Featuring the Outdoor Sports, Great Events and Many Attractions of Monroe County and Surrounding Counties in Tennessee Mountain Country
www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Spring 2012
Explore the Caverns & Take a Boat Ride Deep Underground!
Coca-Cola and Root Beer Floats, Hamburgers & Cheeseburgers
Memories & Prices from Yesteryear
For even more excitement, check ou
t our
Serving Lunch Fare & Bakery Items From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Tuesday thru Saturday
(423) 337-6616
Donna & Pete Marrs 501 North Main Street • Sweetwater, TN Inside Picket Fence Galleries
Super Saturday
Highway 68 • Sweetwater www.thelostsea.com
Adventure every Saturday at 1pm!
THE TOWN OF TELLICO PLAINS, TN
Welcome!
From the Citizens of Tellico Plains
Come relax with us a while for some: • Homemade Cooking, Italian, Country, & Hand Packed Burgers • Live Entertainment - Call for Schedule • Friday Bluegrass - Call for Schedule • Country Inn/Motel
Stay with us at the Cotton Pickin Country Inn after your scenic drive on the beautiful Cherohala Skyway! See Y’all Soon!
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!!!
100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, TN • 423-253-3463
www.thecottonpickininn.com
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Come & See!
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Welcome to Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country!
Contents Spring 2012 4...................Upcoming Events 6..........Downtown Sweetwater 8.......................Fort Loudoun/
Sequoyah Birthplace
10.......................Civil War Trail 12..........................The Lost Sea 14......................Scenic Driving
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 the area. This full-color tourism magazine is distributed to 14,000 tourists throughout much of East Tennessee. Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country is a region blessed with rich heritage, 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 make a splash in Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country. Take a spin on our scenic byways carved through mile-high mountain peaks or visit the Cherokee National Forrest. 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 historic downtown Sweetwater. Enjoy the charm of the other small towns in Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country, including Madisonville, Tellico Plains, Vonore, Lenoir City, Loudon, Athens, Etowah, Englewood, Dayton and others. During the spring, enjoy events such as MooFest in Athens and the Strawberry Festival in Dayton. You can see and do it all in Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country!
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country boasts rich Native American heritage that can be experienced at numerous locations and events in the Tennessee Overhill. Advocate & Democrat Reporter Jessica Cross captured this Native American dance at Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore.
16-17.............River Adventures 18..............................Waterfalls 18...........................Region Map
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A MOOOOOOOving experience! In the summer of 2007, a group of volunteers met to discuss a way to celebrate the rich dairy history for which McMinn County is known. As the group organized and formed an executive committee, MooFest was born. Patterned after the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, MooFest is set up as a not-for-profit organization. The mission of MooFest, other than celebrating the dairy industry, is to allow the many fine organizations that make MooFest possible, reap the awards. Civic groups, church groups, and the like volunteer their time working the festival, and in turn, proceeds are given to these groups. As the festival grows, the hope is that youth do not have to sell candy bars and magazines to afford a new jersey or equipment. As a result, MooFest has been able to return approximately $50,000 back to the community, supporting the YMCA, Tennessee Wesleyan College, Boy Scouts, Junior Miss, McMinn Central and McMinn County High School athletics departments and numerous other groups in our county. As the executive committee often jokes, “We’re throwing a party and the world is invited. Join us for a big party in downtown Athens, Tenn. There will be plenty of food, music,
May 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
arts and crafts and FUN!” This year as part of MooFest, Steven Curtis Chapman will perform at Tennessee Wesleyan College at 6 :30 p.m. on May 19. Call (423) 745-0334 or 1-800-519-9030 (after hours) for ticket information. Visit the website www. nationalmoofest for more event information.
