🚗2017 July 18, Tuesday, Day Trip to Discovery Park of America Union City, Tennessee

We took Highway 20, crossing into Tennessee at Highway 69 through Savannah, turning on hwy 22 to Lexington, Parkers Crossing, Clarksburg, Huntingdon, McKenzie, Dresden, and Martin to Union City, TN.

Lexington, TN

Clarksburg, TN 

Huntington, TN

McKenzie, TN

Gleason, TN 

House in Dresden, TN

We made a quick stop at Parker's Crossing to take some pictures of the Civil War Site.

(Need to return to visit here)

The Battle of Parker's Crossroads 

We purchased our tickets at the Discovery Park of America around 11 A.M.

We walked into an earthquake simulator where we experienced a recreation of the Reelfoot Lake earthquake.

The Legend of Reelfoot Lake

The lake is named for a clubfooted Indian Chief of the Chickasaw Tribe. The chief is blamed in the legend for the earthquake that caused the lake. Chief Reelfoot was in love with an Indian maiden who lived further south along the Mississippi River. She repulsed his offer of marriage because of Reelfoot's clubfoot. In revenge, he set out with some of his braves in canoes, raided her father's camp at night, and kidnapped the girl. 

Medicine men bitterly disapproved of Reelfoot's act and predicted it would bring disaster to his people. The legend says their predictions were fulfilled by the earthquake that wiped out the tribe and formed the lake.

We spent 40 minutes in the Starship Theater, where we journeyed through space. It was an interactive movie where people in the audience could participate as engineers, scientists, or pilots.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the Cafe, where I ordered chicken fingers, chips, and a drink.

Hubby ordered a dressed hamburger, tater tots, and a drink.

After lunch, we rode the elevator up to the Tower. The Tower is an observation deck where you can see both sides of the park and the surrounding area around Union City, TN.

Children's Exploration, Energy, Enlightenment, Military, Native Americans, Natural History, Regional History Science, Space & Technology, Transportation, and Made in Tennessee

It also has a glass floor, which I am not fond of.

Natural History 

Made in Tennessee

Car Museum

Science, Space, & Technology

Energy

Children's Exploration Slide

We only visited one side of the park, where we saw Freedom Square, The Chapel, The Depot, and Stem Landing.

The Chapel and Depot 

Freedom Square

Stem Landing

We took a different route home.

We traveled through Newburn, Dyersburg, Friendship, Alamo, Bells, Jackson, Finger, Savannah, and Walnut Grove, TN.

Construction Union City, TN 

Savannah, TN 

Walnut Grove, TN 

Henderson, TN

We stopped at Catfish Cabin in Jackson, TN, for dinner.

We split a seafood platter and fried green tomatoes.

The trip took about three and a half hours. We spent about five hours at the museum and another three and a half hours at home. We were home around 8:30 P.M.

We will have to go another day to see the rest of the park, visit Reelfoot Lake, and stop at the Tennessee Safari Bells, TN.  

The end of another day trip.

✈️✈️✈️2005 ~ Friday February 18-21 Mall of America in Minnesota

Day 1: Friday, February 18, 2005

A shopping trip to the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with my granddaughter and daughter-in-law.

I drove my Saturn LS to Nashville, Tennessee, where we stopped and spent the night at a Red Roof Inn. 

We stopped for dinner at Subway in Loretta, Tennessee, on our way to Nashville.

I ordered a Turkey Sandwich and water. 

Day 2: Saturday, February 19, 2005

The next morning, we loaded the LS Saturn and headed to Nashville Airport. 

Our flight left Nashville, TN, at 7:45 A.M., arriving in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 10:15 A.M. 

On the plane, we were served snacks; I ordered a Diet Coke and a granola bar. 

When we arrived at the Saint Paul International Airport, we went to a kiosk. 

When we entered our hotel confirmation number, it was to let the hotel know we had arrived.

A shuttle van was sent to the airport to pick up passengers staying at their hotel. 

We arrived at Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America, the driver unloaded our bags, and we tipped him.

Country Inn & Suites at Mall of America & T.G.I. Friday's

Sitting on the counter was a large cookie jar filled with freshly baked cookies.

I ate four!

The room we were staying in was not ready, so the hotel desk clerk said we could store our luggage in a closet.

We walked next door to eat lunch at T.G.I. Fridays. (There was a door connected on Fridays to the Comfort Inn.)

I ordered a half-sandwich, a salad, and water.  

After eating lunch, we walked back to the hotel, took our luggage upstairs, and changed clothes.

We took the shuttle van to the Mall of America, where we shopped all day. 

My daughter-in-law bought my granddaughter several new items of clothing.  

I went to the Franklin Planner store and bought some paper, a hole punch, and picture sheets for my Franklin Planner.

For supper, we ate at"Bubba Gump."
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in the Mall of America

I ordered shrimp with garlic bread.  

We looked around in "Bubba Gump's" gift shop, but we did not buy anything.

