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Things to Do in Gatlinburg

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It had been many years since I had visited Gatlinburg during my road trip across the USA. I finally returned to see the synchronous fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The spectacular light show only took one night, so my friends and I found many other things to do in Gatlinburg for our three day June getaway.

Gatlinburg is a small mountain town in eastern Tennessee with a population of approximately 3,500. The popular vacation resort town is known as the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited National Park in the United States.

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Happy Hiking: Alum Cave Trail

Parking

The Alum Cave Trail is an extremely popular hike in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is located 11 miles southeast of Gatlinburg and the drive on curvy scenic roads in the parks takes about 30 minutes.

Due to its popularity, the parking area at the trailhead fills up by 7am. If you are not an early riser, you can go around 2pm to get a spot as the parking lot clears once the early birds finish up.

HAPPY HIKING!

Synchronous Fireflies: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

What are Syncrhonous Fireflies?

Synchronous fireflies are a species of lightning bugs that blink synchronously during their mating ritual. There are only a few places in the world to see synchronous fireflies, and one such place are the Jake’s Creek and Little River Trailheads near Elkmont Campground in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Every year around the third week of May to the third week of June, depending on the temperature and soil moisture, the synchronous fireflies mate for 2-3 weeks. During this period, the males fly around flashing in unison while trying to attract females that remain stationary on the ground. The females return their signal, and the males fly down to mate, sometimes fighting with others.

LOOK INTO THE LIGHT!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park in a Day

Well, it had been thirteen years since I last visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park as part of my year long road trip around the USA. My first visit was in haste because I wasn’t sure I was allowed to leave my dog Petey in VANilla and didn’t want to break the rules on Federal property.

My second visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park came after spending three days in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Without my crazy dog Annie in tow, I had a more leisurely visit.

I stopped in the Visitors Center in the late afternoon as the tours were ending to find out about the bats and the following day tour options. I learned in late April, I didn’t need a reservation for bat viewing or a cave tour if I came first thing in the morning. That said, I should have purchased the tickets the prior afternoon when there was hardly a line!

DESCEND INTO DARKNESS!

Happy Hiking: McKittrick Canyon Trail to Hunter Line Shack

McKittrick Canyon Trail is a popular hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As the name suggests, it is located in the McKittrick Canyon Area of the park whose gates are open between 8 am and 5 pm MOUNTAIN time. Mountain is capitalized because there is a chance your watch is wrong!

With limited hours and hot temperatures in the summer, I recommend hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail in the spring or fall since early starts are not possible.

With two historic cabins, a grotto, the notch, and ridge, the challenging 21.3 out-and-back trail affords hikers many options. During my visit, I hiked only 7 miles which highlights the Pratt Cabin, the grotto, and the Hunter Line Shack.

HAPPY HIKING!

Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Three Day Itinerary

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in West Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert with Carlsbad, New Mexico being 55 miles to the north and Del City, Texas being 44 miles to the south. Fill up with gas in one of these two cities, as the area is remote.

During my drive through the West Texas desert plains dotted with oil wells, I wondered to myself, why is Guadalupe Mountains a National Park? I mean, yes, there are some high desert mountains featuring southwestern terrain and lovely fall foliage, but what makes it special?

While the park doesn’t display jaw-dropping scenery like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, or the Grand Tetons, it is pretty and home to the highest point in Texas. But the main reason for the 135 square miles being designated a national park is for it being the largest exposed reef in the world!

I had no idea I’d be hiking through the Chihuahuan Desert loaded with marine fossils while exploring historic ranches, admiring cool rock formations, and hiking to the top of Texas. Guadalupe Mountains National Park pleasantly surprised me.

For those who enjoy hiking and visiting historic sites, plan to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park for three days and spend at least one day at nearby Carlsbad Caverns.

