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Emfo1011's Avatar
Emfo1011 replied the topic: #1 31 Aug 2020 12:50
Anyone have any pictures of the moose at Conifer high school

Being new to the site, I am posting a

Mountain Town Special! 

$200 off water heater install


 

$100 off faucet install

$99 drain special

For me, transitions in life always lead me back to nature.  I am often reminded that the changing of the seasons in nature are like the transitions we all go through; we all know the joy of summer, the isolation of winter, the rebirth of spring and the harvest and colors of the fall.  Nature shows that that everything has its time and that nothing lasts forever.  Whenever I feel stressed in my life, I love to get back into nature.  That’s one of the true joys of living in Colorado. Our gentle transition into the fall reminds me of one of my favorite places to visit this time of the year.  That place is Gatlinburg, TN and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The quaint town of Gatlinburg, TN is a must to do anytime of the year but especially in the fall.  The town’s year-round population is only approximately 4,000 but it’s filled in the summer and the fall with thousands of tourists because it stands at the gateway of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 

Gatlinburg is a town that is terrific for everyone, from families to nature lovers to honeymooners and destination weddings.  There is so much do for anyone from the world class aquarium; Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to shopping in all of the unique shops along Gatinburg’s main street “Parkway”.  In addition, there is the “Dollywood” theme park in the neighboring town of Pigeon Forge, dinner at the Dixie Stampede show, white water rafting, miniature golf and several wedding chapels to renew your vows or get married.

I’ve been going to Gatlinburg since I was 5 years old and whenever my wife Heidi and I have gone we always stay at one of the beautiful cabins that sit in the mountains above Gatlinburg.  My favorite rental company is Chalet Village. They have nightly rentals from $80 - $700 a night.  All of the cabins we have stayed in are high quality, wonderful places.

Sometimes in all the busyness of Gatlinburg it is hard to remember that a beautiful national park is only minutes away from downtown.  The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is always one of the top visited national parks in the country and one of the few that charges no daily entrance fee.  The vastness of the park makes it hard to cover everything in one article but here are some of my favorite places:

Cades Cove – Is an 11 mile loop road that is only one way. If you don’t have time for anything else in the Smokies you should drive this loop.  On busy days in the summer or fall it can take well over an hour to get through the entire loop but the beauty you will encounter makes it very much worth it.  You will see lots of wildlife including white tailed deer, black bear and occasionally a turkey or coyote.  There are original settler’s homes and farms to walk through and my favorite the hike out to Abrams Falls, a five mile out and back hike that brings you to a magnificent waterfall at the end.

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Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail - This 5.5 mile one way loop starts right behind Gatlinburg’s main street.  The trail is open from May 1st through November 30th and winds through lush forest with beautiful views of several small to midsized waterfalls that are so close you can almost reach out of your car to touch them.

Clingmans Dome – Is a great place to take in the beauty of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the observation tower reaches to the highest point in the Smoky Mountains (6,643ft).  The half mile trail from the parking is fairly step and not an easy trek for everyone but the payoff at the top is incredible.  On clear days you can see at least 100 miles all around you and begin to appreciate the beauty of the park below you.

Quiet Walkways – These small foot trails that dot the main roads in the park are often overlooked by the masses of people that visit.  They can range anywhere from .25 – 2 miles and just bring you into nature.  Many times there are streams near the pathways and you can enjoy the sound and beauty of the water as well as the lushness of the forest around you.

 

All in all, Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a wonderful place for anyone to visit.  The beautiful colors of the fall make an even better option this time of the year.  Hope you will check it out.

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Bill Bruner – is the owner of Cruise Planners – Heart and Soul Excursions a full service travel agency for all of your travel needs.  You can reach Bill at 720-463-1023 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.



