Featuring the Outdoor Sports, Great Events and Many Attractions of Monroe County and Surrounding Counties in Tennessee Mountain Country www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Fall 2012
Jason Miller, Pharm. D. Brent Hickey, Pharm. D.
Your Hometown Pharmacist
Save Money with our Prescription Savings Plan • Diabetes Testing • Diabetes Teaching • Full Medication Management Services • Home Delivery Services • Blood Pressure Screening
707 Veterans Memorial Drive (Next to Citizens National Bank)
423-253-6003
Kim Yearwood,, Broker 423-253-2346 4 4
108 Scott Street Tellico Plains, TN 37385
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Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Welcome to Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country!
Contents
Fall 2012
Featuring the Outdoor Sports, Great Events and Many Attractions of Monroe County and Surrounding Counties in Tennessee Mountain Country www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Fall 2012
On the Cover
The Monroe County Advocate & Democrat is proud to produce the Tennessee Mountain Traveler three times a year to showcase the many attractions in Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country. This full-color tourism magazine is distributed to more than 14,000 tourists throughout East Tennessee. Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country is a region blessed with rich heritage, friendly people, unmatched scenery and outdoor recreation with our lakes, rivers and mountains. From roaring waterfalls, world-class whitewater rafting and fly fishing to quiet mountain streams and peaceful lakes, you can do it all on the water here. Take a spin on our byways, carved through mile-high mountain peaks, or visit the Cherokee National Forest. Come learn about the Cherokee Indian Heritage as you travel through the Tennessee Overhill Region (Monroe, McMinn and Polk counties). Experience the unique antique shopping and dining experiences in Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country, including Madisonville, Sweetwater, Tellico Plains, Vonore, Lenoir City, Loudon, Athens, Etowah, Englewood, Dayton and others. Special thanks to the Tennessee Overhill Association, Monroe County Tourism Department, Fritts Photography, and many others involved in this publication. For more information about this publication, call 423-337-7101.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country offers rich scenery and outdoor recreation year round. The Advocate & Democrat Publisher Tommy Wilson captured this photo of Macy and Jackson Montogomery, the children of J.D. and Julie Dalton, who own Tsali Notch Vineyard in Sweetwater.
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4....................Upcoming Events 5...........................Regional Map 6-7............Muscadine Festival 8.............Autumn Gold Festival 10...........................Pumpkintown 11.................................Halloween 12.................Sweetwater Valley Cheese Farm 14.............Hiwassee River Rail 16...........................Scenic Byways 18-19...Cherohala Skyway Map 20............................The Lost Sea 22.........................Fort Loudoun Sequoyah Birthplace 24..........................Tellico Plains 26-27........The Beach Drive-In 30.................................Fall Colors
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Calendar of Events Sept. 28-29 Second Annual National Muscadine Festival This Sept. 28 and 29 is set to be full of excitement when the second annual National Muscadine Festival is held at Tsali Notch Vineyard and downtown Sweetwater.
Oct. 13-14 Coker Creek’s Autumn Gold Festival The Autumn Gold Festival is held on the grounds of Coker Creek Elementary School. The annual event features arts, crafts, entertainment, a queen pageant, and more.
Oct. 13 Pumpkintown in Downtown Athens Day-long celebration to bring cultural history and hertiage of McMinn County to life.
Oct. 31 Madisonville Halloween in the City Ghosts and goblins revel in Madisonville..
Nov. 2-4 Festival of Trees in Lenoir City This holiday event hosted by CASA Monroe kicks off Christmas season while benefiting children.
Nov. 24 Sweetwater Small Town Christmas Festival Leave the traffic and the crowds at the shopping malls behind and enjoy a family friendly evening of fun for everyone. Activities include horse and buggy rides, pictures with Santa, Christmas shopping, and hayrides through Historic Downtown Sweetwater.
Nov. 30 Sweetwater’s Christmas Parade One of the biggest parades in the area, the annual Christmas Parade starts at 7 p.m. on Nov. 30. It begins at Mayes Avenue (downtown).
Dec. 1 (Tenative) Candlelight Walk in Tellico Plains Annual Christmas celebration in scenic town. For more information, contact 423-253-2333
Published by:
609 E. North Street Sweetwater, TN. 37874 Phone: (423) 337-7101 4511 Highway 411 • Unit 5 Madisonville, TN 37354 Phone: (423) 442-4575 www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Thomas Wilson Publisher
Tommy Millsaps Editor editor@advocateanddemocrat.com Layout and Graphic Art Team: Jessica Cross jessica.cross@advocateanddemocrat.com Kristen Calhoun kristen.calhoun@advocateanddemocrat.com
Dec. 1 Madisonville’s Christmas Parade
Advertising Team: Sharon Livingston Advertising Manager admanager@advocateanddemocrat.com
Annual holiday parade starts at 5 p.m. in downtown Madisonville.
Asia Capshaw Sales Representative asia.capshaw@advocateanddemocrat.com Lorie Samples Sales Representative lorie.samples@advocateanddemocrat.com Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in the Tennessee Mountain Traveler. No reproduction may be made without written permission of the publisher.
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Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Your tour guide will take you through crawls, such as the Meat Grinder, where you will lie on your side & push with your feet just to get through the tiny opening...
Stop by the Lost Sea on Saturday at 1:00pm with your flashlight & old clothes & take the “Adventure” of a lifetime!
