Recent Comments

Wuuuttttt? Using Frank's contract status to support stability? Joe Lanza, you are a more astute follower of college football than that. Contracts don't mean anything in college football, nobody thought Frank would coach to the end of his contract.

Oh for sure. There are still some simply beautiful streams around if you can manage to stay away from the crowds. Being able to wade up the creeks helps a lot.

I was just surprised that of all the questions someone could think of, that one bubbled to the top of someone's list.

Particularly since, as someone pointed out, Frank is still on the staff.

White Top Laurel above Damascus is beautiful. The trout fishing was amazing when I was a kid. When stocking schedules started getting posted online around 1999 the fishing went down hill. Note, part of the stream is special regulation (single hook artificial.)

Prediction? PAIN.

I don't disagree, but Michigan State got some lucky breaks this season (I still can't believe how they beat Michigan), and barely scraped into the playoffs. If they get through their division, they're likely in the playoffs. The talent disparity showed in the Alabama game.

If you get there, you also want to be good enough to succeed.

I think you're right, though. I think VT as a program is comparable. I also have a lot of confidence in Fuente, and I do think that recruiting will be on the upswing.

Yea I gotcha. I've never been there so I have no idea haha just sort of playing devils advocate against location being a large factor against Tech. (unless you're talking weather.. that's a whole different beast.)

In my limited experience it does seem pretty similar. The layout is a bit different, but for the most part it is pretty similar. Wasn't saying Blacksburg was in the middle of nowhere, just saying Clemson isn't really as middle of nowhere as it seems.

I definitely agree with everyone who has mentioned Pal's! It's a Tri-Cities icon. And Ridgewood BBQ is definitely a must. Some other restaurants that are signature to the Tri-Cities are Cootie Brown's and Jack's City Grill. I love both of those places. AND GO TO BLACKBIRD BAKERY NEAR STATE STREET!!!! My favorite italian places are Valentino's near King University and Little Italy on State Street. Favorite mexican places are La Corona in Blountville and Casa Mexicana in Bristol (both really close to the track). But if you want to stick to chain restaurants, you will find all of those of exit 7. There's also Hokie Smokie in Johnson City. I've never actually been there, but I know a lot of people who have been and enjoy it. It's definitely a fitting restaurant for the game...

Like mentioned above, there's really not that much to do in Bristol apart from eating and shopping, but for those of you who are wanting to take a late Labor Day weekend vacation, here are some more attractions:

South Holston Lake is one of my favorite places in the world. I've only been to a couple Lakes outside the Tri-Cities area, but it's definitely the best one I've been to. It's simply beautiful and the water is pretty clean. There are plenty of places to camp there, and riding a boat out to cliff island to jump is a lot of fun. I don't know if the marinas will stay open past Labor Day, but Painter Creek Marina always is a good time at day and night!

State Street is an absolute must for anyone coming out of town. There's fun night life, good restaurants, unique shops, the iconic Bristol sign, the plates in the middle of the road that say Virginia on side and Tennessee on the other, the old train station, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Yes, Bristol is the birthplace of that.

The Pinnacle at exit 74 and The Falls at exit 5 are new shopping developments. The Falls just has Cabela's for now, but supposedly new stores and a Calhouns (!!!!) and Smokey Mountain Brewery are on the way. The Pinnacle is really well developed. That's where you'll find Bass Pro, tons of stores, the Alumni Hall that is divided up by Virginia Tech and Tennessee gear, the new movie theater that has recliners as seats, and a few restaurants. Steve Johnson, who played for Virginia Tech in the 1980's, and for the Cowboys and the Patriots after that, developed all of The Pinnacle. The best mall in the area is the Mall at Johnson City.

The Barter Theater in Abingdon, VA has quite a bit of history and is really neat. If you're into that sort of thing I'd definitely check it out.

If you're bringing your kids, Hand's On Museum in Johnson City is really cool. I loved it when I was younger.

If there's any attraction in particular any of you are wondering about, just ask!

I was skimming down and was thinking Where in the wide world of sports is King University? .........Oh yeah, King College.

That's true. I miss mountain biking and hiking for geocaches.

FACT: French loves cheddar rounds.

Unrelated note: RIP VTMaroonOrange.