I have an Internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory This Summer (Knoxville: house, rental)

[peznex]

Hello, I am from South Texas. I found this forum while Googling. I am a Senior Mechanical Engineering major. I have an internship this summer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
This is my project: [url=http://tinyurl.com/ywpeq5]
There are twenty total project teams for Oak Ridge, so 40 total students. I do not know anyone around the area. I will get there the June 1st weekend and stay for ten weeks.
Maybe someone else doing the internship will see this thread?

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by peznex

Hello, I am from South Texas. I found this forum while Googling. I am a Senior Mechanical Engineering major. I have an internship this summer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
This is my project: [url=http://tinyurl.com/ywpeq5]
There are twenty total project teams for Oak Ridge, so 40 total students. I do not know anyone around the area. I will get there the June 1st weekend and stay for ten weeks.
Maybe someone else doing the internship will see this thread?

You will be here for our Secret City Festival! Have you been to Oak Ridge, before? Do you need to know anything about the area before you arrive?

[peznex]

Originally Posted by LauraC

You will be here for our Secret City Festival! Have you been to Oak Ridge, before? Do you need to know anything about the area before you arrive?

I assume you live in Oak Ridge?
I have never been to Tennessee. The most northeast I have been is Atlanta.
I just went to secretcityfestival.com and checked it out. It looks like alot of events take place there from looking at the events schedule.
The program assigns us an apartment to stay, all bills paid and everything, so I don't need to worry about that. Anything else interesting you think I should know would be greatly appreciated...places to eat, tour, parks, lakes, etc? I don't really know what to ask but I am very excited

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by peznex

I assume you live in Oak Ridge?
I have never been to Tennessee. The most northeast I have been is Atlanta.
I just went to secretcityfestival.com and checked it out. It looks like alot of events take place there from looking at the events schedule.
The program assigns us an apartment to stay, all bills paid and everything, so I don't need to worry about that. Anything else interesting you think I should know would be greatly appreciated...places to eat, tour, parks, lakes, etc? I don't really know what to ask but I am very excited

Okay, I'm old so things that would excite a 20 something year old I'm not up on but I can tell you some things and then ask on the Knoxville forum about things to do in that adjacent city that might be appealing to someone your age.

First, definitely buy the Oak Ridger (daily newspaper) on Thursdays. They have a Thursday supplement called Intermission with upcoming events in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Clinton, Norris and the surrounding area. Articles usually have contact numbers if you need more info. Also on Thursday, pick up the Oak Ridge Observer (our weekly newspaper) for more events info. You should really like our newspapers. They do a lot of stories on what's happening at ORNL (research, administration, issues) so don't just pick up the Oak Ridger on Thursday, just know Thursdays paper is the one with the Intermission supplement.

Second, stop at the Visitor's Center as soon as you get into town to pick up brochures on the parks and touristy places in the area.

Okay, your possible daily stuff/needs:

The two big supermarkets in Oak Ridge are Krogers and Food City. We pay a sales tax on groceries.

We have a Wal-Mart, a K-Mart, a Sears, a JC Penneys, Staples, a Starbucks, a Belks, a movie theater, bowling, a National Fitness Center, Blockbuster, Books-A-Million, Verizon Wireless, CVS, Walgreens and a few other stores you might be familiar with from Texas, right in town. We have Taco Bell, MacDonalds, Burger King, Red Lobster, Outback, Pannera Bread, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Applebees, Baskin Robbins, Ruby Tuesday, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Waffle House, We have a new restaurant opening that I think is also a national chain called JR Crickets. I'm not familiar with it. I'm mentioning these eating places only because they are right in town, because you are probably already familiar with them in Texas and they have take-out which is always a plus when you are working or going to school.

To go to a mall, you have to go to Knoxville. Turkey Creek is closest, I think.

If you attend Sunday services, you won't lack for a place to worship no matter what your religion is.

