Episode 9: Bryson City, North Carolina

#13 Appalachian Bear Rescue with Greg Greico

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you this very special episode all about one of our favorite organizations in the Smokies, Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, Tennessee! Celebrating 30 years of volunteer-powered bear rescue, ABR is doing incredible work saving orphan cubs, rehabilitating them with minimal human contact, and releasing healthy bears back into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They truly are the gold standard. On a beautiful Saturday we were invited on one of their exclusive behind-the-scenes tours (only four small groups were allowed that day, we felt so honored!). We finally got to see the secluded facility where the magic happens, tucked way back in the county so the bears stay wild and never get used to people. After the tour we sat down right here at our home with the brand-new Executive Director, Greg Greico. What a genuine, passionate guy, perfect for the job! We talked for over an hour about his wild journey into bear work, the history of ABR, why these bears matter so much, and what the future holds. You’re in for a treat, this one is full of hope, history, and a few “wow” moments. Learn more at My Smoky Mountain Guide Podcast [https://mysmokymountainguide.com/my-smoky-mountain-guide-podcast-with-marc-ann-bowman/] PRODUCED BY MARC & ANN BOWMAN My Smoky Mountain Guide, Helping you make the most of your time in the Smokies © 2020-2026 | Marc & Ann Bowman | Maryville, Tennessee Artwork by Ann Bowman Recording and editing by Marc Bowman

#12 Tennessee Bible Museum

Marc, Ann, and Jane spent three days in Wears Valley, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg celebrating Ann and Jane's birthday. The twins had a list of places they wanted to visit and high on the list was the Tennessee Bible Museum. What an amazing place! The paid tour highlighted the history of the Bible with an emphasis on how it was translated into English. Heartland Cabin Rentals provided an amazing cabin for our stay in Wears Valley. We cannot say enough about the hospitality they showed. The three restaurants we chose for the main meal of our day was Alamo Steakhouse, JT Hannah's Kitchen, and Sloppy Hog Burger Joint. We recommend all three. * My Smoky Mountain Guide [https://mysmokymountainguide.com/my-smoky-mountain-guide-podcast-with-marc-ann-bowman/] * Heartland Cabin Rentals [https://heartlandrentals.com] * Tennessee Bible Museum [https://tnbiblemuseum.com] * Gatlinburg Arts and Crafts Community [https://greatsmokyartsandcrafts.com/] * Alamo Steakhouse [https://www.alamosteakhouse.com/] * JT Hannah's Kitchen [https://jthannahs.com/] * Sloppy Hog Burger Joint [https://www.sloppyhogburgerjoint.com/] PRODUCED BY MARC & ANN BOWMAN My Smoky Mountain Guide, Helping you make the most of your time in the Smokies © 2020-2026 | Marc & Ann Bowman | Maryville, Tennessee Artwork by Ann Bowman Recording and editing by Marc Bowman

