East Tennessee Agrees With Me!

I’ve been in East Tennessee, in a small town just outside Knoxville, since mid-April. I love it here! I’ve been so busy running around doing everything there is to do that I’ve barely had time to draw breath. Here’s just a sample –

I’ve been to the Knoxville Symphony to see Cirque de la Symphonie, which was a Cirque du Soliel-type of show with jugglers and acrobats that was outstanding. I’ve been to the University of Tennessee’s Clarence Brown Theatre to see an excellent performance of Man of La Mancha. I’m looking forward to seeing these two organizations joined together in September when they perform Amadeus.

(I love this building, don't you?)

I’ve been to the Knoxville Museum of Art, locally known as KnoxArt, twice. It’s a great small art museum that’s free everyday. They have six galleries with constantly changing exhibits. Two or three hours are sufficient to really enjoy and appreciate what’s on display. On some Friday nights they stage “Live After Five” concerts by an array of talented performers. Lots of jazz and blues musicians are featured and local restaurants offer small plates. The acoustics are poor but it’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours downtown.

KnoxArt stands on the edge of World’s Fair Park, which is another fun place. The World’s Fair was held in Knoxville in 1982 and it was at this World’s Fair that Cherry Coke was introduced. (How’s that for trivia?) Left behind is, among other things, the Sunsphere; a 28-story structure topped by a golden globe, into which you can ascend, for free, to overlook Knoxville. Also in the park are fountains that kids can splash in, walking trails, performance spaces, and a really neat amphitheater.

Market Square is another great spot in downtown Knoxville, which is a spiffed up few blocks of pedestrian-only areas lined by restaurants and cafes and the fantastic Krutch Park Sculpture Garden. Knoxville supports it’s downtown area by making all the parking garages free on evenings and weekends. I’ve been down there a few times and it’s a neat place. They have free concerts and various other events on numerous Thursday nights throughout the summer.

I’ve been over to Gatlinburg to the Ripley’s Aquarium, which, although small, is really excellent. As an aside, Ripley’s offers a generous discount for homeschoolers to all of their attractions and I applaud them for that. My sister homeschools her children and they don’t get a lot of breaks. I’m glad that Ripley’s has chosen to acknowledge them.

Between my little small town and Knoxville is an interesting shopping area called Turkey Creek. I’m glad it’s not in my little town but I’m equally glad it’s only 20 minutes away. Anything you could possibly want to buy is at Turkey Creek, plus lots of restaurants and an 18-screen movie theater with an IMAX. I used to have to drive 200 miles to do any shopping and even then a lot of what’s at Turkey Creek was not to be found!

I’ve done all of the above and more and there’s still so much I haven’t gotten to yet! I haven’t spent a lot of time in the little town in which I am currently living but I am grateful for the lovely greenway they have built through the woods and alongside a large creek. I walk five miles along it every morning and I think it says a lot for the community that they built and support such a wonderful resource.

So, do you think the Chamber of Commerce will hire me now? Have I gushed enough? I really do like it here and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to spend the summer seeing the sights and joining in the activities. I’m signed up for a three-week wine tasting class and a Smoky Mountain exploring course through the University of Tennessee's Outreach Program. I’ve discovered a neat company called Wilderness Foxes, which specializes in hiking, rafting and camping trips for women over the age of 40 and I hope to jump in on one of their expeditions before I leave. So much to do!

I’m heading to Houston for an eight-month-long housesit starting in October and I keep telling people that I’m in training for that really big town but in reality I’m just enjoying myself in a fun area. My whole adult life I’ve had a hard time going out by myself but that spell has been broken and I’m taking advantage of everything that East Tennessee has to offer. I’ll be sorry to see this sojourn come to an end but as always I’m looking forward to what comes next! In the meantime, expect lots of glowing reports from E. Tenn!