/4th/ Enjoy a wide variety of family fun including entertainment, activities and treats at the City of Knoxville’s Fourth of July celebration! The free event takes place at World’s Fair Park and includes an Independence Day concert by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks display.

IV. Outdoor KnoxFest — Aug. 24-26. http://www.outdoorknoxville.com/outdoorknoxfest Outdoor KnoxFest started as a day-long Adventure Race, the Urban Wilderness Challenge, but, it’s grown to a weekend packed full of activities for athletes and families. Some highlights will include an Adventure Race, Trail Run, Cross Country Mountain Bike Time Trial, plus much more.

V. Boomsday — Sept. 2. www.boomsday.org Nearly 400,000 descend on Knoxville for one of the country’s largest Labor Day events. A fun-filled day culminates with the annual fireworks spectacular.

VI. Tennessee Valley Fair — Sept. 7-16. www.tnvalleyfair.org Known for its innovative exhibits, livestock shows, concert series, exciting rides and a variety of unique fun foods, the Tennessee Valley Fair offers tremendous family entertainment.

your plants.

Start with transplants — seedlings are way easier to get growing than seeds, so you’ll save loads of time and enjoy improved success. Fortunately, national purveyors like Bonnie Plants make it easy to find hardy, high-quality, regionally appropriate plants at your local garden retailers. Be sure to pay close attention to plant tags, they’re packed with facts and details to help you successfully grow your plants.

Here are some favorites to consider for your garden: • Tomatoes — The most popular, most-grown vegetable, tomatoes are always a best bet. Disease-resistant “Bonnie Original” is a hardy, flavorful addition to any backyard garden. For containers or small spots, try “Sweet n’ Neat,” a prolific plant that sets fruit in grape-like clusters.

• Basil — The perfect complement to tomatoes, basil works well in gardens and containers. New Greek Columnar Basil is particularly bountiful, as it grows high, leafs out densely and rarely flowers. The flavor blends traditional basil with spicy overtones of cinnamon, allspice and cloves.

• Bell peppers — Versatile, flavorful and nutritious, bell peppers are great raw snacks and make an awesome ingredient for a variety of cuisines. Harvest peppers when they’re green or red when the vitamin levels are higher.

• Eggplant — “Black Beauty” is the quintessential eggplant with a deep purple, glossy skin and meaty texture, and thrives in hot weather. White-skinned varieties like “Cloud Nine” offer a sweeter, bitter-free flesh.

• Mints — Easy-to-grow mints are available in traditional spearmint and peppermint and in more exotic flavors like Bonnie Plant’s new apple mint, orange mint and even chocolate mint, which has a flavor that echoes the classic Girl Scout cookie.

Hefty Harvest When harvesting, follow this general rule: If it looks good enough to eat, it probably is. With many vegetables, the more you pick, the more the plant will produce.

For more gardening tips, ideas and advice, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Custom Made Fly Rods and Custom Flies

Aug. 11, 2012 10a - 2 p

Large selection of rods from brands such as Redington

———— Angela & Shawn Higgins ———— Monday - Saturday 10 am - 7 pm

419 West Elk Ave., Suite 3, Elizabethton, TN 37543 423-543-1552 aands_outfitters@hotmail.com outdoor life | page 25

Shoot The Rapids Area rivers offer plenty of thrills

BY JASON MULLINS OL-STAFF jmullins@outdoor-life.net

The rivers and streams of Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Southwestern Virginia provide some of the best opportunities for whitewater rafting and kayaking enthusiasts. From the beginning novice to the most experienced kayaker, the region contains a wide range of rivers and streams for any whitewater skill-set.

Over the last decade, Wesley Bradley of Elizabethton has earned a reputation as one of the area’s best amateur kayakers. Bradley, who first picked up a paddle when he was a young teenager, has literally spent thousands of hours honing his skills. “Initially, I became interested in whitewater kayaking when a friend of mine and I looked in a summer church camp directory of activities.

We found a beginner’s kayaking class at Buffalo Mountain Camp. We had so much fun that year, we went back the following year,” Bradley recalled.

In his teenage years, Bradley said he was limited on his time in the river since he was dependent on getting a ride to the river.

After entering college, he began purchasing the equipment to start kayaking on a more frequent basis. Bradley commented, “Since 1999, I have been kayaking every chance I can find in my schedule.”

Depending on a kayaker’s skill level, there are numerous rivers, creeks and streams in the region that offer up plenty of opportunities for an exciting adventure. In Carter County, the Watauga River and the Doe River are two of the most popular locations for both whitewater rafting and kayak-

ing. Several outfitters from East Tennessee and Western North Carolina provide guided rafting trips for the section of the Watauga from Wilbur Lake to the Siam Bridge. This section of the river is dam-controlled by Tennessee Valley Authority. Whitewater conditions on the portion of the Class I-II+ Watauga are dependent upon TVA’s power generation schedule.

In Western North Carolina, the Class IV-V Watauga River Gorge is an expert-level run.

Since the gorge section is above Watauga Lake, it is not dam-controlled. The section

certainly be the Watauga River Gorge,” said can only be run when rain and precipitaBradley. “It has every possible whitewater tion levels have brought the river up to a runnable level. Since melting snow from the move you could ever want to make in a fivesurrounding mountains can raise the water mile stretch of Class IV-V whitewater. It has slides. It has boulder gardens. It even has a levels, the typical season for running the waterfall. It’s a paddler’s dream.”

Watauga River Gorge is from January until One of the most popular rivers in East early April.

