| Smoky Mountain Vacation 
Things To Bring
On Your Smoky Mountain Vacation Poison Ivy Remedy (Folks, please follow our lead on this)
Yes, do it! It's a simple preventative measure that can save you some grief and scratching. Regardless of where you stay in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, there's a chance that you could be exposed to this nasty little plant. Many cabins, resorts and hotels were built in spots that had this growing wild around them. There's a real good chance that the very place you will spend your vacation has this still growing like wild around it. Whether you're playing near a stream or field, walking from your car to your front door or walking your dog, you could easily step in this little "itch maker". It's no big deal if you fight back quickly.
One of our staff writers' wife is the type of person that seems to get if she just looks at it. Not possible I guess but –she really gets covered with it fast even if she just gets a little spot on her. She says NOTHING she's ever tried works like this magical little bar of soap. Apparently,, it scrubs away the plant's oils that are left behind on the skin and dries it up mighty quick. She swears by it for herself and her children. You can pick up some of this right here. And it will be great to have around your house anyway. Bear Spray
Now first of all, don't panic on this topic. We do have bears in our area. Chances are, you've heard tales of folks seeing them while hiking, fishing or even walking to their car at a hotel parking lot, resort or cabin. Just tell a friend you're considering a Smoky Mountain Vacation bear stories start flying.
Rule number one, don't feed the bears. Don't even think about going near them. If you see a cub, bank on the fact that there is a mother and she's close by. Do not go near the bears. If you go to Cades Cove, there's a real good chance you will see bears. If you do, just keep your distance. If you're hiking or if you're just concerned you might have a bump in with one of these critters, take some good pepper spray with you fishing, hiking, camping or wherever. We saw a bear at a local Taco Bell in the dumpster. Ha!!! Now that's taco!!! Bottom line, if you have a Smoky Mountain Vacation scheduled and hope to see some bears, just remember this... don't bother them and they won't bother you the majority of the time. We like hiking and fishing. When we go, I personally carry some "high grade pepper spray". I've heard to many stories of folks just walking and coming up on a bear. That's what concerns me. The quick encounters. If I see a bear at a distance, I'll stop and keep a safe. But if I'm walking and happen to stumble upon one, I don't want to startle it or even worst, a cub. This could create series problems. Bottom line, I'd rather be prepared so I carry the spray and would only ever even consider using it in the event of an attack. You decide but I think the extra sense of of comfort is worth the cost of a good pizza and a couple drinks. Here's what we carry. Sun-Screen Bug Repellant Running Shoes Hiking Shoes Bug Repellent Fishing Gear (Particularly Good Flies) | |
