10th and Final Leg!...Eastern Tennessee (it all blends)
My last 3 days of my near month long trip, in which I met up with 4 Texas friends, traveled with my boyfriend for a third of this time to my most anticipated and respected spots...all while meeting countless wonderful people who live in the Deep South (and Arkansas!),...and traveling through over 20 cities, and somewhere over 3,200 miles (damn you odometer accidentaly reset!)...this whole trip finally came to a close in Eastern Tennesee.
I left Nashville and went "waterfall chasing" (#itsathing) off I-40. I know me some waterfalls from my neck of the woods in North Carolina and Virginia, but let me assure you...we've got nothing on Eastern Tennessee's waterfalls. Wear your good shoes, step carefully or stay away from the edge...and go find some of these. Fun fact: Tennessee has over 500 waterfalls, the vast majority of which are located in the eastern portion of the state, along the Cumberland Plateau or in the Appalachian Mountains. So DO go chasin waterfalls...
Last stop, a cute little downtown Airbnb in Johnson City, Tennessee (this is where my something-cousin-something removed lives!). I rented a bike (FINALLY...to get on on a bike after all these weeks!!) and rode the 20 mile rails to trail from Johnson City to Elizabeton on the "Tweetsie Trail". There's a whole Hollywood connection about this old train that makes for a good story you slowly read on the history sticks as you bike the gravel trail. Best I can remember, they made a movie about the train line, sometimes called "the railway with a heart" and punched your tickets with a heart. Adorbs. But seriously, it goes through a state park, ends in a whole other mountain town, where among other cool sites like the oldest bridge in Tennessee, I also saw a Mondrian painted canoe! Not sure which ranks as more exciting.
The following day I hiked about 2 miles in Buffalo Mountain Park, really pretty, but...solo hike...sooooo...bear aware, tick aware, I bailed out pretty quick. There were 4 older gentlemen that offered to hike with me, but with their walking sticks and their age, I was a bit embarrassed to crash their "fit bit" party. After that, I headed on a suggestion from my dad to Jonesborough, Tennessee, which is the oldest town in the state. And man, are they playing that angle up for tourism! History sticks were everywhere...first abolitionist publication here! Oldest hotel here! Looking glass maker here! (that's old timey speak for a mirror)...Andrew Jackson did something awful here! Andrew Johnson pissed off someone here! It was pretty cool to read all these. I toasted the end of my trip with some bubbles at the Main Street Cafe and want to remember to give them a big 5 stars on Yelp because of the fact they have a cream cheese and olive sandwich on their menu as a "California Club". Childhood memories abound!
I ended my #notaplaneadventure safely back in Raleigh on July 8th. I saw so much, learned so much, enjoyed so much. Doing a road trip to ALL parts of America...this is something I highly recommend for everyone to try and find the time to do.
To see all my photos from the waterfalls, to the town of Eastern Tennessee where I spent the last 3 days of my #notaplaneadventure click here!
Below: Me, reflecting on the fact that I'm fortunate I have a side job that paid for my travel budget and that teachers get summers off! Sights from on top of waterfalls. And the final meal in the historic town of Jonesbourough, Tennessee. Cheers!