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Wildflowers 101: Non-traditional Blooms
Story and images by Tom Harrington
When one gets into wildflowering, often they will find that it involves continuously learning new facts. In doing research for this article, I learned new things about hearts-a-bustin’ and Jack-in-the-pulpit. Today we will examine these flowers as well as leather vase vine. I thought it would be
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Word from the Smokies: Meet the Wild Creatures Native to Appalachia’s ‘Sky Islands’
by Aaron Searcy, Publications Associate
A new study is taking a closer look at the startling forms of life that exist only on some of Appalachia’s highest mountaintops—some of which are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On these ancient peaks, dubbed ‘sky islands,’ are the last living remnants of the region’
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Word from the Smokies: Retired Biology Professor Dan Pittillo Still Digs Research
By Frances Figart, Creative Services Director
I met and became friends with Dr. Dan Pittillo through this column. He writes me an email every time one of my articles is published here; in fact, that’s how I know what day they run. He always tells me something I didn’t know about my topic, and he shows the kind of appreciation upon
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Mountain Time: Rock of Ages
Story and images by Arthur "Butch" McDade
The Appalachian Mountains are ancient highlands formed millions of years ago. They’ve been shaped, contorted, and warped by great forces since time immemorial. Writer John McPhee describes the Appalachian range as “a compressed, chaotic, ropy enigma, four thousand kilometers from
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Image for the Asking: Curtain Call
Story and image by Don McGowan
I have been a professional nature and travel photographer for nearly 27 years, and the first word that comes readily to mind to describe my experience of those years is “gratitude.” The worst day I’ve ever had doing photography was infinitely better than the best day I ever had in an office&
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Mountain Raingers Aid Understanding of Rainfall in Southern Appalachia
Students who apply to the University of North Carolina Asheville are often attracted by the region's plethora of hiking trails. Those who end up working as field research assistants with Professor Douglas Miller may find themselves taxed to the limit by the requirement of strenuous hiking in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
&
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Wildflowers 101: Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron
Story and images by Tom Harrington
How many of you enjoy seeing mountain laurel and rhododendron in bloom? In this issue we will examine mountain laurel and Catawba rhododendron since they bloom in May and June.
As of the second week of May, mountain laurel was blooming on Ace Gap Trail in large numbers. Many were at peak bloom
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Anne Davis: Mother of the Park
Anyone who has studied the history surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park likely knows the monumental effort it took to establish the park, and the many individuals whose voices and actions made it all possible. Perhaps one of the most important—and oft overlooked—founders of GSMNP is Anne Davis, who has been credited as the first to suggest establishing a national park in the Smokies.
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Trailside Talk: The Quest to Find Veterans Buried in the Smokies
Primitive Baptist Church cemetery in Cades Cove. Photo by Joel Kramer/Flickr
Joe Emert and his friends are on a mission that has no end.
Emert is one of the leaders of an effort to identify the final resting places of all military veterans buried in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Using military records, newspaper research, family
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Save the Date and Save Wildlife
What is it about the humble wall calendar that explains its enduring popularity well into the digital era?
I guess in the same way that physical mail now feels more novel than emails, or our printed photos have become more precious than the thousands of files stored on our phones, a wall calendar hanging in the kitchen or office has a much-appreciated presence we just don’t want to let go of yet. Even if I rarely use mine for actual scheduling purposes, I like to hang one just for its aesthetic qualities and look forward to flipping the page each month.
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