November 9, 2025 (Sun.) - From Sunsphere to Steakhouse : An Eastern TN Farewell.
Today marked our final day in Eastern Tennessee, so we set out to explore Knoxville and track down a few quirky roadside attractions. After yesterday’s long ride on the bike, we allowed ourselves a slow morning—Lynn didn’t get up until 8:30 (late for her!), and Kirk followed soon after. The early hours were spent relaxing, with Chris helping Lynn try out her gel nail kit. To her surprise, it was quick, easy, and instantly dry—far better than the hours she’d dreaded with traditional polish in the RV. She had planned on visiting a salon, but this DIY option worked perfectly and saved money. Finally, her nails had some color, and she’s already planning to order her own kit.
By 11 a.m. we hit the road, aiming first for the Sunsphere, Knoxville’s golden icon from the 1982 World’s Fair. Rising 266 feet, it offers sweeping views of downtown, the Tennessee River, the University of Tennessee (UT), and even the Smoky Mountains. You can also see the World’s Largest Basketball (located at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame) from the observation deck. We later learned the shimmering glass panels are dusted with 24-karat gold—a fun fact we missed at the time since Lynn usually snaps photos and reads the details afterward. The observation deck was crowded, so we didn’t linger long. Admission was $10 each.
From there, we wandered to other curiosities (Roadside America app finds): the World’s Largest Rubik’s Cube (from the World’s Fair era), the Hypnotic Stairs near UT, and a solemn sculpture honoring Sergei Rachmaninoff’s final concert. The legendary Russian pianist, hailed as one of the greatest of his era, gave his last performance in Knoxville in 1943 while gravely ill with melanoma. Just a week later, he died in Beverly Hills, CA. Adding to the resonance, one of his Knoxville performances included Chopin’s iconic Funeral March from the Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor—the very sheet music the statue now depicts in his hands, a haunting reminder of that final appearance.
By early afternoon, we were hungry, and Kirk discovered Kern’s Food Hall, which reminded us of Santa Ana’s 4th Street Market with its variety of eateries. We chose Disco Chicken, known for its playful pairing of chicken and donuts. The menu was simple—crispy chicken strips and sweet donuts—but the food was excellent. The hall itself was lively, with live music and a football game playing on the patio.
After lunch, we returned to Friendsville for some downtime. Kirk rested—the meds still bothering him a bit—while Lynn relaxed with Tom and Chris. She was thrilled to spot her first red cardinal (male Northern Cardinal), vivid against a white birdhouse, and even managed a few iPhone shots (of course the Canon was nowhere nearby when needed!). A blue jay also made an appearance, though catching birds on camera proved tricky with their quick movements.
A few days earlier, Chris mention a new place in town called Raven Steakhouse & Lounge in Maryville, TN, that they’d been meaning to try. So, for our last evening together, we booked a reservation. We left around 6 p.m. for our reservation, braving the cold (41° that felt more like 34°). Lynn pulled out her Wyoming winter jacket, and we warmed up with drinks in the lounge before dinner. The meal was nothing short of spectacular—our new #1 food experience. Lynn savored a filet mignon, Kirk enjoyed the pork chop (server stated it was the chef’s favorite), Chris had Chilean sea bass, and Tom ordered beef Wellington. We shared decadent sides—lobster mac, Brussels sprouts, celery root potatoes, and parmesan fries—all delicious. Dessert was rich chocolate cheesecake and cake, a bit heavy but still satisfying. Two hours of food and laughter left us happily full. Pricey, yes—but worth every bite for the company and the cuisine.
The evening closed with a cozy fire back at Tom and Chris’s home, a perfect ending before tomorrow’s travel day. This trip has been wonderful, and Tennessee has truly captured our hearts. We’ll be back someday. Huge thanks to Tom and Chris for opening their beautiful home to us—especially for keeping the coffee flowing each morning!
Weather – High 58*, Low 38*. Winds 10-13 mph with gusts up to 24 mph. No rain, no humidity.
Traffic – None.
Food – Raven Steakhouse – fantastic!
Notable – Sunsphere, Roadside attractions, Red Cardinal, Raven Steakhouse.
