Knoxville Adventures: Football, RV Fails, and Foggy Morning Hikes

Our stop in Knoxville, Tennessee was one we’ll never forget—full of reunions, wild college football energy, history lessons, and one very unpleasant RV mishap.

We kicked things off by meeting up with a former co-worker of mine who had moved from Chicago to Maryville, TN. We decided to reconnect in downtown Knoxville, and as luck would have it, it was the night of the Tennessee vs. Alabama football game. Both teams were ranked, the city was electric, and the atmosphere was unlike anything we’d ever experienced. Watching Tennessee pull off the upset against Bama in a true college-town setting was unforgettable. The streets were filled with orange-clad fans celebrating like they had just won the Super Bowl, while Alabama fans stood around in stunned silence. The contrast was wild—and so much fun to witness.

Of course, not everything about this stop was fun. We also experienced our very first RV disaster, which we now jokingly (but not-so-lovingly) refer to as the “Poonaumi.” It was our initiation into the world of RV ownership—the dreaded black tank fiasco. Let’s just say we learned the hard way that if you hear a strange noise inside your RV, you don’t just sit there. You investigate immediately. Because if you don’t, you might find yourself standing in a puddle of what can only be described as toxic soup all over your floor. Cleaning it up was an absolute nightmare, but hey—we earned our stripes that day as RV owners and walked away with one valuable lesson: never ignore the strange noises.

Seeking a more serene experience, we visited Oak Ridge, a place steeped in fascinating history. Known as the “Secret City” during World War II, Oak Ridge was a critical site for the Manhattan Project, where uranium was enriched for the first atomic bomb. Touring the area and learning about the scientists, secrecy, and scope of the project gave us a whole new perspective on the weight of history hidden in small towns.

We also made time for nature, taking on a morning hike at Cove Lake State Park. The day was cool and foggy, the lake wrapped in mist as herons waded through the shallows looking for breakfast. It was serene and beautiful—one of those quiet moments that sticks with you. Indy, at 12.5 years old, was determined to prove she could still hike with us. She powered through 1.5 miles like a champ before finally giving in, and Patrick scooped her up to carry her the final half-mile. Watching her enjoy the trail despite her age was a sweet reminder of why we travel this way—to share moments like that with her.

A view from our hike in Cave Lake State Park

Our sweet Indy girl is enjoying a rest stop on our hike.

Knoxville gave us the perfect mix: the rush of college football, the humbling lesson of RV life, the weight of history at Oak Ridge, and the peaceful beauty of a foggy autumn morning by the lake. It wasn’t a stop we’ll soon forget.