New Years Eve In Knoxville

For the past three years Stacy and I have gone to Knoxville for the New Year's holiday. Two of the three years were awesome, the first and third were the best. Last year was such a disaster, totally destroyed by work. But this year it seemed to go off without a hitch.

First stop after we checked into the hotel, was Wasabi, a great Japanese steak house. This is the sushi bar, they do great things with raw fish. It all looked so good, but we were there for the ringside cooking of the masters who throw food around and the show they put on. The steak melted in our mouths and the rest of the dinner was excellent too. Stacy said it was the best steak she has ever had. I highly recommend Wasabi, Lovell Rd, exit 376, I-40.

Since we finished dinner kind of early, and since we had not been to Walmart in the last 24 hours it was off to the local Wally's. It was about 9:30pm, it was the most deserted Wally's I have ever seen. I thought it was because it was New Year's Eve, nope. The Vols were playing in a bowl game on TV. If you know anything about Knoxville, it's one of the biggest, if not the biggest college football towns in the country.

Want to get into a fight fast in Knoxville? Stand anywhere with a Florida State sweatshirt on and say, "UT has football? Really?"

Bang there it is! The fight starts!

After Wallys, we headed for Downtown and my favorites, people watching.

I'm hoping these are balloon hats.
Downtown Knoxville was set up in a beautiful display of lights, mostly blues and whites,

the lights made it seem more welcoming.Lots more whites and blues, comforting, calming.

More soothing soft blue and white lights.

In case you forget where you are at, there is a big Tennessee sign above this theater.
There was ice skating.
Stacy was drinking. Pepsi.

I had to ask someone why Knoxville used so many blue and white University of Kentucky colors?

Bang, there it is!

The countdown started and we were in the middle of it.

The countdown continues as the big ball starts to drop over Market Square in Knoxville.

Getting closer to 2010.
Two seconds to go...............
Welcome two thousand, ten!

Or, what Stacy is calling it Oh - Ten.

Fireworks, kissing, singing, looking back and saying good-bye, giving thanks to what was and looking forward to what will be.

After the fireworks, I took Stacy's picture with this guy rowing his boat down the sidewalk. People call me crazy. Really, it's a statue of a guy in a rowboat, rowing down the sidewalk.

On January 1st, we slept in and took our time getting home. I took Stacy to one of my favorite places to eat. The Bean Pot in Crossville. Only in the south will you see a sign like the one below, or even need it.

I'm looking forward to, Oh - Ten in so many ways.

I pray this year will be better than the last and that you will find peace and joy in all you do.