(CTN News) – The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a 522,427-acre natural playground straddles the Tennessee and North Carolina southern Appalachian Mountains. A popular national park in the United States, it boasts incredible biodiversity, rivers, deciduous forests, and endless mountains and ridgelines.

More than 800 miles of hiking trails can be found within the park boundaries, including 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail, the LeConte Lodge, front and backcountry camping, wildlife and wildflowers everywhere, history everywhere, and 2,100 miles of rivers and streams. To help you plan your Smoky Mountain excursions, we have listed some of the park’s best hikes below and some information about the park.

Must-do Hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

1. Newfound Gap to Charlie’s Bunion on the Appalachian Trail

A round-trip hike of 8 miles on the infamous Appalachian Trail with some of the best views in the park at Charlie’s Bunion. You may be inspired to hike the entire AT from Georgia to Maine after experiencing this taste of the AT.

2. The Clingman’s Dome

The summit of Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the park, making it a popular spot for visitors. There are no limits to the views; the sunrises are often breathtaking, and the sunsets reveal the Blue Ridge Mountains in a way that will leave you wanting to come back again and again. Walk to the top of the observation tower in a round-trip distance of one mile. Say hello to the gnomes as you explore the Clingmans Dome Nature Trail on your way back down the road.

3. The Cammerer Mountain

The hike to Mount Cammerer is one of the best hikes in the park. When you arrive at your destination, a lookout tower and an ocean of views will greet you. In 1937, the CCC built the tower, which is still open to the public for exploration and even napping before heading back down the mountain.

4. Trail to Alum Cave

There are views, views, and more views. Those are the things you’ll see on the Alum Cave Trail. As well as offering tranquil cascades, the Alum Cave Bluffs offer the shortest access to Mount LeConte.

5. Loop at Cades Cove

Take a hike, a bike ride, or a run on it. It is possible to drive through Cades Cove, but you will miss out on a true Cades Cove experience. Enjoy the best wildlife viewing opportunities by taking the 11-mile loop to see historic building sites.

6. Cascades around Ramsey

The hike to the tallest waterfall in the park is an eight-mile round trip. On this hike, you’ll be hiking through the park’s largest old-growth forest, so take the time to appreciate the journey rather than just the destination.

7. Thunderhead Mountain + Rocky Top

It’s possible that “Rocky Top, You’ll Always Be Home Sweet Home to Me” is one of Tennessee’s most popular song lyrics. It won’t take long for you to sing the same song when you reach Rocky Top of the Smokies. Hiking with breathtaking views is a challenging activity.

8. Gregory Bald and Shuckstack Firetower

With 360-degree views and 78 stairs up an almost century-old fire tower, you’ll be in awe of this summit hike.

9. The Big Creek Loop from Mount Sterling

You’ll be rewarded with a panoramic view at the top of one of the toughest hikes in the park. If you’re not up for the entire 17-mile loop, there is a 2.7-mile trail that leads directly to Mount Sterling’s summit.

10. Trillium Gap and Boulevard to Mount LeConte

Get the best of both worlds on this hike. It’s a waterfall, there are views, there’s a lodge, there’s the Appalachian Trail, and there’s a waterfall. You’ll need to shuttle to complete this hike unless you’re up for a long hike.

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(CTN News) – As we approach the end of another year, it’s the perfect time to take stock of your financial situation and ensure you’re on the right track for 2024.

The holiday season brings with it not only festive cheer but also an opportunity to perform some essential financial tasks.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through eight must-do items, each taking just 30 minutes or less, to set yourself up for financial success in 2024.

8 Essential Tasks to Kickstart 2024

1. Review Your Retirement Contributions:

Kickstart your financial year-end review by checking your 2023 retirement contributions.

For your 401(k) or employer-sponsored retirement plan, the maximum contribution is $22,500, and for an IRA, it’s $6,500. If you haven’t maxed out these contributions, consider doing so before the year-end.

Additionally, if you receive a holiday bonus, think about allocating a portion to boost your retirement savings. Don’t forget to adjust your contributions for the upcoming year as well.

2. Check Your Asset Allocation:

Ensure your investment portfolio’s asset allocation aligns with your financial goals. Market fluctuations may have shifted your desired distribution, so take a moment to rebalance your portfolio.

Simultaneously, review and update the beneficiaries for your accounts to ensure they align with your current wishes.

3. Review Your Debts and Plan for 2024:

Take a close look at your outstanding loans, including student loans, mortgages, auto loans, and credit card debts. Note the amounts, interest rates, remaining balances, and terms. Evaluate your progress in paying down your debt and create a plan for 2024.

If you’ve made significant strides this year, challenge yourself to do even better in the coming year.

Prioritize paying off high-interest debt, and consider utilizing an end-of-year bonus to make strategic debt payments.

4. Conduct a Year-End Tax Review:

Although tax season is a few months away, preparing in advance can save you headaches later. Consider life changes, like marriage or having a child, and make any necessary adjustments to your tax withholding status.

Depending on your income, explore tax-efficient transactions, such as deferring or accelerating bonuses, mortgage payments, or charitable contributions.

5. Offset Investment Gains with Losses:

Explore tax-loss harvesting to offset investment gains with losses. This strategy involves strategically selling investments that have decreased in value to minimize taxes on profitable sales.

While it’s crucial to maintain a long-term investment perspective, tax-loss harvesting allows you to rebalance your portfolio while gaining tax benefits.

6. Think About Roth IRA Conversions:

Diversify your retirement accounts by contemplating a Roth IRA conversion. This can be particularly advantageous if you’ve experienced a year with lower income, such as taking an extended work break.

Crunch the numbers and determine if a Roth conversion aligns with your financial situation. Ensure you complete the conversion before the year ends.

7. Fine-Tune Your Budget for 2024:

The end of the year is an ideal time to review your spending and savings. Make adjustments to your budget based on your actual expenses and financial goals.

Identify areas where you can cut costs and negotiate better deals with service providers. A well-tailored budget sets the foundation for financial success in the coming year.

8. Check Your Credit Report:

Obtain a free copy of your credit report from www.AnnualCreditReport.com. Scrutinize it to ensure accuracy in reflecting your financial history. This step is crucial if you plan to make significant purchases, such as a house or car, in 2024.

Pay attention to your credit utilization ratio, and consider requesting a credit limit increase to improve it.

Conclusion:

Completing these eight essential financial tasks before the year-end can take just a few hours and leave you well-prepared for a prosperous 2024.

Taking the time for this financial housekeeping now sets the stage for a successful and financially empowering new year. Remember, if you need support or more information, don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to a prosperous 2024!

(CTN News) – Divers in Koh Samui have a plethora of dive locations to choose from. These locations, distinguished by vibrant reefs, corals, and underwater seamounts, are a diver’s paradise. Furthermore, the waters around the islands are teeming with marine life, including beautiful whale sharks, fish, manta rays, and others.

Fortunately, exploring these terrains is simple with the assistance of Samui’s diving schools. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 on the island to help you choose the best one for you. For the greatest diving experience, each of these operators combines efficiency, customization, and the best service.

Top 5 Dive Schools in Koh Samui