Gatlinburg Welcomes NOC as New Neighbor

NOC's Great Outpost in downtown Gatlinburg, TN will open its doors Friday, April 2, 2010. Located adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Great Outpost is Gatlinburg's newest attraction, a LEED-Certified retail and adventure hub like only NOC could have created, with an indoor climbing wall, an outdoor concierge service known as "Basecamp" and a whole lot of fun stuff to check out!

What You'll Find in the Store
In addition to top brands including The North Face, Ex-Officio, Columbia and more, NOC's Great Outpost will also serve as a destination for reliable area information. At Basecamp, guests of any adventure level can book a guided raft trip, hiking or fishing trip, or simply get maps and info on other recommended adventures. It's all part of our goal to help guests enjoy and appreciate the natural treasure that belongs to us all, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its surrounding wilderness areas.


Grand Opening Celebration
A Grand Opening Celebration is planned at NOC's Great Outpost beginning Thursday April 1, with a VIP fundraiser for area conservation group Friends of the Smokies. Doors open to the public at 8am Friday, April 2. Throughout the weekend, guests will find doorbuster prizes, free instructional clinics, book signings, gear demos and more. Sunday, there will be an in-store Easter egg hunt for kids. We hope you'll be able to attend and celebrate this exciting project with us!

Pigeon Forge ‘Sets Up Camp’ for Festival of Cowboy Poetry, Western Music, Chuckwagon Cooking

10th ‘Saddle Up!’ includes autograph session with James Drury of ‘The Virginian’

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (February 2010) – Cowboy poets, western singers and chuckwagon cooks are just over the horizon from Pigeon Forge, Tenn., preparing for the 10th celebration of Saddle Up!, a perhaps unexpected celebration of cowboy ways east of the Mississippi River.

Saddle Up!, Feb. 25-28, 2010, is the last major component of Pigeon Forge Winterfest, a four-month season of activities that started in November. The entire Winterfest celebration is on the American Bus Association’s list of the Top 100 Events in North America, and Saddle Up! is an American Cowboy Magazine “Best of the West” event, one of 101 recognized annually.

Like stars over a clear prairie sky, the entertainment lineup sparkles with Don Edwards, Waddie Mitchell, R.W. Hampton, Dave Stamey, Ray Doyle and Jeff Gore. Two western swing dances will get guests showing off their best two-stepping techniques.

The pop culture side of the cowboy life will be featured through appearances by James Drury and other stars of “The Virginian,” the 1962-1971 hit TV Western. “The Virginian,” the first 90-minute Western, told the story of the fictional Shiloh Ranch near Medicine Bow, Wyo.

Autograph sessions and question-and-answer opportunities are planned with Drury, Roberta Shore, Gary Clarke and Randy Boone. Drury appeared throughout the series.

A competitive chuckwagon cookoff is another Saddle Up! highlight. Teams of chuckwagon cooks will prepare an authentic trail hand lunch for guests’ enjoyment—and the critical evaluation of judges.

The closing event is Cowboy Church, a non-denominational service preceded by strong coffee and a chuckwagon breakfast.

Admission information: Concert day passes are $20 per day and $50 for the weekend (free through age 17). The chuckwagon cookoff lunch, chuckwagon breakfast and western swing dance are $5. Admission to “The Virginian” event is free.

The complete festival schedule is online at www.MyPigeonForge.com/saddleup . Information about all aspects of visiting Pigeon Forge is at www.MyPigeonForge.com or by calling toll-free 1-800-251-9100.

Saddle Up! event locations:
• Thursday afternoon and evening concerts at the Smith Family Dinner Theater
• Friday afternoon and evening concerts at the Grand Majestic Theater
• Friday and Saturday Western swing dances at the Grand Resort Hotel
• Saturday “Virginian” reunion at the Grand Resort Hotel
• Saturday Chuckwagon cookoff at Clabough’s Campground
• Sunday Cowboy Church at Stages West

West Virginia State Parks Offer Affordable Family Fun

Discover fun indoors and out at West Virginia State Parks this winter and early spring. From hiking pristine trails or taking a bird walk to trout fishing or warming fireside in a cabin or cottage, a variety of activities make for affordable getaways now – or in any season.

Winter offers a unique opportunity for hikers, says Jim Phillips, a naturalist at Pipestem Resort State Park.

"A winter hike or walk is a good time to discover those plants and birds that are evergreen or ever-present. If you're just learning about birds or even ferns, winter is the best time to start because there are not as many species to observe. You learn the basics and then build on what you learned in winter months."

Phillips and other park naturalists encourage participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count, Feb. 12-14. Phillips also conducts eagle surveys in the Pipestem area and leads special hikes, like the Bluestone Turnpike Hike and River Trek, throughout the year. Visit www.pipestemresort.com for more information.

Learn more.

Golden Romance Sweepstakes Near Lake Lure

VisitNC.com: Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Foothills near Lake Lure, the Rutherford County community of Golden Valley once lured fortune seekers with the promise of instant riches. Today, people fall in love with this area for its spectacular views, unmatched privacy, and the exquisite romance of these ancient mountains and lakes.

Now, you and your Valentine can win a romantic four-day trip to this magical area, complete with a three-night stay in a fully furnished mountaintop home, an aerial tour of the region’s lakes, mountains, and towns, and a 90-minute massage for two!

The winner receives:

* Three nights at Golden Valley Getaways’ Summit Lodge, a luxurious 4,000-square foot cedar log home with stunning mountain views and an extensive set of amenities
* A romantic flight tour of Rutherford County’s scenic wonders, including Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Foothills. You’ll also get lunch at the infamous 57Alpha Café, and a beautiful “NCFlyPorts” gift basket
* A 90-minute traditional Swedish Massage for two at Lake Lure’s Rumbling Bald Resort and Spa
* A $50 shopping voucher
* A $500 travel voucher

Hurry! The sweepstakes ends February 28, 2010.
Enter To Win!

Wine and Chocolate Lovers Celebration!

Three Sisters Vineyards presents something extra during our Annual "Wine and Chocolate LOVERS Celebration" during the first three weekends of February 1-5PM.

Free and $15 tastings in theTasting Room. This year, a special $25 per person private tasting/seating in the winery will be offered. Reservations for the $25 tastings are required. Limited seating. Seatings on Saturdays are at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00PM. Sundays 2:00 and 4:00PM. The $25 tasting includes a barrel tasting, keepsake wine glass, special chocolates and treats.

Call for more information and make plans now to visit Three Sisters Vineyards for the ultimate taste of fine wine and chocolate. Call 706-865-9463 To Reserve Your Space.

Dates and Times

• February 6 - 7: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• February 13 - 14: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
• February 20 - 21: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM