Spring mashup: A lazy person's outdoor guide to Chattanooga

photo An aerial shot of Stringer's Ridge, provided by the Trust for Public Land.

Unearth your camping hammocks, Chacos and Nalgene bottles, Chattanooga: Thursday marked the first day of spring. Climbing super-center The Block is celebrating its ribbon cutting Friday afternoon, the Lookout Wild Film Festival is showcasing outdoor fun on film all weekend, and you can even build a fairy house at the Chattanooga Nature Center. Is there anyone else out there who feels like a poseur in a city full of outdoorsy folks? Sure, you like nature, but stand-up paddle boarding looks dangerous, and trail running seems to pose a pretty big risk of tripping over stumps (is there a liability form provided with that?). Here are nine mildly outdoorsy things that even lazy people can do to celebrate spring this weekend:

Easy lookin' at Cloudland Canyon State Park

Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain is a sprawling vista created by a deep gorge cut in the Sitton Gulch Creek, with many hiking trails and lots of accommodations (including yurts!). But land in the right parking lot and you're just steps away from the breathtaking view, without the strain of any hike. Instagram that view and go.

Roy H. Nelms gazebo stroll in St. Elmo

Maybe you live in St. Elmo, or maybe you just wish you did. The walk down Alabama Avenue to Roy H. Nelms Park does involve some hills, but the reward is a manicured park next to the busy Ochs Highway. You'll notice the gazebo in the park doesn't have any seating. Oh well, time to go back home!

photo The owners and friends of Pints & Pedals move the vehicle down Market Street on the way to Track 29.

Pedibus/party bike sit-down pub crawl

In the winter, many a night of drinking can be chalked up to the short days and cold temperatures that keep us stuck inside. What a shame it would be to spend a beautiful spring weekend in a dimly lit bar designed to make you forget what time it is outside. The two - that's right, two! - different "party bike" companies that rode into town this year bring the bar outside. Sit around a portable bar with your friends as you wheel slowly through the city, feeling the wind at your back. If you're worried about breaking a sweat with all the pedaling, no worries: the contraptions are motorized.

Cross-park short distance walk

There's a path between Coolidge Park that starts under the Olgiati Bridge and runs parallel to the river to a walking bridge to Renaissance Park. It might have a name, but we'll call it Short Trail. Short Trail features some sculptures, a small pavilion that seems to be designed for a tiny wedding party, and at the end, a little pier where you can look out at the river, think about crossing the bridge to Renaissance Park, then turn around to the safety of Coolidge Park. Be careful, and stay hydrated: it's gotta be at least 1/8 of a mile.

North Chattanooga Baker Street overlook

Native Chattanooga hooligans know this overlook well, from teenage nights of driving around North Chattanooga before Coolidge Park had curfews and enforced parking fees. To find it, follow Veterans Bridge to Barton Avenue and turn left onto Baker Street. At the top of the hill, there's a dazzling view of the city. There is even a little wall to sit on and ponder the meaning of it all, sigh, and hurry back to your car - it's chilly!

Picnic at The Boathouse

Not to be confused with the William G. Raoul boathouse that houses actual boats, The Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar off of Riverside Drive has a 2,000 square foot deck that overlooks the river. It's no picnic, and that's OK, because picnics involve bugs and don't involve table service.

Outdoor market mosey

It's all about moseying at an outdoor market, where there are all the things required to survive in the lazy person's outdoors: shelter (tents, so kind of), refreshments, arts & crafts, and probably cute dogs. The River Market, the Chattanooga Market's even lower-key Saturday edition, opens this Saturday on the Tennessee Aquarium Plaza.

Bluff View non-competitive duathlon

The Sculpture Garden in Bluff View is a very small park that requires minimum rigor with the instant gratification of public art and a beautiful view of the river. Take it to the next level with a "hike" over to the little courtyard between the buildings that house Rembrandt's Coffee and River Gallery. If, when you arrive, you run into people in the middle of an engagement photo shoot, consider it a kind of urban safari.

Stringers Ridge

This one is for real: Stringers Ridge is a place for everyone. A variety of trails weave into one another with directional signs to guide you. It's hilly and woodsy enough that you can feel legit about the hike, but its proximity to downtown makes it accessible and easy. Plus, the entrance happens to be right behind Nikki's Drive-In, which serves a good burger. You deserve it!

Contact Anna Lockhart at alockhart@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6578.

Upcoming Events