Smoky Mountains Cabins | Tennessee Cabin Rentals - Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, TN

Putt-Putt’n for Education

Happy Camper — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:50:00 GMT

Team Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg met at Old Gatlinburg Golf & Games for the 10th Annual Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Foundation Mini-Golf Tournament. The Tournament raises money for scholarships for graduating students and those seeking higher education in the Hospitality industry. The holes were tough and the competition was stiff, but our Team was determined to place in the Tournament. So after 36 holes of struggles and sizing up the competition they waited patiently for their names to be called, balloons to arrive and cheers from the crowd….. Place - they did WORST SCORE! We are so proud!

The Pros left to right: Sayrah, Vanessa, Marie & PJ

Policy Changes: By our Guests for our Guests

Happy Camper — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:47:00 GMT

It has come to our attention that having a minimum occupancy on some of our larger homes makes it difficult for some of our guests to book a property.
For example: one of our 3 bedroom homes had a minimum occupancy of three adults so you must add $15.00 to the base rate during peak times to rent this property.
One of our guests brought it to our attention that they should not have to pay for an extra adult when the home would suit 2 Adults & 2 Children perfectly.
Upon, reviewing this it made sense that of course some families would in fact have 2 children under the age of 12yrs., that would prefer to have a bedroom of their own, so a 2 bedroom would not be sufficient.

In response we have made the following policy change: All of our homes, regardless of size, will not require a minimum occupancy to be met.
The only time you will incur an additional $15.00 per night charge is when you indeed have more than 2 adults in your party. All of our base rates are set for 2 adults.
We are always looking for ways to improve our Guest Experience and we appreciate all of you who take time to work with us and make this possible!

Please NOTE: These policy changes apply to new reservations only made after August 31st, 2009.

Easy to Search, Easy to Book

Happy Camper — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

Overwhelmed by choices the internet has to offer? Why spending your vacation time browsing through different websites, trying figure out its deals, prices, additional charges, and how the booking process looks like? New features on MountainChalets.com have been designed to make your vacation planning a JOY.

We are pleased to introduce new features on our website in order to make your search for perfect cabin rental easier .

Easy to Search:

Compare Check Box: when searching through many cabin rentals listings you can compare up to 5 cabin rentals side by side.

On the cabin rental page the Approximate Mileage appears from rental unit to points of interests such as downtown Gatlinburg, TN; downtown Pigeon Forge, TN; Dollywood Theme Park; Ober Gatlinburg; Bent Creek Golf Course. You can click on the link and see the blue marker showing the actual driving route on the Google Map.

Specials Reminder: On the cabin rentals listings page when you select arrival dates and nights desire to stay and press check availability button the website generates the reminder about savings or promotions applied for this timeframe. Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg cares that you receive the best vacation deal!

Dividing the Vacation Rental Amenities into the Groups of Interests is a better way of displaying the amenities list, so you could focus your attention on the most important cabin rentals features.

Easy to Book:

Book Now Button on cabin rentals listings page now appears when you select arrival dates, nights, adults, kids or any cabin rental features and press check availability button. So, when you press book now you will be forwarded to availability page directly, where you will see all the charges and totals applied.

Gatlinburg Cabins in Timberidge Community

Happy Camper — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:00:00 GMT

The Great Smoky Mountains are one of Tennessee’s most amazing natural attractions and we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary this year! A great way to spend a week is to visit the park, hike the trails and stay in an authentic log cabin packed with its own history. This is an experience that the whole family will enjoy. The cabins of Timberidge are unique properties that were built 200 years ago. These homes came from the mountains of East Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina. Each home was tagged, marked & disassembled to be resurrected in the Timberidge community located in the foothills of the Smokies. All of these homes have modern amenities and have been updated for your comfort, but still maintain the integrity of the structures built by steady hands long ago. The craftsmanship is still visible and the new owners have taken great care, so that each detail fits beautifully in the home. These homes are on large lots so you are nestled among the trees in a community that treasures the past and specializes in creating memories for generations to come…. Explore the cabins of Timberidge today!

NEW Official website for Timberidge Community www.timberidgecabinstn.com

or see the list of >> Timberidge Cabins which are on Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg rental program.

Gatlinburg Events: April 23 2009 - Ribfest & Wings Festival

Happy Camper — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:41:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again, pull out the bibs and let the BBQ sauce fly!