The Super Saturday Adventure is offered every Saturday at 1:00pm
30
$
per person For more info call 423-337-6616 or visit our website
(423) 337-6616 Main Gift shops open year round & additional stores can be seasonal.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Highway 68 • Sweetwater www.thelostsea.com
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Stomping good time The second annual National Muscadine Festival in historic downtown Sweetwater and Tsali Notch Vineyard is slated for Sept. 28-29. Last year, the event was a big success, especially for a festival in its first year. The Sweetwater Merchants and Property Owners Association (SMPOA) came up with the idea for the festival as a way to bring visitors to the area for an overnight stay and help raise funds for a train station/depot downtown. The festival adds to the already popular antique stores and great restaurants that attract numerous visitors to Sweetwater each year. There are lots of fun things to do at the festival downtown and at the vineyard located at 140 Harrison Road, between Madisonville and Sweetwater. Important websites: www.nationalmuscadinefestival.com www.tsalinotchvineyard.com
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Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
2012 National Muscadine Festival Schedule of Events Sept. 28 & 29 Friday, September 28 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. –Tsali Notch Vineyard FREE ADMISSION •Jelly making demonstration •Music, story telling, vendors, wagon rides through the vineyard. •Muscadine picking 7-10 p.m. Downtown Sweetwater: Live Music with SouthBound (Free Admission). Vendors and BBQ cookers begin
Saturday, Sept. 29 10 a.m.-5 p.m. downtown Sweewater FREE ADMISSION •Parade line up begins at 9 a.m. at K-Mart •Parade begins at 10 a.m. •Ceremony at the gazebo at 10:30 a.m. •Food & art & craft vendors •Live Music at Main Stage and Bandstand:
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Duck Park: 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.- Journey Home 12 p.m.-1:15 p.m.- Carla Jo Carr and the Silver Wings Band 2 p.m.-4 p.m.- Robinella
Gazebo: 11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Junior High Chorus 11:45 a.m.-12 p.m. Eli Currier 1:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Doug Richesin
Other: •Kid Zone at the Duck Park. All-day armband $5 •Water and sporting activities near Peoples Bank •Barbecue Competition at Hunt Commons •Grape Stomping •Grapevine Wreath contest at the gazebo •Wreath auction •Car shows •Cornhole tournament
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43rd Annual Autumn Gold Festival When: Oct. 13 and Oct.14 New Location: Coker Creek Elementary School How Much: Adults: $3, Children: $1 Age 6 and under: Free
T
he Autumn Gold Festival brings crafts, artists,
food vendors, and entertainers to Coker Creek in a two-day showcase. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. On Sunday of the festival, judges will crown the Autumn Gold Festival Queen, Junior Queen, Princess and Doll Princess. Winners will be selected based on authentic, old-fashioned costumes, accessories, poise and presentation on the stage. The contest is open to any girl. Contestants must preregister by noon the day of the contest. Also at the festival, visitors can try their hand at a variety of activities, including gold panning. There will be live entertainment both days. The annual event is the only fundraiser of the year for the Coker Creek Ruritan Club. For vending information, e-mail autumngoldfestival@ gmail.com. For more information about the festival, contact Ralph or Wanda Murphy at 423-261-2236.
Autumn Gold Festival
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Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Smok 'N' Bonz BBQ
Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm 1245 Hwy 411 • Vonore, TN (In Derby Downs Shopping Center)
423-884-3044
Catering • Drive Thru • Family Pack Specials
Best BBQ Around!
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
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Pumpkintown
October 13 Downtown Athens
D
id you know the largest pumpkin ever grown weighed 1,131 pounds? Had you any idea that McMinn County once had a town that shared a name with the key ingredient in a pumpkin pie? The ninth Annual Pumpkintown Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, in downtown Athens. A day-long celebration ensured to bring to life the rich cultural history and heritage of McMinn County and East Tennessee, the community-wide event is named for a former McMinn County village, Pumpkintown, that became part of Athens after its formation in 1822. “Pumpkintown has enjoyed great success for eight years now, with thousands
of visitors attending each year,” said Meredith Willson, chairwoman of the Pumpkintown steering committee. Those who attend will be taken back in time to many different bygone eras. Blacksmiths, woodturners, basket makers, potters, bonnet-makers, oldfashioned jewelry-makers, cornhusk dollmakers and other craftspeople will demonstrate crafts from days of old. Antique tractors will also be featured in this year’s Pumpkintown festival. Blackburn said plans are under way to expand Heritage Row to include more Native American cultural activities. Old favorites will also be returning, including the fourth Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, second Annual Pumpkin Pie Contest, and the Doggie Costume
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Contestant on Washington Avenue. New this year will be pickle ball and corn hole tournaments. Quilt enthusiasts will also enjoy the fourth Annual Heritage Quilt Show, hosted again by the Heritage Quilt Guild, which will be held in conjunction with Pumpkintown at The Arts Center on White Street, across from the Jackson Street entrance to Tennessee Wesleyan College. The annual African American Quilt Show will be held in Tennessee Wesleyan College’s Sherman Fine Arts Building. Live music and entertainment will be on multiple stages throughout the day during Pumpkintown, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To learn more about Pumpkintown, visit www.pumpkintownfestival.com.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
October 31
Spooktacular Hall ween H
alloween is quite a treat for little
ghosts and goblins in Monroe County. A couple of areas in particular have become haunted havens for locals and visitors alike. The Downtown Madisonville Association each Oct. 31 hosts a large Halloween event in the center of town. Trick-or-treaters both young and old alike join in the fun. The historic residential section of Sweetwater: Mayes Avenue, Church Street, Broad Street and nearby streets, attract thousands of children with many
residents dressing up to greet the little spooks and some homeowners even make haunted houses for the youngsters. Residents say they spend hundreds of dollars on candy each Halloween, but they don’t seem to mind the extra expense. Some area organizations set up tables on Mayes Avenue and last year dancers performed a spooky dance. Often area churches have trunk or treat, which are popular Halloween activities in Vonore and Tellico Plains as well. The average high temperature in East Tennessee at the end of October is in the mid 60s and the weather is usually suited for any type of costume.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
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The Udder Story W
hat started out as a small dairy farm in 1987 has grown into a cheese-making, farm-touring, awe-inspiring adventure. Located in Philadelphia in south Loudon County, Sweetwater Valley Farm produces quality cheese from cows right on the farm, the only dairy in Tennessee to do so. Walking excursions on the farm allow families and groups to witness cows in their natural habitat. The walking tour passes the feed bins, where an all-you-can-eat buffet is created for the herd. Next, the adventure moves to the calf barn, past the mature cows, and then on to the milking parlor. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and takes place during the summer on days that the weather permits. The Udder Story barn features farm exhibits and hands-on material for people of all ages. Items can be purchased in the shop. To reach Sweetwater Valley Farm, take Interstate 75 to Exit 68. The farm is located off Highway 11 about one mile from the Monroe and Loudon County line. Call 877-862-4332 or visit www.sweetwatervalley.com for info.
