The 19th Annual Wildlife Wilderness Week is in the books and many of you have asked me more about it and what I do there. The week is a celebration of the wilderness and wildlife of Appalachia specifically and worldwide in general. Best of all, most of it is free, the lodging is very reasonable, and the crowds are low. Like any large conference, it is impossible to attend everything you would like, but here is a general list of officially sanctioned activities:
- Lecture sessions given by world-class presenters on variety of subjects including plants, geology, wildlife, history, skills and techniques of outdoor activities, photography and photography shows
- Hikes throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park led by seasoned hikers and naturalists, with free transportation
- A small exhibit hall
- Regionally appropriate musical performances
- Photography contest
My personal highlights of the week this year were:
- My hike to Charlie’s Bunion, which I did on my own (unsanctioned)
- And Heaven and Nature Sing, an evening of photographs presented by Ken Jenkins and accompanied with music by Judy Felts and band
- The Spiritual Side of Nature, a photography presentation by Ken Jenkins
- The three evenings of utter enjoyment with Lee Stetson portraying John Muir
- Presentations on Native American and modern survival techniques by Larry (Coyote) Smith
- AppalachiaFest, a musical performance by Tim O’Brien, Dirk Powell, and Riley Baugus (at an price of $15, benefiting Friends of the Smokies)
- A Fundraiser Reception benefiting Friends of the Smokies, An Evening with John Muir and William Bartram and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Then and Now Photo Exhibit (at a price of $7.50, benefiting Friends of the Smokies)
Of course, I take a break to do a bit of shopping at the outlets and local outfitters. My favorite restaurant is the Smoky Mountain Brewery because of their execellent variety of great food (pizza and calzones, ribs and steak, sandwiches and burgers) and of course the beer (the Tuckaleechee Porter is my favorite).
If any of this sounds fun to you, make your plans to attend next year, January 9-16, 2010 at the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center.