Gatlinburg Ribfest & Wings Event is sponsored by Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg and it will truly be the best ever!

The location is now on the main strip of downtown Gatlinburg, so the streets will be filled with music, food and extra fun this year.

I can’t wait we are going to be set-up giving out freebies and the chance to enter and win $100 Lowes Gift Card, so you can get an early start on your Spring spruce up.

Save April 23rd and come visit Gatlinburg, a little advice to those that want to get the most out of their wristband – SKIP BREAKFAST- it is worth it.

Date: April 23rd, 2009
Time: 4pm-10pm Sampling starts at 6pm
Entertainment: The Beat Daddy’s, Dish Water Blonde & The Tams
Admission: $12 Adult | $5 Kids – includes a wristband to sample until it’s gone or “a buck a bone”

See you there!

Two Night Cabin Rentals Reservations

Happy Camper — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:46:00 GMT

So it has been awhile since we have posted, but it has been a little hectic. Today we are getting snow, its cold and this is supposed to continue for a couple of days. This is the time to stay inside with a cup of hot chocolate or hit the slopes at Ober Gatlinburg … those are the only options! It is gorgeous to see snow on the Smoky Mountains though.

Anyway, back to business.

We have opened up two night advanced reservations on our website - www.MountainChalets.com. In the past we had only accepted 2 night reservations within 21 days of arrival, but we realize with the current economic situation we find ourselves in sometimes 2 days is all you can afford to be gone. Also, we thought this would be a great way for our guests to accumulate Guest Appreciation Points so you may earn FREE nights that can be used during family vacation time in Gatlinburg. Sometimes you just need a short getaway to take a breath and relax before facing the week that lies ahead.
Also, if you have a particular cabin rental or week you prefer you might want to get those reservations early, so it does not get booked. Since two night stays may be booked in advance, we don’t want your usual stay to be interrupted by another reservation.

Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals Help

Happy Camper — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:41:00 GMT

What if something is broken, not working properly or you think a critter is after your groceries??!!!

That is where Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg (or any good management company) comes in. All you have to do is call us and we will take care of any issues ranging from missing/broken darts, a broken stove to housekeeping issues. Our staff members are here to support you during your stay so you leave with nothing but fond family memories! Cabins are homes just like yours and there can be problems that arise during your stay. Our staff is discouraged from watching TV, using remotes and cooking while at work, so if the previous guest didn’t tell us the stove was broken we cannot fix it.

The bottom line: If you need anything during your stay call us and we will do our best to fix the problem or find you a comparable home if the problem is beyond our control. We know when choosing your cabin you spend lots of precious time searching for the perfect home for your vacation. Cabin Rentals are great for families who want to experience the tranquil Smoky Mountains in a peaceful setting. They save you money on dining out and with the amenities such as pool tables and other fun games you can spend time at the cabin without the cabin fever!

Just remember just because you are not at a hotel does not mean you cannot call the front desk - Toll FREE 1-866-482-1044.

Chili Cookoff & Winter Magic in downtown Gatlinburg TN

Happy Camper — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:59:00 GMT

Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg is excited to be a sponsor of the Chili Cookoff in downtown Gatlinburg this year! We love food so much in the Smoky Mountains we turn it into a competition – what a great excuse to graze our way through the streets of Gatlinburg TN! If the chili isn’t enough we will be giving away FREE popcorn. We hope to see all of our guests and our favorite locals!!!

The details:
Where: River Rd. (in front of Ripley’s Aquarium)
When: November 5th, 2008
Time: 5pm-8pm
Price: $7 in advance and $8 after 2pm
Why: Around 20 vendors will be serving up home cooked chili
Kids Activities
Entertainment by The Coasters, “Barry Scott & Second Wind”, The Griffin Brothers, Kevin McGuire (A fantastic DJ
The streets are all aglow as the Winter Magic lights are turned on
You are supporting the PTA at Phi-Beta-Phi

Gatlinburg Calendar of Events

See pictures below:

We don’t raise our rates on cabin rentals!