One of the cool things about Bubba Gump's is that on every table, you see car tags. The tags say: "Stop Forrest Stop" or "Run Forrest Run"!

"Stop, Forrest, Stop" 

"Run Forrest Run"

The stop tag means you want to be waited on. The run tag means I am fine, I do not need to be waited on!

For dessert, we ordered a vanilla ice cream cone from McDonald's.

We took the shuttle van back to the hotel and thanked the driver with a tip.

We walk upstairs to put on our swimsuits and head for the pool and the hot tub.

Day 3: Sunday, February 20, 2005

I am an early riser, so early the next morning when I awoke, I looked outside, and it had SNOWED!

I shook my granddaughter and said Wake up! "

There was about a foot of new snow that had fallen on the ground. We both put on warm clothes and headed downstairs. 

We walked outside into the newly fallen snow and began making snowballs and throwing them at each other.

I took a few pictures, and we walked back inside, where both my granddaughter and I ate breakfast.

I ate oats, bananas, and water. 

We took the elevator back upstairs, showered, and then walked in the snow to the mall. 

My daily routine is to walk 2 miles. 

The mall is open for walkers, not shoppers, at this time of the morning.

It was cool walking around without crowds of people shopping. 

The only people who were in the mall were walkers and cleaners. 

The two upper levels were closed off to walkers.s

My daughter-in-law slept late that morning.

She met us at the merry-go-round at 10:00 A.M. 

For lunch, we ate at Subway and bought an ice cream cone at McDonald's.

We ordered a pizza, with potato poppers, Cokes, and cookies at Tucci Benucch Italian Restaurant Tropical.  

Tucci Benucch Classic Italian Food and Wine

After supper, we walked to the Rain Forest gift shop.
Rainforest Cafe Mall of America

I bought Hubby a pair of glow-in-the-dark shorts and a keychain. 

I bought myself a pair of monkey PJs, and two stuffed animals: a lion and a leopard.

I also bought a Mall of America T-shirt for myself.

At the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at the Mall of America, we bought all-day tickets.

Some of the rides we rode were the ferry's wheel, the Log Chute, the SpongeBob simulator, the Ripsaw Roller Coaster, and we walked through the haunted house. Later that day, I called my son.

Nickelodeon-Universe Mall of America

Day 4: Monday, February 21, 2007 

For breakfast, I ate oats, toast with peanut butter, a pack of MM&M's, and drank a Diet Coke.

I worked out in the weight room on four machines and rode a bicycle for 10 minutes.

I walked back to our room and packed. 

We are going home today.

We took the shuttle van back to St Paul International Airport, checked in, went through security, and headed for our departure gate.

My daughter-in-law and my granddaughter ate breakfast at McDonald's.

I sat in seat 13-B on flight NW1174. Our departure time was 10:24 A.M., and our arrival time in Nashville was 12:25 P.M.

I sat next to Chad Anderson on the plane.

We struck up a conversation, and he told me that he was going to the 3-M plant in Decatur, Alabama. 

He said, My daughter is getting married in Hawaii, and I will join her there. 

He said it takes at least ten days to vacation in Hawaii. 

I told Mr. Anderson about Hubby and my love for history and genealogy.

Our landing was smooth; everyone grabbed their luggage.

I said goodbye to Mr. Anderson, and we all boarded the plane.

Each person was going in a different direction.

I had parked my LS Saturn in the pay garage. We loaded our luggage into my car and headed to Alabama. 

We stopped in Cool Springs at a McDonald's, where I ordered a grilled McChicken and water. 

I drove through Columbia, Tennessee, at 3:30 P.M.

I took my daughter-in-law and granddaughter home. 

When I got home, I ate a half peanut butter sandwich, half a bag of popcorn, an ice cream sandwich, and two grapes.  

On the plane, I had eaten a bag of pretzels and drank a cup of Diet Pepsi.

Hubby was not home from work yet, so I checked my email. 

That night I was so tired that I slept like a log.

Another adventure, and many other adventures to come!

While in the Mall of America, I took a picture of the Shakyamuni Buddha Mandala Indian Art. 

A little history of the Image:

Before they begin making the Mandala, they hold an opening ceremony with chants, music, and mantra recitation.

Mandala

Part of the sand is given to the public.

Dispersing the blessed sand gives people a reminder of the occasion and spreads the blessing. Then it becomes a global healing. 

The monks' tour, known as the Mystical Arts of Tibet, aims to raise funds for food, education, and medical care for Tibetans.

Flight

February 18-21, 2005, Trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota

Flight NWA 0121577694267 – 4MD7BW 

Leave Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 7:45 A.M. 

Arrive (MSP) Minneapolis St Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota at 10:15 A.M.

Return flight seat 13B on flight NW 1174 

Leave Minneapolis St Paul International Airport (MSP) at 10:24 A.M. 

Arrive at Nashville International Airport (BNA) at 12:25 P.M.