Star Spangled Strawberries April 28-May 13
From its humble beginnings, May 24, 1947, as a one-day festival sponsored by the Dayton Lions Club, the Tennessee Strawberry Festival has grown into a two-week long extravaganza, jam-packed with a myriad variety of events and activities sponsored by the Dayton Chamber of Commerce in Rhea County. For almost half a century, strawberry production was one of Rhea County’s principal industries. Production grew rapidly following the sweet berry’s introduction in 1898, the same year the Weekly Herald, ancestor of The Dayton Herald and The Herald-News was started. At its height, the local crop produced about four million quarts of
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the luscious berries each year. Once known as the “Strawberry Capital of the World,” Rhea County’s strawberry production dwindled as the soil became exhausted of vital nutrients. By the time the Lions Club decided to start the festival as a community booster gathering and tourist attraction, local farmers were switching to other cash crops. However, the event remains a big draw each year. To see the full schedule of this year’s events, visit www.tnstrawberryfestival.com. This year’s theme is: “Star Spangled Strawberries. A Hometown Salute to America.” Visit the website www.tnstrawberryfestival.com for more event information.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Festival for Life A Relay For Life Event Meigs County, TN Chapter
• Classic Sandwiches • Seafood • BBQ • Pizza • Cold Beer • Bottled Beer • Free Wifi • Info Center • Entertainment, Supplies
Tellico Plains, TN
Cherohala Skyway Next To Exxon Station GPS Coordinates: Lat. 35.3632961,Long.-84.2927527 N35° 21.7978’, W084° 17.5652’
423-253-2322
Call for On Site or Off Site Event Catering Details
outpostpaviliontellico.com Find Us On
1st Saturday in October Live Music Food & Craft Vendors For Info Call Lisa Oliver: 423-506-8143 Towanha Jennings: 423-664-2707 lisaoliver32@gmail.com towanhaj@hotmail.com
Published by:
Authentic Pit BBQ
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
FULL MENU
Pulled Pork • Smoked Ribs Smoked Chicken • Steaks Smoked Turkey
Thomas Wilson Publisher Tommy Millsaps Editor editor@advocateanddemocrat.com
Family Atmosphere Second to None Home Town Service!
Layout and Graphic Art Team: Jessica Cross jessica.cross@advocateanddemocrat.com
517 N. Hwy 68 • Sweetwater, TN • 423-351-7190 www.BradleysPitBBQ.net • Find us on Facebook
Kristen Calhoun kristen.calhoun@advocateanddemocrat.com
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
To Advertise, contact: Sharon Livingston Advertising Manger admanager@advocateanddemocrat.com Asia Capshaw Sales Representative asia.capshaw@advocateanddemocrat.com Sara VanLandingham Sales Representative sara.vanlandingham@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.
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 5
European styling with a twist Historic downtown Sweetwater is an antique lover’s paradise featuring large antique malls and quaint antique shops that are sure to please all antique enthusiasts. Each antique store has its own personality and flavor. If you don’t find what you are looking for in one shop, you will more than likely find it in another. In addition to the wonderful antique stores, historic downtown Sweetwater is home to unique gift stores, ladies fine clothing, and quality local café. All shops and café are centrally located around the memorial garden and gazebo in the heart of downtown. Parking is plentiful in front of shops or nearby lots. One of the newest additions to downtown Sweetwater is the Paris Apartment Boutique & Tea Room. The Paris Apartment has a diverse variety of lady’s clothing with European styling. There is a wide price range, meaning everyone can shop there, owner Deborah Oden stresses. The shop offers great home décor, gifts and interior design. The Café, tearoom and cupcakery dining adds to the unique experience. In a beautiful upstairs dining room adorned by unique artwork, many of which were painted by Oden’s late father, patrons can