Happy Camper — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:17:00 GMT

Labor Day, Shades of the Past Car Show and the Grand Fall Rod Run… these are all huge events in September and can take a chunk out of your wallet. Other places have Seasonal and Holiday rates, but at Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg we have the same low rates all year so you can spend more money on the fun you came here for! Check out our rates, cabin rentals deals including Last Minute Special and our Smoky Mountains cabins that will accommodate all of your friends and family. September is a great time to visit, the events are fabulous, the streets are less crowded in Gatlinburg and the evenings are cooler.

We hope to see you soon!

Guest Appreciation Points

Happy Camper — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:27:00 GMT

We started our Guest Appreciation program in March of 2007 and have had a great response. This program allows all of our guests to create their own accounts and accumulate MRG Points so they may earn free nights with us. We just want to thank all of our loyal customers that stay with us and recommend Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg. I have noticed recently that many of our guests have started to redeem their points for 2 FREE nights on their reservations – I hope this program has been easy to use and allows you to spend more time enjoying all that Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains have to offer!

Learn more about MRG Points at: http://www.mountainchalets.com/PropertyManagement/MemberClub.aspx

Summertime Fun - Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™

Happy Camper — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:38:00 GMT

Now is a great time for families to get out to the Smokies. The weather is divine and as always the mountains are breathtaking!
If you are looking for some great entertainment that won’t break the bank Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ will be running all summer in downtown Gatlinburg. This is FREE entertainment on the main strip where performers are dressed in costumes that depict different time periods and provide you with traditional mountain music, clogging, storytelling and much more. The performers arrive to different areas of the main strip in Gatlinburg by horse and carriage (which we are proud to help sponsor) and the entertainment is continuous from 5pm – 10pm each night.

I love this event because it adds such an amazing atmosphere to the streets of Gatlinburg. This is such a fun place and I feel that Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ event just adds extra excitement during the summertime. Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales™ is a great experience for the youngest family member to the young at heart!

Online Survey and Customer Reviews on the rental unit page

Happy Camper — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:50:00 GMT

We are happy to announce we've recently added new features to our web site!

We are conducting a Lottery every 2 months for our guests who submitted a survey online. The survey can be filled with valid reservation and on the date of arrival or later. The winner will be chosen randomly.

Note: Our cabin rentals ratings are based on our survey responses from each guest for the questions: “Rental unit overall” and “Value for the price paid”.

After submitting a survey you'll be offered to write your review for public viewing on the rental unit page.

All you need - just sign in into your customer account and follow the steps.

If you never stayed with us before but have topics to discuss, you are welcome to join our forums.

Alexandra's Goodie Baskets

Happy Camper — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:45:00 GMT

I hope all of you Moms had a Great Mother’s Day!

All Moms that stayed with Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg got carnation and the chance to win a beautiful gift basket from Alexandra's Goodie Baskets.

Alexandra's Goodie Baskets are always gorgeous and can be customized for any occasion.

Find more at http://www.mountainchalets.com/HoneymoonIdeas/GiftBaskets.aspx

This basket was filled with:

Gourmet Chocolates
Tea
Bath Products
and Oh... Soft Blanket!

The Winner of Gift Basket is……..Mrs. Connie Beeson from Indianapolis, IN

Congratulations! We’ll see you next year!

Limited Time Offer: Get Extra 20% Discount -

Happy Camper — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:49:00 GMT

Owners Special:

Get Extra 20% Discount for Active Military/Policemen/Firemen May - June arrivals ONLY. Call Reservations 1-866-482-1044.

This discount applies to log cabins listed below:

"Lil' Bit of Paradise TR#2" Authentic Log Cabin in Timberidge, Gatlinburg

"Sweet Potato Patch TR#20" Authentic Log Cabin in Timberidge, Gatlinburg

"Mountain Mist" Authentic Log Cabin in Kings Way, Gatlinburg

"Honeymoon Memories" Authentic Log Cabin in Kings Way, Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg’s 6th Annual Ribfest & Wings festival

Happy Camper — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:35:00 GMT

This year Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg will be sponsoring the entertainment for Ribfest! The stage will be set up on River Road and we will be giving out Frisbees, Beach Balls, Koozies and more. The entertainment will be the Beat Daddys and there will be activities for the kids! Come down and join us for some Good Food & Fun!

Details:

Date: April 17th
Time: 4PM-8PM
Location: River Rd. & Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Plaza
Admission: $12 for a wristband or $1 for a bone or two wings

Owners Special Offer: Get Extra 10% Military Discount

Happy Camper — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:49:00 GMT

"Appalachian Retreat" Cabin in Beech Branch, Gatlinburg is now offering extra 10% Military Discount with valid Military ID.

