My girlfriend is looking at the possibility of going to graduate school at University of Tenn. What is the area like? Are there many good outdoor opportunities close to Knoxville? We would be moving from Richmond, Va anyone with comparable knowledge? Are there any decent lakes to sail a H14 or H16 locally? I wouldn’t be looking to race, just to have fun. Thanks for the help!

Hello-
We live in Chattanooga, TN approx 2 hrs south of Knoxville and race a F16. Knoxville has LOTS of outdoor stuff to do and there is water everywhere. I don't know of exact places but some short looking should turn up a lot. You won't be too far from the Smokey Mts either.
Good luck and have fun.
Joanna

UT has a very active sailing team and program. There's a lake right there near the school with a sailing club on it. Contact me via email and I'll put you in touch with the right people:
velocitytrey (at) gmail.com

I used to live about 1-1/2 hrs north-west of Knoxville. The only lake that was close there was Dale Hollow, I'm not sure it'd be a good one for sailing. There's a decent sized river that runs along the west side of Knoxville that looked sailable though.

K, was that in the Cumberland Gap? If so when? AND Why?

Cumberland is pretty much straight north of Knoxville. Jamestown was the closest town, I lived out in the sticks, the state park was just across the road, and the Daniel Boone National Forest butted up against that. My Dad moved down there in 96', I was 15 and had to follow along.