What's NEW at Smoky Mountain Tower - part 1

If you've been reading our posts, you know I was in Gatlinburg for the past two days. Remember the list? Well, I got ALMOST everything done!

• I installed 50 new batteries, and we got all 6 fire extinguishers checked - including replacing one because it was out of date.
• The Welcome Notebooks are up to date, including new TV channel lists and new Club House pass discount lists.
• There's a new guest book at Smoky Mountain Tower.
• New phone books are in place at both cabins.

But that's just the beginning! There's new bedding at Smoky Mountain Tower on the main floor king bed. Take a look:


Even better, we now have made it easier for our guests who have to arrive after dark. I'll tell you more about this in another post, but here's a teaser:


Can you see what we've added in this night-time picture? Sent a reply if you spotted it.

That's just PART of what's new. You'll have to come back to find out more.

The life of a rental cabin owner

Happy Presidents Day!

Sometimes, I (Dave) get the impression that people just think stuff just "happens" in Smoky Mountain Tower and All Decked Out. So I'm going to take a minute to share some of the "behind the scenes" life of a rental cabin owner.

I'm planning to make a very fast trip this week to Gatlinburg. I'll only be there from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday. That's the only time I can get into Smoky Mountain Tower, because we have guest leaving Wednesday morning and new guests arriving Thursday afternoon - and I have to give Ingrid time to clean.

Just so you can get a glimpse of the amount of detail we go through to make your stay more comfortable, here is my "task list" for each cabin. All this (and more) has to be done within the 24 hour period mentioned above.

All Decked Out:
-Change out batteries in remotes and smoke alarms
-Get fire extinguishers checked (appointment made for Thursday morning)
-Check Charter cable TV channels – make new list for Welcome Notebook
-Check all light bulbs
-Check carpet (we already know we have a spot in the dining room and an ember burn by the fireplace) - what needs to be done?
-Check brochure quantities and replace as needed
-Check date of phone book – get new one?
-Check status of guest book – take pictures for Guest Comments on Web site
-Check laundry room door - did Mark fix it?

Smoky Mountain Tower:
-Put new guest book on table in living room (wait till you see it - it matches the decor!)-Change out batteries in remotes and smoke alarms
-Get fire extinguishers checked (appointment made for Thursday morning)
-Check Charter cable TV channels – make new list for Welcome Notebook
-Check all light bulbs
-Check brochure quantities and replace as needed
-Check date of phone book – get new one?
-Take pictures of Guest Book for Guest Comments on Web site
-Check cork by dart board
-Check hot water heater for leaks. Does it need to be replaced
-Figure out what carpet needs to be cleaned
-Meet with Mark to go over his task list, pay him for ... (that's a surprise - but there's something coming at Smoky Mountain Tower that will make it even MORE unique!)
-Work with Mark to determine trees to take down to open up the view
-Meet with Ingrid (our fantastic cleaner and local manager):
-Pay for February cleans
-Arrange for carpet cleaning
-Take pictures of changes (rocking chairs, etc.)

I'm sure there will be more added to the list when I get there. In fact, if YOU have been to either cabin and know of something we need to fix or replace, please post it note here so we can get it on the list.

Please watch for pictures later this week. I'll report on how much of this I can get done!