Blue Ridge Country - July/August 2019 - 20

COUNTRY ROADS

SAVOR THE VIEWS

SKYLIFT!

The longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America is open
in the Smokies.

here's a new way to appreciate the
awe-inspiring view of the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park
and beyond. The Gatlinburg SkyLift has
been a family favorite since 1954-you
might even have your own story of riding
to the top and claiming a family photo
along the way. Now there's a chance for
new memories while gazing at the great
views. The attraction expanded this
spring to add the SkyBridge, which at 680
feet, is billed as the longest pedestrian
suspension bridge in North America. For
those brave enough to cross, there are
glass panels (15 feet) in the middle of the
bridge to give a view of what's below. The
bridge is 140 feet above the terrain.
The only way to access the new SkyBridge is by riding the open air chairlift,
which starts in downtown Gatlinburg,
Tennessee, and rises to the top of Crockett Mountain.
"We have covered seating and amphitheater-style seating to look out at the
mountains," says Julie Ard, communications director for the Gatlinburg SkyLift
Park. "There's also a two level Sky Center

with retail, food and beverage
on the main level and additional seating, balcony and a
bar upstairs.
Other things are also in
the works including a SkyZip,
The Gatlinburg Skylift has
come back from the '16 fire
a hiking trail and an elevated
longer than ever.
boardwalk. Ard says they
hope to potentially complete
these attractions by the midand cherished by those visiting Gatlindle of this summer.
The devastating fire that ripped burg and returning year after year to
through Gatlinburg in November 2016 ride the SkyLift led him to thoughts of a
caused damage to the SkyLift and sur- bridge. "
There's no limitation on who can ride
rounding area. They replaced the chairlift
and put it back into action beginning on to the top. Ard says they can accommoMemorial Day 2017. Now they are wel- date physical handicaps by slowing or
coming visitors to the expanded and up- stopping the lift to load and unload. "Up
to three people can ride side by side on
graded facilities.
"The idea to build a bridge on the ad- the chairlift, but each person must fit
jacent property came from our longtime comfortably in the chair with the safety
Gatlinburg SkyLift General Manager, bar lowered."
The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is open
Randy Watson," says Ard. "His familiarity with other attractions in the greater daily year-round. Check gatlinburgskylift.
region and first-hand knowledge of how com for price, location, and other informuch the views of the highest peaks in mation.
-MARLA HARDEE MILLING
the Smoky Mountains are sought after

World's Only Ramp Farmer Ramps Down

The oncelowly ramp
has come
a long way
under Glen
Facemire's
care.

len Facemire, the "Ramp Man" of Richwood, West
Virginia, says it's time for him to sell what may be the
world's only ramp farm.
"I'm hoping to pass it on to someone who has a heart
for it," says Facemire, 76.
Facemire's G-N Ramp Farm, a 71-acre hillside forest
overlooking the Cherry River near Richwood, has been
selling the pungent wild onion for more than 20 years.
Facemire and his wife, Norene, who died in 2017, started
out selling freshly dug ramps to restaurants and vendors in
the region, and eventually around the world.
The couple expanded their product line to add ramp
products they marketed year-round, including ramp jelly,
ramp mustard, pickled ramps and many more ramp items.
At ramp festivals including Richwood's Feast of the Ransom, the Facemires sold chocolate-dipped ramps, along

BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

with Glen's DIY ramp-growing book, "Having Your Ramps
and Eating Them, Too," and his paperback about the
plant's life stages, "Ramps: From the Seed to the Weed."
In recent years, Facemire has focused on selling ramp
seeds and ramp bulbs to people who want to raise their
own ramps. The bulbs grow naturally in moist, well-drained
forests from Maine to Georgia. Facemire sold about 45,000
ramp bulbs last year, he says.
Facemire says it's hard to supply the growing demand
for fresh ramps due to the brief time the plant is harvestready. He's had corporate food buyers ask him to ship them
a ton a month. Facemire just doesn't have enough ramps
for orders like that. He hopes his successors will be able to
meet their business needs.
Facemire's contact info: 304-846-4235;
rampfarm@frontier.com
-SU CLAUSON-WICKER

http://www.BLUERIDGECOUNTRY.COM

Blue Ridge Country - July/August 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country - July/August 2019