Downtown Knoxville's JFG sign is one of the icons of our old city. The JFG Coffee Company opened its facility in what is now Knoxville's Old City in 1926, and this big beauty followed soon after.

It's been blinking over the Tennessee River for decades longer than I've been alive, and will hopefully continue to do so for decades to come.

The fountains at Volunteer Landing

You have to love all the water features and fountains at Volunteer Landing. With fountains that come out of the sidewalks for playing in and larger features that invoke the falls that you see around every bend in the Smoky Mountains, and our grand ol' Tennessee River flowing just beside the landing - I find myself immediately calmed and smiling when I stop for a walk on the landing.

If you've never been, I recommend combining your trip to the landing with a ride on the 3 Rivers Rambler excursion train and/or a meal at Calhoun's on the River. Kids of all ages love the train and the fountains, and Calhoun's has great barbque and a nice selection of their own beers on draft.

On the James White Walking Bridge with my first digital camera - on the first day I had the camera.

It was spring, 2006 - a beautiful day. I was standing on the bridge taking pictures of downtown Knoxville when a guy walks behind me and across the bridge.

He was wearing all black leather, and had an amazing Afro that swayed in the breeze as he walked. I waited until it was almost too late to catch him, but you can still just barely see him at the end of the bridge.

It was an awesome moment for first time out with a digital camera.