Spring time in Gatlinburg means good weather,good food and good times.It is time for Gatlinburgs annual ribfest and wings event. There are plenty of attractions and activities in Gatlinburg year around but this event is definitely in the top tier.

This event highlights the best of the south. Barbecue,Chicken wings,Music and Southern Hospitality.  There will be childrens activities and eating contests for the not so faint of heart!!!

This years festival will have extended hours from 4 until 10p.m.  If you are coming in from out of town be sure to check out the rates on a cabin or chalet for the weekend. For a few dollars more you can live the good life in your own private home.

The first Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was held in April of 1951. The two-day event was devoted to arranged tours, field trips, and evening programs. There were around 400 pilgrims attending from 20 different states. Paintings of flowers, flower and plant arrangements, nature exhibits, and photographs of flowers were offered during evening programs.

Today more than 1,200 pilgrims from 32 states come to participate in more than 150 indoor and outdoor programs.

This years pilgrimage will be held April 22 – 26

Chalet Village Properties is offering a Pay for 3 nights and get 2 nights free if you stay during the week. Spring Break is in full swing and the weather is beautiful.  Do yourself a favor and stay in a Chalet or Cabin in Chalet Village. True mountain setting with hot tubs and beautiful views await. 

 Avoid the 1 hour wait at the restaurants and grill out at your own place. Fully furnished kitchens hold everything you need to craft your masterpiece meal.  Once you have sufficiently stuffed yourself gather the boys up for a game of pool.  Ladies can relax in the hot tub and make fun of their men.

Gatlinburg is just a few miles away if shopping and a funnel cake is your idea of vacation.

I don’t think this description will do it justice but I will try.  Two feet to my left is a wall of windows and about 20 feet down is a mountain stream that is running underneath the office. The sun is actually cascading over the mountain and lighting just the creek.  If you have ever stood on a bridge and enjoyed the water running beneath you then you have an idea of what I am seeing and hearing.

Think about the days when you open all the windows in your house to let it breathe.  Feels pretty good doesn’t it. Weather is 70 degrees,slight breeze and plenty of sunshine. Well fortunately for me that will be how I spend the rest of my spring,summer and fall at work. I guess if you have to answer phones,run spreadsheets,answer emails and greet guests – These conditions will just have to do!   

Now get out of the house and live a little! You deserve It! You have earned it!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Chalet Village Properties is running an amazing special for March and April. Pay for 3 nights and receive 2 nights for free. This special is good for Sunday thru Thursday.  Spring break is upon us and the weather in Gatlinburg is perfect to catch a clear mountain view. Come stay in the best cabins or chalets in Chalet Village and take advantage of the best special of the year!!

12 Bedroom Lodge/King suites

Come stay at Chalet Village Properties right now in a 3 bedroom or larger unit and receive your 3rd night free plus take an additional 15% off.  Spring time weather is trying to peak around the bend. Spring break is aroung the corner for most people and a short vacation is in order.  While the kids go to the beach the family should come to Gatlinburg for some rest and relaxation. Check for 1 and 2 bedroom specials on our website also.

Valentines day 2009, what do you think of first? LOVE – That 4 letter word that every human being needs to hear to feel complete. From the beginnings of time men and women will go to any length to extract that word from the opposite sex.  Even in a confirmed recession men and women are opening their wallets to help magnify their love.

Money is no object it seems when you truly love something or someone.  Our cabins are full and the big question is where do they have the best steak?  It is quite funny when people call and say “why is it so busy up here”?  All the while they have left their kids with grandma to come stay 2 nights with their wife or husband.

This just proves how much the media and news coverage has jaded the way the human race feels about each other.  Subconsciously people think because of a war or recession only a fortunate few will be able to treat their sweetie to a romantic night out.  In the minds of most there is a voice saying “we will go to Gatlinburg because it won’t be busy! there is a recession you know.” 

I am going to end this blog with some advice directed towards the nay-sayers of love. Get in your car and drive to Gatlinburg Tennessee tonight Feb. 14 Valentines day.  Once you get set down with a cold beverage and appetizers on the way, I want you to ask yourself 2 questions. Why did I just set in traffic for 3 hours? Why did I stand in line for 1 hour to eat?  Now look across the table at that beautiful woman or handsome man your with and tell them how much you LOVE them!!  What was that you said? Yes thats right 4 hours of torture to hear 1 needed word - LOVE!!!

By the way its 3 p.m. now, you better jump in the car if you want to eat by 8!!!

As of 6:00 a.m. Thursday Feb 5 2009 Ober Gatlinburg is reporting 60″ – 88″ base.  6 slopes open Ober chute,Bear run,Castle run, Cub way,Ski school, Mogul ridge.

The weather has been perfect this year for Ober Gatlinburg to maintain excellent levels of snow.  I personally went skiing myself 2 weeks ago and the conditions were great.  They have actually added on a snow tubing area for those of you that are a little lacking in the balance department.

Be sure to visit asap because it looks like we are in for some 60 degree weather by Sunday.  We have quite a few cabins or chalets open for this weekend if you are looking for a quick vacation. 

Whitewater rafting is one of the best family activities in the Gatlinburg TN area.  There are multiple companies to choose from, some offering trips on different rivers.  Here is a short list of websites that can help you plan out a trip. 

www.smokymountainoutfitter.net, www.carolinaoutfitters.com, www.pigeonriverexpeditions.com, www.raftinginthesmokies.com

These trips are great for a family of all ages. There is no experience necessary. You will be accompanied by trained raft guides. There is a short safety course that the guides will go over with you before you hit the water.  This is an activity that requires the whole family to cooperate as one team.  Husbands and wifes,brothers and sisters will come away with a closer bond and memories for life. There are some companies who offer all day trips with lunch.

If your planning a Gatlinburg vacation then you will be at the central hub for access to most of these rafting companies. Be sure to stay in a cabin or chalet with a hot tub to rest your waterlogged bones.

It is amazing what you can find out about your hometown if you just pay attention.  On the 11:00 news Wednesday night they ran a short piece on Ober Gatlinburg’s new snow tubing area.  They have constructed a 9 lane 350 ft snow tubing chute for children of all ages.  The ride was receiving rave reviews from young children and their parents.

These last 2 weeks of weather have really helped the business at Ober Gatlinburg. With temperatures dropping into the 20′s it has been perfect for them to blow man made snow often.  Monday night and Tuesday night gave them some much needed natural snow to help balance out the slopes.

With all this snow and extreme weather brings the most wonderful 3 words a kid can hear “schools closed tomorrow”. Parents take advantage of the time and bring your kids up to Ober Gatlinburg and enjoy some of the best conditions we have seen in years.  Leave work a little early and take advantage of the $15 night session lift tickets 6-10p.m.