S&S
Hunting Supplies and More
Business Hours
Monday-Thursday 8am-5:30pm Friday 8am-6pm Saturday 8am-5pm
Ransome Stiles Steven Stiles
715 Niles Ferry Road • Madisonville, TN (423) 420-1006 • www.sshuntingsupplies.com
Festival for Life
A Relay For Life Event - Meigs County, TN Chapter
Saturday, October 13, 2012 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Live Music By
The Road Crew
The Buchanan Boys, Kinslee Melhorn, Jim Ricketts & Lauren Masters
Food & Craft Vendors To Become A Vendor Call Lisa Oliver: 423-506-8143 Towanha Jennings: 423-664-2707 lisaoliver32@gmail.com • towanhaj@hotmail.com 12 | www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
s ’ n a y Br
68
Wine And Spirits Steaks • Seafood Pasta • Sandwiches Salads • Homemade Soups
660 New Highway 68 Sweetwater, TN
“Home of the Big Kid Cookie”
423-337-3050
423-351-1098
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm Friday-Saturday 9am-11pm
101 E. Morris Street, Sweetwater, TN 37874
1 1/2 Miles East of I-75 • Near Jacky Jones Ford
In the heart of Sweetwater’s Antiques District
Mon-Thurs: 10am-4pm • Fri-Sat: 10am-8pm Closed Sunday
The Econo Lodge® West is centrally located between Knoxville and Chattanooga, off Interstate 75. Surrounded by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the hotel is only four miles from the Lost Sea, America's largest underground lake. Watts Bar Lake is just minutes from this Sweetwater, TN hotel. The famous Tail of the Dragon at Deal's Gap is only a short drive away and provides 318 curves in 11 miles for motorcycle enthusiasts. Additional nearby attractions include the Cherohala Skyway, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and Fort Loudoun State Park. Golfing, fishing, skiing and boating are available in the surrounding area. A variety of restaurants and cocktail lounges are also nearby.
Newly Rennovated! Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Guests of this Sweetwater, TN hotel will enjoy many amenities, including: Free wireless high-speed Internet access Free hot breakfast with eggs, biscuits, sausage gravy and hot waffles Free weekday USA Today newspaper Manager's reception Monday - Thursday 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Exercise room Business center Indoor heated pool and hot tub
249 Highway 68 • Sweetwater, TN 37874 Phone: 423-337-3353 • Fax: 423-337-7260 email: elsweetwater@live.com
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All aboard!
T
he Tennessee Overhill is a region comprised of Monroe, McMinn and Polk counties. In 1990, the three counties were selected as one 16 national and one of four state pilot cultural tourism areas. The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) was established at that time to manage the pilot program and develop a permanent cultural tourism program for the threecounty region. The region is blessed with an abundance of attractions, including some unique train rides the Overhill is promoting this fall. The Hiwassee River Rail Adventure train season began again in Etowah late this spring. Passengers view the breathtaking scenery through large picture windows as the train travels alongside the scenic river and then loops around the famous Hiwassee Loop,which corkscrews up the mountain passing over a bridge 62 feet above the tracks on which passengers have just traveled. There are two train trips available; one is the “Hiwassee Loop Trip,” a half day trip which departs from Etowah, travels around the Loop and returns, the other trip is an all day ride from Etowah, which travels around the Loop and then on to the historic copper mining town of Copperhill for a two-hour layover for lunch and shopping. The Hiwassee River Rail Adventure is a truly unique rail-
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road experience and has several features that set it apart. The Hiwassee Rail Loop is one of the most unique railroad structures in the nation. It is reputed to be the third longest rail loop in the world. The train travels across the Old Line, a railroad that was carved into the mountains and river gorge in 1890 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hiwassee River Gorge is another striking feature. Tucked into a wilderness area, this natural wonder is accessible only by rail. The gorge has received the USDA National Forest’s highest ranking for scenic beauty. Ticket prices for the half-day trip are $34 for adults and $24 for children ages 3-12. The Copperhill full-day tickets are $52 for adults and $35 for children. Prices for Oct. 1 through Nov. 14 are $38 for the Loop trip and $62 for the Copperhill trip. Tickets and information are available through the Tennessee Overhill at 1-877-510-5765, the L&N Depot Museum at 423-263-7840 or online at tvrail.com/ Hiwassee. Passengers park at the Historic L&N Depot in Etowah and then take a short shuttle bus ride to Gee Creek State Park to board the train. Each train is general seating and features comfortable cushioned seats, climate controlled interiors, restrooms and a snack bar. For more information on the Overhill, visit www.tennesseeoverhill.com.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
WELCOME TO MONROE COUNTY
179 Tellico Reliance Road Reliance, TN 37369
423-338-8500 Cell 423-519-6081 www.hiwasseeangler.com steve@hiwasseeangler.com
A Great Place to Work & Live
GUIDE SERVICE s &ULL $AY (ALF $AY 4RIPS s 4ROUT 3MALLMOUTH 2OCK &ISH s 7ADE OR &LOAT 4RIPS s #USTOM 4RIPS !VAILABLE s &LY &ISHING #LASSES
MONROE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
TELLICO O KATS, K ATS, A S LLC On The River DELICATESSEN & GENERAL STORE 1829 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN 37385 423-253-3411 • www.tellicokats.com
We Offer Custom Boxed Lunches To Go
Shan Harris, Director 103 College Street South, Suite 6 Madisonville, TN 37354 423-442-3652 Mobile: 423-519-3369 Email: shan.harris@monroegovernment.org www.monroeeconomicdevelopment.com
Bringing Health Care Home to Monroe County
T
he Blount Memorial Health Center at Tellico West in Vonore makes it easy for Monroe County residents to get the expert health care services they need. Whether you are searching for a family doctor, require in-home skilled nursing care or need physical therapy, Blount Memorial is here – in Monroe County – to help.
