I'm Going Public!

Anyone even remotely familiar with East Tennessee was able to quickly identify my hometown as Knoxville even though I hadn't mentioned it by name.  I've been wanting to start adding some pictures to the blog and decided my trek to the farmer's market this morning would be a good way to introduce you to my community.  From May through early November, if Mr. B and I are in town, we combine our exercise for the day with a trip to the market.  Since he was in Chattanooga this morning, I decided to take you with me instead.   Let's go..............

This section of the greenway runs along our riverfront.   I began walking at 8:30 and though the gorgeous blue sky doesn't show it, let me tell you it was already HOT!   Directly in front of you is the University of Tennessee campus and what Mr. B refers to as the two largest worship centers in the city.  (That would be Neyland Stadium and Thompson-Boling Arena.  Now don't get me wrong - we both love our Tennessee Vols, but do agree that with respect to sports in our country, some priorities have gotten skewed, but that's certainly not for this blog.)

At the end of this stretch, the greenway goes under the street through a pedestrian tunnel and then you see this...................................                                               

 

 Although it appears you are in a lovely forest, in reality, the UT campus is on your immediate left and the downtown area is on your right.
 
Continuing along, the path starts up toward the Sunsphere which was the centerpiece of the 1982 World's Fair. 

This is the amphitheater used for concerts and other events during the World's Fair and the green space that was created after the fair was over utilizing the area where most of the World's Fair exhibits were located.   It is now a wonderful outdoor space that is loved and well used by the community.

Another ten minute walk through downtown and we arrive at Market Square, a place where the Saturday market has been a tradition for years, hence the name.  The market is larger than it appears in this picture and wasn't yet crowded since I arrived right at opening time.  In another hour, the crowd would have been oppressive and vendors would already be selling out of some things.  It's a wildly popular event and as much as I love going, I'm thankful it no longer is our only choice.  We now have a farmer's market option every day except Sunday and Monday.

After I make my purchases, we start back to complete the loop.  On the way, we pass  my church.

On Saturday morning, you find us at the Farmer's Market.  On Sunday morning, you find us in the choir loft inside this building.  We love our church and since it is on the route, I couldn't resist showing it to you.

This pedestrian walkway crosses the same road about 1/2 mile from the tunnel we used earlier.  After crossing, we'll go down three flights of stairs to river level and complete the loop.

This is at the end of the pedestrian walkway just before heading down the stairs.  Down on river level where you can see some people walking is near where I took the very first picture.  It is still about a mile back to my car from this spot.

I will turn left here and walk a short way up to my car, but the greenway continues straight ahead for another mile along the river and ends at a beautiful park.






At the Farmer's Market, I bought two kinds of lettuce, and this................................

Today's "I have no idea what this is" purchase was Mung Beans.  That is what is in the ziploc bag.   I was told by the grower to eat them straight from the bag, put them in salads, or saute in a little butter with some chopped sweet onion.  After I got home, I "googled" Mung Beans and found many other recipes along with some pretty impressive nutritional information.  I can vouch for the fact that they are good straight from the bag and on a salad.  I loved the little squashes and the four kinds of little tomatoes.   The dark ones are called Black Cherry tomatoes and that variety was also a new food item for me.  They are YUMMY!   I had a to-die-for salad with some of everything I bought.   It was soooooooooooooo good.   Should've taken a picture of it.  Shucks!! 

It has been a great day.   Mr. B is home from his conference in Chattanooga and we are looking forward to Sunday and a new week.  Hope you are.