Tennessee for kayakers and for rafting outfitMany paddlers from the area find the ters is the Nolichucky River. Broken into two Watauga River Gorge to be one of the most challenging and exciting whitewater destina- sections — the Nolichucky Gorge and the Lower Nolichucky — the river has portions tions in the United States. “If I had to pick one river, and that was the only river I could n See RAPIDS, 28 ever paddle again in my life, it would most

Popular rivers in East Tennessee/Western North Carolina The region is home to several rivers popular with rafters and kayakers. Below is a sampling: • Doe River The Doe River offers different opportunities for rafting and kayaking. Between Valley Forge and Elizabethton, the river is mostly graded as Class I. A few segments of this section do offer Class II rapids.

For the more experienced, the Doe River Gorge section between Bear Cage Road and Hampton High School provides Class III/IV rapids. For experienced pad-

dlers only, the river drops over 100 feet per mile.

Since the Doe is not regulated by dams, the water level of the river is severely influenced by the amount of precipitation.

• Watauga River Depending on a paddler’s experience level, the Watauga provides a wide-range of whitewater experiences. In North Carolina, the Watauga River Gorge is located upstream on Watauga Lake. Since the gorge is located upstream to Watauga Lake, water levels are not controlled by

TVA dams. The Class IV-V section requires a great deal of rainfall to bring it to a runnable level. Watauga Gorge should only be run by expert paddlers.

In Carter County, a Class I-II section of whitewater is located between Wilbur Dam and Siam Bridge. This portion of the Watauga is controlled by Wilbur Dam. The Class II+ Bee Cliff Rapids provides kayakers with a great play spot on this section of the Watauga. For the best whitewater experience on this section, please check with Tennessee Valley Authority for their

outdoor life | page 26

electricity generation schedule. A generating schedule can be found at tva.gov.

• Nolichucky River One of the most popular rivers in Upper East Tennessee, the Nolichucky Gorge section begins at the confluence of the Toe and Cane rivers in Western North Carolina. Depending on water levels, the gorge section of the river is Class III/IV+.

The Nolichucky Gorge ends at Chestoa in Unicoi County. n See RIVERS, 28

Slippery When Wet

Use caution when visiting region’s waterfalls

BY Robert Sorrell OL STAFF rsorrell@outdoor-life.net

Area waterfalls have become legendary for their picturesque, scenic settings.

These natural water features offer cool, clear water cascading over rock cliffs, creating deep pools of water below, perfect for swimming, fishing and photography.

Over the past few years, area waterfalls have become household names for college students and outdoorsmen and women.

College students from Appalachian State University, East Tennessee State University and Lees-McRae College are regular visitors of Twisting Falls and the Blue Hole, both in the mountains of Carter County, which may have more waterfalls than any other local county.

The increase in popularity has been a strain, however, for the Carter County Rescue Squad. Director Terry Arnold says the squad visits places such as Twisting Falls during the warm months on a weekly basis.

They receive countless calls of individuals diving off the rock cliff, landing on the rocks below, resulting in shattered bones and cracked skulls.

Twisting Falls, located on the Elk River in eastern Carter County, has been especially popular for college students. The series of waterfalls drop about 50 feet and because there is a series of falls, individuals will underestimate the distance to miss lower ledges. Drownings have also been reported at local waterfalls.

Over the last few years, several people from ASU in Boone, N.C., have been seriously injured at Twisting Falls. Broken backs and legs have been consistent.

Whenever someone is injured at Twisting Falls, it takes a full-scale rescue mission to assist the injured. The Carter County Rescue Squad has specific training for such missions. They are usually assisted at Twisting Falls by the Elk Mills Volunteer Fire Department. To reach the falls, squad members must travel to the Poga community of Carter County, park at the end of secluded Dark Ridge Road and hike for a long period of time. The narrow, rugged and steep trail makes it even more difficult.

They use special pulley systems to remove the injured individuals from the falls. After a rain, the trail and rocks at the waterfalls are very hazardous and not recommended for visits.

On many occasions, Wings Air Rescue

helicopters are called to the area to airlift the individual to the Johnson City Medical Center. That has also been a problem, because Arnold notes there is no safe landing zone close to the falls.

Arnold said the squad has been working with local residents and the U.S. Forest Service, which operates the Cherokee National Forest in the vicinity of the falls, to make it easier for rescue crews to reach the destination. The mission today takes several hours to complete, upwards of five or six hours.

The popularity of Twisting Falls has increased recently due to obscure advertising on the college campuses, outdoor-type websites and online blogs. Word-ofmouth has also led to an increase of visitors. Officials at the Rescue Squad have attempted to warn people about the dangers of the waterfalls, primarily through area media outlets, such as television and newspapers.

The situation is similar at the Blue Hole, which is located on Holston Mountain in the Stoney Creek community. The site is another popular location for college students. It’s also a frequent destination for the rescue squad to save injured jumpers.

Arnold said during a recent interview that he would prefer people not visit places such as Twisting Falls, but if they do, he advises that they use extreme caution. Rocks around the waterfalls tend to be very slippery, which has been a cause of falls and drownings at both Twisting Falls and the Blue Hole.

Terry McDonald of the Cherokee National Forest also says people should use caution when visiting waterfalls, espe-

cially when walking near the edge.

The best advice is to view and photograph the waterfalls from a distance.

The Friends of DuPont State Forest in North Carolina has the most blunt warning about waterfalls. “Although beautiful to see, waterfalls can be very dangerous,” the organization’s website states. “Every year people fall TO THEIR DEATH after a slip on wet rocks above and around waterfalls in the area.”

outdoor life | page 27

Visitors should never climb or slide on waterfalls, or swim, wade or play in the water above a waterfall. Children must be constantly supervised when visiting waterfalls. Do not allow pets to roam freely.

It is easy to underestimate the slickness of rocks and the strong flow of water. Stay on the established trails and enjoy the view from the overlooks.

DuPont State Forest is located just outside of Hendersonville, N.C.

