We were up by 3 A.M. and on the road by 4 A.M.
We made a couple of restroom stops (Shell Station in Athens and McDonald's in Huntsville).
We stopped at Hardie's in Scottsboro for breakfast; I ordered a sausage-and-cheese biscuit and a Diet Coke.
Hubby ordered a pork chop and gravy on a biscuit.
We arrived at our parking area (Patches Scottsboro parking lot) and waited for bus 3003 and driver Barbara Dudley.
Once the 22 passengers were on the bus, we began our journey to Bushy Mountain Penitentiary.
Our guide, Verinca, passed out donut holes from Dunkin Donuts.
Our first stop was the Welcome Center, Tiftonia, Chattanooga Lookout Valley, off I-24 East.
We traveled through Dayton, Rockwood, and Harriman to Petros, TN.
We ate lunch at the Warden's Table, where we were served green beans, mac & cheese, baked turkey, corn-cake fritter, and a cookie. We used the restrooms, then boarded the bus to walk through the Prison.
Once we purchased our tickets, everyone was given a handheld audio device that is narrated by former inmates and staff, providing a unique insight into the Prison's history and operations.
We saw signs telling about: Keeping Count Keppin' Track of Criminals serving time: Trap Gates, Prisoner intake, Visitor Shakedown: Central Control, Bushy Heartbeat 7,6,2:The Gymnasium Sports and Take Downs: The Whipping Post Harsh Discipline: Museum, Cell Block Gymnasium #2:The Laundry Room Doing the Dirty Work: The Hole Hell on Earth: Ain't no Sunshine Loss of Vision: The Yard A taste of Freedom: Prison Life Building Time in the Mines: The Walk This ain't no home: Suspended Inmate Beds #3: Dead Drop A log way down: The Guard Station: Family Visitation: The Guard Tower: Hostage Shooting.
We said goodbye to the ticket master's pets, a yellow cat, and a happy lab.
We once again loaded onto the bus and rode to the gift shop and distillery, where several did the tasting of whiskey that is locally made. Several were purchased.
Our next stop was the Cafe on Hwy 23 in Whitwell, TN.
I ordered grilled chicken fingers, creamed potatoes, pinto beans, and a corn-cake fritter. I ordered a pineapple upside-down cake to go.
We arrived in Scottsboro around 7:30, loaded into our car, and began our journey home.
We arrived home around 9:45 P.M., and both were very tired.
We both went straight to sleep and didn't get up all night.
0445-0446 Welcome Center Tiftonia, Chattanooga Lookout Valley off 1-24 East @9:03 AM 3921 iPad
0447-0468 Traveling Chattanooga, Dayton, Rockwood, Harriman 8:16–10:49 A.M.
0469-0671 Bushy Mountain Penitentiary, Petros, TN 11:20–3:17 P.M., which includes lunch at the Warden's Table, Gift Shop, and Distillery.
0672-0695 Traveling Harriman, Dunlop, @3:49-5:30 P.M.
0696- 0701 Dinner at Cafe off Hwy 28, Whitwell, TN @4:45-5:51 P.M. (time change)
The End of the Line
