{"product_id":"smokies-chronicle-a-year-of-hiking-in-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-paperback","title":"Smokies Chronicle: A Year of Hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eBen Anderson\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince its creation in 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has become the most heavily visited of all our national parks, with yearly visitation sometimes surpassing 10 million people. As the national park system celebrated its centennial in 2016, Ben Anderson decided to explore and closely observe, across the seasons, as much of the nation's most popular national park as practicable during the year. On the three or four hikes he took each month, he revisited a number of trails familiar to him from previous excursions as a Smokies backcountry volunteer for more than 20 years.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo many, the Smokies are among the loveliest and most interesting mountains anywhere, favored by a remarkable biodiversity. Anderson offers observations on natural and human history, mountain culture, geography, geology, flora and fauna. The book also deftly blends the personal with the universal in a compelling mix of entries from the backcountry. Although this book can be used as a helpful trail guide, it also provides a fresh look and an engaging narrative about our most heavily visited national park through the eyes and ears of a lifelong devotee.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBen Anderson was media relations director at Warren Wilson College from 1997 to 2015. Before that he was assistant professor of mass communications at Florida Southern College. He worked on the staffs of \u003ci\u003eThe Asheville Times\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eWaynesville Mountaineer\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGreensboro News \u0026amp; Record\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAthens Banner-Herald\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAtlanta Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eAthens Daily News\u003c\/i\u003e. He has been a backcountry volunteer for Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 20 years. He now does marketing and public relations work for the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation in Asheville. A native of Atlanta, he lives in Asheville, NC.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor those who want a more strenuous experience, this book will probably spark the desire to lace up the hiking boots and head deep into the backcountry. At the very least, the book should provide a deeper appreciation for the exceptional beauty and biodiversity in this distinctive national treasure. --\u003ci\u003eWNC Woman\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFront Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince its creation in 1934, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has become the most heavily visited of all our national parks, with yearly visitation sometimes surpassing 10 million people.\r \r To many, the Smokies are among the loveliest and most interesting mountains anywhere, favored by a remarkable biodiversity owing mostly to copious precipitation, elevation variation, and remnants of the most recent ice age. In the park, one finds a variety of trees and plants similar to that of the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail from north Georgia to central Maine.\r \r As the national park system celebrated its centennial in 2016, Ben Anderson decided to explore and closely observe, across the seasons, as much of the nation's most popular national park as practicable during the year. On the three or four hikes he took each month, he revisited a number of trails he was familiar with from previous hiking and backpacking excursions, often through his role as a Smokies backcountry volunteer for more than 20 years. Even on familiar trails, he sought a greater perspective and deeper insight into the park.\r \r In Smokies Chronicle, Anderson offers observations on natural and human history, mountain culture, geography, geology, flora and fauna. The book also deftly blends the personal with the universal in a compelling mix of entries from the backcountry.\r \r Although this book can be used as a helpful trail guide, it also provides a fresh look and an engaging narrative about our most heavily visited national park, through the eyes and ears of a writer who has an extensive history with the park.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBen Anderson was media relations director at Warren Wilson College from 1997 to 2015. Before that he was assistant professor of mass communications at Florida Southern College. He worked on the staffs of \u003ci\u003eThe Asheville Times\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eWaynesville Mountaineer\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eGreensboro News \u0026amp; Record\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAthens Banner-Herald\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eAtlanta Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eAthens Daily News\u003c\/i\u003e. He has been a backcountry volunteer for Great Smoky Mountains National Park for more than 20 years. He now does marketing and public relations work for the Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation in Asheville. A native of Atlanta, he lives in Asheville, NC.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 272\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.6 x 7.9 x 8 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e June 27, 2017\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51772926951712,"sku":"9780895876935","price":19.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/933f655254dceefba2abdf92b1800231.webp?v=1780416640","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/smokies-chronicle-a-year-of-hiking-in-great-smoky-mountains-national-park-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}