County proves to be perfect place for recreational retreats
Consider the subtitle for this article to be a celebratory statement … and maybe a bit of bragging, as well.
However, it also affirms the fact that in the minds of many, Blount Country represents the very best of all that East Tennessee has to offer. That’s more than an idle boast, too, as Blount County shares much of what those of us who live here have come to cherish about this area overall.
Granted, Knoxville has its music, museums and great places to gather. Gatlinburg beckons its visitors with amusements and attractions. And Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood, water parks and the kind of kitsch that tourists seem to love.
Nevertheless, while Blount County can claim many of the same amenities, it offers the lure of nature through its parks, rivers, lakes, trails and vistas. What’s more, given the pandemic’s adverse effects on commerce and the inability to congregate, Blount beckons with the promise of being able to relish the outdoors and to bask in wide open spaces where social distancing comes naturally. It offers an opportunity to get away from it all – our fellow humans included.
So, at the risk of betraying certain secrets, here are some of the places that provide a welcome respite from daily distress.
Fort Loudoun State Park
A 1,200-acre park nestled on a promontory on Tellico Lake near Vonore, this picturesque park marks the site of one of the earliest fortifications on the frontier. Originally built in 1756 and then reconstructed during the Great Depression, it was key to the English defense of the region during the French and Indian War. Today, the park is not only a historical site but also a great place to put in a kayak, take a hike or simply enjoy nature’s beauty.
Little River
They don’t call Townsend the peaceful side of the Smokies for nothing, although on weekends, it can get mighty crowded. Nevertheless, a weekday sojourn is ideal, when tubing on the river allows one to indulge in the easy flow of a river that parallels the road leading into the natural park. The foliage that lines the waterway on either side also makes it a perfect place for a swim, a soak or simply an ideal vantage point to celebrate the majesty of nature’s beauty from the silence of a stream.
Foothills Parkway
Originally authorized for construction by Congress in 1944, the Foothills Parkway is the equivalent of the more famous Blue Ridge Parkway, boasting magnificent vistas and breathtaking views of Smoky Mountain National Park in all its scenic splendor. With the western segment of the parkway finally completed some 50 years after the initial construction began, the road now stretches from Cosby to Chilhowee, providing a magnificent series of curves, scenic stops and an incredible encounter with nature that’s singularly spectacular no matter the season. While pulling into the overlooks ought to be part of the plan, it’s also mandatory to take a short hike up to the Look Rock Tower, an observational platform that provides breathtaking views of the mountains on one side and the communities that stretch toward the plateau on the other. Stunning would seem to be a perfect way to sum it up.
Abrams Creek
Located on the opposite side of US 129 from Chilhowee Lake, Abrams Creek is an ideal spot to put in a kayak, paddle peacefully and soak up the idyllic environs of a calm creek where overcrowding never seems to be an issue. That’s a good thing, as parking can be limited along the highway, so its best to arrive early to avoid having to drag one’s kayak across the road. Nevertheless, there are several spots to pull in around the lake, as well, allowing a singular sojourn to pay off in a variety of ways.
Parkway Drive-In
The old-fashioned drive-in movie theater is something of anachronism these days, which makes the Parkway, located along Lamar Alexander just beyond downtown Maryville, something of a nostalgic encounter. First-run films play for two to three weeks at a time, intertwined with vintage classics, and while the theater charges per person rather than per carload as drive-ins did in the old days, it’s well worth the experience. A concession stand provides traditional favorites, while a flea market takes over on weekend mornings. And when you think about it, what better way to enjoy a movie than from the comfort of your car – especially when a pandemic makes distancing all the more desirable?