Big Ed's Pizza is a dive/hang out but in a good way. You can take pizza out there, too, which is what I usually do. Gondolier's may be a chain for Italian food and you can get take out there as well. May I suggest you definitely have cake, there, eat in or take out. It's better than any other cake in town, in my opinion. They also have good cheese steak subs. The Soup Kitchen is pretty cheap for lunch. They rotate soups on different days. The only place for bagels is Hot Bagel Company in the Food City shopping center (Manhattan Place). I have to say I haven't tried any other restaurants in town but Ryans, Harvest Buffet and Super China Buffet are buffets. I think your co-workers will probably steer you to decent one-of-a-kind places to eat.

If you arrive and don't have Internet right away, the library lets you have 2 hours a day on their computers as long as you get a library card. In the Civic Center is an indoor pool.

There are also tennis courts and golf courses.

During the Secret City Festival, you can take free bus tours to facilities inside the city. So, you will be working at ORNL but during the festival, you can tour Y-12 and other spots of interest. The WW-2 re-enactment is fun.

If you fish, you can get a license in town at Wal-Mart. There is a public dock on Edgmoor but you can also go fishing in Norris, Clinton or at Watts Bar Lake, nearby.

We have a science museum (AMSE). If you want to find out about the history of Oak Ridge, it's a great place to start.

If you like to run/walk, we have greenways and blueways. You can read about them here. There are maps:

Greenways Oak Ridge

Lock everything - cars, home. Don't even think of driving while intoxicated. Besides possibly killing someone or plowing into a river/lake, the whole town (including your boss) will know you were stopped as your name and address will go in the newspaper.

Some places to visit in next post.

[Eat]

If you are driving, Oak Ridge traffic enforcement is a wee bit overzealous, in my opinion. Don't worry about being picked upon because you are from out of town, they hand out equal opportunity tickets to everyone.

[LauraC]

1) Scenic Trip to Norris Dam/Museum of Appalachia:

Follow TN 95N. It turns into TN 61E. After about 10.5 miles on TN 61E, make a LEFT to get on I-75N. Get off I-75N at US441, Exit 128. Make a left at the end of the exit ramp. That is 441. Follow US441 all the way. You will eventually pass Norris Dam State Park entrance on your left and if you keep heading past that entrance to Norris Dam State Park, you will pass a high up Visitor overlook (bring camera) for the dam on your right. As you get lower in elevation on US441, you will reach the marina below the dam on your left. Stop there for more photo ops. Make a left out of the marina and go over the dam. Immediately on the other side you will see another entrance to the State Park on your left and another dam overlook on your right. Stop and take photos on both sides. A little further on, on 441, you will see Lenoir Museum, Grist Mill and Thresher Barn on your left and Weir Dam (a low dam) on your right. If you pull into the Weir Dam parking lot (Saturday morning is good for this), you will see fishermen and the occasional blue heron and other waterfowl. Keep going on 441 and look for a yellow sign on your right for the Museum of Appalachia on your right (a cutoff on a small road). You'll be at TN61 at the end of the cutoff road. Make a right onto TN61. The entrance to the Museum of Appalachia will be on your right. To get back to Oak Ridge make a right out of the Museum onto 61 and 61 will eventually turn into the Oak Ridge Turnpike (95) so you don't have to go back the way you came.

Note: Norris is only 2 towns away from Oak Ridge.

2. Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Illinois Ave turns into Pellissippi (62) and Pellissippi turns into 1-140E. Stay on it. Pass over I-40. Get off at Exit 11-A (Alcoa - you'll see Great Smoky Mountain signs ) on I-140 and merge onto US-129. You'll pass the regional airport on your right (good to know). When the road splits, stay to your left. Follow that road (321N) through Maryville and Townsend all the way into the park. In the park, you'll see signs to go right to go to Cades Cove and left for the rest of the park. For best photos, arrive at Cades Cove when the sun is just coming up. To come home, go straight out of the park and stay on the right ALL THE WAY (no turns) until you see the highway sign on your right that says Oak Ridge right after the sign that says Knoxville. That will put you back on I-140/Pellissippi/Illinois.

3. Fall Creek Falls State Park

This is a bit of a drive (about 2 hours) but worth it. Go early Sunday morning for optimal driving experience. You can see the thread with photos and the link to the driving directions and another link to the park map in that thread.

