While previously, we had very little knowledge of Knoxville, it turned out to be a very pleasant place. We arrived here in January and so while pleasant, it was also very cold. The night we arrived, it was about -14 celsius. Nevertheless, we did not let that slow us down.

After exploring some of the restaurants and excellent craft breweries…

We got busy exploring our new environment. Haw Ridge was one of the first parks we explored in order to get some exercise and to just get out.

We then took a drive to Fort Loudoun, which was originally an outpost built to ward off the French in about 1760. While now it commands a great view along the river, when it was built, that river was a small stream. It has since been dammed and so now is much bigger.

We also took a trip north to Jonesborough. It is famous as the story-telling capital of the world. It is also Tennessee’s oldest town, with many old buildings still lining the main street.

Somewhere between Knoxville and Jonesborough is the home of Davy Crockett, who actually did exist as a congressman from Tennessee. I am not so sure about the stories of wood craft and hunting.

Knoxville itself has ample locations and sites to keep you busy. For example, the Bijou Theater brings in lots of great music on a regular basis.

The downtown area has some great old buildings.

And the Market Square …

… hosts everything from Farmer’s markets to Mardi Paws

Our home life was spruced up a bit by our foster-kitty, Banjo, who came to live with us for a couple months.

We also took a long weekend to drive down to Atlanta to visit our old cats, Donna and Bella. Unfortunately, Bella had passed away the month before at the age of 14. Donna, at the age of 17, is still looking pretty good, although she took her time walking around.

I’ll save the hiking and big trips for Tennessee posts part 2 and 3. Here are a few more pictures.