Rapids n Continued from 26

for many different skills levels. The gorge section begins at the confluence of the Toe and Cane rivers in Poplar, N.C. Known as one of the top ten whitewater rafting destinations in the nation, the Nolichucky Gorge features Class III, IV and V rapids, including Quarter-Mile, Jaws and Rollercoaster.

Below the takeout point at Chestoa, which is just outside of Erwin, the Nolichucky becomes a serene mountain stream through Unicoi, Washington and Greene counties.

One Class II-III rapid is located on the lower section just beyond the Embreeville Bridge.

Other well-known and popular rivers within a three-to-four-hour driving distance to the Tri-Cities region include the Class IIIII Nantahala River in Wesser, N.C., the Class III-IV Pigeon River in Cocke County, Tenn., and the Class III-IV Ocoee River, which is located just outside Copperhill, Tenn.

The Ocoee, which was the site of the Whitewater Slalom events for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, is controlled by three dams. The Olympic events, which took place on the upper portion of the river, have been a favorite for kayakers and whitewater rafting companies. The middle section of the Ocoee, however, continues to draw thousands every summer. The Middle Ocoee has numerous opportunities for kayakers who enjoy a play boat for surfing and those who are interested in a more traditional river run.

Bradley is presently a member of the Jackson Kayak Kayaking Team. The team provides area demonstrations of kayaks, along with information on Jackson Kayak’s products. “As part of my agreement with Jackson Kayak, I have a fleet of demo kayaks.

I go to a lot of outdoor festivals for people to try out the kayaks,” said Bradley.

The Jackson Kayak Team also sponsors an event called the “Hometown Throwdowns.” Bradley said these sessions give kayakers of all skill levels the opportunity to use a Jackson Kayak.

For anyone who is interested in picking up the sport of kayaking, Bradley suggests attending an instructional session. He said a pool session is offered Tuesday evenings throughout the year at Freedom Hall Pool from 7 to 9 p.m. Bradley and other expert kayakers can offer individuals a kayak demonstration. The Jackson Kayak Action Wagon, or JAW, provides a free test drive of their products during the pool session.

In addition to the pool session, Bradley said he can bring the Jackson Action Wagon to anyone within a three-hour drive of the Tri-Cities to anyone who is interested in checking out a Jackson Kayak. “Jackson has a great line of whitewater kayaks for river or creek running, play boats or free-style. They

also have a line of touring kayaks, fishing kayaks and youth kayaks,” said Bradley.

Bradley suggests anyone who is interested in getting into the sport of kayaking should first attend a pool demonstration or other event with an expert paddler. “The nice thing about that is all of the equipment is provided.

The kayak, boats and paddles are all there for someone to try. We also have all the minimal stuff you would need like a PFD (personal floatation device), helmets and spray-skirts.

That gives you a good idea of what it feels like to be in a kayak,” Bradley noted.

The cost of getting started in whitewater kayaking can deter some people from taking up the sport. If a potential paddler chooses to purchase all or mostly-new equipment, Bradley mentioned that the cost can run a little under $2,000. For those on a tighter budget, however, he said the cost can be around $700-$800. “It can be a little difficult to find the used equipment. You have to know the right place to find it. But, like anything else, you get what you pay for,” Bradley cautioned. “The price tag can be a bit steep to get the equipment. Unlike a sport such as golf or skiing, however, there’s not any ongoing cost for kayaking. All you really have to pay after you buy your boat and gear is your gas to get to the river.”

The expert kayaker said one of the worst mistakes a beginner can make is to purchase all of the necessary equipment and safety gear, followed directly by a trip to the nearest stretch of whitewater. He said a lot of individuals will get an interest in kayaking after they have taken a rafting trip. “A kayak is nothing like a raft or a canoe,” he explained.

“They are very shaky. It takes some time to get used to maneuvering a kayak. I can’t stress enough on people getting the proper instruction. The worst thing you can do is to try to figure it out by yourself. That’s a very good way to get injured or, at the very least, scare yourself to the point you never want to try the sport again.”

Bradley also stresses the importance of participating in whitewater kayaking with a group of people. “You never want to get out on the river alone, especially when you’re talking about whitewater,” he said. “That’s even truer when you’re talking about a stretch of river you are not familiar with. You should try to tackle a new run with someone who knows the river.”

Bradley and other experienced paddlers also recommend scouting a new river before hitting the water. They suggest getting opinions from local paddlers and kayakers who are familiar with the river. There are also a wide variety of books and websites that give detailed information about rivers across the

United States. “It also never hurts to do some advance scouting of a river. If it’s possible, check out the section of whitewater you’re thinking about with your own eyes. That gives you a good idea of any possible portions that need to be portaged,” said Bradley.

While the sport of whitewater rafting and kayaking is exciting, it is not without risks.

“Whitewater kayaking is an inherently dangerous sport,” Bradley cautioned. “You are dealing with a force that is much greater and much more powerful than you. That’s why it is crucial to know your limitations and your skill-level, always wear a PFD, carry a rope bag and kayak within a group.”

Bradley said another excellent resource for learning about the sport is through the members of the Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts Club, or APEs. Founded in 1986, the club has grown to be one of the premier kayaking clubs

in Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina. Throughout the year, Appalachian Paddling Enthusiasts sponsors a beginner kayaking clinic in the month of June, along with several whitewater trips in Class II-V rivers.

The club also places an emphasis on safety. An introductory and advanced swiftwater rescue course is offered to APE members.

Membership is $10 per year for individuals.

A family membership can be purchased for $15. A list of activities and a membership form can be found on their website at www. riverapes.org.

Bradley operates an online website and blog dedicated to kayaking. The site has photos, videos of some of his recent kayaking trips, along with a blog. Bradley’s website can be visited by going to www.worldkayakblogs.com/wildwildwes/.

