Martini a la’ Smore

Dancing Bear Lodge introduces one of its featured cocktails for November the “Martini a la’ Smore.” Celebrate the season by trying this cocktail at Dancing Bear Lodge or try making it at home!

Directions for making a Martini a la’ Smore
½ Vodka
½ Baiely’s Irish Cream
½ Kahlua
Graham Cracker Crumbs
Chocolate Sauce
Marshmallow

Fill martini shaker with ice at vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua. Shake until chilled. Take the martini glass and gently dip the edge in simple syrup and then dip in graham cracker crumbs. With a squeeze bottle, decoratively add the chocolate sauce in the martini glass. Pour chilled drink in glass and top with a marshmallow.

Hike of the Week: Look Rock Tower

As the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching this week, you know you are going to be taking in some extra calories so why not take a hike! We recommend hiking Look Rock Tower. It is one of our favorite short hikes to enjoy with your family this season!

The hike leads to an observation tower that has a stunning 360 degree view of the mountains. The short hike is worth the reward once you get to the top!

Hike directions: From Townsend, TN take US-321 to the Foothills Parkway and follow this scenic road to the Look Rock tower parking area. The moderate hike to the top is 1 mile roundtrip. Spectacular views are gained from the tower.

Spiced Cherry Cocktail

Dancing Bear Lodge introduces one of its featured cocktails for November the “Spiced Cherry.” Celebrate the fall season by trying this cocktail at Dancing Bear Lodge or try making it at home!

Directions for making a Spiced Cherry cocktail:

5 fresh Bing cherries that have been soaked in spiced rum

1 oz spiced rum

Ginger Ale

Muddle cherries add rum and shake with ice. Pour over ice and top with ginger ale.

Hike of the Week: Oconaluftee River Trail

As the leaves fall and open up even more vistas, we love going out and hitting the trails! This week we are headed out to the Oconaluftee River Trail.

The Oconaluftee River Trail is one of two walking paths on which visitors can walk dogs and bicycle. Pets and bicycles are prohibited on all other park trails.

The trail travels 1.5 miles one-way from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to the outskirts of the city of Cherokee, NC. It is relatively flat, but does have a few small hills. The trail runs through the forest alongside the Oconaluftee River and offers beautiful views of the river. The Oconaluftee River Trail is frequently used by joggers, walkers and bicyclists.

Hike directions: Park at Oconaluftee Visitor Center. The trail starts near the entrance to the historic buildings area. It follows the Oconaluftee River 1.5 miles to the town of Cherokee, NC.

Wine and Dine at Dancing Bear Lodge

Looking for a new date night experience? At Dancing Bear Lodge, you can sip on wine while you enjoy a delicious dinner by the fire place. It doesn’t get more romantic than a delicious meal, paired with a lovely wine, all while sitting in the glow of the roaring fire. After dinner, make a reservation to stay a while and continue your night!

Sample Menu items include:

Entrées

Braised Brisket Steak with Creamy Grits
Tomato Relish and Natural Jus

Sweet Tea Brined Pork Tenderloin with Tasso Spoon Bread
Sweet and Sour Collard Greens and Roasted Tomato Jus

Rainbow Trout with Shrimp and Grits
Cornmeal Dusted Trout, Local Andouille Sausage
Falls Mill Grits and Tomato Vinaigrette

Cider Glazed Springer Mountain Chicken
Carolina Gold Rice Risotto with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans
Apple Cider Jus

Seared Scottish Salmon with Black Heirloom Rice
Haricot Verts and Lemon Vinaigrette

Sample wines:

Whites:
Dr. Loosen, Riesling, Mosel, Germany, 2009
Ferrari Carano, Fumé Blanc, Sonoma, 2010
Elk Cove, Pinot Grigo, Willamette Valley, 2009
Chateau Grande Cassagne, Rose, Rhone Valley, 2010
Sokol Blosser Winery, Evolution
J.Vidal · Fleury, Viognier, Cotes du Rhone, France, 2010
Domaine Ehrhart, Pinot Gris, Alsace, France, 2008

Bubbles:
Domaine St. Michelle, Blancs de Blanc, Columbia Valley, NV
Roederer Estate, Brut, Anderson Valley, NV
Schramsberg, Blanc de Blanc, Napa Valley, California, 2007

Reds:
Parducci, Pinot Noir, California, 2009
Alamos, Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, 2010
Erath, Pinot Noir, Oregon, 2009
Gemtree Vineyards, “Bordeaux Blend”, The Phantom, Australia, 2009
Molly Dooker “The Maitre D’ “, Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia, 2008
Ridge, Three Valleys, Zinfandel, Sonoma County, 2009
Rosemount GSM, Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvedre, McLaren Vale 2006

Hike of the Week: Appalachian Trail

With the cool , crisp air of fall now upon us, Dancing Bear Lodge encourages our friends to enjoy the great outdoors by taking a hike. Each week in November, we will post a recommended fall hike. We would be remiss not to recommend the Appalachian Trail or at least a little part of it!

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,100+ mile long trail cutting through 14 states, following the spine of the Appalachian Mountains. Seventy six miles of its course are within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, see below for directions to a 3.4 mile trek on the nation’s most famous hiking trail. The fall is a great time to give thanks to the season’s colors and the open views. Enjoy!

Hike Directions: Park at the large parking area at Newfound Gap. Cross the Newfound Gap Road at the cross-walk and look for the trail sign. Follow the Appalachian Trail to Indian Gap (where the trail meets the Clingmans Dome Road). It’s 3.4 miles roundtrip if you hike to Indian Gap and back.

There is no secret, just a classic

There is nothing better to enjoy on a crisp fall night than s’mores! At Dancing Bear Lodge, we provide the ingredients for our guests to enjoy a night by the fire. We use the original s’mores recipe of graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows and a warm fire. You just can’t go wrong! Spend a little time with your family this fall making s’mores! Stay tuned for a Dancing Bear s’more cocktail to be released next week!