If you want to know what's happening in East Tennessee (like fairs and festivals) while you are here, go here and use the calendar feature:

Tennessee Vacation - The State's Official Travel Planning Website

[peznex]

First, definitely buy the Oak Ridger (daily newspaper) on Thursdays. They have a Thursday supplement called Intermission with upcoming events in Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Clinton, Norris and the surrounding area. Articles usually have contact numbers if you need more info. Also on Thursday, pick up the Oak Ridge Observer (our weekly newspaper) for more events info. You should really like our newspapers. They do a lot of stories on what's happening at ORNL (research, administration, issues) so don't just pick up the Oak Ridger on Thursday, just know Thursdays paper is the one with the Intermission supplement.

I would have never thought of that. That is a great idea.

The two big supermarkets in Oak Ridge are Krogers and Food City. We pay a sales tax on groceries.

That is very good to know. I make my meals at home 90% of the time.

We have a Wal-Mart, a K-Mart, a Sears, a JC Penneys, Staples, a Starbucks, a Belks, a movie theater, bowling, a National Fitness Center, Blockbuster, Books-A-Million, Verizon Wireless, CVS, Walgreens and a few other stores you might be familiar with from Texas, right in town. We have Taco Bell, MacDonalds, Burger King, Red Lobster, Outback, Pannera Bread, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Applebees, Baskin Robbins, Ruby Tuesday, Papa Johns, Pizza Hut, Waffle House, We have a new restaurant opening that I think is also a national chain called JR Crickets. I'm not familiar with it. I'm mentioning these eating places only because they are right in town, because you are probably already familiar with them in Texas and they have take-out which is always a plus when you are working or going to school.

Yes, I am familiar with most of those so that's good. Do you happen to know how much that National Fitness Center is? I go to the Gold's Gym here but the only one in TN is in Jackson.

To go to a mall, you have to go to Knoxville. Turkey Creek is closest, I think.

I just checked out the website and it seems like a pretty nice place.

If you attend Sunday services, you won't lack for a place to worship no matter what your religion is.

I do go to church on Sunday so that is good to know.

Big Ed's Pizza is a dive/hang out but in a good way. You can take pizza out there, too, which is what I usually do. Gondolier's may be a chain for Italian food and you can get take out there as well. May I suggest you definitely have cake, there, eat in or take out. It's better than any other cake in town, in my opinion. They also have good cheese steak subs. The Soup Kitchen is pretty cheap for lunch. They rotate soups on different days. The only place for bagels is Hot Bagel Company in the Food City shopping center (Manhattan Place). I have to say I haven't tried any other restaurants in town but Ryans, Harvest Buffet and Super China Buffet are buffets. I think your co-workers will probably steer you to decent one-of-a-kind places to eat.

Pizza is my favorite and I like Italian food alot. I have never heard of Gondolier's so I will have to check that out. Soup is always good, too.

If you arrive and don't have Internet right away, the library lets you have 2 hours a day on their computers as long as you get a library card. In the Civic Center is an indoor pool.

Indoor pool is cool, and so is free Internet.

There are also tennis courts and golf courses.

I used to play golf and tennis a few years ago. I miss golf more. It's relaxing.

During the Secret City Festival, you can take free bus tours to facilities inside the city. So, you will be working at ORNL but during the festival, you can tour Y-12 and other spots of interest. The WW-2 re-enactment is fun.

Anything that is free is always good. I never knew that Oak Ridge had so much history. It's very interesting.

We have a science museum (AMSE). If you want to find out about the history of Oak Ridge, it's a great place to start.

I saw its website and it definitely will be something I go see. It seems that Oak Ridge is a very environmentally friendly city. I am hoping to have a career in solar power so that is great.

If you like to run/walk, we have greenways and blueways. You can read about them here. There are maps:

Greenways Oak Ridge

That seems like a good place to take pictures, too.

Lock everything - cars, home. Don't even think of driving while intoxicated. Besides possibly killing someone or plowing into a river/lake, the whole town (including your boss) will know you were stopped as your name and address will go in the newspaper.