eat at a variety of themed tables. Whether you choose to have lunch in Paris, Tuscany, London, Venice, Stratfordupon-Avon or the English Cotswolds, you will not forget your dining experience. The Paris Apartment opened in the former Morris Galleries building in 2011. The building itself dates back to the 1800s and has been recognized by the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance. It’s not something she stresses as a marketing tool, but Oden and others who work at the Paris Apartment believe the building has its own inhabitants: Ghosts. “We have had people here who didn’t believe in it before but do now,” Oden says. There have been numerous strange things happen at the Paris Apartment, from objects being pushed off tables in slow motion to ghosts with their own taste in music. During the holidays, one ghost displayed a sense of humor by cutting off any music that did not suit his taste. “He doesn’t like anything but Frank Sinatra,” Oden said. “The ghost appears to be friendly.” Oden said other shop owners downtown believe their old buildings are haunted as well. But the shops have not
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become a circus for those hunting the supernatural. The Paris Apartment Boutique & Café has many events throughout the year from cooking classes to fashion shows. For more information about the Paris Apartment, visit www.theparisapartmentboutique.com. The dining room fills up fast, so call well ahead at (423) 3510009. Visit www.visitsweetwater.com for more information about the downtown.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 7
Come celebrate heritage Fort Loudoun State Historic Area
Fort Loudoun, located on Highway 360 in Vonore is a reconstruction of the original fort, in service from 1756-1760. The original site is buried 17 feet below the reconstruction. The site was buried 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.
Garrison Weekends: April 14 & 15, May 5 & 6, Aug. 11 & 12
Emissaries of Peace: Lt. Henry Timberlake in the Overhills June 23 & 24 18th Century Trade Faire at Fort Loudoun and Sequoyah Museum Sept. 8 & 9
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum The 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 the understanding and 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 various 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.
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Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Philadelphia, Tennessee For more information 877-862-4332 www.sweetwatervalley.com email: info@sweetwatervalley.com
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
Vittorino’s Cucina Italian Restaurant
Gibson Shoe Store Andrews, NC Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday
Dinner Calzone New York Style Pizza
1off
$
50% off
Any Calzone on Dinner Menu
Buy One 18� Combo & Recieve 2nd 1 Topping Pizza Half Off
Must present coupon. Not Valid with other offers. Expires 6/30/12
Must present coupon. Not Valid with other offers. Expires 6/30/12
vittorinoscucina@aol.com 781 New Hwy 68, Sweetwater
Factory Return Outlet
Monday-Thursday 11am-9:30pm • Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm • Sunday 11am-9pm
423-351-9410
Meigs County Tourism 0 / "OX s $ECATUR 4. s (423)
Cherokee Removal Memorial Park Visitor’s Center 339-2769 Open Wed.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
334-5850
“Get Hooked On Meigs County� For Watts Bar Lake Activities Call The Chamber At 423-334-5496
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
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On the trail of history Tennessee and Monroe County played a key role in the Civil War with its strategic position. The history is now told through the Civil War Trail Markers. The markers all tell what the Civil War did to the area and the upheaval it caused, according to Monroe County Director of Tourism Julie Morgan.
“War Comes to Madisonville, Enjoying Forced Hospitality” Monroe County Courthouse Madisonville was divided in its loyalties, occupied by both sides during the war. Union troops destroyed the Courthouse and damaged the jail in 1864. A monument to troops serving on both sides was erected in the Courthouse square following the war.
“The Great Craighead Cave” Lost Sea This cave was rich in saltpeter, or niter, which was a key ingredient of gunpowder, obviously a much-needed commodity during the war. Contracts here required 250,000 pounds of the substance to be delivered to the Confederate powder works in Augusta, Ga., in 1862. But production never came close to that amount. The approach of Federal troops caused the works to be shut down in the fall of 1863.
“Sweetwater Depot, Strategic Target” Downtown Sweetwater This was an important transportation center during the war thanks to the East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad that ran through town beginning in 1852. Military control over the railroad seesawed from one side to the other during September 1863 as armies maneuvered for control of Knoxville and Chattanooga. Confederate Gen. James Longstreet used the town and the railroad as a staging area for his campaign against Knoxville.
