It’s Classic week. We fly over the high and muddied Tennessee River into McGhee Tyson Airport and head to the hotel in downtown Knoxville to cover 2019 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. First thing in a new town is to check things out. Follow the Daily Limit as a walkabout turned into a literal joyride.
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Wow, it’s hillier than imagined. Let’s go see Volunteer Landing, site of the launches. It can be seen to the right behind the building, Calhoun’s on the Water, in this shot from the Gay Street Bridge. Now how to get down there. It’s a busy downtown, with lots of roads and no straight lines.
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There are plenty of signs pointing out attractions, though. Getting down from the bridge to the landing requires one to walk through “Knoxville’s Famous Bike Arch,” which was created by artist Kelly Brown in 2012. Unique.
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We’re getting somewhere. Maybe. Keep walking.
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Here’s the marina. While it might be where some of the 52 competitors get some coffee and whatnot – maybe even some lures – each morning before blasting off, the actually place is farther up on the river. Not too far, but I’m starting to get leg weary. (I’d walked the other way into town for a while before getting the idea to see the venues).
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The path to it leads over a walking bridge where there’s a roar of water. Runoff pours out of a culvert, a likely place for fish to hang but most likely off limits for the Classic pros since it’s so close to takeoff.
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The history of Knoxville is incredible, and lengthy. This statue at the landing memorializes the Signing of the Treaty of the Holston, and it’s dated 1791.
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Looking for a potential client, Gina Kelly was driving her six-seat golf cart for Joyride Knoxville in front of Calhoun’s when this tiring scribe waved her down.
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Kelly, who drives visitors from place to place around downtown, served as savior and offered a nickel tour of Knoxville. She was Tennessee friendly, knowledgeable and even laughed at my dumb jokes. (Dang, she’s married). Kelly did in fact say Calhoun’s on the River is a famous place where boaters dock and eat with a scenic view. On Tennessee Volunteers football days, the docks are full and the place is mobbed.
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She first took me over to Volunteer Landing and waited as I climbed the two floors – high floors – to take this shot. The place will be able to accommodate thousands of fans for the blastoffs. A final rehearsal practice will take place there Wednesday then expect chaos on competition days, Friday through Sunday.
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Knoxville has hills, folks. Be prepared. And art. This mural back up Volunteer Landing Lane depicts one of the best natural anglers doing what he does.
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Kelly makes a point to drive by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and points out that this huge ball on top of the building has 96,000 dimples. That’s more than Jason Christie.
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Passing this man heading to the river, a shout out discovers he’s going to catch his dinner of crappie at that gushing culvert.
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This might be the focal point of the area, the Sunsphere. The structure is one of only two remaining from the 1982 World’s Fair. Up close it is way larger than when you first see it. And you can ride the elevator up it for free.
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The Sunsphere sits right alongside the Knoxville Convention Center, sight of this year’s Bassmaster Classic Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Plenty of good deals will go down in there. Come by the B.A.S.S. booth and watch the bigscreen of the guys doing Bassmaster LIVE.
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World’s Fair Exhibition Hall is right across Clinch Avenue, and it will also have Expo exhibits.
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Behind the Hall is World’s Fair Park, which is the site for Get Hooked On Fishing and Dock Dogs.
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The Exhibition Hall, combined with the Convention Center, give the Classic Expo 220,000 square of floor space. Be there and buy something – don’t forget to try to make a deal because vendors don’t want to take it all home.
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There’s an impressive veteran’s memorial at the end of the park. The 32 granite pylons bear the names of more than 6,200 veterans from east Tennessee counties who have died in service since World War I. Each are 9 feet high and contain around 220 names. It’s next to a flag park and a children’s playground.
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Up another hill, here’s a wonderful view of the grounds.
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The weigh-ins are a bit farther west – I don’t think I would have made it walking. This huge, impressive structure is Thompson-Boling Arena, the basketball arena for the University of Tennessee, and has concerts and other shows. It will host the Classic weigh-ins. It’s a monster arena, with seating for around 21,000. There’s a nearby parking deck for the arena, and while all B.A.S.S. venues are free, parking is $10 cash only.
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Across the street is a memorial for former Lady Vols Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt. She led the team to eight national championships and won more than 1,000 games. The court floor of the arena is known affectionately as The Summit.
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Up the street on the UT campus is what is known as The Rock. It gets painted every so often with various messages.
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Who has some blue, yellow and green paint for the B.A.S.S. logo? It would also look good with the Classic logo.
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Further on up the road is another famous Knoxville eatery, the Copper Cellar. The name is on a family of restaurants in the region. And all are good, Gina says.
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In Market Square, a popular spot with restaurants and shops, this man plays the violin for visitors. He came from Baghdad, Iran, and said his name was Abdul Kareem, though he had trouble spelling it.
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Abdul spoke little English but enjoyed playing for change. He appreciated the paper money and shook this reporter’s hand. Gina says street musicians are common in Knoxville, and she touted Bob, who plays the saw and is a hoot.
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Driving by a group of policeman, one hollers at us and we stop. He thought he recognized the author – he did not – and the conversation led to Drew Winstead, second from right, saying he thinks Kevin VanDam will win this Classic. “He’s going to go out on top,” adding he’s working and can’t attend but will watch online. “I’ve spent a lot of money on his squarebill shad.”
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Gina sent this photo, proving that I’m working. See boss.
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She also said you have to see the historic Tennessee Theater marquis at night. Classic signage hangs on the same block.
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More signs are going up for bass fishing’s biggest event, like in front of the convention center. We hope to run into Gina again – like when we need a lift from the Expo after LIVE to the weigh-ins. Those needing a ride can check out joyrideknoxville.com, and even book them. They will be out in full force for the Classic. Its handles are @Joyrideknoxville on Instagram and Twitter and Joyride Knoxville on Facebook. Thanks Gina. It was fun, a real joy riding with you. Oh, now I get the name.
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