Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021 - 41

PAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY

VISIT KNOXVILLE

ABOVE: Climb, hike and learn about wildlife at Ijams Nature
Center.

outdoor rock-climbing area and paddle
the waterways. Learn about native animal
species from the 40 non-releasable
animals who now call the center home;
and stop by the visitor center to speak
with knowledgeable and helpful staff.
ijams.org

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum
One of the finest inventions of humanity
was created by this grandson of a
Cherokee Chief-a written language. Stop
by this museum on Tellico Lake and learn

ABOVE: Hike the Shining Rock Wilderness Loop for vistas and wildflowers.

how an insatiable curiosity about the
" talking leaves " of the Europeans inspired
Sequoyah to distill his native language
to a system of 85 symbols or letters. The
results of his accomplishment, singular
on a global scale, were widespread literacy
and the first bilingual newspaper in the
country. sequoyahmuseum.org

)) North Carolina
Shining Rock Wilderness
Explore this unique geological area called

long sweeping curves of this 41-mile " development-free " highway
in spring to see the Unicoi Mountains awash with bloodroot, trillium, fire pink, redbud and dogwood blossoms.
)) Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park, Elizabethton. Visit the oldest standing frame house in the state; hike the trails; and watch for
wildlife at this popular location.
)) Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, Chattanooga. Choose
from a host of train rides through east Tennessee to view historic
sites, mountain scenery and gorgeous gorges, or hop onboard for
holiday themed travel.
)) Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, Petros. Tour over 30 stations in this historic prison to learn what life was like on the inside.
)) Appalachian Caverns, Blountville. Visit caves known to host
other civilizations dating back 1,300 years, likely chosen for its ideal
flowing water and exceptional ventilation.
)) Ely's Mill, Gatlinburg. For a glimpse into mountain history, visit
one of the last remaining legacies of " old Gatlinburg. "
)) Science at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains
NP. Attend this monthly series on the latest Smokies-related research on a variety of nature topics, followed by a guided walk led
by the scientist.
)) Watauga Lake and the Butler Museum, Johnson County. Spend
the day at this sparsely visited slice of heaven with 104 miles of

the Pisgah Ledge; an extension of the Blue
Ridge Mountains. Encompassing over
18,000 acres, this is the largest Wilderness
area in the state and contains three peaks
soaring to over 6,000 feet. The foundation
is comprised of complex folds of mica
gneiss and schist dating back to the
Precambrian era (4.6 billion years ago).
" Crystalline cliffs " now stand amongst
the deep greens of coniferous forests-
earning this location the name " crown
jewel of the Appalachians. " fs.usda.gov/
recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48260

shoreline; then stop by the museum to learn why the town of Old
Butler is at the bottom of the lake.
)) Fishing the Sevier County rivers. Grab your gear and fish some
of the best smallmouth bass streams in the world; and drive into
the Smoky Mountains for pristine rainbow, brook and brown trout
fishing.
)) Museum of Appalachia, Norris. Stop by this living history pioneer mountain farm village that celebrates Southern Appalachian
lives via artifacts, period buildings and festivals.
)) Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend. Celebrate
the living history of the park with a tour of 13 furnished historic
buildings, old transportation, Native American exhibits and mountain culture.
)) Benton MacKaye Trail - Section 13 - John Muir Trail, Polk
County. Hike along the Hiwassee River's shoreline, and enjoy the
up-close and personal experience with these rushing waters.
)) Albright Grove Loop Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP. Discover this well-kept secret destination of rare, old-growth virgin
cove hardwood forests with a yellow poplar stand thought to be
the oldest living things in the eastern U.S.
)) American Museum of Science & Energy, Oak Ridge. Visit the
" Secret City " of Oak Ridge, and learn the region's role in engineering and technology from World War II to the present.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021

Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Blue Ridge Country January/February 2021