Well, I don't have to worry about that. I don't even drink...never have.

Thank you so much for all the info. It makes me fell more comfortable that I know all of that stuff now. I found this website grides.com that has jet-ski and wakeboard rentals on the lake. I love wakeboarding.

That tnvacation.com directed me to the visitor's website which is very fascinating and where I learned about all the history. Thank you again!

[peznex]

Originally Posted by Eat

If you are driving, Oak Ridge traffic enforcement is a wee bit overzealous, in my opinion. Don't worry about being picked upon because you are from out of town, they hand out equal opportunity tickets to everyone.

Thanks for the heads up. I will be taking my car. 1200 mile trip! I do enjoy driving.

[LauraC]

That is very good to know. I make my meals at home 90% of the time.

Both Krogers and Food City have store cards (for a discount). Get them at the customer service counters.

Do you happen to know how much that National Fitness Center is? I go to the Gold's Gym here but the only one in TN is in Jackson.

I don't know anything about the National Fitness Center but it's located behind Gondolier's (that restaurant with the good cake) strip mall which is across the street from Roane State Community College on Briarcliff.


Pizza is my favorite and I like Italian food alot. I have never heard of Gondolier's so I will have to check that out. Soup is always good, too.

Big Ed's has better pizza, in my opinion, but that's all Big Ed's sells.

Indoor pool is cool, and so is free Internet. I used to play golf and tennis a few years ago. I miss golf more. It's relaxing.

Here is a good recreation link for you: www.orrecparks.org

Anything that is free is always good. I never knew that Oak Ridge had so much history. It's very interesting.

Oak Ridge is a science kind of town, in my opinion. Many people who worked in the lab during the Manhattan Project period, still live here. Science is a very important aspect of the schools. When you read our newspapers, you will see that our town's kids are involved in all kinds of science related competition. The Museum brings in assorted science-related programs. ORNL plays a big role in the community, too. I'm retired (not from here) and I was able to take a class for retirees on ORNL Homeland Security Research which was a series of lectures by different people at the lab, or affiliated with it, on different topics related to what they are working on. The thing is that many people seem to stay in the area after they retire from ORNL so you have the ORNL current workforce and the former ORNL employees here.

We will be having cardboard boat races at the lake next month. That should interest an engineer.

I saw its website and it definitely will be something I go see. It seems that Oak Ridge is a very environmentally friendly city. I am hoping to have a career in solar power so that is great.

You may be very interested in this City-Data thread about an ORNL project:

New Environmental Test Community




[/quote]

[peznex]

Originally Posted by LauraC

Here is a good recreation link for you: www.orrecparks.org

Oak Ridge is a science kind of town, in my opinion. Many people who worked in the lab during the Manhattan Project period, still live here. Science is a very important aspect of the schools. When you read our newspapers, you will see that our town's kids are involved in all kinds of science related competition. The Museum brings in assorted science-related programs. ORNL plays a big role in the community, too. I'm retired (not from here) and I was able to take a class for retirees on ORNL Homeland Security Research which was a series of lectures by different people at the lab, or affiliated with it, on different topics related to what they are working on. The thing is that many people seem to stay in the area after they retire from ORNL so you have the ORNL current workforce and the former ORNL employees here.

We will be having cardboard boat races at the lake next month. That should interest an engineer.

You may be very interested in this City-Data thread about an ORNL project:

New Environmental Test Community

I see from that link that the indoor pool is only $3. That's a great deal.

I bet some of those people have good stories from the Manhattan project era. I wonder if they still can't talk about some top secret things.

Cardboard boat races? I wish I could see that. We help the local high school kids have concrete boat races, but I have never heard of cardboard boat races.

I wish that the energy efficient development from the other thread could be completed sooner than 20-25 years. That is a long time.
Even through the Oak Ridge project, during my internship, about molten salt seems to be more nuclear oriented, I hope a company uses the results to improve storing the heat generated from solar power.
Here is what I mean: http://tinyurl.com/3bppuh
This is also pretty interesting about a building that produces MORE energy than it uses: http://tinyurl.com/2tenwb