Some of you native Tennesseans will remember long ago when the state slogan was "The three states of Tennessee." Remember the welcome signs bordering our state that actually pictured divisions of West, Middle and East? I assume the slogan was changed for appropriate reasons. Perhaps some decided that emphasizing three personalities of our state would only promote disunity. However, upon closer inspection, people will be pleased to discover the unique characteristics of each "region" if you will.
I love Tennessee. It's a great place to live and raise a family. Paris, Tennessee is a special, hometown holding an extra measure of small-town charm. West of the Tennessee River (the river that flows north) and east of the mighty Mississippi, you'll find the western section of the state that is obviously flatter than the middle and eastern sections. Growing up in the west, it was not uncommon to see cotton fields and numerous bar-b-que stands.
Nashville has provided a taste of what a metropolitan life has to offer. Concerts, shopping and entertainment options are dazzling, even in a city the size of Nashville. There are enough churches available that a dedicated "church-hopper" could visit a different church every week without repeating for years. The landscape is prominently characterized by rolling hills, common throughout Middle Tennessee. My family really loves living in Nashville (or, to be more exact, the small town of Goodlettsville - similar to Paris, yet a suburb of Nashville.)
But working with the very special Farragut church of Christ has introduced us to life in beautiful East Tennessee. I can honestly say that the mountain scenery is becoming more and more captivating and enjoyable. I was introduced to the mountains of East Tennessee as my Mom is from this part of the state. In the midst of all the mountain ranges, there are no shortages of rivers, lakes and parks. What a beautiful place! We have found a seemingly endless network of the best motorcycling roads in America, coupled with outstanding photo opportunities. And the most important aspect - the people are warm and friendly.
If you've never been to Tennessee, I hope you get a chance to visit someday. You'll quickly find why we are proud to call this our home.
In continuing my development in photography, I captured this time-lapse shot of Knoxville last week.
Knoxville, TN
