Getting to know my city, one street at a time

Trent Knuckles is publisher of The News Journal.

You learn so much when you ditch the car and get on a bike and simply walk your town.

In a city like Corbin, it’s actually doable to see about every street on your own two legs, given a reasonable amount of time and dedication. It’s actually a fun and enlightening thing to do.

In 2016, and again this year, I was a candidate for Corbin City Commission. One of my favorite things about that was doing some old school, door-to-door campaigning. Each time, it has been enlightening.

You meet some interesting people, to be sure. And it also gives you a better sense of the size and scope of a city. For me, it was like and adventure. I’ve lived in Corbin now for 22 years. I’m still finding places I’ve never been before.

Some of the scenic views you can find in downtown Corbin are amazing.

If you want a cardio workout, try walking up to the top of First Street, or go up and over the literal mountain that is Padgett Street. The view from Dr. Catron’s house is amazing.

What a place!

Aptly named Scenic View Drive offers some amazing glimpses of the hills that run along Cumberland Falls Hwy. They look stunning this time of year with leaves in full color.

I particularly enjoy taking time to get a good view of downtown from W. Center Street and N. Kentucky Ave. Looking across the rail yard from the top of the overpass is nice as well.

I’ve heard complaints quite often that Corbin has little acceptable available housing. I can’t help but think most people rarely get off the beaten path when looking for a home here. I found all kinds of pretty decent looking houses for sale.

There are absolutely amazing properties hidden away in places you just would not believe. All the streets off Sanderlin Drive are a perfect example of this. Captivating, quiet sanctuaries tucked away where the hustle and bustle of daily life in the city cannot penetrate.

I think it’s easy with the nasty, divisive nature of politics and society right now, to get a little bitter and cynical. The cure for that is actually going out and talking to people. I felt better about my town with every new person I met! Face to face — instead of on Facebook — people are pretty decent. Your neighbors and fellow residents in Corbin are interesting and cool.

Sometimes I think our own technology, for all the positives, has sold us a bad bill of goods when it comes to a sense of community, and makes us less interactive. Or, at least, less interactive in all the good ways.

I also met so many talented people, and people with interesting hobbies. I saw woodcarvings, quilts, Hummel displays, World War II era scrapbooks, and the biggest collection of University of Kentucky paraphernalia ever on one local resident’s front porch.

This city is an amazing place. I enjoyed getting out again to really take it in.