viking407rob

Yes, its trippy! It’s like being inside a xanax filled aquarium at a doctor’s office. It’s always cool to have a couple of drinks at Fox Sports Bar and take a trip or two through the tunnel. I’ll be there this Sunday (5/13) and will go through it even though my arrival and departure are both in the main terminal. If you are in DTW Airport, it’s worth the trip and you just might find something interesting on the other side.

Pal’s is a locally famous fast food chain. It is well known for it’s architecture and tasty foods. Pal’s has even been featured on the Food Network and other nationally televised programs. They are located throughout East Tennessee and SW Virginia. It is a local favorite and certainly worth trying if you are visiting the area.

Antique shops and historical buildings can be found throughout Downtown Kingsport. Broad Street has a big place in the history of Kingsport. Even though you can explore all of downtown area in a matter of a few hours, it’s still worth a visit.

Haven’t been down there much in recent years. The Underground was a blast when it was open. I guess it was replaced by newer and trendier clubs. (sigh) Sometimes it was more of a freak show, but still fun. Patrick Sullivan’s, which is one of my favorite places to dine in Knoxville, is located in the heart of the Old City. Be sure to check it out if you are a steak lover.

The Sunsphere looks cool in the skyline of downtown Knoxville. I have been to many great concerts and events at the World’s Fair Park. This is a great area to explore and is located near the campus of University of Tennessee. As an added bonus there are some great coffee houses, for all you java lovers, located near the World’s Fair Park.

The Fort was a very fun place while I was there. I lived in the area for about a year during my career as an on again/off again student. We shared a house that was within walking distance of campus and the strip. We could always walk down to O’Charleys or just hang out on our street. Weekends were always a blast! We’d fire up the grill and get a keg if we were really wanting to blow off some steam. I have many fond memories of those days. Oh well, back to adult life…

My grandfather served as a Marine during WWII and fought in this epic battle. He received various medals and awards for service and valor. Iwo Jima, perhaps the most famous battle in the history of the USMC, is a place any military buff would love to visit. The photographic image of the flag raising high atop Mt. Suribachi remains an icon of freedom and liberty to this day. Historical and military tour offerings will take you to Iwo, but are usually quite expensive. I’m sure private charters would be equally or more expensive. If anyone knows of a group or company that offers tours to Iwo (for less than an arm and a leg) please contact me through this site. I am determined to visit this place!

A nice beach for younger (i.e. college aged) people who want to party. It seemed fun when I was 21 or 22. Still not a bad beach depending on what time of the year you go.

I lived in OR for a few years. Its located about 20-30 miutes from Knoxville and within 20 minutes of Interstate 40. It’s not a very big place but there is a ton of history. The Museum of Science and Energy is pretty cool. OR has a mall and a Wal-Mart, of course. All the things you’d expect from a town this size. Football is big in Oak Ridge. They always have a top notch football program and are regular contenders for the state crown. A high school game in OR has all the excitement and competiveness of a college level game. Be sure to check out the steam plant and the lake area. Great destination for kayakers and canoers. Best advice: Never trust anyone who says you should take a ride to “the valley.” You might not come back…lol

I was there during peak season right after Christmas. It was crowded as hell. You could hardly walk without bumping into someone. For smokers, be sure to check out the Fox Sports Bar located in the main entrance, right off of Concourse A. It’s a relaxed environment to grab a beer and have a cigarette before heading to your gate. The shops are pretty cool but overpriced like most airports. The tunnel between the main concourse and concourses b/c is cool. Little touches like this do alot to make a crowded airport seem a bit more friendly. All in all, It’s a big, busy airport. Consider taking the shuttle if your connection is a good distance from where you arrive. But if you have time, consider walking around and exploring the place. You are sure to find some decent food and you might even meet some interesting people.