22 Aug 2025 - Leisurely Day in Downtown Knoxville

 

This morning we headed downtown Knoxville and first visited the East Tennessee Veteran's Memorial, which is in Knoxville’s World’s Fair Park.  The Memorial has 32 granite pylons that bear the names of more than 6200 veterans from 35 East Tennessee counties who have died in military service since the beginning of World War I. 

We have visited Veteran's Memorials literally from coast to coast, and I continue to be inspired by them.  Each is unique and beautiful in their own way.  So much can be learned from our past. We must teach our children and grandchildren.  And we must not let history repeat itself.  Why is this so difficult to understand?  

  From the Veteran's Memorial we walked south through the World’s Fair Park, past the World's Fair Fountain and the Worlds Fair Exhibition Hall.  So somewhere along the line I missed the memo on the 1982 Worlds Fair.  I was 27 years old working full time for the Iowa Department of Public Safety Communications Division and on the road a lot building repeater sites, assisting with tower work and maintaining the radio system for the Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and other LE agencies.  I was also serving in the Iowa Air National Guard  as a member of the 132d Communications Flight.  My second child was born that year and I was running a television and radio repair business out of my basement and volunteering time at the fire station maintaining their electronics equipment.  Things were crazy back them!  

We were not sure what to expect with the Worlds Fair Exhibition Hall, but we found a door ajar and walked into the hallway.  The interior was set up to support a volleyball tournament, but I'm sure they host a variety of events. 

We continued down the World’s Fair Park to the Sunsphere which was built for the 1982 World’s Fair.  Its 4th Floor Observation Deck provides a stunning 360-degree view of downtown Knoxville

We found the main elevator but there were no instructions on what to do so I kept pushing buttons and the door finally opened.  We ended up on the third floor and it opened to a receptionist who took payment to continue to the observation deck.  Poorly communicated.  So we paid the fee and headed up to the deck.  The view was great although a bit hazy.  

There were many displays around the observation deck including what was popular in 1982.  I also did not remember that Cherry Coke was marketed then.  

I was disappointed there was not a restaurant at the top of the sphere.  So we headed back down and caught a glimpse of the Tennessee Amphitheater that we saw from the Sunsphere.  

We then walked up a few blocks to Market Square, a popular area in downtown Knoxville. On the way we strolled through Charles Krutch Park.  The park is named in honor of Charles Krutch, a painter known locally for his scenes of the Smoky Mountains.

We continued through the park and found ourselves in Knoxville's Market Square, which gets its name from the Market House that once stood in the center of the square. Farmers from Knoxville’s surrounding areas would bring their wagons into the Market House to sell their wares. 

The southern end of the square near Union Avenue, holds the bell from the old Market House and a statue commemorating Tennessee's role in the fight for women's suffrage. 

Both sides of the square are lined with shops and restaurants.  We arrived just as they were opening for lunch, so we found one with a solid air conditioner and cold beer LOL. Myrtles Chicken and Beer - it does not get any better!!

Myrtles was not busy, so we had our choice of seats.  The bartender was a very friendly young lady and curious about our RV adventures.  

Eagle Rare 10 with a dark ale.  Doreen had a Gatsby which included Tinkerman's citrus, agave, 

fresh raspberries, lemon juice and tonic.  

We headed back to the campground and spent the afternoon downloading and editing pictures.  We skipped lunch and opted for an early dinner at the Golden Girls restaurant just north of here.  Daughter Jennifer is a big Golden Girls fan so with thought it appropriate to eat there and maybe pick up a tee shirt.  

Golden Girls Restaurant, located in Clinton, TN, offers a unique dining experience that celebrates the beloved television series, "The Golden Girls."  Trip Advisor put it best when they said, "The place is well worn, but also feels well loved. You're not getting any bells and whistles or fancy stuff here, but you are getting good food at a good price."  LOL I had to laugh but they were spot on.  The chow was good.  Solid, down-home cookin' that mama would make. 

I had country fried steak with breakfast gravy and mashed potatoes. There was also a side of greens with vinegar, fried okra and corn bread.  If that ain't comfort food I don't know what is!!

Doreen had a grilled tenderloin with onion rings and marinated cucumbers and onions.  

Doreen found Jennifer a Golden Girls tee shirt and as I stepped up to the cash register to pay, it was obvious I was talking to "mom", and right behind us was part of the kitchen!  Old home at it's best!

Tomorrow we will do a small load of laundry, clean up a bit, dump tanks, stow hoses etc and make preparations to bug out early for a nearly 300 mile drive to Ft Jackson SC Sunday morning!  We are so excited to see Jennifer and her whole family, Dan, Michelle and ultimately PVT Lucas Buehner!! Hooah!