Explore More- Getting Real Local in the Tennessee River Valley.

Dave Matheson, the owner and organizer of the Bristol Forest Rally, discusses the organization and history of the rally. The Bristol Forest Rally is a stage rally that takes place on National Forest gravel roads. It is similar to mountain bike Enduro racing, but with cars. The rally started in 2021 and has been steadily growing each year, with plans to expand to a two-day national championship eve...

Owner of Knoxville Adventure Collective , Jon Terry joins Julie to talk about the adventures that his business offers visitors who want to get on the river or greenways. From biking to rock climbing to paddle trips, learn more with Jon.   From your Artsy, outdoor, kind of Town see the river in a "whole new way."  Guided tours or simply rent equipment, learn more about how to discover the...

We had a chance to attend media day at the 2023 Bassmasters Classic in Knoxville, TN. Find out why professional anglers love the Tennessee River system for both competitive and for recreational fishing. Listen to anglers, Gerald Swindle, Scott Canterbury, David Mullins, Brandon Card, Tristan McCormick, Jon Cox, Clifford Pirch, Cody Huff, Drew Cook, Greg Hackney and the winner of the 2023 Bassmaste...

Johnsonville State Historic Park is a day-use park named for former President Andrew Johnson who also served as the Union Military Governor of Tennessee during the Civil War. This 1,075-acre park commemorates the site of the Johnsonville Depot, the Battle of Johnsonville and the historic town site of Johnsonville that existed from 1864-1944 prior to the formation of Kentucky Lake. During the Civil...

Got 72 hours for an epic adventure?  Listen in as ROAM 's founder, Greg Wingo shares ideas for adrenalin adventures in the Tennessee River Valley Need an adventure idea: Pack-Cycling Backpack rafting and primitive camping Backpack hiking and backpack running? The Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council, a 501 c3 nonprofit, serves as the steering committee and editorial board for the Geotou...

University of Tennessee's grad- Hudson volunteered during his student career at UT.  In this podcast, Hudson reflects on why volunteering was valuable for his academic career, and for the work he completed for the ExploreTRV project.    His work connected with him with recreational and heritage destinations in and around the University of Tennessee's campus.   Volunteers are the heart an...

We had a chance to catch up with angler, Jeff Gustafson at media day before the 2023 Bassmaster Classic on Fort Loudoun and Tellico Lakes. Listen in to Jeff's comments about his chances at the Classic and his take on fishing the Tennessee River lake system. Knoxville, Tennessee hosted the event that drew over 100,000 angling enthusiasts to the 4 day event.  The Tennessee River Valley Stewards...

Norris Dam was the first of a series of dams that the Tennessee Valley Authority   built  as part of their mission to improve life for people in the Valley. During the Great Depression, the rural communities were struggling to survive.  Most of the farming land around Norris Lake had been stripped of topsoil due to farming and logging practices.   Electricity was only available in cities, and jobs...

In 1756, the British were building forts on the western frontier to fortify their position during the French Indian War (1754- 1763.) Fort Loudoun was commissioned by the British Colony of South Carolina to keep trade routes open with the Overhill Cherokee Nation.  By 1760, due to mounting tension between the British and the Overhill Cherokee Nation, the fort was captured by the Cherokee and was n...

Tim Pruitt, TVA retiree shares stories about the history of Douglas Dam and its purpose for World War II. The power from the dam was used for aluminum production to build military aircraft. Tim pivots to the nearby TN Museum of Aviation.   The Tennessee River Valley has had a profound impact in America's history of aviation and space exploration,  The Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Counci...

In 1942, TVA's first dam, Norris Dam was generating power and World War II was being fought in two theaters- Europe and Japan. How did these two events combine to birth a National Park? Oak Ridge Historian, Ray Smith takes us from the beginning of the " Secret City " project being built in Oak Ridge and powered by Norris Dam to the establishment of the Manhattan Project National His...

What's Up Ballooning pilot, Ray Fournier shares his expertise of going aloft in a hot air balloon. Every day that the winds are right and the clouds are clear, Ray is bringing guests over the Smoky Mountains to see a different view.  In this episode, listeners will learn about how weather and wind conditions are used to set the flight path for that day.  How does the balloon gain loft and how...

In the midst of the Great Depression, the cycling of floods and poor farming practices led to millions of cubic yards of fertile top soil sliding down hillsides and clogging waterways.   In this episode, TVA Retiree, Tim Pruitt will take you a on journey from the FDR's New Deal and the sweat investment of TVA in re-greening the Valley. Find out if TVA had a hand in today's most well-know...

The Tennessee River Valley is known for its world class tournament lakes and rivers.  Anglers know that the waters are a destination, but how do these fisheries stay healthy? TVA biologist and recreational angler, Shannon O'Quinn talks about the role that TVA plays in supporting wildlife agencies to keep the river and lake fisheries productive.  Learn about the role of the " hot cold &qu...

Darrell Guinn from the River Forecast Center talks with Julie to answer the question that so many people who live and  play on TVA lakes have about  the up and down of lake levels, especially the "dreaded drawn down." Located in Knoxville, the River Forecast Center is staffed 365 days a year, 24 hours per day to monitor weather conditions and forecasts to fulfill multiple purposes that t...

The earliest explorations of the Tennessee Valley dates back to Spanish Conquistadors who came in search of  gold and treasurers. Listen in as history buff and state park ranger, Joseph Gamble talks about the impact of Hernando DeSoto's 1540 expedition on Native American People, native lands, and the original mapping of the Southeast US.   The Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council, a 501...

Host Joe Harper interviews Julie Graham, volunteer Executive Director of the TRV Stewardship Council. Listen in as Julie and Joe talk about the ExploreTRV mapguide tool, and how to use the guide to explore the Tennessee Valley.   The mapguide not only will lead visitors to the most authentic places to see, play, and experience in the Valley, but can also be used by small businesses, non profits, a...