Friday, April 15, 2016

Exploring Knoxville

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We escaped the cold and snow of Indiana, and made our way 400 miles south to the Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park just outside Knoxville.

After a couple days catching up on school, working, and getting many loads of laundry done, we were ready for a day of exploring.

Searching online for things to do in Knoxville, I found the Ijams Nature Center.

 

 

The Nature Center encompasses 300 acres along the Tennessee River in downtown Knoxville – originally home to Harry and Alice Ijams, and the Mead’s and Ross Marble Quarry.  The Ijams were prominent bird and garden experts in Knoxville, and instrumental in establishing the Smoky Mountains as a National Park.

A Foundation was set up in the Iajms’ name, and the Nature Center established as a wildlife sanctuary and urban park. 

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We stopped in at the Visitor Center to check out the trail map.  It’s a really nice facility – they have lots of educational programs for adults and kids, as well as the recreational opportunities.  On this beautiful April day, there were quite a few people around.

Carvings on the porch posts.

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There are multiple hiking and mountain bike trails, and we chose to take the North Cove Trail,

North Cove Trail

to the River Trail and Boardwalk.  River Trail

Interesting tree roots

There were several types of spring flowers blooming along the trail, and in the rocks along the river trail.

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We reached the river, and enjoyed the view as we walked along the boardwalk.

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Kayaking on a smooth river

OK, that looked like an easier river to kayak . . . and probably no alligators, either!

Overlooking the river

 

Boardwalk Trail

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As we continued along the boardwalk, the kayakers got closer to us.

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Looking for bats

The posted sign said that bats and salamanders lived in this cave – Bryce looked, but didn’t see any!

We reached the end of the boardwalk, and had to climb up the bluff to get back on the river trail.

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The view was pretty nice from up there!

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Bryce is always up to something!

King of the Mountain

The river trail brought us back to the Greenway Trail – a paved, multi-use trail that runs all through Knoxville – we followed it to get a look at the Quarry that is part of the Ijams Nature Center.

At the Quarry

They say this is a really popular location for swimming and kayaking in the summer.

From the Quarry, we followed the Greenway Trail back towards the Visitor Center. 

Bryce found a little hiding place,

Bryce found a hiding place

and we passed by the Tree-based Adventure Course Course operated by a group called Navitat.  There was nobody on it at the time, but it looked pretty cool.

Challenge Course - Big Kids Playground

Arriving back at the Visitor Center, we walked through the picnic area, which is a nice grassy hill with a pavilion and a cute playground for the littler kids.

Little Kids Playground

After our adventures in nature, we drove to the Market Square area of Downtown Knoxville to check it out and get an early dinner.  We walked through a few shops, and asked for restaurant recommendation, where we were assured that pretty much everywhere was good.

One of the shops that we went into was Local Motors – they produced the first 3D printed prototype car, and are now working on an actual production version for sale.

The prototype is in their shop.

3D Printer Car

Robot in the Local Motors Shop

 

They also had a cool-looking robot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bryce and I were in the mood for hamburgers, and told that Stock & Barrel had the best, so we made our way over there.

On the way, we passed by an alley that was covered in graffiti artwork.

Art Alley

There was some really interesting artwork!

Art in the Alley

Kool-Aid Man

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cathedral Art

There was also recently a sidewalk chalk competition, and many of the entries were still viewable on the square.

Chalk Art

We found Stock & Barrel, and enjoyed our burgers out on the patio – it was a beautiful afternoon.

2 comments:

  1. We'll feel the same way as you about the weather once we reach the end of the month. However we've been enjoy 70+ degree weather with beautiful sunshine the last few days with more to come. Sure is making our move easier not struggling with heavy winter coats.
    It looks like you've found another beautiful area to explore.
    Be Safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  2. another great tour! thanks for sharing your day!

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