Available services include: Business Health (occupational health
services for business and industry), 423-884-6958 Counseling and CONCERN (individual, couple and family counseling), 423-884-1945
Family Medicine at Tellico West (children, teens, adults and seniors), 423-884-6958
Home Services (physician-ordered, skilled care and related home health services), 423-884-1941
Hospice and Palliative Care
(compassionate, end-of-life care including symptom management and support), 865-977-5702
Total Rehabilitation at Tellico West (pediatric, adult and geriatric services including orthopedic and aquatic therapies), 423-884-1901
Health Center Tellico West
www.blountmemorial.org
$EER #ROSSING s 6ONORE 4.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
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Photo courtesy of Kevin Fritts, Fritts Photography
Take a spin on our scenic byways N
umerous travel and tourism studies conclude that driving to view scenery is a favorite American pastime. The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) hopes to capitalize on that trend by promoting driving tours that link the Cherohala Skyway and Ocoee Scenic Byway. Both byways are located in the Tennessee Overhill, a region that includes the Southeastern Tennessee counties of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk as well as the southern half of the Cherokee National Forest (see map on page 5). TOHA recently added an addition to its website that will provide itineraries and maps to make it easy for travelers to link these two national scenic highways as part of one trip while exploring the communities and countryside that lie between the two roads. The new Web pages are titled “Scenic Byways Day Trips.” Funded by the Federal Highway Administration, National Scenic Byways Program, and Tennessee
Department of Transportation, the new web pages provide itineraries to link the Cherohala Skyway to the Ocoee Scenic Byway with three suggested driving tours. A trail map complements each itinerary with suggested stops marked on the map. The maps and itineraries can be downloaded and printed. The itineraries are designed around cultural themes. The Cherokee Heritage Trail leads visitors to sites in Tennessee and North Carolina which illustrate Cherokee history and culture from pre-history through modern times. The Crafts Heritage Trail also winds through both Tennessee and North Carolina, including such diverse attractions as the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina and Coker Creek Welcome Center in Tennessee. The Furs to Factories Trail encourages travelers to visit museums and historic sites in the Overhill to learn how the Industrial Revolution played out here. Linda Caldwell, executive director for TOHA, said, “The Tennessee
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Overhill is blessed with two national scenic byways, each with its own unique qualities. The Cherohala Skyway skirts the high country in Tennessee and North Carolina while the Ocoee Scenic Byway winds through the Ocoee River Gorge and up to the top of Chilhowee Mountain. With the Cherohala running across the northern border of the Overhill and the Ocoee to the south, these two splendid highways act as bookends for the region while offering very different experiences for travelers.” She added, “We think it makes sense to capitalize on these important assets by finding ways to encourage byway travelers to explore the land that lies between the two roads.” To view the new Web pages, visit www.tennesseeoverhill.com and click on “Scenic Byways Day Trips.” Those who prefer to receive information in the mail may contact the Tennessee Overhill at 423-263-7232 or info@tennesseeoverhill.com to request print versions of the maps and itineraries.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
MADISONVILLE
FLEA AND ANTIQUE MALL • INDOOR/OUTDOOR MARKET
Tues., Fri., Sat., Sun. 8am-5:30pm 3949 Hwy 411 N. • 423-420-6504
CHEROHALA SKYWAY VISITOR CENTER
We Buy Estates One Piece Or Many CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER OWNERS TOMMY & MELINDA CRAWLEY
Come Come Experience Experience Our Our Petting Petting Zoo Zoo with with Your Your Friends Friends && Family! Family!
Open Monday-Sunday 9:00-5:00 Winter Hours: (Jan.-Feb.): Fri.-Sat. 9:00-5:00 & Sunday 1:00-5:00
225 Cherohala Skyway • Tellico Plains
423-253-8010 Birthday Parties Mobile Zoo Mining Birthday Parties Mining Pony Rides Birthday Parties•//Gem Mobile Zoo //•Gem Gem Mining / / School Field Trips Pony Rides Pond Fishing School Field Trips • OPEN to the Public School Field Trips / Pony Rides / Pond Fishing 120 120 Plemons Plemons Road Road // Sweetwater, Sweetwater, TN TN OPEN Seasonally 1-5 Daily 10-5, Daily 10-5, Sunday Sunday 1-5 Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm purdyspettingzoo.com Sunday 1pm-5pm purdyspettingzoo.com
• Friendly Folks • Current Skyway & National Forest Information • Ample Free and Paved Parking • Outdoor Picnic Facilities • Super Clean Bathrooms • A Modern “Not-For-Profit” Gift Shop
Center owned and operated by Monroe County, Tennessee Purdy’s Petting Zoo Purdy’s Petting Zoo is an approved isUSDA an approved facility. USDA facility.
www.cherohala.org The Official Website of Cherohala Skyway
(423)-253-2606
Open 9am-9:30pm Year Round 1801 Cherohala Skyway • Tellico Plains, TN On Tellico River Come enjoy the food, views & take a swim in the river.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
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To C
hat ta
noo ga
w w w. m o n ro e c o u n t y
Monroe Co. Visitor Center at Sweetwater
Tellico River 920 ft. The Tellico River has been the scene of human occupation for I-75 12,000 years. For much of this time it was the domain of Native 11 Americans. From at least 1650 AD, the Cherokee Indians Sweetwater resided here. Madisonville After the Cherokee Removal in 1838, the area was opened for 411 Euro-American settlement. Tellico, “tel-li--quo” means “plains” in Cherokee. Cherohala Skyway
Indian Boundary Campground b Just off the scenic Skyway on Forest Service Road 345. Offering 100 campsites as well as day use picnicking, swimming and biking. Open April-September. Reservations are recommended. Call the Tellico Ranger Station or the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center for information.
Turkey Creek 2,630 ft. Overlook with 3 picnic tables and Restroom. Beautiful view from the Appalachians over the Tennessee River Valley. Tellico Plains can be seen in the distance.
;Sa
+ 0
Oosterneck Creek 1,045 ft. Overlook and boating takeout on the Tellico River. When the water is up, the Tellico River, with it’s Class III, IV, V, rapids, is quite a challenge for canoeists and kayakers.
Eagle Gap Trailhead 3,600 ft.
Grassy Gap Trailhead 3,400 ft.
Visitor Center Charles Hall Museum
Caney Branch 1,370 ft.
Tellico Plains
68
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Tellico Ranger Station Information Station Bulletin board welcomes visitors with general information about the Skyway and Tellico Ranger District.
Tellico River 950 ft. The Tellico River is famous for its trout fishing.
Coker Creek Welcome Center
Tennessee Emergency Information Cherokee National Forest Tellico Ranger Station 250 Ranger Station Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 (423) 253-8400
64
Ducktown, TN
Sheriffs Department Monroe County, TN (423) 442-3911
Brushy Ridge 3,750 ft. d Overlooking Sassafras Ridge and other major ridges running south down to the Tellico River.
West Rattlesnake R Trailhead 4,000 ft.
