Location: Johnson City with Kayla

Transcript

Okay, everyone. I guarantee you’re gonna love this next story and this next ETSU alumna. We’re heading just off campus to Tannery Knobs Bike Park to meet Kayla Carter. She is not only passionate about her time here at ETSU but also Johnson City and the outdoors. Y’all need to come visit this place real soon. This part of the Appalachian mountains is beautiful. Kayla’s going to tell the story of why this is the best place to go to school. Kayla, please take it away.

– Thanks Alex. Hey, y’all. I’m really proud of my education from ETSU and I like to visit campus from time to time so that I can reconnect with all the awesome memories I made there. Fun fact, it’s where I met the love of my life. Now we are working on building a home and a farm right here in Johnson City. I graduated from ETSU in 2011 and now I serve as the region’s outdoor development manager. It’s a very rewarding job because I get to give back to the beautiful Southern Appalachian landscape and community that I’ve lived in my whole life. Here the people are as sweet as their tea. Oh, and traffic, it’s hardly an issue. In the spring I’m ready to hop on my paddleboard and check out our pristine mountain lakes. In the summer my hiking boots and mountain bike never get a break. In the fall, that’s my favorite weather for camping and I really love watching the leaves change colors. As for winter snowboarding and skiing at Sugar and Beech Mountain is where it’s at. We know how to work hard around here but we also know how to balance it out by kicking back and having fun. It seems I’m always being invited to try some new place to eat or have drinks with friends. And every weekend there’s a free event or festival to go to. I really enjoyed Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion because they bring in world renowned country music artists. We’re home to the International Storytelling Center, The Birthplace of Country Music, Bristol Motor Speedway and we have more than 200 miles of the Appalachian trail. My husband and I really love the fact that we can hop in the car and take a scenic drive and be an Asheville, Knoxville or Roanoke for a day trip. Really though, we don’t need to go far. There are several historic mountain towns around here to explore. We’re always looking for something new to learn about Northeast Tennessee, because even us locals haven’t discovered at all. And another helpful hint, make sure you check out all the farmer’s markets in the area because they are a taste of what makes each town unique. My favorite downtown is Johnson City which is where I work now. And I’ve really enjoyed watching Johnson City grow since I graduated and it just keeps getting better and better. Fly fisher’s know us for our trophy trout section on the Watauga. Adrenaline junkies know us for our world-class whitewater on the Nolichucky. And the world knows us for as Southern hospitality. I hope that you’ll come to learn these things about us and more. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my story. And now I sincerely hope that you’ll consider making Northeast Tennessee and East Tennessee State University, a part of yours. All right, back to you, Alex.

– Kayla, that was amazing. And so is that view. Johnson City is awesome. I love it. What a special place to go to college. Thank you for giving us a sneak peek into all the area has to offer in terms of the outdoor activities, festivals and more. Cheers Kayla.