Call Reservations: 1-866-482-1044

Smoky Mountains of Artists

Happy Camper — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:53:00 GMT

There are so many talented artists in Gatlinburg, TN and I suppose in part it is due to the abundance of natural beauty of the Smokies which is a great source of inspiration for all. While you are in the area you must visit the Arts & Crafts Community where you can watch many of the artists create magnificent pieces in their shops.
Alewine Pottery is one of the places you must visit. It is a family owned business and has a dazzling array of pottery from luminaries to salsa bowls. Robert Alewine is the master artisan and you can watch him on the potter’s wheel for hours as his masterpieces take shape. You can get a sneak peek at their website www.alewinepottery.net.
For a delicious home cooked meal Windwalkers Café is the best food in town! We eat there at least once a week and besides the food the café is always good for a mid-week pick-me-up. The owner Annette is always good for a smile and friendly chit chat. She is from Louisiana and cooks most of the food ranging from jambalaya to southern favorites like turnip greens and corn bread. After you have had your fill you must try one of the desserts, her homemade pies and cakes are absolutely sinful.
The Jim Gray Gallery is an opportunity you will not want to miss; his paintings and sculptures are awe-inspiring. You can spend hours in the Gallery just trying to take it all in. You can learn more about the artist and view his work at www.jimgraygallery.com.
Grab a cup of coffee at Coffee & Company and I assure you Starbucks will no longer be appealing! Jeanette, the owner, will tell you the same and if you don’t believe me just ask – at your own risk! The coffee is a staple in the community and many of us spend hours in the shop since she has wireless internet access (WIFI) and treats to go with the coffee.
There are so many wonderful shops in this quaint community that you will need to plan a day just to meander through at a leisurely pace and enjoy all this area has to offer. The hustle and bustle of downtown feels like a world away when you are in the Arts & Crafts Community of Gatlinburg Tennessee.
We would love to know what places you can’t miss while visiting.

Cabin Rentals Rating System

Happy Camper — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:12:00 GMT

Last year we introduced a star rating system for all of our rental homes. The ratings are based on our Survey responses from each guest for the questions: “Rental unit overall” and “Value for the price paid”.

Our hope was to give our guests an idea of what other guests thought about this particular rental unit. I would like to know what some of you think about this addition to the web site. Is it helpful? Is there something else that you would like to see that will better serve you?
We have also added a Forum to the blog if you would like to participate in any discussions about the topics listed.
As always I appreciate any feedback from you all because it helps us know what you need!

2007 Jeep Wrangler Winner

Happy Camper — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:24:00 GMT

Okay for those that aren’t familiar with our contest:

Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg purchased a 2007 Jeep Wrangler 4X4 Unlimited to be given away to one lucky guest! This promotion was so much fun and created a lot of excitement, but the best part was giving it away!!!
I called the winner and it was possibly the best day I have had at work. I called the number listed on the reservation and asked for Mr. James Burns. He was having a difficult day and I was so excited I could barely contain myself. I proceeded to ask him if he stayed with Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg on the specified dates, he said he had. I told him: “you have just won a Jeep Wrangler”. He said: "...this is a joke… Get OUT!" That made me even happier; he did not believe me AT ALL! We went back and forth for several minutes and I asked him if he was glad he brought his wife for their anniversary – (Note: Men - It is always good to take your wife on getaways!)
Anyway, I finally convinced him that this was no joke and he had indeed won a new Jeep! I had a smile for hours after our conversation. Upon meeting the family, his wife and 2 children, I was elated that such a deserving and genuine couple had won. They were from North Carolina, so we booked them a night in one of our cabins so they didn’t have to drive back. I think they were surprised by this as well.
Here are a few of pictures of the couple and the kids.

Photo 1: Jeep Winner - James Burns and family of Cary, NC

Photo 2: James Burns (Jeep Winner) & Beth Moncier (Marketing Director) - Passing the Title

Congratulations and from all of us at Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg - Where your are family - ENJOY!

