All Around East Tennessee

On a beautiful, sunny carefree day at the beginning of summer, an email came to me asking if I'd like to participate in a blogging event to showcase our varied and fabulous 50 states. That sounded like fun to me so I quickly said yes. I was to receive a little mascot that would be showcased in photos around my lovely area.

Lots of bloggers took their mascot to fantastic places and got some exquisite shots. Me, not so much. Seems when the mascot got to my suburb, she decided she wanted to be like so many other Americans this year. She didn't want to paint the town red or gas up the car and go. Oh no. By the time she got to my house, she wanted that latest trend - the Staycation.

Down she plopped on the bookshelf next to all the fantastic books I've snagged in giveaways, out popped her reading glasses (don't let that little outfit fool you - the woman has the eyes of an 80 year old), and she would not budge. Except to slide another chick flick into the DVD or get some more chips and salsa.Oh well, everybody needs a little down time every now and again. Every a super hero. But, had I been able to budge her scantily attired carcass out of my house, I would have shown her a great time around the hills of Tennessee.

I really wanted to take her on a hike. It's our favorite thing to do. When you live next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, why wouldn't you hike? I had a guy I know, Ken, invite her to go. I figured a good looking guy might be able to persuade her.
Guess not.

So, we took off without her. Every season in east Tennessee has its beauty. In the summer, we are blessed with flame azaleas.
In the fall, our colors are legendary.
And the winter brings its own sparkle and shine.
The vistas are breathtaking.
We always like to make a water feature our destination.
And you should never discount walking up on some of our local inhabitants.
We have also walked up on a few bears in our time but we are smart enough not to stop to take a photo of those.

If the natural beauty isn't your cup of tea, you could head into Knoxville. Sure, Seattle has its Space Needle but we have our Sunsphere. We have never been quite sure what to do with it, but we still have it.
Fall color continues on the campus of the University of Tennessee where football reigns supreme.
"Oh, Debbie", I hear you saying. "I don't look good in orange." No one does. Just put it on and wear it. 100,000 other people will be walking around looking ridiculous in it too.

We could head back into the mountains and do some massive outlet shopping in Pigeon Forge. While we are there, we could pop into Dollywood and see if our favorite local girl who defines moxie is there - Ms. Dolly Parton herself.
Then we can head back home, grab another good book, and sit on the screen porch. It's the perfect place to unwind after any day. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
If you'd like to see more of Mona's travels, her full itinerary can be found at Better in Bulk, Mama's Losing It, Seven Clown Circus, Scary Mommy, and Mayhem and Moxie.