Step Back In Time At The Fall Heritage Festival

We love our modern conveniences. All it takes is an unexpected power outage to remind us just how dependent we are on electricity. And what about communication? Most people wouldn’t know what to do if you took away their computers, cell phones or blackberries. Occasionally, though, we might like to go back in time to a life that moved at a slower pace. While there isn’t a magic time machine, a visit to the Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day in Townsend, Tennessee will provide almost the same result.

The Fall Heritage Festival is held on September 26th and 27th at the Townsend Visitor’s Center, just 22 miles from Gatlinburg. For nearly 20 years this festival has offered visitors an opportunity to see what life was like years ago in the Appalachian Mountains. You can listen to bluegrass music, watch as crafts and artwork are prepared right in front of you and see experts demonstrate berry basket making, blacksmithing and more. The best part? Admission is free!


Enjoy the Entertainment

Bluegrass music is as much a part of the Smoky Mountains as the mountains themselves. Bring a few chairs or a blanket and prepare to hear local bluegrass sounds that will make it hard for your toes to stay still. The little ones will enjoy storytelling, games and a spelling bee. You'll even get to meet humorist and storyteller Sam Venable who will be on hand to sign books. Some of his works include Someday I May Find Honest Work and You Gotta’ Laugh to Keep From Cryin’. If all this fun leaves you hungry, don’t worry. Delicious barbecue plates, sandwiches and homemade ice cream are available for purchase. If that isn’t enough, the cake walks and bake sales will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Berry Basket Making

Never heard of berry basket making? Before the days of plastic bags and buckets, people had to find a creative way to hold those juicy huckleberries and blackberries that grow in the Appalachian Mountains. Berry baskets aren’t woven from straw and they don’t look like Easter baskets. Instead, they’re made from tree bark. Come see a demonstration by Bill Alexander, member of the Tennessee Basketry Association, to find out exactly how it’s done.

Blacksmithing

David Thompson is the owner and operator of an Oregon-based ironworks business. He’s internationally known and has over 30 years of experience in the art of blacksmithing. Take a look as he shows how this skill is not only used for the practical purposes of years gone by, but is used today to create beautiful works of art.

Spinning

Long before you could go into a store and buy cloth, much less clothes that were already made, spinning was done at home. At the Heritage Festival, live llamas will be on hand and you can see for yourself how their wool is spun into yarn, the same way it was done decades ago.

Everything You Could Imagine

In addition to the demonstrations already mentioned, the festival offers exhibits on ways to prepare southern favorites such as sorghum molasses, apple butter and cornmeal. Experts will also display their works of charcoal and pencil drawings, pottery, woodcarving, candle making, quilting and more. If it was done in the old days of the Appalachian Mountains, you’ll find it here.

Visit a much simpler time of life at the Fall Heritage Festival and Old Timer’s Day. The experience will give you a whole new appreciation for your computer and PDA!

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New Passport Laws And Information You Should Know

If you will be flying in the upcoming months, you need to make sure you understand the current passport laws. Recently, a number of passport laws have changed, and if you are not prepared with the proper documentation, you might not be able to board your flight. Before you head to the airport, or even book your flight, make sure you talk to an airline representative about your flights rules and regulations regarding passports. Passports are important for travelers because this document allows you to enter a foreign country or even reenter your own. Passport laws have changed recently and below are important laws you should know regarding passports.

Passport laws changed drastically in recent years. Although passport laws were always strict, today, they are even more restraining. That does not mean that you should let these laws hold you back from traveling internationally. That just means you need to be fully aware of these laws and other passport regulations so that you are not stuck at the gate before you can even board your flight.


One of the most commonly misunderstood laws is where you need a passport. You do not need a passport to travel within the United States, including islands like Hawaii and Puerto Rico. However, starting in 2008, all travelers to Canada and Mexico need to be carrying passports. You do not always need these passports to travel out of the country, but without proper documentation, you will not be able to get back into the country. This law helps control who enters and exits the country.

In addition, starting in 2008, you need a passport to travel to the Caribbean, unless you are traveling to one of the United States territories. Even if you are on a cruise ship run by a United States company, you need a passport. Most cruise ships dock at international ports, and if you wish to exit the ship for a day excursion, you may need to show your passport and other identification to get back on the ship. Make sure you fully understand the rules of your cruise before exiting the ship.

