Smoky Mountains Monthly Campground Newsletter<br>August 2008

Greetings from the Great Smoky Mountains !!! We had a great 4th of July week camping. We where amazed by the amount of out of states license plates we saw. I guess the gas prices really has not affected those of you who know how important it is to take those vacations. Saw quite a few plates from Ohio - Maryland - North Carolina - Florida - Texas - and even one from Washington. There is still a lot of summer left to get a vacation in - so y'all come see us !!!

Road Construction Info:
We need to inform you that I40 going thru Knoxville has been closed for about 14 months for road construction. You will need to use the I640 bypass if your travels have to go thru Knoxville.

The section of road that goes between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and vis versa has been re-paved - Yeah !!! Very nice and smooth ride.

In this month's newsletter we would like to address something to help aide in keeping the back seat entertained while driving. Yes, I am speaking of our precious children who have the ability to make it a peaceful trip or not. Below is some helpful tips from our good friends at Kid Friendly Family Vacations. Please visit there website link under "Travel Information" from our site. They have a lot of free downloads of games and puzzles mentioned below.

What are the best activities for kids?

Travel Word Games

Family Vacations are a time for family togetherness. Laughing and playing together playing word games is some of the most fun that we have had while on vacation. Word games can be played in the car, or while hiking together.

Our travel word games section offers explanations of our fun versions of favorite travel word games such as:

I am going on a trip, Toss Ups , I am thinking of a person , Name that State

Printable Activity Pages

We like to carry along plenty of kid printable activity pages such as sudoko for kids, kakuro puzzles, printable logic puzzles, mazes, coloring pages, and such.

Travel can be very taxing on even the most patient of parents. Any help and tips that you can get your hands on is welcome. A resource that I have found very useful is Free Toddlers Activity & Child Discipline Guide! - Free parenting resources to help you use positive parenting in your child's development, toddlers activities, crafts, games and even in child discipline.

Maybe we can pass along a few kids car travel tips that will make things a little easier.....

Our family has taken many family vacations which include long car travel trips. The most important thing that we have found over the years is to have things with you already, so you do not have to stop and have those things within easy reach. Our children like to pack their own backpacks with crayons, paper, and their special toys. Some of the things that I like to have on hand are:

Paper
Crayons
Box drinks and Water
(pack a small cooler and keep it within reach)
Small snack (fruit snack /
goldfish crackers)

Paper towels
Trash Bags
Extra batteries for CD Player
and handheld games
Extra headphones (Wal-Mart sells cheap earbud headphones)

Our kids don't necessarily enjoy the planned group activities as much as they enjoy reading and playing individual games. Over the years, the handheld games have really worked to make life much easier for those of us who travel..... YAH!!! But, I do like to keep some game books or printable activity pages on hand..

For those of you with really small children the best advice we can give is to travel at night so the little tikes sleep through the whole trip. Make sure you are well rested and have plenty of caffeine !!!

This Months Attraction Review

Since we are now in the heat of the summer here in the south what a better attraction to review then something that will cool you off. So, this month we reviewed two of the best ways to do that - White Water Rafting and Tubing. it does not matter what time of year it is here in the Smokies - the water coming out of the mountains is ALWAYS COLD !!!

White Water Rafting:

The only place to White Water Raft on this side of the Smoky Mountains is the Pigeon River which is located off I40 at the Hartford exit 447 which is the second to last exit before going into North Carolina and is approx 25 miles east from Gatlinburg . It is dam controlled and released on certain days of the week to ensure good water flow. The Pigeon River is divided into two categories.

The Upper Pigeon is great for white water thrill seekers which boast 12 class III and 3 class IV rapids. Total trip time is about 2 hours which includes your bus trip up to the dam. Make sure you arrive early for orientation and wear water shoes, swimsuit, and a T-Shirt. The Pigeon winds 5 miles through the base of Cherokee National Forest on the right and the Smokies on your left and has absolutely gorgeous views. Make sure you bring your WATERPROOF camera as you will get soaked. There is a minimum age requirement of 8 years old. The rafts are "Splash" type self-bailing and hold 6 and your guide. You get your monies worth - it was my sons first trip on white water and he had a blast. One thing to remember - If you hear banjo music paddle faster.