HeartandSoulExcursions's Avatar
HeartandSoulExcursions replied the topic: #1 25 Aug 2015 11:00
It's a great place to visit Fred. Hope you get there sometime.
HeartandSoulExcursions's Avatar
HeartandSoulExcursions replied the topic: #2 25 Aug 2015 10:59
Glad to bring down memory lane. I love Colorado but love the Smokies as well. Thanks for the read & the comment.
FredHayek's Avatar
FredHayek replied the topic: #3 25 Aug 2015 08:30
My parents honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains, I need to visit sometime. :camper:
ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #4 25 Aug 2015 08:19
Oh my does this take me back! :) Growing up in Cincinnati, Gatlinburg was the go-to vacation destination for many of my friends' families. You are absolutely right about visiting during the fall - the explosion of color on the hillsides is unrivaled. It's one of the few things that I truly miss about the mid-west because those only during fall does the mid-west do it more spectacularly than Colorado. :)-

Thanks for the trip down memory lane, recommendations of things to see, and all the beautiful photos Heart and Soul Excursions!

The Conifer Rotary Club recently awarded a total of $6,800 in scholarships to students at Conifer High School and Platte Canyon High School. Key selection criteria were scholarly performance and community service.  All students had at least 200 hours.
Group photo posted here: http://justaroundhere.com/index.php/all-sections/special-interest/community-news-general/144-conifer/1504-conifer-rotary-awards-scholarships

I love social interaction and decided I need to get a job that interacts with strangers on a daily basis. Also my children want to sign up for Soccer and Gymnastics, and both take money.

My husband and I moved up here last year, to help my father in law renovate a house he bought.  It has been the most magical year.  Everywhere I look, I am overwhelmed by the beauty of these mountains.IMG 20141024 135020 025 

Now that we are settled, I want to get out and about more.  My husband and father in law are happy being hermits. 



HappyCamper's Avatar
HappyCamper replied the topic: #1 01 Dec 2015 11:24
Moore Lumber was hiring you might want to call and see if they filled the positions.
CCAS's Avatar
CCAS replied the topic: #2 01 Dec 2015 09:56

Hi everyone, next week we have a lot going on at Mountain Sprouts. On Monday Feb 23rd we will be making Brown Bear puppets and learning a little bit about Brown Bears.
Also on Thursday we will experiment with how bears stay warm in the win...ter.
Then on Feb 27th we have our last Free Movie Night of the season. With the nights getting shorter it is hard for the little ones to stay out so late. We will be showing "Disney Nature Bears". The movie will start at 6:00PM, doors open at 5:30PM.

For more info on classes check out our website @http://mountain-sprouts.weebly.com/about.html

Newly opened, Blue Spruce Toys is Conifer's only full service specialty toy store.  We are located on US 285 at Springs Rd, less than 2 miles south of Staples, in the Green Valley Center. Store hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Saturday. We are stocking up for the holidays and looking forward to your visit!



 

Hi all, We have our FREE park day at Mountain Sprouts on Tuesday. I have booked a face painter and I will also have lots of fun games and crafts for the kids to do. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend. Thanks.

Kaila Paul (720)341-3609
http://mountain-sprouts.weebly.com/

 

Screen Shot 2014-08-12 at 9.34.11 AM

 

Please Visit Website: www.community80470.com

Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Community80470

Email us: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On Monday in class we will do candle art. We will be doing candle dipping, with a stick and string tied to the starter candle. And for the little ones, I have pots to paint and we can pour the wax in their pots. Everything will start at 10:00 and will end about 11:15 the cost is $12 for the first child and $8 for siblings. Let me know if you have any other questions. We hope to see you there.

See you all in class soon.

 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/541839398891470042/



MountainSprouts's Avatar
MountainSprouts replied the topic: #1 27 Jul 2014 13:22
On Monday July 28, in class we will do candle art. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend. See you all in class soon.

www.pinterest.com/pin/541839398891470042/


shortstop's Avatar
shortstop replied the topic: #1 29 Jan 2016 14:53
ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #2 29 Jan 2016 10:12
ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #3 30 Dec 2015 10:26
That is exactly how I feel every time I eat bacon too! :biggrin: :drool:
otisptoadwater's Avatar
otisptoadwater replied the topic: #4 29 Dec 2015 14:11
Bacon, the gateway meat.



