Pink Lady’s-Slipper – Great Smoky Mountain Wildflowers

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Pink lady’s-slipper is a fairly rare spring wildflower in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The blossom has a pink inflated pouch (“slipper”) & two large basal leaves that are strongly ribbed.It is a member of the orchid family & grows to up to 18 inches tall. Witnessing these amazing wildflowers in bloom is a truly exhilarating experience!

 

Wilderness Wildlife Week – Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

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May 9-13, 2017, is Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Last year, the International Festivals & Events Association awarded Wilderness Wildlife Week as the “Best International Event of 2016”. Most events including demonstrations, classes, storytelling, and a photography contest will take place at the Leconte Center in Pigeon Forge. Outdoor Excursions are also part of the event, including guided walks to Charlies Bunion, Walker Sisters’ Cabin, Mount LeConte, Grotto Falls, Goshen Prong, and Porters Creek, and historic bus tours of Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, Pittman Center and Cosby. Whitewater rafting, tubing and birding safaris are also on the schedule.

From the beginning, Wilderness Wildlife Week was intended to be an event, “committed to the education and enjoyment of the public as to the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.” With the creation of an enjoyable and enriching series of walks, talks, workshops, and informative exhibits, participants are encouraged to experience the abundant opportunities available in our beautifully diverse area. Wilderness Wildlife Week has since expanded into a celebration of wildlife throughout this country in “an attempt to illustrate how all things are truly connected.”

For more information, including a schedule of events for Wilderness Wildlife Week visit mypigeonforge.com

Up the Creek RV Camp has campsite openings for this event. Call 865-453-8474 to reserve your campsite in the Smokies!

Wildflowers of the Smoky Mountains – Flame Azaleas

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Pioneer botanist, William Bartram, discovered flame azaleas in 1791. He described the plant as “certainly the most gay and brilliant flowering shrub yet known.”

In the Great Smoky Mountains, flame azalea flower colors range from white to peach to orange, yellow, or red. Blooming time is April and May in the pine and oak forests at low to mid-elevation, but not until June or early July on the mountain tops. The famous displays on Gregory Bald bloom in mid to late June and on Andrews Bald in late June. Flame azalea can also be seen on Balsam Mountain Road.