Summer Eclipse In The Smokies


Ooh, have we got some news for you! This coming August 21st for 2017, East Tennessee will get to see a partial solar eclipse taking place between 1:00PM and 4:00PM.

The National Park Service website writes:

"The entire western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will fall under the path of totality for the eclipse, providing opportunities for viewing, weather permitting. The park is currently planning organized public viewing events at three locations in the park: Clingmans Dome; Cades Cove; and Oconaluftee."

"Visitors may view the eclipse from other areas of the park on your own, though due to the influx of eclipse viewers during the already-busy season, the Park Service may need to close certain areas on August 21st to reduce gridlock, which may include Newfound Gap Road and Cades Cove.

Furthermore, our educational partner, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, is planning a special multi-day Science Camp for high school aged students over the eclipse weekend and event."

You can see more information from the National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/2017-solar-eclipse.htm.

You can also build a simple card projector using these instructions from timeanddate.com:

"DIY: Simple Card Projector
The simplest and quickest way to safely project the Sun is with a projector made from only 2 pieces of card or paper.

You Need:
* 2 pieces of stiff white cardboard, e.g. 2 paper plates
alternatively, 2 sheets of plain white paper
* a thumbtack, a sharp pin or a needle.

What to Do:
Diagram of a DIY pinhole projector.
The concept of a pinhole projector ©timeanddate.com

To make a quick version of the pinhole projector, take a sheet of paper and make a tiny hole in the middle of it using a pin or a thumbtack. Make sure that the hole is round and smooth.

With your back towards the Sun, hold 1 piece of paper above your shoulder allowing the Sun to shine on the paper.

The 2nd sheet of paper will act as a screen. Hold it at a distance, and you will see an inverted image of the Sun projected on the paper screen through the pinhole.

To make the image of the Sun larger, hold the screen paper further away from the paper with the pinhole.

A box projector works on the same principles, it requires a little more time and a few extra items to construct, but it is more sturdy.

Keep Safe! Never look at the Sun directly without protective eye gear. Even sunglasses cannot protect your eyes from the damage the Sun's rays can do to them."


And we also suspect you may be able to see them from our Deer Ridge complex in Cobbly Nob between Gatlinburg and Cosby, TN. We do have the BEST views of the Smokies after all, would it not logically follow we can have the best views of the eclipse too?

Only one way to find out: reserve with us today at www.deerridge.com!
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So Much Going On At Deer Ridge!


Not only do we have the Mother's Day Special above coming up soon at Deer Ridge, but we have much more to showcase too! Take a look:

New Weekend Breakfast at the Lounge
Beginning April 8, 2017, every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8:00AM to 10:00AM in our lounge area, Deer Ridge will be offering "the Best Blueberry Muffins" in town to our guests. These wonderful Blueberry Muffins, along with either cold milk or hot coffee, will be complimentary to all registered guest.

Muffins are made fresh daily and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Come join us for our new weekend breakfast at the lounge!

New Merchandise in the Lounge
We're happy to announce we have new Deer Ridge logo merchandise available in our lobby area.
* New Deer Ridge Men's Polo Shirts
* New Deer Ridge Men's Rugby Shirts
* New Deer Ridge Women's Tee Shirts
Come see our new line of merchandise.

Memorial Day Corn Hole Tournament
Deer Ridge will be hosting its 2nd Annual Corn Hole Tournament for all registered guest on Saturday May 27, 2017. No entry fee, just sign up when you arrive. We are looking for teams of two to compete against other guest teams with a chance of winning a return trip to Deer Ridge for 3 nights and 4 days. Corn Hole tournament rules will apply.

Following the tournament, Deer Ridge will be grilling up $1.00 hot dogs and $2.00 hamburgers for all guests. Tournament players eat for free. The tournament will start at 9:00AM with the final room around noon. Lunch will begin at 11:30AM.

Reserve at www.deerridge.com for any of these and more! Read More!