A Cure For Winter Blues (NAPSA)—Are you suffering from a bad case of cabin fever? Have the winter blues got you down? What you need is a big dose of springtime in the mountains, and there’s no better place to head than Great Smoky Mountains National Park in East Tennessee. Nature puts on a spectacular springtime show of color in the Smokies. The warm sunshine brings a rich green base to the park as trees sprout new leaves and fresh blades of grass emerge from the mountain floor. Beginning in late March, woodland wildflowers, including red bud, flowering dogwood and violets greet visitors to this popular national park. Stretch those tired limbs with a walk on one of the park’s many flower-lined trails. If a driving tour is more your style, there are several scenic routes through the park that offer great wildflower viewing. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hometo a variety of wildlife, as well, including black bear, white-tailed deer and a vari- ety of birds and reptiles. And if you look carefully, you may see a new addition to the park this year. For the first time in 150 years elk are back home in the Great Smoky Mountains. In the spring of 2001, 25 elk were released into the park with another 25 to 30 scheduled for release in 2002 and 2003. The project is designed to reintroduce native species to areas from which they were once eliminated. Remember to view all wildlife from a safe distance. For your own personal safety and that of the animals, use your binoculars if you want a closer look. While the mountains are blooming with color and bustling with wildlife, nearby Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, does its own blooming and bustling in the spring. The city adds a burst of color during A Mountain Quiltfest in March. Quilts in all shapes and sizes, in a variety of styles and colorful hues, bring a touch oftradition to Pigeon Forge that’s sure to brighten even the most winterweary spirits. And speaking of brightening spirits, what could be a better pick-me-up than a parade led by Dolly Parton! That’s exactly what you'll see April 5 as Miss Dolly leads a parade down the Parkway, marking the beginning of the city’s spring season of entertainment. With marching bands, floats and area celebrities, the event has become a favorite among Pigeon Forge visitors, drawing more than 40,000 viewers each year. Spring marks a new season for Pigeon Forge theaters and attractions, including Dollywood entertainmentpark. The combination of springtime mountain beauty and all the exciting activities in Pigeon Forge makes this East Tennessee city the perfect all-American family destination. For more information call 1-800-251-9100.
