An Outsiders Guide to the Smoky Mountains

So you caught the bug didn’t you?  You’ve been to the Smokies a few times and have rented a few different cabins and now comes the decision “hey let’s buy one of our own and we can rent it out, it will be fun and we’ll make tons of money right?”  Hold on their buckaroo….not… Continue reading Episode 024 – Buying a Cabin in the Smokies The post Episode 024 – Buying a Cabin in the Smokies appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

One of the most popular questions I get asked or see asked on popular boards and groups is… which is the best of the seasons in the Smokies?  Great question but also loaded.  Most people just start throwing out answers Spring! Summer!  Fall!  Winter stinks! It’s like asking the Facebook groups who has the best… Continue reading Episode 023 – Seasons in the Smokies – Pros and Cons The post Episode 023 – Seasons in the Smokies – Pros and Cons appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Hello Everyone, I’m Chuck Schmidt and I am the Outsider. This is an episode of some pretty cool secret places scattered about in the Smoky Mountains area.  Most people just walk or drive by many of these things and never realize what the just missed. A set of carefully hidden stairs that leads to a… Continue reading Episode 022 -Secret Places in the Smokies The post Episode 022 -Secret Places in the Smokies appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Welcome to Episode 21- Shopping in the Smokies – His, Hers, Theirs. Let’s get back to the business of visiting the Smokies!  There are several types of people that come to the Smokies.  Some come just to hike the park, others come to enjoy all the attractions and another group of people come to the… Continue reading Episode 021 – Shopping in the Smokies- His, Hers, Theirs. The post Episode 021 – Shopping in the Smokies- His, Hers, Theirs. appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

We’re almost there!  Almost everything great about the Smokies and the surrounding areas is either open or set to reopen.  Most attractions and restaurants are now open albeit on a limited basis. In Episode 020- The Smokies at a Distance we will be exploring some of the lesser know trails and dining in and about… Continue reading Episode 020 – The Smokies at a Distance The post Episode 020 – The Smokies at a Distance appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

At last most of the attractions and the restaurants are open so we can now have our Pigeon Forge Update 2020! We hope you like axe throwing because that is the new rage in Pigeon Forge. Count them three different axe throwing hoses join our Pigeon Forge Update 2020. Pigeon Forge Axe House This is… Continue reading Pigeon Forge Update 2020! – Episode 019 The post Pigeon Forge Update 2020! – Episode 019 appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

The Smokies are Back! In Episode 108 join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a journey through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities in the aftermath of the COVID virus.  Learn about weekly updates for attractions, hiking trails, dining, shopping and road closures. Plus, up to… Continue reading Smokies Are Back! Area Update as of 5-21-2020 The post Smokies Are Back! Area Update as of 5-21-2020 appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Smokies Reopening Update 5/14/2020, join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a journey through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities in the aftermath of the COVID virus.  Learn about the current status of attractions, hiking trails, dining, shopping and road closures. Plus, up to date information… Continue reading Smokies Reopening Update 5-14-2020 The post Smokies Reopening Update 5-14-2020 appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

In Episode 016 – Smoky Mountains Area Reopening, join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a journey through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities in the aftermath of the COVID virus.  Learn about the current status of attractions, hiking trails, dining, shopping and road closures. Plus,… Continue reading Smoky Mountains Area Reopening The post Smoky Mountains Area Reopening appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Hello Everyone- I’m Chuck Schmidt and I am the Outsider.  I wish I was talking about all the great things you can do in the Smokies Mountains area. In fact, I’m actually talking about the opposite this blog is about COVID-19 and the Smokies . Boy I wish I was talking about a happier topic. … Continue reading COVID-19 and the Smokies The post COVID-19 and the Smokies appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

When I wrote my original podcast series, I was hoping they would have a bit of a shelf life, in podcast we call that being evergreen. It soon became apparent that this is impossible in the Smoky Mountains area.  There are simply too many restaurants and attractions both coming in and going out of business.… Continue reading Episode 014 – Gatlinburg Update for 2020 The post Episode 014 – Gatlinburg Update for 2020 appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains is a magical time of year. Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a tour of the area’s best events, attractions and holiday shows. Just think of it, 15-Million lights in just 25 miles, that’s what you’ll experience at Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains. Sevierville, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge pull out… Continue reading Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains – Podcast Bonus Episode. The post Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains – Podcast Bonus Episode. appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Here we are, Episode 12 the finale to season one. Join Chuck Schmidt, Travel Host and his list about our Favorite Fives in the Smokies List.  Most people coming to the Smokies nowadays only stay 3-4 days on average and then they are moving onto some other location: Nashville, Atlanta, Florida, who knows.  With the… Continue reading Episode 012 – Season One Finale – Favorite Fives The post Episode 012 – Season One Finale – Favorite Fives appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a tour of the best moonshine wine and whiskey in the Smoky Mountains on this Podcast.  Learn about the flavorful selection of moonshines, whiskeys and wines as we explore Kodak, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg in search of our favorite spirits. Tennessee is known the world over for their… Continue reading Episode 011 – Moonshine, Wine and Whiskey in the Smokies Podcast The post Episode 011 – Moonshine, Wine and Whiskey in the Smokies Podcast appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