#11 Wine, Shine and Cider

East Tennessee has a long history of producing moonshine. Until recently, it was distilled in illicit stills (illicit because they refused to pay the tax) in hidden coves of the Appalachian Mountains. In 2009,  the Tennessee state legislature passed a law legalizing moonshine in Tennessee. Soon after, in early 2010, Ole Smoky Moonshine of Gatlinburg became the first legal distiller of moonshine in the state. While the area is known, correctly, for family fun, the elephant in the room is that a new version of an old industry has burst onto the scene. Marc and Ann visited more than twenty establishments in Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley, and Townsend to see what all the hubbub is about. These twenty are just representative of the many distilleries, wineries, and hard cider producers in the Smoky Mountains. Below is a list of the establishments we visited. Some have more than one location. You must be at least 21 years of age to enter these websites: * My Smoky Mountain Guide [https://mysmokymountainguide.com/my-smoky-mountain-guide-podcast-with-marc-ann-bowman/] * Ole Smoky Moonshine [https://olesmoky.com/] * Junction 35 Spirits [https://www.junction35spirits.com/] * Smith Creek Moonshine [https://www.smithcreekmoonshine.com/] * Tennessee Shine Co [https://www.tnshineco.com/] * Tennessee Homemade Wines [https://www.tnhomemadewines.com/] * Shine Girl [https://www.shinegirl.com/] * Cades Cove Cellars [https://www.cadescovecellars.com/] (Marc’s favorite winery to date. “I haven’t visited them all!”) * Company Distilling [https://companydistilling.com/] * Old Mill Distillery [https://oldforgedistillery.com/] * Bootleggers Homemade Wine [https://www.bootleggerswine.com/index.php] * Elkmont Winery [https://elkmontwinery.com/] * Gatlinburg Winery [https://www.gatlinburgwinery.com/] * Smokin Banjo [https://www.smokinbanjo.com/] * Sugarlands Distilling Company [https://www.sugarlands.com/] * Tennessee Cider Company [https://www.tncidercompany.com/] * Tennessee Stud Cider Co [https://tennesseestud.com/] PRODUCED BY MARC & ANN BOWMAN My Smoky Mountain Guide, Helping you make the most of your time in the Smokies © 2020-2026 | Marc & Ann Bowman | Maryville, Tennessee Artwork by Ann Bowman Recording and editing by Marc Bowman

Episode 10: Bluff Mountain Adventures

Bluff Mountain Adventures maintains one of the largest offroad adventure experiences in the Pigeon Forge area. By that we mean that they own more than 6,600 acres of mountain terrain overlooking Knoxville, Maryville, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding area. The miles of offroad trails are ready to be explored via UTV or ATV. In this episode, Marc and Ann talk about the offroad adventure they enjoyed while celebrating their wedding anniversary. Bluff Mountain Adventures lives up to its name. * My Smoky Mountain Guide [https://mysmokymountainguide.com/my-smoky-mountain-guide-podcast-with-marc-ann-bowman/] * Bluff Mountain Adventures [https://bluffmountainadventures.com/] * Old Mill Pottery House Cafe & Grill [https://www.old-mill.com/pottery-house-cafe-grill] PRODUCED BY MARC & ANN BOWMAN My Smoky Mountain Guide, Helping you make the most of your time in the Smokies © 2020-2026 | Marc & Ann Bowman | Maryville, Tennessee Artwork by Ann Bowman Recording and editing by Marc Bowman

Episode 9: Bryson City, North Carolina

NOTE: We recorded this episode in June 2022. Before posting it, two sudden and unexpected serious medical conditions, one after the other, derailed (pun intended) our plans to continue recording and posting new episodes. However, after two years, we are back! We thank God for His continued care for us and allowing us to do this podcast, which we love. Thank you for listening. Bryson City, North Carolina [https://mysmokymountainguide.com/brysoncity] is “small town America,” packed with big outdoor fun. In this episode, Marc and Ann talk about their day trip to Bryson City to take the historic “1702” steam engine train roundtrip to Nantahala Outdoor Center. Listen as they describe the sights along the train route, the experience of riding and old-fashioned steam engine powered train, and visiting the train museum. * My Smoky Mountain Guide [https://mysmokymountainguide.com/] * Great Smoky Mountains Railroad [https://www.gsmr.com/] * Dillsboro Chocolate Factory [http://www.dillsborochocolate.com/] * Smoky Mountain Trains Museum * Fly Fishing Museum of the Southern Appalachians [https://www.explorebrysoncity.com/fly-fishing-capital-of-the-south/fly-fishing-museum/] * Nantahala Outdoor Center [https://gyg.me/4HYd75zZ] * Iron Wok [https://www.ironwoknc.com/] PRODUCED BY MARC & ANN BOWMAN My Smoky Mountain Guide, Helping you make the most of your time in the Smokies © 2020-2026 | Marc & Ann Bowman | Maryville, Tennessee Artwork by Ann Bowman Recording and editing by Marc Bowman