“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.” ? Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
It’s easy to get caught up in the electric springtime of Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia, and find yourself living Heminway’s quote. There always so much to do in the spring that it’s easy for your calendar to get packed and your senses to delight after months of cold and wet and being stuck in doors in assisted living housing.
April 10th and 11th the Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center hosts its Native Plant Sale. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the incredible biodiversity in the area and pick out some beautiful blooms to grow at home. Studies show that gardening increases memory function in seniors, reduces anxiety and depression, and promotes relaxation. It’s also a great chance to maintain strength and dexterity and a whole-body workout that is still low impact and gentle on your joints. Crabtree Farms is also hosting a Spring Plant Sale the weekend of the 10-12th in case your green thumb goes wild!
April 18th is the Little Owl Music & Arts Festival at Audubon Acres, featuring music, storytelling, arts and crafts vendors, food, activities for the grandchildren, a chance to meet Birds of Prey up close, and more. The Chattanooga Market opens back up April 25th and 26th with its classic blend of farmers market produce, arts and crafts, live music, fresh cut flowers, and of course Chattanooga’s unbeatable food trucks. The Sweet Georgia Sound will be playing along with folk-rock songstress Jennifer Daniels and Americana band Naked Blue.
If you’d rather enjoy the season’s beauty in its natural habitat The Pocket Recreation Area Trail in the Johns Mountain Wildlife Management Area near Lafayette, Gerogia is a great option. The “trail” consists of a level wooden boardwalk that makes it easy to navigate this short loop through beautiful spreads of phlox, trillium, chickweed, larkspur, Dutchman’s breeches and Jack-in-the-pulpit. If you’re feeling confident and want to go further there’s a gentle spur trail that goes by a waterfall. If you want to stick closer to home, Fort Oglethorpe is wonderfully close to the Chickamauga Battlefield State Park, with miles of level trails where you can walk or ride your bike and enjoy the fresh spring breezes.
For those who are eager to get out of the house and love some culture, the Chattanooga Film Festival is in its second year April 2nd-5th and has an incredible line up of films. As an added bonus, it’s bringing some celebrities to town, including Elijah Wood! Sports fans will be excited about the Chattanooga Lookouts’ first home game on April 15th against Birmingham, Alabama!
For those who like the sunshine but don’t have much of a green thumb or eye for nature, the Chattanooga Cruise In is one of the best car shows in the South, and it takes place April 11th. Right by the event at Coker Tire on Chattanooga’s Southside are two great restaurants, T-Bones and Southside Saloon and Bistro. Come for the cars, stay for a bite to eat, and you might win one of the special door prizes!
As you can see, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had this spring. After all, there are so many beautiful spots in this region and this season is so lovely that all one has to do is find whichever way of celebrating spring makes you the happiest.