A Walk in the Woods

It started with a through-hike of the Smokies, and turned into the proverbial labor of love...

Although we have always been avid naturalists, we both had successful careers. Erik has a BBA in Accounting and worked as a Controller for a video post-production house for ten years. Vesna has a BS in Communications and was working towards her Masters in Education. She worked in television as both a reporter and a producer for nine years.

However, our careers became less satisfying and as we struggled to find meaning on this path, our trips to the mountains became more frequent and important.

We began discussing an alternative in which we would be doing something we believed in, raising people’s environmental awareness. We were drawn to the Appalachian Mountains and loved being outdoors, but were unclear of how to make this our life's work, instead of just a passion.

Then in late August of 1996, Erik took a backpacking trip through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park alone. During this vision quest, he found the answer. Why not share this magic with others?  A Walk in the Woods was born.

As children, we had both wanted to become naturalists, but for various reasons had gotten off of that path. We now have come full circle, and invite you to share the wonders that this beautiful park has to offer.

Our guides make A Walk in the Woods the best. We have always had the top guides in the business, known for their expertise in the botany, geology, culture and history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Our mission is raising environmental awareness through direct, fun, positive experiences with nature. Anyone can walk you down a trail through the woods. When you go with us, it will be the best day of your vacation.

Our Guides Include :

A Walk in the Woods is owned and operated by the husband and wife team Erik and Vesna Plakanis. Between them, they have over 60 years experience in hiking the Appalachian Mountains, covering thousands of miles of trails. They have both been full time trail guides in the Great Smoky Mountains since 1998. These two naturalists have taken courses on medicinal and edible uses of plants, animal tracking and stalking, wilderness survival and primitive arts, as well as years spent studying the natural world from within.  They are also both accomplished storytellers, specializing in Cherokee legends and settler tall tales.  They have been featured in publications including Outside Magazine, Backpacker, National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler Magazine, USA Today, Washington Post, Shape Magazine, Women’s Health, Southern Living, AAA's Magazine Home and Away, and many others.  They have appeared on the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel and NBC Nightly News.

Both Erik and Vesna are Wilderness First Responders, National Registry First Responders and certified in Non-lethal Aversive Bear Conditioning.

Born in Louisiana, the timeworn mountains of East Tennessee did not start calling to Samantha Ray until her parents began vacationing here while she was in middle school, after a family move to South Carolina. Who knows if it was simply the beauty of the mountains, an innate love of history, or a long forgotten family tie to the land that fueled her eventual interest in these mountains. As both her grandfather and aunt hold degrees in History, some might say a love of the subject was passed down through her family. In 2009, Samantha received her Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Tennessee. Following that pursuit, she interned with the National Park and worked as an interpretive ranger while she completed a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Her two research projects for that degree centered on the Elkmont Section of Great Smoky Mountains. (Her next goal is a Master’s Degree!) Samantha loves the Great Smoky Mountains National Park not only for all its beauty and opportunities for outdoor education and recreation, but its vast cultural history as well. Everywhere one looks, there’s a story to be found. Another one of Samantha’s interests is photography and the mountains of East Tennessee provide wonderful chances to learn as well as fantastic artistic opportunities.

Hi everyone! I am Cindy Beal, a resident of Townsend and lover of the Great Smoky Mountains. For many years I have volunteered for the National Park, working at the Sugarlands Visitor Center, leading interpreting programs, walks and hikes. After completing the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in 2010, I've been busy on the trails, discovering the many wonders of the most visited National Park in the United States. My specialties include birding, plant identification, and showing children the wonders of the natural world. I invite you to come join us in exploring and experiencing these mountains.

Growing up in Indiana, Charles Savidge fell in love with the outdoors from a young age. During high school his passion was continued as the president of the Venture crew 007, with whom he helped lead monthly trips around the Midwest. In 2010 Charles went to Arizona where he spent his time backpacking and rock climbing with the National Outdoor Leadership School and graduated from the Outdoor Educator program. Before becoming a guide for A Walk in the Woods, Charles led many trips to the Smoky Mountains. Now it is his honor to pass on his love for these mountains, nature and all that it has to offer.

Jaimie Matzko grew up in Ohio, but first fell in love with the Great Smoky Mountains in 1999 while doing an internship at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. While studying Natural and Cultural Interpretation at Hocking College, Jaimie also taught environmental education at Wahkeena Nature Center, Hocking Woods Nature Center and the Columbus Zoo. After graduation, Jaimie worked at Linsly Outdoor Center in Pennsylvania as an Outdoor Instructor leading ropes course activities, orienteering, caving and rock climbing trips before coming back to the GSMNP as a Teacher/Naturalist
at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont in 2003. She has been teaching part time at Tremont while running her own business and now manages the Vienna Coffeehouse in Maryville, TN. She loves bird watching, yoga, nature photography, backpacking and exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Michael Matzko grew up in western Pennsylvania and developed a passion for wild places while exploring the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. After graduating from Hocking College with a degree in Recreation and Wildlife, he became an Outdoor Instructor leading adventure based activities, such as rock climbing, caving and mountain biking at Linsly Outdoor Center. In 2003, Michael began working at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont as a Teacher Naturalist where he gained a love and sense of wonderment of the Smokies natural and cultural history. Michael enjoys playing music and backpacking/hiking in his free time.

Carey Jones is a former Park Ranger naturalist who for 14 years led outdoor programs for students and visitors in the Great Smokies. Always the seeker and discoverer, his experience and M.A. help him glean truths from nature to share with fellow learners. He is a part-time naturalist for the University of Tennessee Smoky Mountain Field School and the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His narrator’s voice can be heard on the Bird songs of the Smokies CD set, and the Naturepods ipod tour of Cades Cove. A well rounded naturalist, with a wealth of knowledge of wildflowers, trees and shrubs and wildlife, Carey specializes in Birding and Salamanders.  On occasion, he can be found in costume, singing folk songs and Christmas carols on the main streets of Gatlinburg.

*Note : A Walk in the Woods is a guide service, not a store. Our Walks and Hikes meet at spots convenient to the program NOT at this office. We only meet clients at our office to Rent Gear and for guided Backpacking Trips. Please call for an appointment.

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