Bald River Falls Located on Forest Service Road 210, you can view Bald River Falls without leaving your car as water cascades over 100 feet onto the rocks below. Further along the road you may be interested in visiting the State operated trout hatchery. Weather Conditions Important to consider before traveling the Skyway. Snow is common from mid November through mid Aprilespecially in the higher elevations. Note: The Cherohala Skyway is a State maintained road, with the amenities maintained by the US Forest Service. For each state, please contact the appropriate Sheriffs Department for road conditions and the appropriate Forest Service Ranger Station for recreation information.
b Cell phone coverage along the Cherohala Skyway is very sporadic. There is a public phone at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center. Above Indian Boundary there is some cell phone coverage.
Lake View 3,360 ft. d A perfect place to enjoy distant views of Tellico Lake. This lake was created from TVA dams of the Little Tennessee River.
Cherohala Skyw 225 Cherohala S Tellico Plains, TN 423-253-8010
Coker Creek We 12197 New Hwy Coker Creek, TN 423-261-2286
w w w. a d v o c a t e a n
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest In 1936, an extraordinary 3,800 acres of “one of the few remaining tracts of virgin hardwood in the Appalachians” was set aside as a memorial forest in honor of Joyce Kilmer. Kilmer, a poet, journalist, and World War I soldier killed in action, is best remembered for his poem, “Trees.” This impressive forest contains some of the finest timber grown in these mountains with many huge trees over 20 feet around the base and more than a hundred feet high. A 2-mile loop trail winds beneath the towering trees and through a forest carpeted by a rich variety of wildflowers, ferns, and moss-covered logs from the fallen giants. The Memorial Forest, also part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, can only be seen on foot.
The wilderness areas surrounding the Cherohala Skyway are beautiful and alluring, but not necessarily suited for everyone to explore. As a visitor to wilderness, you should be aware that you are entering a primitive environment. You will face the challenge of being entirely self-sufficient–no trail signs, no restrooms, no water spigots. Some people may just rather drive by, enjoy the view, and visit more developed trails and recreation areas.
Spirit Ridge 4,950 ft. d Take a leisurely stroll (about 3/10th of a mile) East Rattlesnake Rock 4,110 ft. along an easy grade Unicoi Crest 4,470 ft. d through a northern hardwood forest to a Stratton Ridge fabulous vista overlooking 4,420 ft. Rock This is a perfect place to the Byway and a seemingly stretch, enjoy a picnic endless range of mountains. State Line lunch (5 tables), or use The trail is accessible for (Beech Gap 4,490 ft.) the restroom facilities. A the physically challenged bulletin board provides and two picnic tables are additional information easily accessed from the Mud Gap Trailhead parking lot. about the Skyway. 4,480 ft.
way Visitor Center Skyway N 37385
elcome Center y 68 37314
Obadiah 3,740 ft. d Listen carefully to the sound of Santeetlah Creek far below while enjoying the mountain vista offered at this scenic overlook.
1127 Hooper Cove 3,100 ft. d This open area with a view into the Santeetlah Creek drainage offers a perfect spot for a picnic lunch (four tables).
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Whigg Cove 4,570 ft. Haw Knob Slopes 4,890 ft. Big Junction 5,240 ft. d
Wright Cove 4,150 ft. Huckleberry 5,300 ft.
Santeetlah 5,390 ft. Over a mile-high in elevation, enjoy a picnic (3 tables) at the highest overlook along the Skyway.
Hooper Bald Trailhead 5,290 ft. d A quarter-mile hike leads to Hooper Bald, near the site of the old hunting preserve where many exotic species, including the Russian boar, were imported by George Moore in 1908. An information board, restrooms, and two picnic tables are easily accessed from the parking lot.
nddemocrat.com
Shute Cove 3,550 ft. d A quiet picnic can be enjoyed at the one table available at this pullover. A few steps to the small wooden platform presents a beautiful view into the valley below.
Horse Cove Campground
Rattler Ford Group Campground (By reservation through the Cheoah Ranger Station) To Robbinsville and the Cheoah Ranger Station
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Santeetlah Gap 2,660 ft. A bulletin board provides information about the Cherohala Skyway.
North Carolina Emergency Information Nantahala National Forest Cheoah Ranger Station Rt. 1, Box 16-A Robbinsville, NC 28771 (828) 479-6431 Sheriffs Department Graham County, NC (828) 479-3352
Robbinsville, NC
Wheel Chair Accessible Fishing Picnic Tables Hiking Canoeing Camping b Cell Phone Coverage
il
d
Restrooms (no water)
d Photo Site
Vonore
Ta on’s Drag
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Tunneling underground M
any people have been to the Lost Sea to take the
commercial tour and boat ride on America’s Largest Underground Lake but any Saturday at 1 p.m. you can drop by and do the “Super Saturday Adventure” Not only will you get to tour the Lost Sea and take the boat ride but you will also get to crawl through areas such as The Meat Grinder, Eye of the Needle, Bubblegum Alley and Shake Rattle and Roll. This tour is offered every Saturday without prior reservations or a minimum number of people. You may now stop by the Lost Sea on Saturday at 1 p.m. with just your flashlight and old clothes and take the “Adventure” of a lifetime. This tour will start at 1 p.m. your tour guide will lead you away from the main entrance building through the woods to the original entrance of the cave. You will walk through a doorway and descend 140 steps to get into the cave where you will be standing in the second largest room of the cave. You are now standing in the same area where fall-out supplies for a nuclear disaster were once stored and where a dance floor was located during the early 40’s. A small part of the cave, at that time, was opened as a bar called the Cavern Tavern. This is where your “Adventure” really begins. Your tour guide
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will take you through crawls such as the Meat Grinder where you will lie on your side and push with your feet just to get through this tiny opening, Bubble Gum Alley is another favorite, while doing this one be careful because it is so muddy you could lose your shoes, while doing Shake Rattle and Roll you will lie down and roll from one end to the other. Eye of the Needle begins on a slippery rock face at the beginning of the passage with an intense narrow pathway leading to the end of the passage where your back and chest are touching rock for the last two yards. You will clearly see how this area gets the name “Eye of the Needle.” The Super Saturday Adventure is offered every Saturday at 1 p.m. Just bring a flashlight and old clothes for the tour. The cost is $30 per person. For more information call 423-337-6616 or visit our website at www.thelostsea.com.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Gibson Shoe Store Andrews, NC Philadelphia, Tennessee For more information 877-862-4332 www.sweetwatervalley.com email: info@sweetwatervalley.com
Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday
Factory Return Outlet
Madisonville, Tennessee The Hub of Monroe County
Mayor - Alfred McClendon Vice-Mayor - Glenn Moser City Recorder - Ted Cagle Board of Aldermen • Bobby D. Bruner • Sherri Anderson • Bill Spradlin • Linda Hensley • Glenn Moser
423.442.9455
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. • Funeral Delivery Available on Sundays
4656 Highway 411 • Madisonville, Tennessee 37354
Raft a river, ride a train, hike or bike a forest trail, canoe a lake, or soar above it all in a glider plane. Then have supper and stay the night in a charming Tennessee Overhill town.
