Spring Is In Bloom

Wednesday, March 20, is the first official day of spring, which means it is time to plan vacation trips to Townsend and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park! As the vacation basecamp of the Smokies, Dancing Bear Lodge provides guests with information on events this spring as well as outdoor activities for any interests. Plan to enjoy some events during your stay at Dancing Bear Lodge!

March 1-16: Quilt Show hosted by Maryville College

April 5-7: The Dancing Bear Bicycle Bash

April 19-20: Smoky Mountains Fiber Arts Festival

April 23-27: Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage

May 3-4: Spring Festival and Old Timers Day
May 10-12: Dancing Bear Lodge Fly Fishing Weekend

May 17-19: 32^nd Annual Smoky Mountain Highland Games

One of the largest events this spring is The 63^rd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage set for April 23-27! This celebration of the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains offers guided walking tours, maps, and indoor events highlighting the many species of flowers blooming in the Great Smoky Mountains. The National Park Service Staff and naturalists are looking forward to exploring the parks with visitors with 146 participative events held in Gatlinburg and on many trails throughout the Smoky Mountains, including locations near to Dancing Bear Lodge.

Click here to register for the 63^rd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.

http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/

Being "Green"

Delicious recipes, exciting festivals and the color green come together in many nations to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and people all across the United States are no exception. As a matter of fact, according to csmonitor.com, Americans were the first to begin pinching people for not partaking in celebrating and incorporating green into their wardrobes. The tradition of pinching dates back to the 1700s, when people fearful of being spotted by leprechauns would pinch others to remind them to wear green and stay safe.

To help you avoid an imminent pinch, here are some of our ideas for adding touches of green to your wardrobe on March 17:

Braid three pieces of ribbon with different shades of green for a crafty St. Patrick's Day bracelet.

Mix a drop of green food coloring in your favorite martini recipe to steer clear of pinches during your St. Patrick's Day dinner.

Make your own four-leaf clover pin by cutting its shape out of green felt and safety pinning it to your shirt.

Take inspiration from the latest nail trends and paint one fingernail on each of your hands a shade of emerald green and leave the rest of your nails with a neutral, soft color.

Sport the "luck of the Irish" by wearing the color of Ireland's flag with oranges and greens.

From all of us at Dancing Bear Lodge and Restaurant, we wish you a very happy, and green, St. Patrick's Day!

Sneak Peak of Your Easter Brunch

Chef Jeff Carter has prepared a regionally-inspired menu for your Easter Brunch at Dancing Bear Lodge and Restaurant! Here is an insider's look at the dishes available to you and your loved ones on Sunday, March 31. Call us soon at (865) 448-6000 to make reservations for the day. We look forward to celebrating Easter with you!

Easter Sunday Brunch 

Snacks for the Table
Muffaleta Board

In Jars
Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Hummus, Pimento Cheese, Smoked Trout Rillette, House Made Crackers and Pickles

Bakery Plate
House Made Pastries with Sorghum Butter and Local Jam

Entrées 

Salad of Red Oak, Smoked Trout, Benton’s Bacon

Poached Egg, Fried Okra and Lemon Caper Vinaigrette

Three Egg Omelet

Local Andouille, Cheddar Cheese and Spinach

“Grillades and Grits”

Braised Brisket Steak with Creamy Falls Mill Grits Tomato Relish and Natural Jus

“Chicken and Waffles”
Buttermilk Honey Brined Fried Chicken Thigh, Dried Cherry and Cornmeal Waffles, Pecans and Sweet and Sour Collard Greens

Blackened Red Fish
Brussel Sprout Leaves, Crawfish, Corn Succotash and Spicy Brussel Sprout Slaw
 

Signs of Spring Fishing in the Smokies

It may be perhaps one of the most anticipated happenings on the Smoky Mountain angler's calendar. Of course all fishermen, or outdoor enthusiasts of many kinds for the matter, eagerly await the first signs of spring and the breaking of winter. However these first few warm days of late winter brings a spectacular event in the year of a Smokies angler, the Quill Gordon Mayfly hatch. This hatch of large dark-bodied mayflies typically begins in late February and fades into March, and this year it has kept its appointment. 

This first major hatch of the year brings fish to the surface with visible excitement as the fish will often leave the water to literally grab the bugs from the air. The hatches can be spotty at first, as cool temperatures and variable weather tend to be the custom for late February and early March, but should become more dependable as we move through March. Watch for bugs to start coming off mid to late afternoon on warmer days over the next several weeks.

The Quill Gordon is the name of the fly pattern used to match the actual mayfly species Epeorus pleuralis. This is a species of mayfly that emerges in the adult form on the stream bottom and makes its way to the surface where it flutters its wings to dry in attempt to fly. It is this struggling flutter that brings the showy strikes from eagerly awaiting fish.

The Quill Gordon Pattern in sizes 12 and 14 along with the  Parachute Adam's will draw strikes during this hatch. Quill Gordons are often accompanied by their smaller version, the blue quill mayfly, and black stone flies in their timing. This means an angler should be prepared to throw smaller fly patterns if the Quill Gordon is not drawing strikes. Blue quills and a Peacock caddis are favorites of mine this time of year as well in sizes 14-18. For subsurface feeding fish, the Quill Gordon soft hackle will produce fish along with #14 pheasant tail or pheasant tail soft hackle.

By Alex Quick

Enhance Your March To-Do List

As we dive into month of March, excitement stirs around a much-needed Spring Break for students and families looking to retreat from busy schedules. Whether you are in desperate need of a weeklong getaway or weekend stay, allow Dancing Bear Lodge to rejuvenate you and your loved ones this March with activities and events to meet everyone's interests.

Is your husband or son looking to perfect his golf swing? Dancing Bear Lodge is near several golf course, including Laurel Valley, Egwani Farms and Avalon courses.

For those interested in quilting, Maryville College is hosting the 33rd Aal Quilt Show from March 22-24.

Rent touring bikes for only $15 for a half-day per bike to explore our property, scenery and wildlife amidst the Little River.

Experience the fine craft of wodworking at the Woodcarver's Show on March 17-31.

Have any train enthusiasts in your family? Enjoy an Easter train ride on Saturday, March 30 with the Southern Appalachian Railway Museum.

Surprise the fisherman in your family with a half or full-day guided trip to the Little River teaming with trout.

Catch up on your knowledge of Smoky Mountain history at the Heritage Center, with exhibits on Native American history, pioneer culture, and other interesting reminisces of past life in the Smokies.

Soak up the fresh air and venture into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a day of enjoying all that spring brings us, from gorgeous wildflower blooms to the songs of eager spring birds chirping in the newly green trees.

“Bicycling with Benefits: How Bicycling Betters Your Health”

According to Derek Markham on DiscoveryChannel.com, participating in cycling offers 7 healthy benefits:

Improved cardiovascular fitness and decrease in the risk for coronary heart disease

Building and toning muscle and improving joint conditions

Increased metabolism and aids in weight loss

Increased years of life

Improved coordination skills

Better mental health

Stengthened immune system

Take these suggestions and come participate in Dancing Bear Lodge's Bicycle Bash on Apirl 5-7!