A weekend getaway can be an underrated treatment for all kinds of ailments, and my journey to Morristown definitely cured some of the mid-summer boredom and stagnation I was experiencing. About an hour’s drive from Maryville, Morristown had a surprising amount of experiences to offer.
I started my journey at Panther Creek State Park, a 1,444 acre nature reserve located only 15 minutes outside of the city’s center. The park itself was expansive, with camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding opportunities at your fingertips. I opted for a hike, taking the point lookout overlook route. The trail was in good condition and clearly marked while still being challenging enough to make me excited about the bench placed at the top where I could rest and catch my breath for the hike back. The view was well worth the exertion, with the water of the Cherokee Reservoir providing the perfect blue backdrop to the abundant green scenery.
On my way out of the park I stopped by the visitor’s center where I found many helpful resources. From maps of trails, streams, campgrounds, and activities, to seeds for native species that encourage guests to plant their own native plants, the visitor’s center promotes a more externally focused lifestyle that takes the outdoors into consideration. The park, while it wasn’t empty, was surprisingly quiet, telling me that the reserve is facing the same underconsumption as so many outdoor areas.
During the 15-minute trip into Morristown I passed alternating scenes of residential developments and strips of industrial companies, a stark contrast to the scenic state park. Once past the developments and into downtown Morristown, however, the “green” feeling returned. The main street was dripping in hanging planters of varying flower species, native blossoms attracting bees and other pollinators. Large green patches of grass could also be found throughout the city, something you don’t see much in Knoxville anymore.
Above Main Street was buzzing, too. Yes, that’s right– above. Morristown observes a unique model for their downtown infrastructure, with a second level of shops complete with a suspended sidewalk located upstairs and spanning the length of Main Street. This doubles the use value the city can attain from their land, but from the lack of open business on the second level it looks like they are still working to implement the model. Still, there was an antique store that I wandered around in before asking the shopkeeper for a lunch recommendation. Following his advice, I headed to Little Dutch Restaurant, a local Morristown favorite since 1939. The restaurant probably hadn’t changed much since then, but the food didn’t disappoint and I am always happy to support a local business when I can.
The juxtaposition of the concentric areas of Morristown– the state park, development, and downtown– puts into perspective how important what we do with our land is. It also shows us that there is not just one way to be green, or environmentally conscious. While most people’s minds would go to somewhere more like Panther Creek when they think about environmentally conscious land usage, Morristown’s main street is an example of another way to approach sustainable, or regenerative living. Sometimes the only way to find out what will suit your lifestyle is to get out there and try the options, and hopefully you come out the other side with a new perspective on what going towards the green might look like.
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