Treaty of the Holston

The Treaty of the Holston was signed in 1791 by representatives of the United States and the Cherokee Nation. It ended the hostilities between the two nations, set boundaries, and allowed settlers to travel down the Tennessee River. In return for safe travel, the Cherokee nation received a one thousand dollar annuity and trade goods.

This monument by the point where First Creek empties into the Tennessee River is very close to the actual spot of the treaty signing. Here is the full view:

This speaks to the people of East Tennessee, as many native East Tennesseans today have a mixture of Scots-Irish and Cherokee ancestry.

The Wearing of the Green

Yes, it's St. Patrick's Day, a big old party day here in the US. I hear everyone is honorary Irish today. Even me.

So, not to be too tedious, but the biggest green thing I could think of in Knoxville is the Gay St Bridge. Does this make it officially a series?

And also, lots of beer drinkin' goes on today, including here on the lovely waterfront deck at Calhoun's. If this photo listed any more to port, all those chairs would be virtually sliding across the deck.

Slainte, y'all!

Arches and Branches

A forest of arches as seen through a tangle of branches.

River Flow

A warm, sunny afternoon is perfect for sitting, swinging, and watching the river flow. This is at Volunteer Landing under the Gay Street Bridge.

Forthright

This is a very forthright photo of one of the open rail cars of the Three Rivers Rambler, a restored steam locomotive that gives excursion trips from the waterfront at Volunteer Landing to the confluence of the Holston and French Broad Rivers where they join to form the Tennessee River. The trip is about 11 miles up and down the countryside and rivers and lasts ninety minutes. It's been years since I've taken the trip, but I can recommend it highly for some very beautiful East Tennessee scenery.

Big Wheel

The Star of Knoxville paddlewheel riverboat cruises down the Tennessee River on a misty autumn morning. It's time for the fall colors sightseeing cruise, and once the mist burns off, you may actually see some color.

We Really Mean It

This little sign along Neyland Drive by the stadium still has me laughing. I guess there must be some football fans who think the parking rules are suspended during the game.

It's an away game today at Auburn University, and Virginia at Birmingham Daily Photo can dodge the traffic while I'm running errands unfettered by game day. (and happy 100th post, V, you absolutely rock!)

In the Navy

In the Navy, you can sail the seven seas. Or so the Village People proclaimed in their 1970s hit song. But in the Vol Navy, you can sail right up the Tennessee River and dock near the stadium.

The flotilla of orange and white rests peacefully at anchor in the early morning before the game, framed by the arch of the Henley Street bridge. 

And so as not to deprive you of all that orange-and-whiteness, here's a close-up of some UT football fans and their boats:
I'm telling you, this stuff just boggles my mind.

Addendum: a gracious thank you to Leedra, who gave me a blog award. I'd pass it on to five other blogs that I enjoy, except that there are many more than five!

Volunteer Autumn

You know autumn is on the way in my town by observing what's blooming in the decorative planters along Volunteer Landing on the waterfront. Orange and white are the primary fall colors in Knoxville, and mums take center stage.
This photo was inspired by Marley at Cheltenham Daily Photo, who has done some fantastic work with floral photographs.

Dreadful Indignities

Knoxville had its share of tragedy yesterday when a gunman opened fire during a children's play at the Unitarian church, killing two adults, and wounding seven more adults. You can read about it here if you wish. I am not a member of that congregation, though I have been to their sanctuary on many occasions to hear and enjoy concerts. My heart goes out to the congregation.

I had planned to post these photos of one of the historical markers along Volunteer Landing at the waterfront, and decided to keep to the plan. These large marble rocks have historical quotes carved onto them that give you a sense of Knoxville's frontier history. Below is the quote I chose for today, which is now a double-edged sword. The devil may well reside in Knoxville, but the people here are resilient in times of crisis and can handle the old coot. 
" In the infant town of Knox the houses are irregular and interspersed. It was county court day when I came. I saw jesting, singing, swearing, women yelling from doorways ... whiskey and peach brandy were cheap. The town was confused with a promiscuous throng of every denomination -- blanket-clad Indians, leather-shirted woodsmen, gamblers, hard-eyed and vigilant. I stood aghast. My soul shrank back to hear the horrid oaths and dreadful indignities offered to the supreme governor of the universe. There was what I never did see before on Sunday, dancing, singing, and playing of cards.

It was said by a gentleman of the neighborhood that the devil is grown so old that it renders him incapable of  traveling and that he has taken up in Knoxville and there hopes to spend the remaining part of his days ... as he believes he is among friends."

 -- traveller James Weir, 1798

Henley's Arch

When I'm walking under the great concrete arches of the Henley Street Bridge on the waterfront, I often feel like I'm in an abandoned cathedral where only the pigeons and graffiti artists worship.

Framework

It's a busy day for me today, so I'm giving you a shot from my recent archives. Here's a railroad bridge framed by another railroad bridge framed by the Henley Street Bridge over the Tennessee River. The railroad bridge farthest away dates back to the 1800s. I took this shot in May of this year.

Groundhog Day

I was wandering around the waterfront and spied this groundhog peeking out of a hole in a retaining wall. Not being a total fool, I used my optical zoom lens to capture the moment, as the groundhog didn't seem to appreciate the pleasure of my company. 

Great Blue

This great blue heron was kind enough to hold still long enough for me to focus and shoot. These birds are quite abundant in East Tennessee waterways and can often be spotted along the riverbanks. I also like the way the water looks. (kind of like the Stargate - come on, sci-fi fans, don't make me do this alone).

Redbuds Are Blooming

And the dogwoods aren't far behind. These are some redbud trees budding out on the waterfront. Hooray for spring!

River Town

When I first found the Daily City Photo Blogs, I enjoyed visiting them so much, that I thought maybe someday I would start a photoblog too. Well, I finally realized that I might wait forever for "someday" to arrive, so I gave myself a deadline. That happens to be today, on my birthday. No foolin'.

This is the Tennessee River, looking southwest with the Henley Street Bridge in the background. Downtown Knoxville is sitting quite prettily on the north bank just out of range of this shot.