:) :cheer:
ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #5 19 Sep 2015 15:14
I think this might become my new church! Check out their 9 Beliefs .

8. Praise Bacon!
Bacon is our god, but that’s just a term of endearment. We don’t believe that Bacon is actually spiritual, though smelling it is surely a Divine Experience. We also like donuts because they are Holey.

In the beginning there was the Big Bang, which begat all of time and space. Eventually sacrificial pigs evolved and the God of Bacon came to be.

Praise Bacon! If you don’t like pigs, you may praise Vegetarian Bacon or Turkey Bacon. Or just love the smell.

Bacon is not jealous. You may have other gods or no gods before Bacon.

Praise the Lard! :P

Invalid consumer key/secret in configuration
Wicked's Avatar
Wicked replied the topic: #6 19 Sep 2015 13:38
Praise Bacon!

We raise money for charity and are striving to be the most generous church in the world.
We perform legal weddings, always for free. How joyful!
We expose religious privileges as silly by claiming the same rights for Bacon.
Praise Bacon If you prefer to praise Vegetarian Bacon or Turkey Bacon that is fine!

We now have over 12,000 members from around the world and have performed hundreds of weddings. Join us! Raise your voice in protest, and to Praise Bacon!


unitedchurchofbacon.org/



Now this is a church whose teachings I could digest. :barbeque: :like:
Blazer Bob's Avatar
Blazer Bob replied the topic: #7 06 Jul 2015 21:30
"Bacon is linked to long life.

World's oldest person, 116, eats diet of bacon and eggs


Susannah Mushatt Jones is one of only two people left alive who were born in the 1800s

She is one of only two living people in the world who was born in the 1800s - and puts her longevity down to eating bacon and eggs every morning for over a century. "...

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/north...-bacon-and-eggs.html
HappyCamper's Avatar
HappyCamper replied the topic: #8 18 Apr 2015 22:19
One of hubby's gift for Xmas 2014 was a 6 month membership to the bacon of the month club it is great I have enjoyed it as much as him.

Some of our favorites have be Jalapeno, Lemon Pepper, and who would of though Sundried Tomato.

Last batch had BBQ and it was also excellent the only sad part is that we only get two pounds a month and when we have to by regular bacon it is a bit of a disappointment.
otisptoadwater's Avatar
otisptoadwater replied the topic: #9 18 Apr 2015 16:51
****URGENT ALL POINTS BULLETIN****

Wanted for crimes against humanity and bacon, the persons responsible for bringing this product to the commercial market:
ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #10 24 Feb 2015 22:01
I have a feeling that I would not like bacon much after doing something like this. :ohmy: :sick:

22-year old sets bacon-eating record: 182 pieces in 5 minutes
By Brian Koerber
2/23/15

You may love bacon, but the thought of eating six pounds of the pork product is enough to make anyone sick.

Anyone except competitive eater Matt "Megatoad" Stonie, who has snagged another award — this time for eating 182 slices of bacon (approximately 6 lbs) in five minutes at the Daytona 500 in Florida on Sunday, Huffington Post reports. The event was sponsored by Smithfield bacon.

According to CompetitveEaters.com, the previous unofficial record was set by Mark "The Human Vacuum" Lyle, who ate just 54 pieces in five minutes.

ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #11 14 Dec 2014 13:24
I am going to have to try these!

12 Bacon Hacks That Will Take Your Weekend Brunch to a Whole New Level
Lucia Peters, @luciapeters
2 months ago

2. Baked Bacon Egg Cups


Got a muffin tin? Good. Grab it. Take your raw bacon and curl it up in each cup so that you’ve essentially made yourself a set of bacon cupcake liners; then crack an egg in each one. Add some herbs if you like, or don’t — totally up to you. Bake the whole thing, and lo! From the depths of your oven emerge these gorgeous breakfast bites.

otisptoadwater's Avatar
otisptoadwater replied the topic: #12 30 Aug 2014 21:41

Rick wrote: This time of year I always have big tomatoes from the garden so I make a BLT or two almost every day until the tomatoes are gone. Then I never have another one again until next year. But I never stop eating bacon.