FREE VISITOR GUIDE
877-510-5765
www.tennesseeoverhill.com
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 21
Celebrating heritage Fort Loudoun State Historic Area F
ort Loudoun, located on Highway 360 in Vonore is a reconstruction of the original fort, in service from 1756-1760. The original site was buried 17 feet below the reconstruction to preserve it when the Tennessee Valley Authority closed Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River in 1979. Fort Loudoun was originally constructed during the French and Indian War (1754-1763) to counter the threat of French activity in the Mississippi Valley. The fort was also ideally located to ensure continued trade between the Cherokee and South Carolina and to strengthen relations between the British and the Overhill Cherokee Nation. Unfortunately, it was the deterioration of that relationship that led to the surrender of the fort. In August 1760, the Cherokee captured
Fort Loudoun and its garrison. Fort Loudoun routinely returns to life with dedicated staff and re-enactors on garrison, or reenactment, weekends. Garrison Weekend is a time when the daily lives of the men, women and children of Fort Loudoun are recreated for the public. On these days, park visitors will find living history reenactors in costume at the Fort. Visitors can view an 18th century infirmary, the soldiers’ barracks, the commanders quarters, blacksmith shop and a Cherokee encampment. For more information, call Fort Loudoun State Historic Area at 423-884-6217 or visit online at www.fortloudoun.com.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum T
he Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, located on Highway 360 near Fort Loudoun State Historic Area, is owned and operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Its mission is to promote appreciation of the history and culture of the Cherokee Indians in Eastern Tennessee, particularly the life and contributions of Sequoyah. Born more than 200 years ago, Sequoyah created a writing system that, within months of its introduction, enabled thousands of Cherokee to read and write in their own language. The museum features video, electronic displays and exhibits from periods of Cherokee occupation of the Tennessee Overhill area. A gift shop is also located inside the museum. Sequoyah is also home to a Cherokee burial site, an open-air amphitheatre, a reconstruction of Sequoyah’s blacksmith shop, a shoreline trail, a boat dock and picnic tables. For more information, call 423-884-6246 or visit www. sequoyahmuseum. org.
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Calendar of Events Garrison Weekends:
October 6-7 November 10-11 18th Century Christmas at Fort Loudoun
December 1
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
1113 1 Scott Street • Tellico Plains, TN
423-253-2253 866-253-2254
www.tellicovacations.com
Bike Night
Perfect for romantic getaways, honeymoons, family vacations, reunions or weddings!
4th Thursday of Every Month
Yesterdaze and Todaze’s Collectibles and Antiques HOURS:
Fri. & Sat. 10am-6pm • Sun. 1pm-5pm • Mon. 10am-6pm
111 Scott Street Tellico Plains
Come to Our Old Fashioned Cruise-In 2nd Saturday in April-October
423.253.3893
Hwy. 411 Madisonville
Proprietors:
442-2128
(Located Inside the Tellico Emporium Building) David & ! " Debra Godwin
! " # $ %& ' #&
' & (
'
( # & & & ( # ( & &
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 23
Tellico Plains is more than just a gateway to the Cherohala Skyway
Tellico is a hidden treasure B
est known as the gateway to the Cherohala Skyway and the Cherokee National Forest, Tellico Plains is often just a drive-thru for visitors. If you don’t stop, however, you have missed out on an opportunity to enjoy the town’s special eateries and shops, along with its great scenery and the friendly folks who call Tellico Plains home. The mountain town has a wide array of activities that, unlike the picturesque landscape, are often hidden from the natural eye. Time moves at a slower and simpler pace in Tellico Plains, where local artisans sell their arts and crafts in the downtown shops, the aroma of down home cooking feels the air from local restaurants, outdoor recreational opportunities are plentiful, and remnants of a traditional mountain heritage are preserved. Along the main highway, the Charles Hall Museum showcases rich history and artifacts, while the Cherohala Visitors Center allows tourists to learn more about the area. With comfortable temperatures year-round, hiking, camping, picnicking, swimming, bicycling, boat-
24 | www.advocateanddemocrat.com
ing, fishing, hunting, sight-seeing and more attract thousands of visitors to the town annually. Campgrounds can be found at Indian Boundary, cabins can be rented throughout the town, and the Fish Hatchery rears trout in large pools. Bald River Falls, just a short drive into the Cherokee National Forest, cascades nearly 100 feet. The falls can be viewed from the road or hikers can walk to the top of the falls on a marked trail. In the summer, the town gears up for the annual Square Dance (usually scheduled for the Fourth of July or the weekend before), held in town square with live music on the gazebo and dancing throughout the night. In October, nearby Coker Creek hosts the annual Gold Festival. The two-day festival features music, oldtime displays, an authentic old-fashioned queen competition and a wide array of arts and craft vendors. The annual Candlelight Walk in December showcases a Victorian Christmas celebration, complete with luminaries, carriage rides, the tree lighting, a cookie caper, a live nativity scene, Santa Claus, the Grinch, and more. For more information, visit www. tellico-plains.com.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Dear Visitor, Are you interested in learning more about Tellico Plains and the Monroe County area in general? What better way is there to obtain information than by subscribing to the local paper? The Advocate & Democrat’s news coverage includes four municipalities in Monroe County: Madisonville, Sweetwater ,Tellico Plains, and Vonore as well as the surrounding areas. We’ll let you know of upcoming events in Coker Creek and at Fort Loudoun. We’ll offer you Real Estate ads from Chestnut Valley to Paint Rock. And we’ll bring you feature stories from Rural Vale to Rarity Bay. We print two times each week: Sunday and Wednesday. Subscriptions to be mailed outside Monroe County are only $7.50 per month with the coupon below. To subscribe, just clip the coupon below and return it along with your payment to:
BERT’S
Hometown Grill & Pizzeria
423-442-2222
bertshometowngrill.com Phone: 423-442-8638 Fax: 423-442-8641 4930-D New Highway 68 Madisonville, TN 37354 email: judy@skywaytitle.com
Yes, I’d like to learn more about Monroe County. Start my subscription for the term indicated. My payment is enclosed. 3 Months - $24 6 Months - $48 12 Months - $90
(Save $6.00 with a full year subscription)
Yes, I am interested in advertising in the Tennessee Mountain Traveler. Please send advertising information to the following location. Name: _____________________________ Phone: _________________ Address: ___________________________________________________
Est. 1987
902 Tellico Street • Madisonville, TN Next to Wal-Mart
The Advocate & Democrat • Subscription Department P.O. Box 389 • Sweetwater, TN 37874
Check or Money Order Enclosed. (It’s not a good idea to send cash in the mail) Name: _____________________________ Phone: _________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ Please Charge my ____________________ (All major CC’s accepted) Acct # ___________________________________________________ Exp. Date: ____________________ V# (3 digit on back) ___________
CHARBROILED CHICKEN BURGERS HAND CUT STEAKS
Serving Your Real Estate Needs
We offer Title Documents, Real Estate Closings, Abstract and Title Insurance. Serving Monroe County and East Tennessee with excellent service in all of your real estate needs.
