Scott Caldwell's Page

Each year Wannetta Johnson, 88, makes the two-hour trip down to Gatlinburg from Johnson City to commemorate a day that could easily have been her worst nightmare.

Thirty-five years ago today, her teenage son Eric Johnson was rescued along with a classmate after being snowbound for three days in a shelter on the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Every year since then she has come down to thank park rangers and the National Park Service for rescuing her son… Continue

Superintendent Dale Ditmanson has announced the release of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Fire Management Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Fire Management Plan. The EA addresses the proposal by the National Park Service (NPS) to update, develop and implement a Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Park or GRSM). The FMP addresses fire management operations for the entire Park and encompasses a five year program period of those operations.

Link… Continue

Smokies face new threats
By Bruce Henderson
MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS
09/15/2009


CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Having just celebrated its 75th birthday, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park finds its future threatened by wavering public support for America's green places.

The problem passes from one generation to the next: a chronic lack of financial support in the past, declining visits now, and a future shaped by today's children who are spending far less time in the outdoors.

For decades, park advoc… Continue

NASHVILLE - Attention, coin collectors and Smokies lovers: America's most visited national park will adorn a new U.S. quarter representing Tennessee.

Next year, the U.S. Mint will begin issuing quarters that honor national sites. Gov. Phil Bredesen has chosen the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as the Volunteer State's decoration, according to a news release issued today.

The Smokies coin, to be released in 2014, will be one of 56 new quarters.

Coins will be issued from 2010 through 2022… Continue

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - A curvy section of Smoky Mountains highway known as the Dragon has claimed the life of another motorcyclist.

Albert Green of Waukesha, Wis., was killed Tuesday afternoon when his motorcycle ran off U.S. 129 and overturned. Green was 66.

The Daily Times of Maryville reported his death was the fourth fatality this year on the 11.1-mile stretch, which contains 318 curves. The section of highway, which extends into North Carolina, attracts motorcycle riders from across the co… Continue