I invented a new Bronco snack:

egg roll wrapper> thick crispy applewood bacon> jack cheese> roasted green chili strip> 1 medium to large shrimp split> more bacon> egg the edges and roll> fry to crispy

Dip in green chile or sour cream or whatever or nothing

Would also make a great chimichanga in a big tortilla with some seared ribeye :barbeque:


SOUNDS AWESOME! I'll have to try that out!

In the meanwhile how about this? Thanksgiving isn't that far away, consider it material for planning the main meal...

Rick's Avatar
Rick replied the topic: #13 30 Aug 2014 21:30
This time of year I always have big tomatoes from the garden so I make a BLT or two almost every day until the tomatoes are gone. Then I never have another one again until next year. But I never stop eating bacon.

I invented a new Bronco snack:

egg roll wrapper> thick crispy applewood bacon> jack cheese> roasted green chili strip> 1 medium to large shrimp split> more bacon> egg the edges and roll> fry to crispy

Dip in green chile or sour cream or whatever or nothing

Would also make a great chimichanga in a big tortilla with some seared ribeye :barbeque:
otisptoadwater's Avatar
otisptoadwater replied the topic: #14 30 Aug 2014 20:50

ScienceChic wrote: Did you know that today was International Bacon Day? Who knew? B)


From Chef Jimmy Boswell's Facebook Page

International Bacon Day
By Eatocracy Editors
updated 9:32 AM EDT, Sat August 30, 2014


:woohoo: I was not aware! I'll have to fry up a couple of pounds of bacon RIGHT NOW!!!!
ScienceChic's Avatar
ScienceChic replied the topic: #15 30 Aug 2014 20:09
Did you know that today was International Bacon Day? Who knew? B)


From Chef Jimmy Boswell's Facebook Page

International Bacon Day
By Eatocracy Editors
updated 9:32 AM EDT, Sat August 30, 2014
otisptoadwater's Avatar
otisptoadwater replied the topic: #16 15 Jul 2014 00:27
These guys like bacon a lot!



I might be able to make something like this on a much smaller scale but even I have a limit...

[sarcasm]Plus their Canadian, ya'gotta watch them Canadians. Their a shifty bunch that will ply their trade with delicious bacon, back bacon, and decent beers. Worse, they tend to be really polite, unless one of their hockey teams makes it into the playoffs and loses.[/sarcasm]
Wicked's Avatar
Wicked replied the topic: #17 09 Jul 2014 18:07
I'd hardly call this "functional"...aesthetically appealing maybe; functional, far from it. Unless you consider it enabling a certain "function" on a man as "functional." <wink>

ExtremeModerate wrote: Bacon is functional.

BaconLover's Avatar
BaconLover replied the topic: #18 09 Jul 2014 17:17
otisptoadwater's Avatar
otisptoadwater replied the topic: #19 09 Jul 2014 17:06
As I continue to go through life I have made some discoveries and learned many lessons, prominent among them are these:

If you're frying bacon, it's a good idea to wear pants.

I would be hard pressed to name any food that can't be made to taste better by the addition of bacon and/or bacon grease.

With the possible exception of jerky, bacon is the only meat that is supposed to be crunchy.

Bacon is a lot like sex, even the worst you ever had was still really good.
HEARTLESS's Avatar
HEARTLESS replied the topic: #20 09 Jul 2014 16:48
I'm not sure those ladies are chefs, but I want some. :)
BaconLover's Avatar
BaconLover replied the topic: #21 09 Jul 2014 15:56
Bacon is functional.

gmule's Avatar
gmule replied the topic: #22 09 Jul 2014 15:50
Bacon is meat candy
Blazer Bob's Avatar
Blazer Bob replied the topic: #23 09 Jul 2014 15:31
Bacon is for pigs.
Wicked's Avatar
Wicked replied the topic: #24 09 Jul 2014 14:14
I Like Bacon too
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