Things To Do In Morristown

The course at the private Wolf Laurel Country Club leads players on a secluded retreat into the Blue Ridge Mountains, with mature forests and alpine vistas dappling climbs to elevations of more than 5,000 feet. Designer W.B. Lewis planned the fairways so that no two run directly parallel to each other, allowing players to explore every angle of the sprawling resort that’s bounded to the north by the Appalachian Trail. With tee-to-green elevation changes of as much as 300 feet, golfers must make careful club selections to give themselves the best shot at the par of 74. The signature sixth hole, a par 3, couples a downhill tee shot that plummets more than 200 feet with a dramatic vista from the tee box, spelling doom for shots that fly long and golfers who recover slowly after tee-to-green barrel rolls.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Total length of 6,301 yards from the back tees
• Course rating of 72.6 from the back tees
• Course slope of 144 from the back tees
• Four sets of tees per hole

Upon arriving at the USA Raft site—which is located in Marshall, about three hours from Charlotte—whitewater explorers over the age of 8 can change into appropriate apparel and receive the provided gear (helmet, personal flotation device, and paddle). After an instructional orientation describing the itinerary and proper rafting techniques, riders will be shuttled to the river drop-in point 15 minutes away. Voyagers in search of frothy spumes will spend the next two to three hours conquering frequent rapids with nicknames such as Pinball, Sandy Bottom, and Ledges. Stops will be made along the way at Jump Rock to allow jumping jocks the opportunity to leap into the river, and also at Swimmers Rapid to let rafters cool off with a few laps. Afterward, a small snack will be provided. A skilled rafting guide will be in the boat at all times, which means no experience is necessary for this trip. If a half-day isn't enough for you, you can upgrade to a full day of rafting ($79.95 per person) for an additional fee. Call to make a reservation.

As a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee's School of Architecture, Jon Felderman savored free time away from his office job in downtown Knoxville. Ditching his button-down shirt and tie, Jon headed to the Pigeon River on the weekends during the spring of 1996 to begin his training as a river-rafting guide. In just a year, Felderman's skill and enthusiasm had earned him promotions from river guide to trip leader and then to river manager—all while he maintained his full-time architecture job. Finally, in 2004, the inexorable draw of nature inspired a massive change: Jon abandoned the rigors of city life for good, founding his own rafting company, Big Creek Expeditions. Staffed by experienced guides who share Jon's love of the great outdoors, today the company leads trips down both the upper and lower Pigeon River and orchestrates rafting and camping packages for overnight expeditioners.

The career thrill-seekers at Outdoor Adventures of the Smokies guide quests into the Smoky Mountains by a variety of means, including helicopters, safari wagons, and ziplines. Aerial views of Tennessee's rolling farmlands and vast oceans overwhelm the senses as hot air balloons hoist at least four riders aloft from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains National Park. The lower Pigeon River's gentle class I and II rapids sharpen the skills of beginner whitewater rafters as they spend 90 minutes maneuvering frothy crests. Up to 12 land-bound adventurers can pile into monster trucks for five heart-racing laps around a track with two large hills, two petite mounds, and two traffic lights that turn yellow at the last second.

Two miles might seem like a negligible distance when you’re driving a car. But when you’re skydiving from two miles above the earth, you relish every foot that separates you from the ground. As the only safety net for their patrons, Skydive East Tennessee’s licensed instructors escort divers up to 11,000 feet into the sky, where they enjoy aerial views of the Smoky Mountains, make white beards out of fluffy clouds, and embark on 45-second freefalls. Before ever stepping foot into the company’s aircraft, the seasoned staff goes over all the details of the trip, ensuring jumpers know exactly what to expect as they leap from the plane and finish their fall with a scenic 5-minute parachute ride. A camera crew can document the whole experience, from the instruction period to the landing, and assembles the footage into a keepsake DVD set to music.

From the Friday of Memorial Day weekend until the Monday of Labor Day weekend, The Smokey Mountain River Romp sends tube riders and kayakers traversing the tranquil waters of Little Pigeon River on inflated tubes. Visitors strap on US Coast Guard–approved life jackets before letting the water steer them for a two-hour, 2.5-mile excursion past the Tennessee side of the Great Smoky Mountains before they encounter a stretch of residential Sevierville. Upon reaching the pavilion at the end of their trek, guests hop onto a shuttle that returns them to their starting point, nicknamed "the Barn," where they can feast at the picnic grounds or spend the remainder of the day fishing. Subsequent rides down the river are also free of charge, with a final journey commencing between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.