Rivers n Continued from 26

Below Chestoa, the Nolichucky offers a more serene float trip for rafters. One Class II rapid is located just below the Embreeville bridge in Washington County.

• Nantahala River The Cherokee word for “River of the Noonday Sun,” the Nantahala in Swain County, N.C., is an 8-mile, dam-controlled run through some of the coldest water you will ever experience. Even on very warm days, the water temperature remains in the low 50s. A wetsuit is highly recommended.

This section of the river is mostly Class II, with a few Class III rapids, including Upper Nantahala Falls. A Class VI rapid, Lower Nantahala Falls, lies just below the takeout.

Several individuals have died attempting to run the 45-degree drop and jagged rocks of Lower Nantahala Falls.

•Pigeon River For paddlers looking for a quick trip, the Pigeon River may be a good choice. Beginning at the North Carolina/Tennessee State Line along Interstate 40 in Cocke County, the Class III/IV section drops quickly on its journey from the Pigeon River Dam at the state line to Hartford, Tenn. Since the river is dam controlled, kayakers and rafters are dependent on power generation schedules to run the section. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Carolina Power and Light generates on a regular schedule from Tuesday through Thursday, and also on Saturday.

The character of the river was dramatically changed by flooding created from the remnants of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan in 2004.

outdoor life | page 28

• Ocoee River This river, which received the world spotlight for hosting the kayaking portion of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, has continued to draw thousands of rafters and kayakers every year. Controlled by three separate dams along the river, the one-mile whitewater slalom course for the Olympics was held on the upper section of the Ocoee.

Throughout the entire whitewater portion of the river, the Ocoee provides plenty of opportunities for kayakers and numerous outfitters offer guided rafting and inflatable kayak trips along this Class III/IV river. The Middle Ocoee, which is located between Dam #3 upstream and Dam #2 downstream, will test a paddler’s skills along the entire route.

• Clinch River/Holston River For paddlers who are looking for a more serene and scenic trip, the Clinch and Holston rivers in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee are worth the drive. The Holston River has three unique forks, including the South, Middle and North. All three forks offer mostly Class I rapids which are perfect for novice paddlers in rafts, kayaks and canoes.

The Clinch River, which runs from Tazewell County, Va., to Knoxville, is another scenic float trip for inexperienced or first-time paddlers. Throughout the entire length of the river, paddlers can enjoy the rural hills and valleys of Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee. The Clinch ends near Downtown Knoxville, where it joins with the mighty Tennessee River.

Make A Splash

Pools offer cool ways to beat summer heat

By Ashley Rader OL Staff acarden@outdoor-life.net

When the weather heats up, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a cool dip in a swimming pool. Carter County offers two public swimming pools, the Franklin Pool in Elizabethton and the Roan Mountain State Park Pool in Roan Mountain, for citizens to take refuge in when temperatures soar.

The Franklin Pool in Elizabethton, located near Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, is a part of the city’s parks and recreation department. The Franklin Pool opens the weekend before Memorial Day and is open for the last day of operation on Labor Day. Elizabethton Parks and Rec Athletic Director David Nanney said the Franklin Pool was larger than Olympic sized and is filled with over 880,000 gallons of well water. The pool facility also has a baby pool area which will be opened this year. The pool had filter problems last year that left it closed for most of the season. Neither pool is heated.

Attendance to the pool has been consistent over the past few years. The pool frequently sees visits from day groups from local school systems and summer activity groups as well as a lot of walk-in business.

Nanney noted that the attendance to the pool has grown slightly over the steady av-

concession stand workers. erage attendance because of the economy.

The rates for the Franklin Pool More families and day groups are searching will be $3 for a daily admission out activities to do that are closer and children under age five to home. will be admitted free with a “Some of the larger groups paying adult. All children can have as many as 150 to 200 under the age of 12 must kids come in with them,” he be accompanied by a paysaid. “We never know what kind ing adult. Season tickets will of crowd we will have from day be $80 for 40 visits and the to day. We try to make sure we pass can be used by more know when the larger groups than one member of the are coming.” family. Daily admission for The pool has been groups of 20 or more will be operated by the City of $1.50 and adult supervisors Elizabethton since the of the group will be $2. late 1980s or early 1990s The pool hours will but has been a part of be 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Elizabethton for much Monday through longer. The pool was Friday; 10 a.m. opened in the late 1930s to 5:30 p.m. or early 1940s when the on Saturmanufacturing plants, such day and as Bemberg, moved into the area. It remained under private control until the city took over operations.

The Franklin Pool employs an average of 17 people each season. This number includes the pool manager, the lifeguards and the

1-5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The pool opens on May 26 and closes on September 3.

The Roan Mountain State Park Pool is another public swimming option for residents of Carter County and the neighboring communities as well. Not only does this pool see a large amount of local visitors but the park has an on-site campground that is frequently filled to capacity in the summer time.

The Roan Mountain Pool is an Olympic-sized pool that is heated. The pool is a very popular destination for those looking to escape the summer heat.

“We do have a nice pool,” said Teresa Thomas, a clerk at Roan Mountain State Park. “It is the only pool in the state park system that is heated.”

The Roan Mountain Pool employs seven lifeguards each season.

The Roan Mountain State Park Pool is closed on Monday and Tuesday. It is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:30 to 7 p.m. The pool opens on Memorial Day and is scheduled to close on Labor Day, however, that date is dependent on the availability of the lifeguards. Tickets are $4 per person and the facility is available for parties and other events.

For more information on the Franklin Pool, call (423) 547-6441 and for more information on the Roan Mountain State Park Pool, call (423) 772-0190.

Under The Stars

Outdoor concert series returning to Biltmore

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — See a show under the stars during Biltmore’s 16th annual concert series, kicking off on Thursday, Aug. 9.