Smoky Mountains Memories

Happy Camper — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:00:00 GMT

One of my favorite memories is being 5 years old and visiting the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the Winter. My mother and I had just moved to Tennessee from Mississippi, which never gets snow and you can wear shorts in the Winter, so the cold weather was a shocker. My Aunt had lived here for years, but we had only visited during the Spring and Summer because my older sister attended school. Anyway, we drove through the Park and for the first time…there it was SNOW! I stared dreamily and it was just as I had envisioned, beyond beautiful. The snow had fallen perfectly on the banks along the river and the rocks were capped with snow while water rushed around them. I was hooked! I threw snowballs, made snow angels, ate snow, built a snowman (it was my first one so he was pretty dirty :>) and picked icicles – I had never been that cold, but I knew there was no better place to live than the Smoky Mountains!

What are some of your favorite Smoky Mountain Memories?

Winter in the Great Smoky Mountains…

Happy Camper — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:06:00 GMT

I woke up this morning to the crisp cold mountain air that gives you an unbelievably invigorating feeling that gets you ready for the day. Enjoying the nip in the air for a few moments from my deck, with a steaming cup of coffee, while gazing at the snow capped Smokies I begin planning a day just for me. So many things to do! I have a decision to make…go shopping - maybe for some warm clothes to go skiing, ah, a nice day on the slopes… maybe a day at the spa…orrr the spa can come to me… a massage in the cabin… after skiing? Another cup of coffee.
A nice hike will do just fine, so I pack the Trail Mix and I’m off. Laurel Falls is a 2.6 mile hike round trip on a nice paved trail with a beautiful end at a 60’ waterfall. The trail was rewarding, to say the least, and I have spectacular photographs to return home with. The drive through Cades Cove and the Smokies presented an array of brilliant scenery with the mixture of snow on the trees and on the river banks to add to my photo collection!
Another cup of coffee in front of the fireplace and dusk is settling in. The fire is cozy and the Christmas lights and Christmas tree make me feel right at home and in the Holiday spirit. The plans for tonight are to take a stroll in the Winter Wonderland that is Downtown Gatlinburg and make the rounds through some of the specialty shops in The Village. Homemade crafts and candies abound in this bustling setting. The pure excitement and magnificent surroundings have made for an amazing day in the Great Smoky Mountains and a relaxing soak in the Hot Tub will make it complete!
Tomorrow, maybe I will sip wine in front of the fire…hot chocolate with extra marshmallows …or have that massage……….


Life's a Bear	Nestled Inn

	Appalachian Retreat

McIntoch RM#1

Our cabin rentals decorating for Christmas

Happy Camper — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:23:00 GMT

4 EVER
A MOUNTAIN SUNSET
A PRECIOUS PLACE
ABOVE THE SMOKE
ALWAYS
APPALACHIAN SPLENDOR
BEAR FOOTIN
BEAR NECESSITIES
BEAR TRACKS
BEYOND PARADISE
BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE TR#13
CV509 WOLFSONG
CV613 RIGHT AT HOME
GOD’S VIEW
JOURNEY’S END
LIFE’S A BEAR
MOUNTAIN HERITAGE
NESTLED INN
PAPS CABIN
RIVER’S EDGE
RM1 MCINTOSH
RM2 GRANNY SMITH
RM3 MOUNTAIN BEAR
RM4 TRAIL’S END
SILVER MOON
SMOKERISE
SMOKY HOLLOW
SMOKY MOUNTAIN HIGH
SWEET SURRENDER
TANGELWOOD
TR15 MOUNTAIN GLORY
TR4 COMIN HOME
TWIN VIEW
WOOD SPIRIT

Excellent Service - Part 2

Happy Camper — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:22:00 GMT

This entry I would like to focus on our Reservation and Front Desk Staff.
They are actually quite incredible if you consider it: 285 properties, each completely different, located throughout Gatlinburg and they field all the questions! Their knowledge of the properties and location is unsurpassed. These professionals go on site inspections to each home as it comes on the program and as updates are made so they can better serve our guests. We really have to appreciate them and the hard work they put in. Their job can be very stressful, there is never a quite moment, whether they are chatting online or on the phone there is always something to be done. Thank You!

And the Surveys are in:
Out of 4,400 Guests:
98% of our guests have rated our staff hospitality good - excellent!

Many of our Guests have commented on our helpful and caring staff members.