“Caught in the Middle” Coker Creek In the shadow of the Unicoi Mountains, the Coker Creek community suffered the effects of the Civil War. The conflict closed the lucrative gold mines and brought devastation and terror to the inhabitants. Both the Union and the Confederate armies foraged for supplies from long-suffering civilians, while violent vendettas between rival bushwhackers continued. Both armies used the Unicoi Turnpike Trail (present-day Joe Brown Highway and Tennessee State Route 68) to move soldiers and supplies.
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“Gripped in the War’s Iron Fist”
Tellico Plains In the fall of 2011, a fifth maker was dedicated in Tellico Plains outside the Charles Hall Museum and Skyway Visitors Center, depicting the roll of the Tellico Iron Works in the war.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Indian Boundary Outpost Located Inside the Indian Boundary Recreation Area, Just Inside Camping Loop B
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 GPS Coordinates: N 35° 22.127, W 084° 18.240
April 17th - November 6th Camping... Picnicking... Fishing... Swimming... Hiking... Forgot your bait or ice?... The Outpost has you covered.
Find Us on Google Maps
9188 New Highway 68 • Tellico Plains
423-253-2019 423 253 2019
We have a variety of practical and unique items - forgotten camping, picnicking or fishing supplies or maybe something you've never seen but always wanted.
Whether your visiting us for a day or a week stop by The Outpost and visit with our friendly staff. The ice cooler is full and chilling, snacks are stocked and drinks are in the cooler.
See you at The Outpost! Rethia Roberts, Owner
(1776 - 1843) Father, Soldier, Silversmith, Statesman, and Creator of the Cherokee writing system
Handmade Cherokee Baskets • CDs • Jewelry Handmade Native American Pottery Prints by Cherokee Artist Donald Vann ...and more unique gifts from which to choose!
Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm • Sun Noon - 5pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) Nominal Admission Fee • Group discounts Operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tennessee’s ONLY Tribally-Operated Historical Attraction.
June 23rd & 24th
The Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Lt. Timberlake’s visit to the Cherokee in the Tennessee Overhill
Hwy 360 • P.O. Box 69 • Vonore, Tennessee 37885 423-884-6246 • sequoyahmuseum.org Located in the Great Smokey Mountains of East Tennessee on the shores of beautiful Tellico Lake, 37 miles south of downtown Knoxville.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
WELCOME TO MONROE COUNTY A Great Place to Work & Live
MONROE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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 www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 11
58 degrees of cool Caves are cool, literally. The temperature at Lost Sea, America’s largest underground lake, is a constant 58 degrees so in the summer it is cool. In the winter when it is really cold outside, it feels nice and warm inside. This is probably a good reason the Native Americans used the cave many years ago. The cave was actually owned by a Cherokee chief by the name of Chief Craighead. There is so much history within the caverns at Lost Sea. Because of some of this history the Lost Sea has been named a Civil War Trail Marker. In the early 1860’s, the Lost Sea caverns were known as the Great Craighead Cave. In 1861 drafted into the Confederacy at the age of 18, attorney Charles Wesley Hicks stated on his 1922 Civil War questionnaire that he and a detail of 10 other men mined saltpeter from the Great Craighead Cave and shipped several hundred pounds of niter to the powder works in Richmond, Va., approximately every two weeks. A date of 1863 can be found today on the walls within the cave at Lost Sea. The date has been carbon tested and does prove to be authentic. It was probably put there from the carbon of a confederate soldier’s torch. This is the oldest known date in the cave. In 1905, a 13-year-old boy named Ben Sands wiggled through a tiny, muddy opening 300 feet underground and found himself in a huge room half filled with water. The room was so large that his light was swallowed up by the darkness long before reaching the far wall or the ceiling. The Lost Sea opened as a commercial attraction to the public in June of 1965. Attendance has grown steadily every year. Today, the Lost Sea welcomes more than 180,000 visitors a year. The overnight Wild Cave Tour has grown in popularity. The Wild Cave Tour started in the late 1970s and
