Now THIS is How You Build a Gym!!!!!!
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (62125)
United States
May 14, 2022 7:24pm CST
If this place charged a million dollars for gym membership it’d be worth it. Of course, it’s not a gym, it’s a free state park.
This is Big Ridge State Park in Union County, Tennessee. This is where my side trip to the country music birthplaces began. As I’ve always said, I’m a sucker for those brown informational signs on the highway, and when I saw one for Big Ridge State Park I decided the interstate didn’t need me helping clog up the traffic in a construction zone, so off I went.
Ooh, it’s nice. While not a big park, it has plenty of features, highlighted by Big Ridge Lake. There are hiking paths, camping spots (cabins and RVs), a reconstructed grist mill, and plenty of scenery. You can rent a paddle board or a canoe and enjoy some time on the lake.
Or, if you are just dying to get back to Planet Fitness while you’re on vacation, they were kind enough to install four pieces of exercise equipment right on the lakeshore. There’s an exercise bike, a balance board, and a couple of other things so you can work out while you look out. 
Big Ridge State Park has nothing on those parks on the Plateau (Falls Creek Falls, etc.), but it was indeed a lovely stop and a scenic rest.
Big Ridge State Park has nothing on those parks on the Plateau (Falls Creek Falls, etc.), but it was indeed a lovely stop and a scenic rest.13 people like this
10 responses
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
It was nice that I could make my own walking trail instead of heading on the hiking paths. I just parked near the lake and walked back to the grist mill. Not a far walk (about a quarter of a mile), but it helped!
2 people like this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
15 May 22
@FourWalls That is nice . I like to get off the trail if I know the area well enough not to get lost.
2 people like this
.@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
Without question! That’s so much better than the bank of TVs they have at the gym!
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
15 May 22
@FourWalls Oh geez yes . . . like anyone needs any more screen time 
. Go breathe in some real fresh air and enjoy a real environment 
.
. Go breathe in some real fresh air and enjoy a real environment .2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
15 May 22
Are these exercise machines functional?
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
Yes, ma’am. You may have to bring some towels and antiseptic spray to clean the bird poop off, though. There are slight downsides to having them out in the elements.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
It was nice, quiet, out of the way, and not busy. Perfect.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
So you can sing “Happy Together” with them?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
@TheHorse — you need to sing “Like the Seasons,” the B-side of “Happy Together.” Your homework assignment is to look up who wrote that one…..
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 May 22
@FourWalls Precisely. I could tell they loved it when I caught them (painted turtles) on the lake at our Summer Camp in Michigan.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
It is a gorgeous view, and that may be the purpose. If you sit down and pedal on that stationary bicycle while looking at the lake next thing you know you’ve been on it for an hour.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156159)
• United States
15 May 22
That's really nice to be able to exercise outdoors in a lovely spot. Are you home safe and sound now?
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
15 May 22
Yep. I had a doctor’s appointment Tuesday but they called and canceled it. 
Oh well, Tuesday is primary Election Day here anyway.
Oh well, Tuesday is primary Election Day here anyway.1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156159)
• United States
16 May 22
@FourWalls We had our primary on May 3.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
11 Jun 22
They put that exercise equipment there in case walking to see the sites wasn't enough of a workout.
Sometimes there is treasure to be found off the main roads. Those brown signs can surely take you off the beaten path to some interesting sights I found a few myself as I enjoy certain historical periods.1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62125)
• United States
11 Jun 22
They aren’t all gems. One “Civil War Battlefield” sign took me to a place that was more of an argument at a picnic than a real battle. But I never would have known that if I hadn’t stopped!
And yeah, just in case you forgot your bicycle, here’s a stationary bike for you! 
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34356)
•
12 Jun 22
@FourWalls I recently visited 2 Civil War sites. One in Maryland called Monocacy National Battlefield and another in North Carolina called Bentonville. Highly recommend if you haven't already visited. Both off the beaten path nestled within beautiful countryside.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
15 May 22
@FourWalls Ha ha ha, that is what I say.
1 person likes this
