Carolina Tartan Tour

07/27/2023

07/27/2023

I'm a box... I'm a turtle... I'm an eastern box turtle!

Watch out for our turtle friends when driving down the roads of Great Smoky Mountains because sometimes they find themselves in the middle of the road (let's not reenact Mario Kart!).

The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is fittingly the state reptile of BOTH Tennessee and North Carolina! It is the species of turtle most commonly found on land throughout the park and very special because it can fully enclose itself inside its shell!

Abiding by the posted speed limit signs throughout the park is very important! These speed limits are not there to make you arrive late to your destination but to keep you and others safe. In Great Smoky Mountains, the roads are windy and have many blind curves that can be hazardous when you don’t know what or who may be stopped around the corner.

We thank every visitor who abides by our speed limits and drives safely within the park. By doing so, you could be saving a life, big or small!

NPS Photo

07/27/2023

Why They Fought

Men of all ages and backgrounds joined the American Revolution. Doctors, lawyers, politicians, blacksmiths, and farmers joined the cause. About 230,000 men served in the Continental Army from 1775-1783. All thirteen states had organized militia forces, and around 150,000 men joined the militia. Some men joined to find adventure. Others joined for the lure of riches or land. Some men joined for the glorious cause of freedom. Others joined for more personal reasons.

In the spring of 1780, Thomas Young joined the South Carolina militia after the murder of his brother at the hands of a Tory named Adam Steedham. In his memoir, Young described the impact his brother's death had on him and why he chose to join the Revolution:

"I shall never forget my feelings when told of his death. I do not believe I had ever used an oath before that day, but then I tore open my bosom, and swore that I would never rest till I had avenged his death. Subsequently a hundred Tories felt the weight of my arm for the deed, and around Steedham's neck I fastened the rope as a reward for his cruelties."

Young served in the South Carolina militia during the pivotal Southern Campaign from April 1780-September 1783. His first action was in April 1780 at Stallions Plantation under the command of Thomas Brandon. He was at the American victory of Kings Mountain in October 1780 and turned 17 years old at the Battle of Cowpens on January 17, 1781. He was wounded and captured during the battle. He was brought before Lt. Colonel Banastre Tarleton and questioned by the famed Green Dragoon. While in custody, Young and a fellow POW assisted a British soldier in securing his "loot", and the trooper looked the other way as Young, and his companion slipped into the South Carolina darkness. In May and June of 1781, he joined the siege of the British fort at Ninety Six. He fought in many other battles and skirmishes and served until the Treaty of Paris was signed in September 1783.

Thomas Young’s memoir was published in 1843. It is an invaluable resource for understanding the Revolution in the Southern Colonies. Very few firsthand accounts from a South Carolina militia soldier exist. His story covers nearly the entire Southern Campaign, and his history of the Battle of Cowpens is a must-read for understanding how the battle unfolded.

If you could ask Thomas Young or any Revolutionary War soldier a question about their military life...What Would You Ask?

The Cowpens National Battlefield Interpretive Staff is developing a program based, in part, on some of the questions asked by you! When completed, your question and other research materials will be a part of a program presented to visitors at the Battlefield.

Discover the Battle of Cowpens: https://www.nps.gov/cowp/learn/historyculture/index.htm

Image: Four Reenactors demonstrate musket firing, 2023, NPS Photo.

07/27/2023

Cute coos

07/25/2023

Outlander seems to own NC after seven seasons. I predicted correctly all those years ago.😁

Due to an incredible amount of demand and excitement, we are adding three more dates to our “Outlander in the Cape Fear” river cruise series with ! This Sunday’s cruise is officially sold out, but there are plenty of other options to sign up for!

We also have a new episode of the podcast coming out tomorrow, so be on the lookout!

07/25/2023

05/05/2023

What a great opportunity to explore your “inner Claire”!

Two surgeons and a hospital steward tended to the 61 men, along with some Regulators, who were wounded during the Battle of Alamance. Learn about 18th century surgery and military medicine at our living history event, May 20th, 10 am -until 4 pm.

03/23/2023

Nothing more beautiful!

It doesn't get much better than this! Blue Ridge Mountain sunrise by Dave Allen Photography.
Learn about some of our favorite spots and overlooks on "America's Favorite Drive." https://brys.onl/BRP

10/23/2022

I knew this was Jamie and Claire’s cabin when I first saw it way back in the in the nineties ! Just a few miles up the parkway from the elusive Fraser’s Ridge😊

10/22/2022

Who we would all like to be when we grow up…

10/22/2022

Um, you’ve seen this guy before. 😆😍💕😍

Graham shared a post on Instagram: "Today I found myself in the clutches of again who insisted on punishing me in slow motion. Always a (sort of ) pleasure to see her. ". Follow their account to see 808 posts.

10/22/2022

Loving this guy!

The world's a little brighter with him in it. Happy birthday to John Bell!

08/31/2022

Imagine getting shots this good from a spontaneous ride at sunrise.

08/25/2022

08/25/2022

BRYSON CITY, N.C. – Tucked in a valley just south of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, little Bryson City, population not quite 1,800, is everything you could want in a mountain tourist town.

08/25/2022

The beauty of North Carolina...

05/11/2022

Yum. Our favorite.

The star of this classic Southern cake is the incredible caramel frosting.

04/20/2022

Riding the back roads in Alleghany county, NC late evening.....

03/18/2022

More bee food on the Ridge.

Goldenrod Vista. >click for full size<

https://www.pinterest.com/YohoImages/

03/18/2022

Coneflower Dance

https://www.pinterest.com/YohoImages/