If you are planning to travel outside the country, but do not currently have a passport, the law requires that you apply for this passport at least six weeks before your travel date. However, the recent heightened demand for passports has made getting this documentation a lot more difficult than it was in the past. Some travelers are finding that it takes ten weeks or more to receive their passport, and unfortunately, may people have had to cancel their travel plans because of late passports. If you need a passport, it is important to apply for one at least 12 weeks in advance, giving yourself plenty of time to receive it. If you do not have that kind of time, you can apply for expedited services, but this is much more expensive and it still takes at least four weeks to get your passport in most cases.

Currently, passports are necessary to travel everywhere in Europe. Because of illegal immigrants and international threat, many countries in Europe are considering requiring United States citizens to also apply for visas. The visas are extra security on top of passports, helping these European countries track visitors. Right now, all you need is a passport, but this may slowly change over the next few years. If you are planning a trip to Europe, make sure you have a passport and make sure to ask your travel agent about visa requirements.

Passport laws require that you carry this documentation even if you are traveling by land or sea. Until recently, certain countries, like Canada and Aruba, only required United States citizens to carry passports if they were flying into the country, and even then, rules were lax. However, since this time, you now need a passport, even if you are driving or taking a boat to any foreign country in North America. Passports are usually checked when you enter the other country, and they are always checked when you re-enter the United States. Do not risk being stuck in a foreign country because you did not take your passport!

When in doubt, it is simply a good idea to carry a passport with you. In foreign countries, sometimes passports are the only acceptable form of identification for tourists who want to enter bars, casinos, and other such venues. Getting a passport is inexpensive, and as long as you apply at least 12 weeks ahead of time, there should be no problems receiving your documentation in enough time for your flight. If you are unsure about the law, talk to your airline or a travel agent, and they can help you learn more about passport requirements in the United States and around the world.

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The Most Amazing Beach Vacations

The perfect vacation town, Cocoa Beach is an hour drive east of Orlando on Florida amazing Space Coast. The drive here is offering you endless ways to enjoy your leisure and recreation. Whether you are going on a family vacation, leisure travel, business trip, you will find exactly what you have been looking for and the Space Coast area to make your stay one you will never forget.

The island of Maui is home to some of the most amazing beaches. And offer swimming all year round, while others are best for surfing or snorkeling during certain times of the year. Depending on where you choose to stay, there are always some famous island nearby. If you drive along the west coast of Maui, you will see many breathtaking island along the coast. On the north end is Black Rock, which is well known for snorkeling.


North Myrtle Beach is an excellent vacation that offers endless stretches of powdery white sand and the crystal blue Atlantic Ocean. These are all but the beginning of what a truly great vacation, South Carolina is all about. No matter if you are looking for a relaxing break from your daily routine or a vacation filled with activity. There is something for your entire family here, including miniature golf, fine dining, shopping, and a lot more. Golf lovers will find paradise in choosing from over 80 pro courses.

One of the very best getaways for a vacation in California is sunny Huntington Beach. With many diverse sports such as surfing, biking, boating, skateboarding, fishing, golf, tennis, and volleyball everyone can get into the game and find something to enjoy. Even after the sun goes down, you will find something to do. Even the briefest of family vacations should include a visit to the International Surfing Museum, where some of the most treasured surfing artifacts are stored.

Tropical islands are located within 23 1/2 degrees either north or south of the equator. They enjoy warm weather year round with plenty of sunshine and warmth. Depending on where you are headed, there are many tropical destinations around the world, including Hawaii, Fiji and the Caribbean. Hawaii offers you several different islands. Oahu Island is the most popular, home to the infamous Waikiki Beach and Honolulu, the state capital. Maui offers you several luxury resorts, 16 golf courses, and a 10,023 foot volcano. Molokai and Lanai can both be reached by ferry from Maui, or you can simply fly there from Honolulu.

For travel, and is tough to beat. The drive is easy to make, with lots of great scenery along the way. There is not a parking lot, so you will need to park on the side of the road and walk down the steps. Parking is not normally a problem because it is never crowded.

The Caribbean are comprised of many different large and small islands, including the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, the Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. The Caribbean Islands offer splendid beaches, crystal clear water, and warm weather. The vacation activities include diving, swimming,snorkeling, sailing, and even fishing.

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