We have stayed in Gatlinburg many times & we have never received such genuinely hospitable service upon arrival. Thank you!
~ Guests from Mountain Bear Room #3

My husband and I were both totally impressed with the warmth of your staff. We made several calls before we made a reservation, and each question was met with patience and great suggestions. The gentleman who checked us in really blew us away with his professional description of your policies & directions and warmth & sincerity. We will definitely be back & will recommend Gatlinburg & Mountain Rentals.
~Erin & Try

Thank you so much! Again I would like to tell you we loved our trip to Tennessee and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the cabin. Also, the two guys that answer the phones to set up reservations, Nick and Matthew, were so helpful. We were kind of dissatisfied with our first cabin and they set us up in another quickly. Thanks so much for your help again.
~Cherie

Very relaxing stay. All individuals at your office are very courteous, friendly, and should be considered a high asset to your business company.
Thanks for a great vacation
~Jerry

Professionally Friendly, Thanks, Matthew!
~Guest from Blue Bird Point

Staff was exceptionally helpful & courteous!
~Cliff

Let us know what you think and your experiences!

Excellent Service – Part 1

Happy Camper — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 20:02:00 GMT

Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg has built its foundation on professionalism, quality rentals and a courteous staff.
We take Surveys from each of our guests and enter them into a computer program that can generate reports for us. This lets us see how we are doing and gives our guests a chance to win a trip on us! The results are in!

Out of 4,416 Guests:
96% of our guests would stay with us again!
93% of our guests have rated our cleanliness good-excellent!
97% of our guests have rated our promptness of service good-excellent!

The tireless efforts of our Housekeeping and Maintenance staff has not gone unnoticed. We have a wonderful Housekeeping staff with very efficient inspectors and a great group of cleaners. They treat each home as their own and are very detailed oriented from the guest check in to their check out. Our maintenance staff is equally as efficient and quick to respond to our guests needs. Thanks to all of you!

One guest recently sent this letter.

Dear Sir/Madam:
I just wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude in the assistance in retrieving my wallet and its full contents. Your actions in regards in this matter exemplify the treatment that we received during our entire stay. Your staff was extremely courteous and helpful to us on several occasions.

For example, within one hour of our maintenance call concerning the air conditioning a technician was out and fixed the problem. Of course, the retrieval of my wallet, license and credit card was a great relief. I will always feel free to highly recommend your services.

~A recent guest from Baltimore, MD

Smoky Mountain Children’s Home

Happy Camper — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:54:00 GMT

Friday, July 13th Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg treated the children and their caretakers of Smoky Mountain Children’s Home to a night out at the ballpark. They attended the fireworks night at Smokies Baseball Park and were treated to a picnic before the game. There were plenty of smiles to go around including my own. I went to this event hoping to see children that endured hardships become enthusiastic kids. I did get a little of my expectations, but what I walked away with was much more valuable. I spoke with the director and some of the caretakers to get a better understanding of what the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home provides. These children come from homes that are unfit or they have problems of their own that require outside help. They live and learn at the home while there are about 8-10 children per house with a designated caregiver. I thought the kids would be so excited about getting out of their daily routines to the ballpark – who doesn’t like the park, the smells, sounds- the excitement of it all, but it never occurred to me that some may be quite jaded. I was informed that two of the older children were not interested in attending our little picnic. The boys asked to roam around a bit and permission was granted so I watched them walk away. Imagine the disappointment I felt and a little sheepish considering my level of enthusiasm. So, I accepted this reality and began watching some of the younger children playing.
I decided before the game started I better snap a few photos of the staff (you cannot use photographs of the children due to rules and regulations) so I asked them to line up. They were happy to oblige, but four of the younger children were so excited about pictures that they had be in a few. Knowing I could not use these I still took them because the smiles were priceless. I learned that these children usually do not have any photographs of themselves! What? No baby pictures, no first curl of hair, no bath tub pictures to be used against them in high school?! No – nothing. I cannot imagine. The director told me that during their stay at the children’s home they try to create Life Books for them, so they will have something of themselves. I was truly touched by how involved and committed the staff seemed to be to each and every child. By this time a few hours have passed and I am just milling around the park and then standing in front of the bleachers I began feeling tearful and giddy at the same time because the two boys I previously mentioned were walking towards me with a coke and a bag of cotton candy. They had become the enthusiastic kids I had hoped for. I am proud to be part of a company that is devoted to making our community a better place.