Eastern Tennessee

 Now that we have been living in eastern Tennessee for a little over a year we have barely explored this area.  There are so many things to do that, in a way, we don't know where to start.  In eastern Tennessee there is rugged mountains, rolling farmlands and wild river gorges but there is also family amusement parks, charming cities, nice resorts, parks and rivers.  Last but not least and my favorite a rich and colorful history to explore. Eastern Tennessee is divided into three regions: the Cumberland Plateau, the Tennessee Valley and the Unaka Mountains. The Cumberland Plateau is  located on the western edge of eastern Tennessee and is a rugged area made up of deep river gorges and dense hardwood forests.  The soil is infertile and the rugged land keeps the Plateau isolated and is the least populated in east Tennessee. It is a great place for outdoor activities.  The Tennessee Valley is located down the center of East Tennessee but it really isn't a valley geologically speaking.  It has rolling hills and ridges that divide the land into a series of valleys with the Tennessee river running down the center of it.  The major metropolitan area are located here and so are we.  The Unaka Mountains form Tennessee's eastern border,  It is part of the Appalachian chain and the Unakas are divided into three parts.  The upper Unakas to the north, the lower Unakas to the south and the Great Smoky Mountains in the middle.  There is also a huge amount of American history in this area from before the Revolutionary War time through the Civil War to current times.  So, as you can see, there is so much to do around this area and I am ready to explore this wonderful place where I live!