A mix of Grammy-winning and contemporary Christian artists highlight the series, with views of Biltmore House and the Blue Ridge Mountains providing an unforgettable backdrop.

Peter Frampton Performances

will be staged on the South Terrace of Biltmore House and Diana at Biltmore. All concerts start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now. For more information Alison Krauss and a schedule of on-sale dates, visit www.biltmore.com/concerts.

The full Biltmore Concert Series line-up is: • Steve Miller Band, Aug. 9 on the South Terrace • Peter Frampton, Aug. 11 on the South

Terrace • KC and the Sunshine Band and Village People, Aug. 18 on the South Terrace • Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Aug. 24 on the South Terrace • Chris Tomlin, Aug. 25 on the South Terrace • Foreigner, Sept. 1 on the South Terrace • The Lettermen, Sept. 28 at Diana at Biltmore David Cassidy • David Cassi-

outdoor life | page 29

dy in Concert, Oct. 5 at Diana at Biltmore • Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Oct. 12 at Diana at Biltmore • Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Oct. 19 at Diana at Biltmore A variety of ticket, dining and accommodations packages are available for all of the concerts. Tickets do not include or require estate admission.

Performers and dates are subject to change. Biltmore Twelve-Month Passholders receive a discount on general admission and reserved seating. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.biltmore.com/concerts, or call 1-866-336-1255.

Fourth n Continued from 5

Watauga Lakeshore Resort and Marina on U.S. Highway 321 in the Fish Springs community will sponsor a full day of activities on Wednesday, July 4. Lakeshore’s annual boat parade on Watauga Lake will begin around 1 p.m. The parade will begin around the dam and move up the lake to the bridge. Members of the Watauga Lake Sailing Club will take part in the annual Watauga Lake Boat Parade.

WLSC will also sponsor a deck party at the sailboat dock at Lakeshore Resort during the afternoon.

On Independence Day evening, Lakeshore’s annual fireworks celebration is scheduled to begin shortly after dark. For additional information on Lakeshore’s July 4 events, please call the marina at (423) 725-2201.

Carter County’s two state parks are also sponsoring events for the upcoming Independence Day observance. Roan Mountain State Park and Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton have put together a full day of familyfriendly activities for park visitors.

Since many people enjoy camping at Roan Mountain State Park, Park Super-

intendent Pat Gagan said they will hold their Independence Day festivities on the weekend prior to July 4. “We have had this event now for about the last four years,” Gagan commented. “It has been very successful. A lot of people typically turn out for the event because it is free to attend. We don’t charge anything for our events.” Roan Mountain typically draws crowds in the thousands for the July 4 weekend festivities. Gagan noted that the park expects similar numbers for this year’s event.

On Saturday, June 30, Roan Mountain will have a full day of traditional oldtime games and activities. Gagan said the park’s focus for the Independence Day celebration is on kids and providing a safe, family-friendly environment.

From 8 a.m. to noon, the park will have a checkers tournament, watermelon eating contest, tug-of-war event with a mud pit and a bicycle parade. The morning activities will take place in Roan Mountain State Park’s campground area.

In the afternoon, the focus will turn to the Roan Mountain Amphitheater. Gagan said the park will have live entertainment

Open Year Round - Annual Memberships Available FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!!!

38 Miles of Nature Center Hiking Trails Planetarium Barge Rides 44 Acre Lake Gift Shop Animal Habitats Kingsport, TN (423)229-9447 www.baysmountain.com

from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Live music, including bluegrass, will be featured during the celebration.

Several local restaurants have also been invited to set up booths at Roan Mountain for their Independence Day Celebration. Park visitors can sample a wide variety of choices from the food vendors, which will be set up in the field adjacent to the amphitheater.

For additional information on Roan Mountain State Park’s Independence Day activities, please call the park office at (423) 772-0190.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park is sponsoring events on the weekend preceding July 4 and on the actual observance of Independence Day. On Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sunday, July 1, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the park will sponsor an 18th Century Independence Celebration and Muster.

Guests to Sycamore Shoals State Park are welcome to come to Fort Watauga to see a recreation of the news of the signing of the Declaration of Independence reaching the frontier.

Chad Bogart of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park said a historical re-enactor will play the role of a courier who brings a copy of the Declaration of Independence into Fort Watauga. “You have to remember it was about a month before word of the Declaration and its signing reached the frontier from Philadelphia,” he said.

“So people in this area and many other parts of the American colonies didn’t know about the Declaration of Independence being ratified for several days or weeks.”

The event will begin with the monthly militia group participating in raising the flag and an inspection of arms. The Grand Union flag, which represents the

colors of the English King, will initially be raised at the start of the celebration.

Once the Declaration of Independence is read, the Grand Union flag will be taken down and the Betsy Ross flag, the first official version of the United States Stars and Stripes, will be hoisted above Fort Watauga.

Bogart commented that the event is designed to give park visitors a greater appreciation for being an American. “The reading of the Declaration of Independence is a big part of our festivities,” Bogart said. “This is a great opportunity to hear the Declaration and to get a better understanding of what it truly means.”

A wide variety of other activities are scheduled to take place as part of Sycamore Shoals’ Independence Day celebration. The park’s staff members will provide visitors with the opportunity to learn more about life on the frontier in the 18th century. Demonstrations of open-hearth cooking, spinning and cloth weaving, rifle and musket use and other daily life skills will give visitors a better understanding of the challenges faced by the early settlers.

Sycamore Shoals’ museum and the cabins inside Fort Watauga will also be open for the event.

In addition to the events at Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals, the militia will march in the annual Elizabethton Independence Day Parade. The city will hold its annual parade this year on Wednesday, July 4. The parade is scheduled to begin at noon. Sycamore Shoals’ Militiamen have participated in the Elizabethton parade for the past several years.

