When I hit Nashville Friday the thought hit me kind of hard, kind of like the smack upside the head that parents will sometimes give to a kid. As I was talking to the Queen about my morning drive in I started blabbering on about appreciating the present.
There was a lot about Nashville that I loved, that has not been replicated in the city I reside in presently. The biggest of course, friends. Those friends didn’t just appear the moment I moved there, it was over the course of time that I gathered them up and enjoyed them. Then there is Radnor Lake.
For those who either live in Nashville or will happen to visit the city at some point, it is a must to go there. It took me years to find the place and until I finally found it I swore that people were making it up. In the middle of the city, full of crazy drivers, crime and anything else you would like to tag as big city living, is a magical place full of trails, animals and very friendly people.
Normally, we don’t say hi or acknowledge people but once you hit the entrance of Radnor, something changes. Everyone says hi, good morning or cute dog (thanks Shadow for hanging with me Saturday, even though you were quite tired after our little walk!). The place is basically shaded throughout my little walking path, which makes even really hot days bearable.
I always knew I was lucky to have the friends that I have, the parks that I explored but I missed out on some great events only because it took away from my routine. It is one of those bad habits that I have and try as I may, still find myself falling into it.
I found a really cool place near the VW plant that is a nature center/walking path but have yet to try it. I always enjoyed the river walk leading into downtown but with minimal shading, that has convinced me to skip that route. And while I have been good about not going out to eat often, I really do miss my weekend morning brunch. That was something I always did in Nashville, with a friend or not, I went as a way to get out and enjoy my neighborhood.
Maybe it is normal not to appreciate what you have until it is gone but that thought frustrates me. I should want to get out more, enjoy some of the things that Chattanooga has to offer. I have managed to go to Rock City a couple of times and while you might scratch your head at that one, I have to say, I love me some Rock City. It’s the gnomes.
I even have a river and a whitewater center jut down the road to go and explore. So I am going to have to challenge myself. To find an equivalent of what I loved in Nashville here in Chattanooga. I may just have to bug Bird about hitting up some hiking trails. . .
Stumbling Through Life 