This morning, my friend Sharma, her husband Bob, and I took a trip around Knoxville. We went to Ijams Nature Center. The j is silent and not pronounced. They had a nature center building with various turtles and snakes. Then Sharma and I walked some of the nature trails through the park. It was really beautiful and quiet. Many of the trees were still budding out, other trees and bushes were flowering. 
One of the items in the gift shop that caught our attention were deers made from logs and twigs. I love taking pictures of trees straight up showing the sky and upper branches. There was also a paper owl that was used as a fundraiser and children added paper feathers to the owls body. 
After working up an appetite walking, we drove downtown and ate at Calhoun’s on the River. We sat outside on the patio and ate great bar b que sandwiches. We then went back to Sharma and Bob’s house and relaxed for a few minutes. Sharma and I then took a drive through parts of Knoxville and surrounding areas looking at some really beautiful neighborhoods and blooming trees. 
At this time of the year since many trees are in full bloom the local media puts out press releases showing the best routes to take to view the plants, flowers, and trees. They sure did get it right! We stopped along the way so I could take pictures of very impressive and unusual landscaping and houses. I posted a photo album with lots of photos of today’s explorations.
We had a great day and enjoyed having this time together.
