When Do You Let the Bears Out?: Answers and Anecdotes from Volunteers of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park beckons the traveler, the hiker, the lonely, and the dreamer. It is the crown jewel of national parks, containing the popular destination of Cades Cove, the highest peak at Clingman's Dome, and too many bears. The Park attracts an army of dedicated, excited, and committed Volunteers. This is their story. Being a Volunteer at the Park is like a box of chocolates. One never knows what will happen. Some days the bears run the show, other days Visitors fall off trails, or get lost in the woods. All the while, the Volunteers are on hand to help or answer the myriad of questions asked. And, Visitors ask a lot of questions. Their actual questions frame this story and the Volunteers' answers offer a behind-the-scenes look at the varied and unpredictable adventures of a multitude to dedicated individuals. Grab the bug spray and hiking boots and enjoy a journey into the hilarious, challenging, and at times scary life of a Volunteer at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.