“My Favorite Thing” is a regular feature in which Chattanoogans from all walks of life write about the one thing they enjoy the most in the Scenic City. Installments unearth hidden gems, offer fresh perspectives of local mainstays and reveal the rich diversity of Chattanooga.
I’ve never been one who can live a fast-paced lifestyle and feel at peace. I’m referring to the kind of peace that helps you to decompress and recenter after a long day at work – the kind of peace that comes when you glance out over rolling hills or bodies of water and feel like the only person in an exceptionally large world.
That’s why Chattanooga is my home and continues to be since summer 2020 – it’s the perfect place to find that breath of clean, fresh air while surrounded by trees, water and nature.
From Lookout and Signal mountains to Suck Creek to the North Shore, there are a number of spots you can head to for this blissful feeling. I’m continually grateful to live in a city with a plethora of opportunities to escape the noise.
One particular spot is my go-to. It’s where I bring my friends who are visiting, my family, my better half and (of course) my dog: the Riverview Bird Sanctuary, which nestled in the hilly (and very walkable) Riverview neighborhood. Did I mention it’s free?
For starters, the Riverview neighborhood is gorgeous. I recommend parking your car at Riverview Park – which recently received beautiful renovations – and heading toward the Chattanooga Golf and Country club course and past the tennis courts. These initial breathtaking views will mark only the beginning of your serene journey.
When you veer left and begin walking up the hilly slope on Riverview Road, you’ll be surrounded by astoundingly constructed homes, fascinating historical landmarks and information, and the peaceful chirping of birds.
Now, when I say astounding homes – I mean ASTONISHING. These homes were built years ago and are impressively large and architecturally diverse. They’re not just soulless multimillion-dollar homes – there’s a lot of history behind them. If you do your homework, you’ll learn that the mix of historic homes built many decades ago and many newly constructed masterpieces perfectly symbolizes Chattanooga’s past and present identities.
The Riverview Bird Sanctuary is planted in the middle of this neighborhood. It isn’t big or flashy; rather, it’s a simple, naturally-built bird sanctuary. I’ve seen a number of beautiful birds at this place, whether they were nestled in the trees or hopping around the leaves or bathing in the puddles of water.
The other day, I stifled a scream when I realized there was a baby hawk sleeping on a tree branch about 6 feet away from me at eye level – while an owl was hooting in the background. Bring your binoculars and bird identifier book; this little part of town could become your favorite escape and one of your go-to locations to find true peace as well!
You can conclude your journey by strolling through Riverview before veering left as you return toward a few Chattanooga small-business staples, including Daily Ration, Vine Street
Bakery, Tremont Tavern and more. Nearly the entire business collection in the area is locally owned, which makes supporting them easy.
Have I mentioned that this is one of my favorite things to do? I try to wander through this nature-filled loop each weekend. This space reminds me of three important pieces of life advice I adhere to when things feel cloudy or chaotic:
1. Check in and be fully present with the nature around you. People tell you to “touch grass,” but I think you should take it one step further: Listen to the birds chirping, breathe in the fresh air and remember to marvel at how beautiful this world can be.
2. Even when things feel desolate, the world will keep moving, and so should you. That hawk will continue resting. That owl will continue hooting. That bird will continue splashing around in the puddle of water. Don’t let something you can’t control be the reason you can’t appreciate the birds – and everything else – around you.
3. There are always ways to put good into the world. I believe you get back the energy you put into the world. So, support that local business on your walk. Research the birds you see in your backyard and help them build a habitat. (I recommend Happy Birdwatcher – it’s a great way to support your local habitat!) Smile at the passing stranger while you walk.
I encourage you to try this wonderful walking path and embrace the magic, nature and organic sounds that can bring peace and clarity. Because it’s always the small things – the brief walks, the tiny birds, the lesser historical facts and the small businesses – that make a big impact on someone’s day and on the way this world moves.
Formerly known as Local 3 news anchor and reporter Angela Kim, Angela Poffenbaugh is the director of communications and marketing at The Company Lab. She’s lived in Chattanooga for almost five years and has deep passions for the outdoors, local businesses and spending quality time with her fiancé and dog. If you see her hiking or walking around town, say hello!