Six State Day

2025-03-30
PA, MD, WV, VA, NC, TN

Today I began my road trip. Sure, I'm still suffering minor ailments, but this year it seems like a new problem crops up before I resolve the previous one. I won't bore you (or worse yet, future me) with the details. Suffice it to say that I decided to press on regardless. There's no reason to believe it will be better tomorrow, so carpe diem.

It's a bit chilly at home as I was leaving, but I still decided on my favorite driving shorts. They really aren't good at 44 degrees F, but the car will be whatever temperature I need and (spoiler alert) by the time I hit VA it will be in the 70's. The car is packed up with no doubt more than enough stuff. It's time to set off at about 8:45 AM.

Cold and rainy. Perfect shorts weather.
Cold and rainy. Perfect shorts weather.
I put in the bed and camping gear. I hope the weather down south is warm enough to camp.
I put in the bed and camping gear. I hope the weather down south is warm enough to camp.

Today's destination is Knoxville. It's only about 9 hours away, which is surprising because Mammoth Cave Kentucky takes closer to 12. It's a pretty direct interstate run though, so I made decent time despite stopping somewhat frequently to stretch and move.

I'm going to interrupt this blog for a public service announcement. It's ok to not use your cruise control, but when you're going 80 in the left lane and come up to a truck doing 60 in the right lane, you do not need to slow down to 63 to pass them. Everyone involved will be happier if the pass is over quickly. I'm looking at you, red Volkswagen...

Knoxville was the site of the 1982 World's Fair. There are still some remnants to view in the park. The most striking is the Sunsphere. You can go up to the top for a view, but it is not open during the time I have in the city so we'll have to make due with pictures from the outside.

The Sunsphere. Because most suns aren't spheres?
The Sunsphere. Because most suns aren't spheres?
Don't look directly into the Sun...sphere.
Don't look directly into the Sun...sphere.

The park is pretty big, and had a nice water feature that appealed to me. There was also a theatre, a Maker's Faire (closed), and the convention center.

The bridge appealed to me. Engineers.
The bridge appealed to me. Engineers.

I had time to wander over to Market Street for dinner. This is a nice pedestrian street, plus the regular car street behind it, that contain a large number of shops, restaurants, hotels, and so forth. I think they are doing a good job making the city very livable. On the other hand, some of the sculpture seemed like the artist didn't show up so they grabbed the carpenter working on the restaurant and said "Quick, make a sculpture on your lunch break!"

Small section of Market Street, It's well done.
Small section of Market Street, It's well done.
Sculpture or building started by really lazy contractor? You be the judge.
Sculpture or building started by really lazy contractor? You be the judge.
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