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has become a major part of the Lost Sea. The Wild tour involves a three to four-hour caving tour and then an opportunity to spend the night in the cave after the tour. Cavern tours at Lost Sea are open every day but Christmas Day. The hours vary with the season. The Lost Sea is located on New Highway 68 just outside of Sweetwater. Several other gift shops are open seasonally including the Glass Blower, Sweet Shop, Cavern Kitchen Restaurant and the General Store where you can purchase dirt and pan for gemstones. You can also plan your next birthday party at Lost Sea several options are available. Please visit our website at www. thelostsea.com or call for additional information (423) 337-6616.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Seventeen Years Best Service & Best Food with Entrée Purchase
Free Dessert With Coupon
Lunches Starting at $3.99 Dinners Starting at $6.50 Rib Steak • Bourbon Chicken Corned Beef • Chicken Piccata 128 Bank Street • Tellico Plains
423-253-2880
CHEROHALA SKYWAY VISITOR CENTER 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 Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
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 • 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
www.cherohala.org The Official Website of Cherohala Skyway
www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 13
Take a spin on our scenic byways Numerous 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 18). 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 Overhill is blessed with two nation-
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al 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) 2637232 or info@tennesseeoverhill. com to request print versions of the maps and itineraries.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Restaurant & General Store
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
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
For Your Comfort and Convenience We Offer... • Free Local Calls • No smoking rooms • Double or King • Air Conditioning & Heat
• Cable TV with HBO • Ample Truck Parking • Handicap accessible rooms • Free high speed internet available
We gladly accept
179 Tellico Reliance Road Reliance, TN 37369
GUIDE SERVICE
www.hiwasseeangler.com steve@hiwasseeangler.com
s &ULL $AY (ALF $AY 4RIPS s 4ROUT 3MALLMOUTH s 7ADE OR &LOAT 4RIPS s #USTOM 4RIPS !VAILABLE s &LY &ISHING #LASSES
423-338-8500 Cell 423-519-6081
BERT’S
Hometown Grill & Pizzeria
CHARBROILED CHICKEN BURGERS HAND CUT STEAKS Est. 1987
902 Tellico Street • Madisonville, TN Next to Wal-Mart
423-442-2222
bertshometowngrill.com
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
SALES & SERVICE
423-337-6004
687 Oakland Road, Sweetwater, TN 37874 (I-75 Exit 62, 1/2 Mile West) Tues.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-2
Motorcycles & ATV’s
Bargain Hunters Welcome!
Come to Our Old Fashioned Cruise-In 2nd Saturday in April-October
Gently Used Books New Books Buy • Sell • Trade
April 14, 2012
Audio Books • Local Interest • Maps
Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm Closed Sunday & Monday 108 Scott Street Old Downtown Tellico Plains
www.tellicobookshelf.com
423-253-3183 Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
PARTS & ACCESSORIES
May 12, 2012
Hwy. 411 Madisonville
June 9, 2012
442-2128 www.advocateanddemocrat.com | 15
Four scenic rivers, four different experiences E
ach year more than two million people visit the Cherokee National Forest with its spectacular scenery and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. And each year thousands will cool off in the refreshing rivers located throughout the Cherokee National Forest. There are four scenic rivers in the Tennessee Overhill Region (Monroe, Polk, McMinn counties) that visitors won’t want to miss: the Ocoee, Conasauga, Hiwassee and Tellico rivers. All four are within a short driving distance of each other and each one offers a different experience.
