miscellaneous NE Tennessee pics... (Bristol, Sweetwater: hotel, food, car)

[weavermj]

The photos of the fly fisherman on Holston was great. It reminds me of my son who fishes on South Holston often.

[Bailey.]

Originally Posted by kamoshika

If you do go, you should probably avoid Lone Oak Trail. It's extremely narrow (8-10") in many places with 45-degree slopes below, and I wouldn't recommend it for young children, inexperienced hikers, or anyone with gimpy knees/ankles. Sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles or a hiking stick are very helpful on this trail.

I thoroughly enjoyed the hike and even met the trail's creator, 82-year-old Tom Dosser, coming down the mountain after he'd done some maintenance work...very nice guy.

The park's other trails are more manageable. FWIW, the best views are from White Rock and Tip Top, IMO.

What trail would you suggest for somebody still in hibernation shape/with a slow, short legged dog (pending they are allowed there?)

[kamoshika]

Originally Posted by Bailey.

What trail would you suggest for somebody still in hibernation shape/with a slow, short legged dog (pending they are allowed there?)

Sorry I missed your question, Bailey. An easy route till you get your hiking legs under you would be to walk up the service road to White Rock, then come back down White Rock Trail or Tower Ridge Trail. The latter may be just as easy as the service road but I don't think I've ever taken it. Oh, and dogs are fine as long as they're leashed.

[kamoshika]

Old log smokehouse on Stanley Valley Rd. in Hawkins County:



Another smokehouse, this one on Dunlap Rd. in Sullivan County (near Tri-Cities Regional Airport):



Close to the smokehouse above is this beautiful old school building on Centenary Rd.:





View from Dunlap Road:

[kamoshika]

On a cold and dreary day in early March I toured Yancey's Tavern, just outside Kingsport and one of the oldest buildings in Tennessee. It's owned by Rann Vaulx, an incredibly knowledgeable gentleman who shows it by appointment.

The historical marker nearby reads, "In 1779, James Hollis Sr. erected this house on Island Road, Tennessee's first wagon road, built in 1761. The Sullivan County Court met here from 1780 to 1792. John Yancey purchased the home in 1782, using it for Yancey's Tavern. By the 1840s, it was known as Shaver's Inn, a stage stop halfway between Deery Inn and Netherland Inn. From 1842 to 1866, John Shaver maintained Eden's Ridge Post Office here. In 1889, John Spahr purchased the house with 230 acres, and it became the residence for his farm."

Mr. Vaulx has done an excellent job of renovating the tavern and furnishing with many period reproduction pieces.







The barn on the property is part of the Quilt Trail.

[kamoshika]

April 23 visit to Church Hill's Laurel Run Park in Hawkins County...

Entrance to park:



Wildflowers on the drive into the park:



Wild columbine, one of my favorites:



Holston River:



View of surrounding countryside as you leave the park:

[kamoshika]

Flame azalea on Holston Mountain in Sullivan County:



View from Old Dug Road Trail on Holston Mountain:



Sunset from Holston Mountain:

[jabogitlu]

Kam, that last picture is why I live here.

[piperspal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Kam, that last picture is why I live here.

It is also why I can't wait to move there!

Thanks for taking the time to post all these wonderful pics. It helps me keep my eyes on the prize!

[TopshelfTom]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Kam, that last picture is why I live here.

Add me to the ever growing list of people who wants to live in TN because of that last picture! Man!!!