A Guide to Smith Mountain Vacations

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Cabin Rentals Smoky Mountains - Top 3 Cabin Rental Destinations

Cabin rentals Smoky Mountains can be found in either Tennessee or North Carolina. For cabin rentals Smoky Mountains, the busiest months are the summer months as visitors enjoy the cooler mountain air and all that the Smokies area has to offer. Since it's located within a day's drive of half of the USA population, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the #1 visited park in the United States.
If you're searching for cabin rentals in the Smoky Mountains area, here are the three most popular destinations:
Gatlinburg, Tennessee - Gatlinburg has been a favorite of visitors for decades, adding more attractions every year. Located at the Tennessee entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, you'll find that Gatlinburg has hundreds of cabin rentals Smoky Mountains for you to choose from. With only about 3,800 permanent residents, Gatlinburg can accomodate up to 35,000 visitors a night for all of its lodging types. Cabin rentals in Gatlinburg exist that are within walking distance of the Gatlinburg attractions, or you can choose a mountain view secluded cabin if you prefer.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Pigeon Forge is located less than 10 miles from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park entrance. Pigeon Forge has more than 40 attractions on the main thoroughfare in town, including Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country. Even though Pigeon Forge only has a few thousand permanent residents, nearly 10,000 visitors a night can find lodging. Again, you can find dozens of cabin rentals Smoky Mountains in and around Pigeon Forge.

Cherokee, North Carolina - Cherokee is the original home area of what's now called the Eastern Tribe. You can find great Cherokee cabin rentals Smoky Mountains to stay in while vacationing in this popular destination. Cherokee is about 3 miles from the North Carolina entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can enjoy many cultural and family attractions in Cherokee such as the Cherokee Heritage Museum, the Oconaluftee Indian Village and the Indian arts gallery. Another famous attraction is the outdoor drama 'Unto These Hills' which portrays events in the lives of the Cherokees during the early 1800's leading up to their forced relocation to Oklahoma and the infamous 'Trail of Tears'.

Besides all the attractions in these three popular towns, there's a host of outdoor fun activities in the Smoky Mountains area such as whitewater rafting, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, hiking, walking, mountaineering, ropeclimbing, getting around with ATV's, bicycling through the mountains, fishing, hunting, horseshoes and much more.
With all the fun you know you'll have during the day, why not add to your pleasure by spending your nights in one of the cabin rentals Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge or Cherokee? Cabin rentals Smoky Mountains are based on the number of guests that can be accommodated or number of bedrooms that are available. For example, cabin rentals are listed as 'sleeps 8', 'for 2 couples' and so on.
It's easy to check out all the fun rental cabins that you can choose from. Compared to staying in a hotel room, it's no wonder many choose to enjoy the privacy, conveniences and extra space while on vacation by staying in cabin rentals Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the first time or you visit often, check out the variety to be found in cabin rentals for your next vacation stay.

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Enjoy Great Summer Activities in the Heart of the Rocky Mountains

Winter Park has so many outdoor activities to choose from, you could spend the whole summer here and never see and do everything. Regardless of the activity you choose, you will enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Continental Divide that Colorado has to offer.

A 600-mile trail system spreads throughout Winter Park and the Fraser Valley. These trails are great for either hiking or mountain biking, and have something for every skill level. Also known as “Mountain Bike Capital USA”, Winter Park hosts many bike races throughout the summer that are open to the general public. Winter Park Resort offers 50 miles of trails that can be accessed by chair lift, and it’s all downhill from there. You’ll need to purchase a lift pass, but your bike rides up for free. Before heading down you may want to stop at the Sunspot for lunch and enjoy 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. There is also a 18 hole disc golf course that may keep you up top for awile.

Winter Park Resort is also home of the longest Alpine Slide in Colorado! A 3000 foot long slide, with a 600 foot drop winding through the wilderness. At the base you can also find a miniature golf course, a climbing wall, Rock N' Roll Gyro, Human Maze, Leaps & Bounds Bungee and a whole lot more.

If you are in search of fishing holes, you can wade 1,000 miles of streams, wander around 1,000 acres of high mountain lakes, or troll 11,000 acres of reservoirs. Rainbow, cutthroat, brown & brook trout can be found in most of the rivers, while mackinaw and kokanee salmon cruise the depths of the larger bodies of water. Having so much water also provides ample opportunities for rafting, canoeing or kayaking.

Music always sounds better with a backdrop like the Continental Divide, and free music concerts can be found just about everywhere in Winter Park all summer long. Music and food festivals also take place in the area, but generally cost up to $40 for admission. Events like the Jazz Festival and the Food, Wine & Beer Festival may require advance planning for stays in Winter Park.

Stay just a five minute walk from the base of Winter Park Resort. Slope View Bed and Breakfast offers views of the Continental Divide, unique amenities and a knowledgeable staff. 970-531-2386


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Frontier & Mountain West, by Elana Andersen

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For Pure Fun, Relaxation And Excercise, I Choose Mountain Bike Riding

My family likes to spend a lot of time outdoors. Some of the most memorable and fun times as a family have been spent mountain bike riding. Unlike regular street bikes which are only good on a smooth surface, Mountain bikes are bikes that are designed to go anywhere. There are lots of different types of bikes to choose from but they generally have wider tires with a knobby tread and some type of suspension system.

In order to choose the right bike, you must consider what kind of riding you plan on doing and what kind of budget you intend to spend. Prices range about $150 to many hundreds of dollars. The lower priced ones are generally the type of quality you would expect to get at a chain discount store and are suitable for a beginner. Expect to find lots of colors and models on display as well as professional and beginner quality to choose from.

You may have to do a lot shopping to find the bike that best fits you. There are lots of different models to choose from, make sure you try them out to find the one that feels best to YOU. Many people are drawn to the colors of certain model bikes and that can be a mistake. Unfortunately not all bikes are available in the same colors so the color you love may be the wrong length bike for your body or riding style. Every rider is different and one bike size or style is not intended to fit all riders, so try them out before buying.

If you’re thinking, “oh I don’t know bike riding doesn’t sound like all that much fun”...Mountain biking will change your mind really quick. Unlike the street bike that you had as a kid or your old ten speed locked in your shed, mountain bikes can go just about anywhere. My kids have fun making their own paths when we are out on a bike trail and I have fun trying to keep up!

If get or staying in shape is on your agenda, mountain bike riding is a great choice of exercise. Not only will you be burning up calories, you’ll be taking in lots of fresh air and I'll bet you’ll even get to enjoy some great sites. Whether you go out for a short ride with the kids or a day long trek, your body will repay you with improved strength and muscle tone.

Going through the daily stresses of life can certainly take its toll out on body and mind. Grabbing your bike and hitting the trails is a wonderful way to get rid of the every day stress. The more you pedal the more you will feel the stress leaving your body. I guess that why bike clubs are becoming so popular. Check your local classifieds to see if there is a group in your area or maybe you can ask co workers if they would like to form a mountain bike group.

So now that you’re ready to try mountain biking, where do you go to buy a bike? You can start in department stores but you’ll quickly see that the quality is fitting with the prices of these bikes. Sporting goods stores will usually be a grade above department store but for the Mecca of bike shoppers, check out your area bike specialty store. These stores have salespeople that are riders and will do a fantastic job of helping you pick out the right bike for your needs. Wherever you decide to buy one don’t let it just sit in your garage. You can’t have fun mountain bike riding if you don’t get out there and use it!

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