Ocoee River The Ocoee River, with its Class III-IV whitewater rapids, draws more than 300,000 visitors each year for rafting, kayaking, camping, hiking, and mountain biking. Experienced kayakers and canoeists love the Ocoee, but novices can experience the whitewater too. Commercial rafting companies provide expert guides to allow the most inexperienced person to scream down the Ocoee and believe they did it themselves. There is an age limit - youngsters must be 12 years of age or older. The Ocoee Whitewater Center, built for the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Competition, is perched on the banks of the Ocoee River near Ducktown in Polk County. The Olympic Race Course is open for commercial rafting on scheduled days. The Tanasi Mountain Biking Trail System starts there too, with more than 30 miles of biking trails that appeal to families as well as seasoned riders. The Whitewater Center is also the site of what locals call the “Blue Holes.” These are
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pools of water that families enjoy for wading, dipping, and snorkeling. Getting There: The Ocoee River Recreation Area lies along U.S. Highway 64 between Ducktown and Ocoee.
Conasauga River Located just a few miles south of the Ocoee River, the Conasauga is a crystal clear river surrounded by the Cherokee National Forest. Snorkelers can view tropical colored fish, schools of freshwater drum (some up to 10 pounds) and thousands of other fish at a designated fish viewing area. The great variety, colors and number of fish in the Conasauga River amaze even those who have snorkeled on marine coral reefs. According to visitor information distributed by the Cherokee National Forest Service, at least 39 species of fish have been identified in the viewing site and the number of species found in the Conasauga is higher than the entire Columbia River System. The fish are present year round in large numbers but the best time to see them at peak color is during late April through June, when no rain has fallen for several days. The water temperature in late spring is in the 60’s (°F), therefore it is recommended that visitors wear a wet suit for warmth, flotation and protection from the rocks. The water temperature in July begins to reach 70°F and temperatures reaching more than 80°F occur in August. A snorkel, mask and water shoes are also recommended. Visit www.wildlifeviewingareas.com for detailed directions to the viewing site. Getting There: Located off Forest Service Road 221, south of Ocoee on U.S. Highway 411 just before Conasauga.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Tellico River Just 30 minutes from the Hiwassee River is the pristine Tellico River, located just a few miles out of the quaint town of Tellico Plains. The Tellico is surrounded by 30,000 acres of remote backcountry where the river rises from the Unicoi Mountain Range near the Tennessee/North Carolina state line and flows down through a mountain gorge before it reaches the broad plains at the town of Tellico Plains. The Tellico River is popular for kayakers when the water levels rise to Class III - IV rapids after a rainfall. For others, the river provides opportunities for swimming, picnicking, fishing, hiking, backpacking and wildlife viewing. The Tellico River is nationally recognized as a premier trout stream, renowned for brook, brown and rainbow trout. The trout is stocked March through August by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA). The trout are raised for stocking the river at the Pheasant Field fish rearing pools which are open to the public and are located at the end of the Tellico River Road (FSR210). The road is a favorite for photographers and people who enjoy scenic drives. It winds alongside the river. Bald River Falls, a nearly 100-foot waterfall, is located on the Tellico River and can be seen from the road. Getting There: From Tellico Plains, follow State Highway 165 (East) to Forest Service Road 210. The road follows the river.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Hiwassee River The Scenic Hiwassee River is located about 6 miles north of the Ocoee. Ninety percent of the area around the river is surrounded by mountains, forested hill sides and pastoral river bottoms. Perhaps this is why the Cherokee Indians named the river Hiwassee, meaning “a meadow place at the foot of the hills.” This wide river, which is part of the Tennessee Scenic River System, offers visitors a peaceful setting for canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking and fishing. The river is classed as primarily Class I (moving water with small waves and few obstructions) with some Class II (easy rapids with wide, clear channels, some maneuvering required). Certain sections are considered Class III (rapids with high waves capable of swamping an open canoe, requires complex maneuvering). Anglers can try their hand at catching largemouth bass, yellow perch, catfish, and brown and rainbow trout. There is no fee for fishing on the river, but state fishing rules apply. There are some parking areas along the Hiwassee River that require a parking fee. Commercial fly fishing guide services are available. Getting There: The Hiwassee Scenic River is accessible from U.S. Highway 411 and State Highway 30 (East) between Benton, and Etowah. For more information about summer fun and other things to do and see in the Tennessee Overhill, contact 1-877-510-5765 or visit tennesseeoverhill.com.
