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!