For questions or additional information on Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park and their Fourth of July events, call the main office at (423) 543-5808.

Creeper Trail Bike Rental & Shuttle Whitetop Virginia 276-388-3056 Damascus Virginia 276-475-3611

creepertrailbikerental-shuttle.com

outdoor life | page 30

Queen Of The Doe Covered Bridge Celebration marks 130th anniversary of local landmark

By Ashley Rader OL Staff acarden@outdoor-life.net

The 46th annual Covered Bridge Celebration will feature some changes and new additions as the 130th anniversary of the historic bridge spanning the Doe River is celebrated this year.

The Covered Bridge Celebration will be held June 7-9 and will kick off with a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, to officially reopen the bridge after a restoration project was completed on the historic structure this past winter. The bridge received new siding and roofing along with improved support structures, a security system and a fire suppression system.

The Dennis Cove Band will play during the ribbon cutting ceremony. At the same time as the ribbon cutting, the Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting an auction where historic memorabilia from the Covered Bridge will be available to the highest bidder.

To commemorate the 130th anniversary of the bridge, a limited number of collectible ink pens hand crafted from the original load bearing thrust beam that was installed in the bridge in 1882 will be for sale. Carter County craftsman Bill Kyte created 30 hand-turned ink pens that are made from wood from the historic beam.

The beam was donated to the Chamber when it was removed during the restoration process. The pens are available at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce for $150 each.

“These will not last long,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Felicia English.

“They are a part of our history and the Covered Bridge holds memories to the residents of Carter County. We have already received several phone calls to reserve the pens.”

Also on Thursday, all of the festivities for the Covered Bridge Celebration will begin.

An ice cream social will be held in the Covered Bridge Park starting at 5 p.m. The social is free while supplies last.

The Arts and Crafts and food vendors will open in the afternoon on Thursday.

The vendors will arrive throughout the morning to begin setting up and will open whenever they are finished. This year, the vendors will be setting up in the Covered Bridge Park which was the traditional

location for vendors before they were moved to Elk Avenue. After discussing the set-up with vendors and downtown businesses, English and the Covered Bridge Celebration Committee made the decision to move the vendors back to the park.

“We really felt the craft show needed to be in the park,” English said. “It brings the festival back down to its focal point, the Covered Bridge. It improves the atmosphere of the festival because all of the vendors are in one spot and visitors can hear the music while they are looking at the crafts.”

A variety of arts and crafts will be displayed such as jewelry, Asian art, paintings, gourmet food, wood working, floral, laser engraving, clothes, quilts, candles, soaps and much more. A full list of crafters is available on the Covered Bridge website. The food vendor area will be filled to capacity with food vendors, offering items ranging from traditional festival fare to the unexpected items like turkey legs, Asian cuisine and more.

The Music Celebration will feature entertainers beginning on Thursday with “Gospel” night, sponsored by East TN Sports Complex, and will feature Russell Moor and IIIrd Tyme Out who will play at 8:30 p.m. Also playing on Thursday night will be East River Park Church at 4:40 p.m., the Gathering at 5:20 p.m., The Brotherhood Quartet at 6 p.m. and the Jeff Sharp Band Cooking with Grass at 7:15 p.m.

Friday night’s entertainment is “Country Night,” sponsored by Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon, and will feature CMT recording artist Jamie O’Neal at 7 p.m. and Hillbilly Bad at 8:30 p.m. Also performing on Friday night is the Dandyline Dancers at 4:50 p.m. and Retroville at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday night is “Rock Night,” sponsored by Dr. Enuf Tri-Cities Beverage, and will feature the Jerry Pierce Band at 7 p.m. and the Collegians at 8:30 p.m. This will be the final year to hear the Collegians as they will be retiring this summer. Also performing on Saturday will be the Mountain Rhythm Cloggers at 2:50 p.m., Watts Dancers at 3:30 p.m., Trailblazers Cloggers at 4:15 p.m., Acoustrifried at 5 p.m. and the Bullseye Band at 6 p.m.

Kid’s Island is a place where the children can enjoy the celebration and will be open once again this year on Edward’s Island during the entire Covered Bridge Celebration. Activities include train rides, carnival games, face painting, inflatable rides, rock climbing, fishing, bungee jumping and rock climbing. Kids Fishing Day is very popular with the kids 11 & under crowd on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is sponsored by the U.S. Forestry Service and TWRA. Little Mr. & Miss Hillbilly contest sponsored by Wal-Mart of Elizabethton will take place Saturday, June 9, on the Festival Main Stage at 11 a.m. There is a $10

outdoor life | page 31

registration fee. Trophies will be awarded.

Applications can be found online or picked up at the Chamber of Commerce.

The annual 5K run and a 3K walk is planned for Saturday, June 9, sponsored by Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Pre-registration is requested and forms can be downloaded at www.elizabethtonchamber.com (click on the Covered Bridge Link). Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m., the 5k run begins at 7:30 a.m. and the 3K walk will begin at 7:45 a.m.

The Community Wide Yard Sale presents another venue for shopping. The sale will begin at 8 a.m. and go until 2 p.m. on E Street. Booth spaces are $10 and applications can be found online.

The Elizabethton Municipal Airport is offering Scenic Aerial Flights on Saturday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The flights are $20.

The Carter County Car Club Cruise-In will be held on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. in the 400 block of Elk Avenue in downtown Elizabethton.

To end the festival and to celebrate the 130th birthday of the Covered Bridge, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee will sponsor a fireworks show at 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Prior to the Celebration, the annual Taste of Carter County, sponsored by Carter County Bank, will kick off the celebration on Tuesday, June 5, in the cafeteria at Elizabethton High School. Local restaurants

Blast From The Past

Weekly Cruise In draws crowds to downtown Elizabethton

By Ashley Rader OL Staff acarden@outdoor-life.net

Every Saturday night, downtown Elizabethton transforms into a car lover’s dream when the Carter County Car Club’s Cruise In fills the streets with hundreds of cars, ranging from classic muscle cars to custom modern cars.