It will be a pleasure to serve you! Locally owned & operated with over 35 years experience. Judy Thacker - Owner
THE TOWN OF TELLICO PLAINS, TN
Welcome!
From the Citizens of Tellico Plains
The Small Town with the Big Back Yard
“Getaway to the Cherokee National Forest & The Cherohala Skyway”
Recreation, hunting, fishing, swimming, camping, kayaking, canoeing, picnicking or just a leisure drive across the Skyway. Enjoy street dancing at our 4th of July Celebration. If you can’t find it in Tellico Plains, it can’t be found!!!
Come & See!
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 25
Then and now: Tellico Beach Drive-In celebrates 50 years B By Jessica Cross
est known as a gateway to the
Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains is often just a drive-thru for visitors. But a popular spot just at the bottom of the Skyway is a drive-in for people of all ages. Tellico Plains staple the Tellico Beach Drive-In celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Formerly known as Warrior’s Passage Drive-In, the Tellico Beach Drive-In was built on the banks of the Tellico River in 1962 by Bob Giles. Norman “Slim” and Alice Thompson ran the restaurant through 1971, followed by Juanita Garndner from 1972-1973. In November of 1973, Yvonne Raby took over. Nearly 39 years later, Raby is still there, overseeing the making of the award winning Beach hotdogs and milkshake specialities, and making sure customers keep stopping in. And, they definitely keep stopping. “People will complain because the
phone is off the hook when they call sometimes,” said Raby. “But we just will get so many people here that we have to get our customers taken care of first.” But, having that many customers is what makes Raby the happiest. “I like to see them lining up to the road and making an ‘L,’” she said with a smile. Known as The Beach to locals, the restaurant it now owned by Bob Giles’ daughters Mary Richie, Jane and Martha Giles, and has only increased in popularity through the years. “Our business picked up once the
Cherohala Skyway was built. There’s so many people we don’t even know that stop by,” said Diane Hemming, Raby’s niece who has worked at The Beach since she was a teenager. “You know your locals and you have your regulars, of course, but the majority of people we see are people just driving through.” Former Tellico Plains Mayor Charles Hall, who played an instrumental part in getting the Cherohala Skyway built, still takes his wife Billie, for a daily ride to The Beach to get an ice cream. The couple have been married for 69 years. Hall’s daughters
She’s the leader Yvonne Raby, pictured at left in 1982 and at present day at right, has been running The Tellico Beach Drive-In for 39 years.
26 | www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Blast from the past Above right: Jesse West and Laura Raby meet up in the same spot that they had their picture taken together in 1978 (center photo), at the famous order window. Below: Peyton Norris enjoys ice cream. Pam and Pat were even baptized at The Beach in the summer of 1963. The restaurant’s stability has made it such a staple that people who grew up in Monroe County often travel back “home” just to eat at The Beach. “I graduated from Tellico Plains High School in 1978 and moved to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1982. My favorite memory was driving myself to The Beach on game days [basketball] and getting a regular hotdog and watching the river roll as I mentally relaxed for the game ahead,” said Pam Moore Burns. “I was a bench warmer for the most part, but I had a routine. Now, every trip home, my husband and my three sons have to have a Beach hot dog and a newer favorite, the butterscotch sundae.” For others, The Beach is a symbol of easier times. “It has never changed in all my life,” said Anita Dawson, who now lives in Michigan. “One of the most exciting things was to introduce my kids to it when we came ‘home’ for the summer.” Robin Blair Bowers agreed. “I loved going there as a child, swimming in the freezing cold river and trying to muster up the courage to swing from the rope,” she said. The famous rope swing was not, however, something the restaurant put up. “The locals put the rope up,” said Raby, noting the tree that housed the rope fell and the rope is no longer there. “You could hear those kids hollering all the time. I do miss that.” The ideal location has made The Beach a favorite for the hometown population, as well. “My mom used to take me and a friend to leave us, as teenagers in the early 70s, for an afternoon of swimming,” said Tellico Plains Alderwoman Sherri Raby, who is now Yvonne’s daughter-in-law. “We would swim and then order a grilled cheese and a Sprite.”
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Tellico Plains resident Kristi Sisson holds the restaurant close to her heart. “It was the first place I went to eat with my husband 19 years ago and it’s still our favorite place to go eat with our kids,” she said. “It was a huge part of growing up in Tellico, a favorite place to go after church on Sunday nights, after football games, after swimming. Such great memories!” It is not unusual for the restaurant to have a line of customers. “There’s something going on all the time,” said Raby. “On Sunday nights a lot of people gather up here and reminisce. It’s kind of like a meeting place.” It seems it is the food that keeps both people and animals stopping by. “There’s a duck that flies to the window to get a french fry,” laughs Hemming. The combination of Raby’s hard work and dedication, the ideal location and the belly-pleasing food has made the Tellico Beach Drive-In one of the most popular stops in Monroe County. “We appreciate all the customers we’ve had over the years. Mr. Giles would have been glad to see us celebrate 50 years. He would have loved that,” said Raby. “We just like for everyone to stop by and have a good time while they’re here.” The Tellico Beach Drive-In is open year-round, seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. It is located at 1801 Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains.
