Last chance - and some news for Blog readers

First, I have a special note for our Blog readers.  This will be our last Blog post for now.  The reason we have kept up our blog is that we have been able to easily insert multiple photos in the text.  That wasn't easy to do on Facebook.  But now the situation has reversed.  Google's photo insert system is broken, so we can't put photos in our Blog.  And Facebook now allows us to insert multiple photos.

I feel badly about this, because I know some folks only read us on the Blog.  Please get somebody like us on Facebook and show you our posts.

 

Now, here's one more last-minute reminder.  We've had a couple of bookings for our last-minute offer at Smoky Mountain Tower.  But time REALLY is running out.  As of this minute, Smoky Mountain Tower is still open for arrival on Monday, January 20 and departure on Monday, January 27.  That's a whole week - at 25% off.  Check our previous post for details, or write me at Dave@SmokyMountainTower.com.

I'm gonna feel really bad when people contact us after January 26 and ask to stay at Smoky Mountain Tower.  PLEASE don't be disappointed - stay with us ONE LAST TIME!

Only 9 more nights at Smoky Mountain Tower

Those of you who like to plan things at the last minute are gonna love this!


There are only 9 more nights in which you can stay at Smoky Mountain Tower.  Ingrid is cleaning today and guests arrive tomorrow (Monday) afternoon.  They will be staying until next Saturday morning, January 18.

That means the ONLY dates open at Smoky Mountain Tower are from Saturday afternoon, January 18 through Monday morning, January 27.

So here's the deal.  We already offered you 15% off for the remaining open dates.  But for our blog and Facebook friends, we'll increase that to 25% off - as long as you stay at least half of the remaining nights.  You have two options:
   -Arrive Saturday, Jan 18 - leave Wednesday or Thursday, Jan 22 or 23 - Use Coupon Code SMTLast25A
   -Arrive Wednesday or Thursday, Jan 22 or 23 - leave Monday, Jan 27 - Use Coupon Code SMTLast25B


If you want to stay the whole 9 nights, please contact me for details.  You can make your reservations directly at http://www.ivacationonline.com/Rentals/Rental_View.asp?PropertyID=963.  If you have questions, write to me - Dave@SmokyMountainTower.com, or call us at 865-325-9888.

Of course, if you can't stay at least 4  nights, you can still get the 15% deal by using Coupon Code SMTnow.

This is it!  After these open dates, there will be no more vacations at Smoky Mountain Tower for at least a year - and maybe never!  We hope you can stay with us before time runs out.

Our Big News: Time is running out...

Earlier this week, we promise you some big news about Smoky Mountain Tower.  Here it is:

After Sunday, January 26, 2014, 

Smoky Mountain Tower will not be available 

for overnight rental for at least a year.

We have agreed to lease Smoky Mountain Tower to a young couple who is just starting a new job in the area.  The lease period is for a minimum of one year.  It's the perfect place for them, because the young man is a voice-over announcer and needs a sound room for his recording!

If you still want to stay at Smoky Mountain Tower one more time, we still have some nights available this month - including this coming weekend!  And to encourage you to make these last-minute plans, we are offering a 15% discount for any rentals yet this month.

Just go to our website at www.SmokyMountainTower.com and click the "Availability" button.  You'll see the open dates - they appear in green.  Just click your arrival date and your departure date, then click "Review & Book."  On the page that opens, scroll down to the Coupon Code section and enter 'SMTnow' (without the quotes - be sure to enter the code exactly as shown, as coupon codes are case-sensitive).  Then click "Redeem" and you will see that the price has been reduced by 15%.  Now, just fill out the requested information and you'll be all set.

Of course, time is running out, so you must make your plans and book your reservation IMMEDIATELY.  If you have any questions, write quickly to Dave@SmokiesRentDirect.com.

The good news is that All Decked Out is still available for your Gatlinburg vacation.  It offers almost the same amenities as Smoky Mountain Tower, including 3 king bedrooms on 3 floors, all with private baths; a queen sofa-sleeper; hot tub, pool table and foosball table - plus some other surprises that weren't available at Smoky Mountain Tower.  Check it out at www.SmokiesRentDirect.com/All-Decked-Out - and make your reservation now, while there are still good dates available.

To all of you who have stayed with us at Smoky Mountain Tower - THANK YOU.   Now we hope you will stay with us again at All Decked Out.  And we plan to continue to provide news about our cabin and the Gatlinburg area right here.  So pass this along to your friends and keep checking back with us.

Big news coming...