The Lower Pigeon is great for families and a great introduction to white water rafting. This section is 4 miles long and is about 2 hours which includes your bus trip back to outfitter. There is also a minimum age of 4 years old. Each trip is guided. Rafts or ThrillKat. As always we strive to find you the best value and service for your hard earned money. USA Raft earns our recommendation. They have renovated a 1962 school building for there outfit post and is very unique because they can house their staff on site. Each staff member (your guide) has been trained by the manager who has 15 + years in the business and must be licensed and certified in CPR, First Aid, and Rafting and completes at least 11 trips down the river before becoming a guide. The post has changing rooms, hot/cold showers, picnic tables, gift shop, tent area, and caters to boy/girl scout groups. Our guide was Jason. He did a great job and kept everybody safe and was quick to point out dangers and points of interest. Yes there are a bunch of outfitters in the area, but Raft USA prides itself in personal attention and service. They are not the largest - just the best.

Online info - www.usaraft.com or 1-888-USA-Raft/ (423) 487-4303 Please remember to specify "Pigeon River"

Tubing:

The only place to tube is the Little River in Townsend which is 15 miles west from Pigeon Forge. The Little River is a gentle flowing river and is shallow in most areas which makes it a great river to just float down and relax and cool off. The river is very scenic and many places to get the camera out for pictures. Again, there are two choices.

Upper Little River - ride a shuttle a mile upstream and float back to outfitter. This is the Adventure Float and has a minimum of 5 years old. Everybody has to ride in their own tube. It takes about an hour if you just float down (no stops). This part of the Little River wraps around the campgrounds and goes by Cedar Bluff.

Lower Little River starts past the waterfall and follows through the country and is the Family Float. You float about 1 1/2 miles downstream and are them shuttled back to outfitter. It takes about 1 1/2 hours if you just float (not stopping to have any splash fights). Ages 2 and up are welcome.

Please keep in mind there are no time restraints. The float times are a guide. Take as long as you want and go as many times as you like !!! All day Shuttle.

We recommend River Rat. They are a family owned business and really provide quality service and quality equipment. They now have 3 outpost with gift shops and are in their 14th season. The main outpost is located at 205 Wears Valley Road which will be on your right as you come into Townsend if coming from Pigeon Forge. The main outpost also has picnic tables. Clean Restrooms and changing facilities are an added bonus. Everyone is very friendly and courteous.

We took the upper twice and had a great time. Please note that the river current depends on the amount of rain we get - so call ahead to make sure the water is up.

River Rat has better tubes then the competitors. (You will find others offering a cheaper price but by the time you add sales tax and fees it works out to be the same.)

Please stop by the Smoky Mountain River Rat to experience a fun-filled day tubing the Little River. Southern, family hospitality is what you will find.

Online info - www.smokymtnriverrat.com or (865) 448-8888

Want to do both ? These two business work with each other and offer combo tickets for White Water Rafting/Tubing to save you even more money !!!

August 9
The Diner Hot Nights, Cool Cars Cruise In - Open Cruise In.
Trophies for Best of Show, The Diner Pick, The Diner Rats Big Cheese
3pm to 10pm, Drawing and Prizes before 10pm
Telephone: 865-908-1904

Friday & Saturday - August 8th and August 9th, 2008
In Pigeon Forge: StringTime In The Smokies™
Location: Patriot Park.
For More Information Call: (865) 429-7350

Saturday - August 23rd, 2008
In Bristol: Sharpie 500 Night Race - Bristol Motor Speedway
For More Information Call (423) 764-1161

Sunday - August 31st, 2008
In Knoxville: 21st Annual Boomsday Fireworks Celebration
For More Information Call (865) 342-9191

August 28-September 2
The Moving Wall - A temporary display of The Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Wall Memorial
Location: Tennessee Museum of Aviation
Time: Opens at noon daily
Free to Public.
For More Information call: 865-908-9372 or 1-866-AVMUSEUM (865-286-8738) www.tnairmuseum.com

August 29 - Sept 1 Labor Day Weekend