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Guadalupe Peak: The Highest Point in Texas

I’ve been wanting to hike to the highest point in Texas for a while now. I finally made it to Guadalupe Mountains National Park this past April and knocked out Guadalupe Peak. I’m surprised I overlooked this National Park when I was visiting Carlsbad Caverns during a year long road trip across the USA. I was less than 30 miles away from the park that otherwise requires some effort to reach, as indicated by the many “No Gas” sign warnings dotting the highway.

Getting to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Carlsbad, New Mexico is approximately 50 miles north of the park and the closest public airport to Guadalupe Peak is in El Paso, 110 miles to the southwest. Definitely come with a full tank of gas and provisions to complete this 8.1-mile roundtrip hike that begins at the Pine Springs entrance.

HAPPY HIKING!

Happy Hiking: Devil’s Hall Trail

Devil’s Hall Trail is in Guadalupe Mountains National Park located in West Texas. The hardest part of this trail is getting there. Not because of dirt roads, but because the park is in a desolate area and 50 miles from the closest gas station. Fortunately, there are many signs that warn drivers to fill up!

Getting To Devil’s Hall Trail

You can fill up in Carlsbad, New Mexico 50 miles north of the trailhead or 63 miles south of the trailhead parking in Van Horn, Texas. In a jam, you can get gas in Whites City which is at the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. But being the only gas station along with an RV park, motel, and small store for grocery provisions, the price is much higher. If you are flying in, El Paso is the closest airport, 110 miles away. If you are driving from Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, Fort Stockton is a good resting point.

Once in the general area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park go to the Pine Springs entrance. This entrance includes a Visitors Center, a basic campground, bathrooms, and a small parking area for Devil’s Hall Trail.

This parking lot also serves Guadalupe Mountain, the highest peak in Texas, as well as other hiking paths, so it is best to arrive early to get a spot. Not to mention, you will beat the heat if you are hiking in late spring, summer, or fall.

HAPPY HIKING!

The National World War II Museum

Those that follow my blog know that I tend to focus on outdoor activities. While I sometimes write about a museum I popped into for about an hour in a “Things to Do…” post, it is rare I dedicate an entire article to something indoors. Well, the National World War II Museum was so good, it warranted its own write up. Even then, I won’t be able to do it justice.

I don’t think I have ever been to the same museum twice unless I was attending a special exhibit. That said, I would return to the National World War II Museum a second time in a heartbeat. I was so impressed by the facility, the exhibits, and the comprehensive information.

In full disclosure, I do love historical fiction based on World War II. Additionally, I have wanted to visit this museum for at least 10 years. On the flip side, sometimes I’m disappointed by my high expectations. Furthermore, I don’t like spending hours in a museum, and I read that most people spend around five hours. Consequently, I tried keeping my expectations in check.

In the end, I spent six hours in the National World War II Museum, and it beat all my expectations. I highly recommend making time for a visit even if you are in NOLA just for one of its crazy festivals, most notably Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest.

DIVE INTO HISTORY!

Things to Do in Dauphin Island

Dauphin Island is an Alabama town located on a barrier island of the same name. The town is part of the Mobile metropolitan area, and the island helps define the mouth of Mobile Bay. Dauphin Island is reached by the scenic, three-mile Gordon Persons Bridge.

History of Dauphin Island

Originally known as Massacre Island, it was renamed to Dauphin Island in honor of Louis XIV of France’s great-grandson and heir, known as the dauphin for the dolphin on his family crest. While dauphin means dolphin in French, dauphin was the title given to the heir apparent of France, Louis XV.

Though the Spanish first discovered and mapped the island in 1519, the French were the ones who mistakenly named it Massacre Island in 1699 after finding a large pile of human skeletons which was actually an Indian burial mound.

At the end of the French and Indian War, Dauphin Island was ceded to the British in 1763. After the American Revolutionary War, Dauphin Island became part of the Province of West Florida, controlled by the Spanish.

It wasn’t until the early 1800’s after Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo that settlers began migrating to Alabama from the Southeast and took the land away from the Indians.

By the Civil War, Dauphin Island was controlled by the Confederacy and captured by the Union Army during the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Today, this charming bayfront town is known for its laid back and natural setting.

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