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 27
Bargain Hunters Welcome!
We trust you have enjoyed this issue of the:
Gently Used Books New Books Buy • Sell • Trade
Audio Books • Local Interest • Maps
Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm Closed Sunday & Monday
If you would like to be put on our mailing list to receive future issues sent directly to you, Please fill out your name and address below and send this coupon along with $5.95 for mailing cost for the next three issues to:
108 Scott Street Old Downtown Tellico Plains
www.tellicobookshelf.com
423-253-3183
The Advocate & Democrat, P.O. Box 389, Sweetwater, TN 37874 (The magazine itself is free, but it costs about $2.00 to mail it out.)
Restaurant & General Store
Name: __________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________ Email: __________________________________________
Family Restaurant. Family Priced. Home Cooked Buffet
Soups • Salads • Meats • Vegetables • Desserts Full Menu Available. Breakfast All Day.
423.337-5825
1-75 & Oakland Road (Exit 62) Sweetwater, Tennessee
Open Daily at 6:00 am
A Museum of American History
Raingear • Apparel • Gear • Helmets
The Charles Hall Museum, a 501 (2) (c) non-profit foundation governed by a board of directors, exists to preserve regional, Appalachian, and American history with an emphasis on the Tellico Plains area. Showcased in two museum buildings are Charles’ magnificent collections of historical local photos, memorabilia, artifacts, and equipment. Along with his collections, the Museum has received historical items from the public since opening in 2003. There are currently over 6,000 artifacts and thousands of historical pictures and documents either displayed or archived. Among the items displayed are Native American tools, arrowheads, beads and jewelry, 300 firearms and swords, over 250 antique telephones, coins and currency ranging from the 1/2 cent to the $10,000.00 gold certificate, a 120 piece Confederate money collection that includes the 1 cent coin to the $500.00 bill, a moonshine still, local mill stones, a 1934 Plymouth restored automobile, a 22 Model T Ford telephone repair truck, and so much more.
Museum Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm • Sunday-Noon 5pm Admission: FREE
The Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Town Square 106-A Scott St., Tellico Plains 423-253-2088
229 Cherohala Skyway Tellico Plains, TN 37385
423-253-8000
Across from Downtown Creamery
www.charleshallmuseum.com E-mail: charleshallmuseum@hotmail.com
28 | www.advocateanddemocrat.com
tellicomoto.com Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
MOTOR INNS OF AMERICA 4740 New Highway 68 S • Madisonville, TN
For Reservations or Other Information
(423) 442-9045
www.motorinnsofamerica.com Halfway between Knoxville & Chattanooga At the intersection of Hwy 411 & 68 IN THE HEART OF MONROE COUNTY
• 1 minute to 12 fast food restaurants • 10 minutes to Hiwassee College • 12 miles to I-75 • 12 mintues to 2nd Largest Flea Market • 40 minutes to Knoxville Airport
Sequoyah gave his people an enduring gift; a writing system so the “Cherokee Nation would live forever.” Experience the Cherokee through our exhibits, videos, and gift shop. Hike our Shoreline Trail and visit the Cherokee Memorial Mound. Open Year Round except Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving Day. Mon–Sat: 9am–5pm | Sunday: Noon–5pm
576 Highway 360 • Vonore, Tennessee 37885
423-884-6246 sequoyahmuseum.org
Shop. Dine. Play. Whether you spend an hour or the whole day in Historic Downtown Sweetwater, we are sure you will enjoy discovering all that we have to offer and will find yourself returning to our wonderful town again and again!
www.visitsweetwater.com Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 29
Photos courtesy of Kevin Fritts, Fritts Photography
Recipe for fall colors I
t’s what everybody wants to
see as fall enters its mid-point: the changing of the leaves. But when is the best time to see the leaves? Well, that depends on how the weather has been in recent times. According to the Cherokee National Forest Service, the question is: has a wet period been followed by a cold spell, which brings out the color in leaves? Or is it a dry period followed by a hard rain, or the first frost after a full moon? Despite the many theories and attempts to predict nature’s colors, the fact is, trees tune into light to produce their annual beauty pageant that brightens the hillsides each fall. This even oversimplifies the complex interaction of chemicals, temperatures, length of days and moisture, which scientists have yet to fully understand. According to the Forest Service, USDA trees are signaled to start changing colors in their leaves when days become shorter and nights become longer. As days get shorter,
trees release a kind of hormone, restricting sap-flow to the leaves. As autumn approaches, certain influences both inside and outside the plant cause chlorophyll to be replaced at a slower rate than it is being used. When this happens, other pigments that have been present in the cells during the leaf’s life begin to show through. They give us the colorations of yellow, orange, brown and other hues in between. The reds, purples and their combinations come from a group of pigments that are not present in the leaf during the growing season. They develop in late summer in the sap cells of the leaf. Their formation depends on the breakdown of sugars in the presence of bright light as the level of phosphate is reduced. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the red color. Rainy days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors. For fall color updates throughout the season, visit the U.S. Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us.
30 | www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
Meigs County Tourism 0 / "OX s $ECATUR 4. s (423)
334-5850
Pulled Pork, Loaded Potatoes, Baby Back Ribs, Beef Brisket, Smoked Chicken, Smoked Chicken Salad
OPEN 7 Days A Week Monday-Thursday 11am-8pm Friday & Saturday 11am-9pm • Sunday 11am-3pm Cherokee Removal Memorial Park Visitor’s Center 339-2769 Open Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
“Get Hooked On Meigs County� For Watts Bar Lake Activities Call The Chamber At 423-334-5496
Patches & Sewing
GPS Coordinates: N 35° 22.127, W 084° 18.240
Find Us on Google Maps
9188 New Highway 68 • Tellico Plains
Voted Best BBQ in Monroe County!
423-253-2019
Snaps Replaced, Rivets Installed, Custom Work Monday-Friday (423)261-2588
Saturday and Sunday 9am til 5pm Sweetwater Flea Market #210-212
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Fall 2012
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 31
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