As I’m writing these notes it’s the last week in August but for many visitors booking your trip over Labor Day weekend is critical. The Smoky Mountains National Park area hosts the most visitors in the fall during the last three weeks of October, when the peak foliage is most likely to occur. If possible,… Continue reading Episode 010 – Fall in the Smokies Podcast The post Episode 010 – Fall in the Smokies Podcast appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host and go touring Wears Valley, Cades Cove, Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities.  In this Smoky Mountains Podcast learn about attractions, hiking trails, the best places to dine as well as tips and suggestions for saving time and saving money on your vacation.… Continue reading Episode 009 – Touring Wears Valley, Cades Cove and Townsend a Smoky Mountains Podcast. The post Episode 009 – Touring Wears Valley, Cades Cove and Townsend a Smoky Mountains Podcast. appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host and go touring Dandridge, Douglas Lake and Cosby TN. Learn about different things to do on the other side of the park from waterfall hikes to boating to scenic drives. Discover the history of Dandridge, the recreation of Douglas Lake and the outdoor opportunities of Cosby  There’s a ton to… Continue reading Episode 008 – Touring Dandridge, Douglas Lake and Cosby The post Episode 008 – Touring Dandridge, Douglas Lake and Cosby appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Recently I read a travelers Facebook post and someone asked if there was anything to do in Cherokee or Bryson City and someone answered quickly with an abrupt “NO”. How wrong they are. If your spend any time touring Cherokee and Bryson City you’ll quickly find out what an important historical area this really is.… Continue reading Episode 007 – Touring Cherokee and Bryson City The post Episode 007 – Touring Cherokee and Bryson City appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than staying in a cabin that’s dirty, poorly maintained, hard to get to, misrepresented in its listing and has no cell service or Wi-Fi.  Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for his tips on renting the perfect cabin. Save yourself time, money and aggravation by following some common sense advise… Continue reading Episode 006 – Tips on Renting the Perfect Cabin The post Episode 006 – Tips on Renting the Perfect Cabin appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Finally we’re visiting Smoky Mountains National Park on the podcast! Join Chuck Schmidt, Travel Host on a look at the Smokies. Whether you want to hike, drive or tour historical settlements then podcast has information for you to use. We take a closer look at some of the most popular things to do when visiting… Continue reading Episode 005 – Visiting Smoky Mountains National Park The post Episode 005 – Visiting Smoky Mountains National Park appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

We’re moving on to Episode 004 – Touring Sevierville. When Touring Sevierville you’ll notice this is the largest and most established of the three town feeding into the Smoky Mountains from the north. Join Travel Host Chuck Schmidt as we go Touring Sevierville and it’s rich history. Don’t miss the town square near Court Street… Continue reading Episode 004 – Touring Sevierville The post Episode 004 – Touring Sevierville appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

We’re up to our 3rd episode on our podcast “An Outsider Guide to the Smoky Mountains”. This episode is on Touring Pigeon Forge, the attractions, the shows, dining, some things to make your visit easier and some things to avoid. Pigeon Forge is home to 11 millions visitors a year. In Episode 003 Touring Pigeon… Continue reading Episode 003 – Touring Pigeon Forge The post Episode 003 – Touring Pigeon Forge appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

Here we are….Episode 002 – Touring Gatlinburg. As I stated in my previous post with each episode of our podcast “An Outsiders Guide to the Smoky Mountains”, we will be diving deeper into where to go, what to do, where to eat in the Smoky Mountains area. In this episode we’ll be touring Gatlinburg. In… Continue reading Episode 002 – Touring Gatlinburg The post Episode 002 – Touring Gatlinburg appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.

It’s Alive! Our podcast “An Outsiders Guide to the Smoky Mountains”….Are you planning a vacation getaway to the Smoky Mountains?  Start here with Episode 001- Welcome to the Smokies! Join Chuck Schmidt, travel host for a journey through Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as surrounding communities.  Learn… Continue reading Episode 001- Welcome to the Smokies! The post Episode 001- Welcome to the Smokies! appeared first on Dancing Bearfoot Cabin.