The show is open to all makes and models of cars from any year of production and is free for participants and observers alike.

The Cruise In averages 225 to 300 cars and 2,000 spectators on an average night and closer to 485 cars and 3,000 spectators during the larger weekend annual show at Borla Industries.

Car Club member Ron McCloud noted the attendance at the car show has held steady and generally sees an increase each year. He believes it is because the longer the show is held more people are aware that it will be happening and they will come out each week to see the different cars that come to the show.

In addition to the wide variety of cars to be found at the show, McCloud believes it is the contact with people that keeps bringing visitors back to the car show.

“For local visitors it is the people that keep them coming back,” he said. “They can socialize with people they know and it is a friendly environment. Out-of-town visitors come for the cars but it is the friendly atmosphere that keeps them coming back. There is something at the show for everyone. There has been cars ranging from highly modified to totally original.”

Nancy Street of Hampton has been participating in the car show since it began and was held in the parking lot of a local grocery store. She now shows her custom painted fuschia 1957 Chevrolet truck.

“I enjoy seeing all the beautiful cars,” she said. “I like meeting people and talking with them. It is a good family event and a great place to get together to enjoy classic cars and good friends.”

Bobby Emmert from Bristol brought his classic car out to the Cruise In for the first

time this season. He said he had attended the show before when it was held in the grocery store parking lot. He said his friends tried to get him to come back and after he finished his car, which was a four-year project, he decided it was time to return.

Gary Whetsell from Limestone has been coming to the Cruise In for the past two years. He said he started coming to the show after he finished restoring the 1966 Mustang that was a birthday present to him from his son.

“I started going to the car shows after I got the car fixed up,” Whetsell said. “I went to a lot of different ones around and this is the best one. The people are very nice and there are more cars. This one is top-dog in my book.”

Elizabethton resident Bobby Lyons has been a long-time fixture at the car show.

He attends the show weekly with a group of friends and displays his restored 1932 Ford.

He said he enjoyed attending the show to talk with his friends and to look at the different cars that are brought in for display.

The Cruise In is not just a chance for people to spend an evening enjoying the company of friends and looking at classic cars. It also provides the Car Club with a chance to raise funds that are then distributed to local charities.

In 2011, the club raised and donated over $26,000 to different community organizations, which is an increase from the amount that was donated last year. The car club has donated over $100,000 to area charities and organizations since 2005.

The club has donated to the Imagination Library, every Elizabethton city and Carter County elementary school reading program, Toys for Tots, Children’s Evangelistic Fellowship, East Tennessee Christian Children’s Home, the Carter County Angel Tree, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Niswonger Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House.

McCloud stated they were able to donate more funds this year because of the gener-

Photo by Danny Davis

Bobby Emmert of Bristol fine tunes some of the details on his classic restored car.

Photo by Danny Davis

Bobby Lyons of Elizabethton relaxes for a moment inside his restored 1932 Ford.

Photo by Danny Davis

Nancy Street of Hampton polishes the finish on her 1957 Chevy truck.

Her custom fuschia painted truck turns quite a few heads at the weekly Carter County Car Club Cruise In in downtown Elizabethton.

n See CRUISE IN, 33 outdoor life | page 32

Blue Plum n Continued from 21

weekend.”

The open-air street festival has continued to grow since it was first held in 2000.

Thousands of tourists from the region and the rest of the United States make their annual pilgrimage to Downtown Johnson City to take part in the Blue Plum Festival. Pennington said event organizers are estimating approximately 80,000 visitors will attend this year’s event. “We have been consistently hitting those numbers for the last few years, so we believe that trend will continue in 2012,” he added.

Live music continues to be one of the largest and the most popular aspects of Blue Plum. This year, four different stages will be set up throughout the downtown district. Each stage will feature a unique style of music, which Pennington said will appeal to a wide range of tastes.

The Blue Plum’s Roan Street Stage is an opportunity for area musicians to display their talent to thousands of music fans.

The stage is exclusively dedicated to giving up-and-coming, along with popular area bands, the opportunity to play for the Blue Plum audience. The Roan Street Stage will kick off the musical portion of the festival on Friday, June 1, at 5 p.m. Area artists who are scheduled to appear include: Little Chicago, Steve Gilbert and Dallas Danger, The Farmhouse Ghost and The Black Cadillacs.

“The Blue Plum Festival can be very hard for a local band to break into,” Pennington said. “The Roan Street stage is a way to let area musicians have a stage to

perform at the festival. Since we started it, the stage has been a popular part of Blue Plum.”

The Jazz Stage made its first appearance at the festival four years ago. Since then, jazz aficionados in the area have been able to get their fill of the musical genre. This year’s lineup on the Jazz Stage features nine different artists, including Lenore Raphael, the Knoxville Jazz Group and Keith McKelley.

The Market Street Stage continues to be another fan favorite for festival goers.

Throughout the lifetime of the event, the stage has featured Doc Watson, the Everybodyfields and other artists. The Market Street Stage will take place on Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2. The stage will include an eclectic list of artists and musical genres. The Trail Band, a Christiancontemporary group, will kick things off on June 1 at 5 p.m. Jazz, rock, pop, folk, hard rock and bluegrass music will be featured on the Market Street Stage. Searchlights til Sunrise, the Aaron Jaxon Band, the Diamonds, Doc Bonhomie and Contact the Militia highlight the schedule for this year’s Market Street Stage.