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•Bald River Falls, pictured, is a 100-foot falls, located near Tellico Plains is visible from the road and is perhaps the area’s most famous falls. • Benton Falls is a 65-foot waterfall with tiered rock formations and a peaceful gorge at the base of the falls, making this waterfall worth the three-mile roundtrip hike. It is located near Benton in Polk County off Highway 64 (also known as the Ocoee Scenic Byway) and Forest Service Road 77.
Fall in love with our falls There are more than 50 waterfalls in Monroe, Polk and McMinn counties ranging from five feet to 100 feet high. Some are easily accessible and others, due to their remote locations, require a hike.
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•Coker Creek Falls is known for its tumbling smaller waterfalls. The peaceful walk to the falls leads to a series of smaller cascading waterfalls ranging from 8 feet to 20 feet high with additional cascades in between, plus rapids and clear pools of water. It is located near the mountain community of Coker Creek off Highway 68 and County Road 628. The hike is a half mile roundtrip.
•Falls Branch Falls is an 80-foot waterfall located off of the Cherohala Skyway, a national scenic byway that joins Robbinsville, N.C. and Tellico Plains. This is a three-mile, somewhat strenuous roundtrip hike. The best view of the falls can be found after crossing the stream. Look for interesting rock formations, especially the one with the tree growing in it. The falls are located 8.5 miles from the Indian Boundary Lake turnoff (this is coming from Tellico Plains) on Highway 165 (Cherohala Skyway) on the left hand side of the road.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
Cooney‛s Corner Cooney's Corner offers four rooms packed with an eclectic mix of antiques. Specializing in country store items, advertising signage, primitive furniture, antique tools, unique smalls, glassware, and unusual decorative items, Cooney's Corner has something for everyone. Located on the corner of Morris and Main streets, across from the Southern Railroad Car, Cooney's Corner is housed in two historic downtown buildingsJ.J. Ward & Co. General Merchandise in 1896, Browder's Hardware Store in 1906, and later McKinney's Clothing Store.
Cooney's Corner Is Open Seven Days A Week Mon-Sat 10am-5pm • Sunday 12pm-5pm www.cooneyscornerantiques.com Tennessee Mountain Traveler- Spring 2012
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Call today to reserve your dates!
Coker Creek Village Coker Creek, TN
Weddings • Reunions • Mountain Retreats • Special Events
423-261-2310 ~ www.cokercreekvillage.com
Since 1963 Serving Groups from 8 to 350!
Group Meeting Facilities • Cabins • Dining Hall
Recreation & Adventure Activities! Horseback & Mountain Bike Trail Rides (Guided) Climbing Tower & 300’ Zip Line Teambuilding Course • Paint Ball • Hiking Trails Disc Golf • Sand Volleyball • Pool Gold Panning • Gemstone Mine • Hayrides Whitewater Rafting & More!
Country, Classic or Barn Weddings! Food Catering Services! Great Rates! Quality Service!
(Located 1 hour from West Knoxville) 1-75 Exit 60 (Sweetwater Exit), 35 Miles South on Hwy 68
OVERNIGHT RENTALS, REAL ESTATE Arrowhead Land Company, Broker home of
Caney Creek Village Log Cabins
Welcome To
Caney Creek Village Creek Side Cabins with Full Baths, Pool & Fishing Pond
Arrowhead Land Company, Broker
(Physical Address: 5859 Hwy 360, Ballplay Road)
4 Miles North of Tellico Plains, Reportedly Oldest Tollroad in US
PO Box 296•Tellico Plains, TN 37385
423-253-3670
www.caneycreekvillage.com • dixiew39@aol.com