Greetings from Gatlinburg.  We came over yesterday (Saturday) to take down our Christmas decorations at All Decked Out and Smoky Mountain Tower.  The only decoration we are leaving up at All Decked Out is the bow on the grapevine wreath in front.

We're making some other changes, too.  We expect to be able to make a special announcement about Smoky Mountain Tower later this week.  Please pass the word.  If you have ever stayed at Smoky Mountain Tower, you will want to know about this.

Meanwhile, we're getting all our work done and hope to head back home on Tuesday.  But that depends on how much snow we get tonight and tomorrow.  We will keep you posted right here.

2014 = Trust, Work and Watch

As we begin 2014, none of us has any idea what will happen in the next year.  But here's a special thought I just read.  It comes from a devotional calendar that Phyllis and I read each day (I modified it slightly to put it in current language):

Trust today and leave tomorrow; each day has enough of care;

No matter what your burden is, God will give you strength to bear.

He is Faithful!  Cast on Him your every care.

Work today, and leave tomorrow; all around there's urgent need;

All around there's sin and sorrow; Broadcast, daily sow the seed.

He is faithful!  He shall bless your work indeed.

Watch today, and leave tomorrow; for tomorrow may not come;

For today our loving Savior, May appear to take us home.

He is faithful!  Look for Him, the coming One.

We think this is good advice for the year ahead.  And we are excited about what He is going to do this year.  We will keep you informed right here - and we hope to hear from you about how God is guiding you in trusting, working and watching.

Thank you for 2013

I'm sorry we've been 'absent' for the past few days.  We've been traveling and expected to have good Internet access.  Alas, it was not to be.

But as we are now just three days away from a new year, we want to take this opportunity to thank ALL of the folks who have been a part of our Gatlinburg experience in 2013.

First, a huge 'thank you' to our daughters, Marcia and Angie.  Marcia has faithfully answered every inquiry for Smoky Mountain Tower and All Decked Out - no small task, considering we've received more than 700.  She has also kept track of all the reservations, communicated with our guests, and followed up with each one.  Angie is our 'webmaster,' keeping both www.SmokiesRentDirect.com and www.SmokyMountainTower.com up and running.  Both have provided valuable advice and encouragement throughout the year.  Also, Marcia's son, Nathan, has jumped in to perform research and check our advertising sites for accuracy.  So we truly are a 'family affair.'  Here's a photo of the group, with Nathan, Marcia, and Angie standing behind Dave.

Our Gatlinburg team makes it all work.  Ingrid and Bob Nelson and their daughters have done a fantastic job of cleaning our cabins after each stay, as well as taking care of small maintenance needs, changing the key codes, and making sure everything is in good working order.  Ingrid is an amazing person - she even answers guests' phone calls 24/7!

For larger maintenance jobs, Ingrid introduced us this year to Gary Stipes - who has done everything from installing new thermostats to replacing a toilet to fixing a ceiling leak.  There isn't anything he can't do.  And, for emergencies, we can always call on Darren Phillips, who lives right next door to All Decked Out.  What a blessing!

Of course, none of this would be of any importance if it weren't for YOU - our wonderful guests.  In 2013, we had almost 100 sets of guests, almost evenly split between our two cabins.  THANK YOU for all your great notes in the guest books, and for your care of our cabins.

Now, as we approach 2014, there are some changes in the wind.  We are working hard to confirm some things, and will let you know the news as soon as we can after January 1.  For now, though, we thank you for staying with us in 2013, and hope to see you again next year.

2013 is finished, but 2014 is getting started

It's December 20, 2013 - only 11 more days left in this year.  For us in Gatlinburg, the year is technically over.  We have no more available dates for the rest of the year.  Actually, we're full until after New Year's Day.

We want to thank all of you who have stayed with us in 2013.  In the past, Smoky Mountain Tower has rented quite a bit more than All Decked Out.  But that changed in 2013.  The two cabins were almost even.  In fact, we had one more set of guests at All Decked Out this year than we did at Smoky Mountain Tower.

Now, we're looking forward to 2014 - and there are some VERY big changes in store for us next year.  It's just a few days too early to tell you about them.  But very soon after January 1, we will have a special announcement to make.

Meanwhile, as you get together with your family in the next week or so, you may be making vacation plans.  We hope we will fit into those plans.  We will actually be traveling for the next 6 days, and Marcia will be with us.  But we will be checking email - so please let us know if you have any questions about staying with us in 2014.

Because of our travels, our next post will probably be after Christmas.  So Phyllis and I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas.  We hope you enjoy the time with family and friends - and please also remember the Reason for the Season - the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.