In addition to music, craft vendors will be set up along portions of Main Street and Roan Street. Pennington said those portions of Main and Roan will be closed to vehicular traffic to allow the arts and crafts vendors to set up booths for Blue Plum.

Approximately 40 to 45 unique artists and crafters have signed up to participate in this

year’s festival.

The Main Street stage at this year’s festival will take place on Saturday, June 2. The stage will highlight talented musicians in the field of Americana music. From 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. that Saturday, Eric Sommer, Dangermuffin, Malcolm Holcombe, Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson and Darrell Scott and the Brothers will be featured at the festival.

Throughout the lifetime of the event, Blue Plum’s organizers have made an ongoing effort to provide a venue to musicians, painters, sculptors, crafters and other artists to display their talents. Pennington continued, “We have been adamant that Blue Plum stays true to being a pure arts and music festival. The music aspect of the event, of course, is represented on the stage.

As far as the art aspect of the festival, our vendors must be the actual artist or crafter to be included in that part of the festival.

We don’t allow vendors to sell arts or crafts that they didn’t create as a commercial vendor.”

Music and arts are not the only draw for the Blue Plum Festival. Pennington said this year’s lineup include an extreme sports area, a kids play area and other specialized activities.

The festival will also sponsor the Plum Fast 5K race, a cornhole tournament, an animation festival, an art throwdown and a cycling tournament as part of this year’s Blue Plum Festival. Pennington said information on the events, along with registra-

tion and contact information, is available on the Blue Plum’s official website.

In addition to Downtown Johnson City restaurants, other food vendors and area restaurants will be participating in the Blue Plum Food Court. Pennington said there will be an incredible variety of choices for every taste and every palate. Sushi, Chinese food, Italian food, traditional American faire and numerous other styles of cuisine will be available for festival goers this year.

Pennington noted that Blue Plum could not happen without the support of area businesses and other organizations. “Blue Plum is sponsorship-driven,” he said. “We get a little bit of assistance from the city for our First Friday events, but it’s not specifically for Blue Plum. It’s for us to promote downtown, as a whole.” Pennington said a major focus for Blue Plum is to highlight Downtown Johnson City as a tourist destination during the rest of the year. He added that the event gives positive exposure to downtown restaurants, bars, shops and other businesses.

Pennington concluded, “We are very excited about this year’s Blue Plum. I believe it will continue to provide a great experience for our festival attendees, the musicians, our artists and crafters, food vendors and our sponsors.”

A full list of activities for the 2012 Blue Plum Festival, along with the schedule of events and other information, can be obtained by visiting their website at blueplum. org.

Cruise In n Continued from 32

osity of the community that supports them.

They added St. Jude, Niswonger Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House to the organizations they made donations to last year. The club donated $500 to each of those organizations.

Also, they donated $4,000 for presents for Carter County Angel Tree children along with $1,000 especially for bicycles for children who requested those. During the Car Club’s Christmas party they collected additional presents for the Angels instead of exchanging gifts among themselves.

McCloud explained they were able to distribute more funds in the community because of the generosity of their sponsors and different supporters within the community, including Borla Exhaust Systems, Carter County Bank, Big John’s Closeouts and Advance Auto Parts.

“Mr. Borla helps us to raise more by

allowing us to have our annual shows at his facility,” McCloud said. “He absorbs a lot of the costs associated with that. We can be more generous because of his generosity. We are very grateful for everyone in the community that helps the Car Club. The Car Club is the one seen by the public but it takes the community to make this happen.”

The money that was donated was raised through club member dues, sponsors, T-shirt advertisements, entry fees from drawings during car shows and purchases of club materials, such as T-shirts.

The Cruise In is held in downtown Elizabethton every Saturday night from April 7 to Oct. 27 from 5 to 9 p.m. In addition to the regular car show, club members will be participating in their large annual show on July 13 and 14 at the Borla Factory, which is located in the old Siemens plant off the Okolona exit of Interstate 26.

Photo by Danny Davis

The weekly Carter County Car Club Cruise In draws in hundreds of spectators who like to view the classic cars that have been restored as well as the modern cars that come out to the show.

outdoor life | page 33

outdoor life | page 34

A New Image Weight Loss, Inc. Tanning & Spa Services 59 Special Beyond White Teeth Whitening System

$

Tri Cities Oldest Weight Loss Clinic - Since 1995

$29/Month Gift Certificates Available! * New Bulbs

Tired? Try our new

Prescription Strength B-12 Sublingual

30 day supply

7900

$

t n e n a m r e P Up e k Ma by

nes o J r e

if

Jenn

The HCG Diet Plan!

Lose 30 Lbs In 30 Days

23 Day Program

265

$

00

40 Day Program

349

$

00

4 for $80 Lipo-M Injections 4 for $120 VitaBurn Injections $40/injection Lipovite Injections

Plan Includes

• Four Lipovite Injections • Dr. Exam • Weekly Weigh-Ins

• One on One Counseling • HGC Diet and Cookbook • Produced at an FDA Approved Facility

00

Phentermine 60 ct/any mg

9900

$

Includes 4 Lipovite Inejction

Botox

9

$

00

Per Unit

Juvaderm one syringe

only $450.00

CALL FOR SPECIAL PRICING

WaTCH for THe oPeNING of our NeW SuPerSTore IN erWIN Call now for an appointment!

423-542-6488 602-B East Elk Ave. Elizabethton, TN

423-772-0202 125 Carter Street Roan Mountain, TN

423-232-7600

900 N. State of Franklin Rd. Johnson City, TN

423-727-4107

524 S. Church Street Mountain City, TN

Open Mon. - Fri. 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Day & Night Clinics • Call for scheduling.

Dr. Vali Khatrollahi (remotely on site). Our staff includes a nurse practitioner registered nurse, a medical aesthetician and physicians assistants.