Jaunts & Journeys of a Visionary Voyager: Clarksville, Tennesse

And so, we've arrived! Originally Florida natives, my fiance has just transplanted us to a small town in Northern Tennessee called Clarksville. We are located just four exits before the Kentucky line (which will make for an easy trip for things-to-do-and-see in the "unbridled spirit" state). If you're curious as to the exact location within this fine state, we can be found, approximately, where the red dot is present in the picture below.

Before trekking here, I had to do my research; a state I had never stepped foot in before, and a town I've never heard of, I was anxious to see what we'd come to call home. Twelve hours away from where we had begun to build a life, Tennessee is a state that boasts a beautiful countryside and mountain ranges; this scene is a far cry from our flat lands and blue-green oceans in Florida. This is what I've discovered, most interestingly, about Clarksville:

Located forty five miles northwest of central Nashville, Clarksville dates back to as early as 1714 when French settlers began inhabiting the land that we now know, in present day, as Nashville. In 1785, after a survey of the Cumberland and Red Rivers in conjunction with land purchases from native Indian tribes, Clarksville became Tennessee's first incorporated city and was named for General George Rogers Clark. General Clark was a renowned Revolutionary War hero, a "Frontier Fighter" in his time, and was also the brother of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Clarksville was founded on the Cumberland River which allowed the city a commercial lifeline. Flowing downstream over forty miles, Flat Boats and Steamboats of the early 1820s ran a trade of cotton, tobacco, oats, and soybeans through Nashville, up and down the Ohio River, and into the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Due to high demand from a European market, Clarksville became the largest market in the world for growing and distributing dark-fired tobacco, primarily used in smokeless products; this is perhaps the greatest trade achievement in the area.

Fort Campbell Military Reservation, home of the 101st Airborne Division, is located in the northwestern portion of Clarksville and spills over the Kentucky line. Although the majority of its area lies in Montgomery and Stewart counties in Tennessee, the post office for the Reservation is positioned on the Kentucky side, and so is considered a Kentucky base. Boasting over fourteen thousand people at the turn of the century, Fort Campbell is a prime reason that the economy is stable in this area. Austin Peay State University is right behind it, sustaining a college atmosphere in a quaint downtown area closest to the riverfront. Small dives, mom-and-pop eateries, and many family owned businesses dot the landscape of this fifth largest city in the state. 95.5 square miles in area, Clarksville is the ninth fastest growing city in our nation, today. Also considered one of the south's most historic cities, The Leaf-Chronicle, Tennessee's oldest newspaper, was founded right here in my newly claimed backyard.

The average point of elevation above sea level here is 490 feet, and so far, according to my humidity calculations, I don't feel like I'm losing a pint of water every time I step outside to go to the car. That, for me, is what I find most interesting as a born-and-raised Floridian :) Oh! And the fact that it's the beginning of April and I'm still donning a jacket!

But, enough with the history mumbo-jumbo. I know where I'm currently laying my head to rest. Anyone can do a little research online, or open a book, right? The reason I started this blog is because my journey from Florida to Tennessee has inspired me to personally trek a portion of each of the fifty United States. We are now positioned beautifully to where we can make short car rides and weekend trips to different cities, in different states, of our choice. I'm not used to be so land-locked, or having other states and environments so close to my grasp, so my aim is to take everyone behind-the-scenes to places you may know about, but more importantly, to places you've never heard of throughout our great country. I'm all about the hidden gems we will be finding on our voyages. Along the way, I will be sharing some things that I am most passionate about: beautiful weather, amazing food, breathtaking views, and artistically-spun photography of the whole experience.

So ditch your high school history books and put your TV on mute. I'm experiencing history while forging my own at the same time. There's nothing better than a first-hand experience, so get inspired. Drive those extra hours to venture somewhere new. Brave that slightly shabby hotel; you know you're only sleeping there anyway. Get online and spend some time researching nearby cities you've never heard of, and go some place you've never been before. You'd be surprised what lies in your proverbial backyard. You only live once, right? Check back often, I'll be trek, trek, trekking. Until next time, happy venturing!

-Your Visionary Voyager