Day 1: Tuesday, April 28, travel Day to Mystery location

Hubby and I drove to Lawrenceburg and parked in the church lot.

We were on the bus by 6:45 A.M.

After everyone was loaded onto the bus & we were on the road, our leader passed out a breakfast tray that included two chicken minis, a fruit cup with strawberries, blueberries,  & grapes, two sweet pretzels, cheddar cheese chunks, and a muffin from Sister Sweets. 

Our first stop was at a pilot in Columbia, TN, to use the restroom.

We stopped for lunch, @ Wendy’ s1618 S Roanne ST, Harriman, TN 

Hubby and I both ordered a junior cheeseburger deluxe, large fries, and two Frostys.

We arrived at the Burlay Bunny Antiques Home Decor and More. Here we meet our guide, Vera Ann Myers, and the owner and employee, who were waiting to greet us. A table full of treats, cookies, dip, crackers, fruit punch, and more was waiting for us. Everyone used their restrooms and enjoyed the snacks. When we returned to the bus, everyone was given a surprise gift. 

We returned to the bus and rode to the General Morgan Inn, 111 N Main St, Greeneville, TN, room 213, where we spent two nights. 

We were given some free time after the bus was unloaded and our luggage taken to our rooms.

Hubby and I walked through downtown, where we saw several churches, the courthouse, historic markers, and much more. 

We returned to the hotel for dinner in the Grand Ballroom at 5:30 P.M.

We were served a salad, rolls, butter, green beans, baked chicken, creamed potatoes, and banana pudding for dessert. 

At 7:30 P.M., we walked to the Capitol Theatre, where we were greeted by the Friends of Crockett before watching the Disney movie, David Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.

After the movie, everyone walked back to the hotel. 

5828 Breakfast served on the bus at 7:08 A.M.

5829 Wendy’s Harriman, TN @12:) 1 P.M.

5830-5841 Greeneville, TN @ 2:20 P.M. 

5842-5843 Burlap Bunny Greeneville, TN @ 3:16 P.M.

5844-5849 Greeneville, TN 3:35 P.M.

5850-5857 General Morgan Inn @3:38 PM 

5858-5898 Walking around Greeneville, TN @ 4:21 P.M.

5899-5902 Dinner @ 5:33 P.M.

iPad 3627-3661 Greeneville, TN @4:07 PM

Day 2: Wednesday, April 29:

We were served a buffet breakfast in the Grand Ballroom. 

I got bacon, fruit, scrambled eggs, biscuits, jelly, and cranberry juice.

Everyone went to Catalyst Coffee Co. for coffee, a pastry, or a muffin. Hubby and I both ordered a raspberry chocolate scone, which was included with our hotel stay. 

After breakfast, everyone walked to the Dickson-Williams Mansion, which was behind the hotel. 

We were given a brief history of the mansion and allowed to tour it. 

We then boarded the bus for our next mystery location: the Kingsport Carousel.

Which is located inside the Pal’s Roundhouse on East Center St and Clinchfield.

The 30 hand-carved and hand-painted animals by volunteers, which include dogs, cats, dragons, tigers, zebras, and horses, can be enjoyed for just one dollar. For children and children at heart. 

Everyone enjoyed riding the carousel at least two times. 

Our next stop was Riverfront Seafood Company, where we enjoyed lunch. 

I ordered a baked potato and fried codfish. Hubby ordered fried shrimp and a 

baked potato. 

After lunch, we rode to the birth home of Tennessee Ernie Ford. We were greeted by the very informative curator. 

Our next stop was Bristol, where one side of the town was in Tennessee and the other in Virginia. 

We did a little shopping at Cranberry Lane, on the Virginia side. Here I bought a mixed package of raspberry and chocolate Scones and a mat. Spent $19.95.

Our next stop was Bristol Motor Speedway. We were led to the Dome seating, where we had a great view of the speedway. Our guide gave us the speedway's history, and everyone had the opportunity to use the restrooms.

Next, we loaded back onto the bus and headed to the Motor Speedway, where we drove around the track. What fun!

We stopped at the gift shop, where I bought a speedway bag.

We once again loaded onto the bus and rode to the state park where David Crockett was born. All the buildings, including David’s birth home, were washed away by a flood just a few years ago. 

The only thing left standing was the chimney. The park intends to rebuild because of the site’s importance.

Our last stop was Whistle Stop Restaurant in Tusculum, TN, for dinner. 

Here we were served broccoli soup, a salad, rolls, dip and crackers, baked salmon, a baked potato, tea, and cheesecake.

We returned to the hotel and packed because we are leaving tomorrow.

5903-5906 Walking on the balcony of the hotel @6:46 AM

5907 Breakfast @ 7:25 AM

iPad 3662-3697  Dikson Williams Mansion 

5908-5994 Kingsport Carousel & Park @ 9:47 A.M. 

iPad 3698-3715 Riverfront Seafood Lunch Kingsport, TN @10:50 AM 

iPad 3816-3721 Riverfront Seafood Kingsport12:11PM

iPad 3722 Travel @1:01 PM 

iPad 3723-3730 Tennessee Ernie Ford Birthhome @1:15 PM

5958-5981 Tennessee Ernie Ford Birthhome @1:24 PM

5982-6014 Briston, Tennessee, Virginia 

6015-6110 Bristol Motor Speedway  @3:00 PM

6111-6119 David Crockett birthhome  @5:36 PM

6120-6122 Welcome to Tusculum, TN @5:58 PM

6123-6124 Dinner at Whistle Stopp @6:43PM

6125-6130 Tusculum @7:49 PM 

Day 3: Thursday, April 30, Travel Home with surprise stops

Walked to Catalyst Coffee Co for another raspberry and chocolate scone. 

Buffett breakfast at the hotel ballroom. I got gravy biscuits, eggs, sausage, and fruit. 

After breakfast, I walked a couple of blocks in the town before we began our journey home. 

Our first stop was the Maifield lilac farm @9:18 AM, Bull Gap, TN. They were serving fresh lemonade for everyone. Some walked to the lilac fields and others to the greenhouse. I bought a small lilac plant, some body butter, and local honey. 

Our next stop was the Myers Farm. Here we all went to the greenhouses with veggies and flowers. I purchased a sweet potato vine, some herbs, basil, thyme, and a Mosquito plant. 

We were served lunch of ham, turkey, chips, tomatoes, lettuce, iced tea, and a dessert. I got coconut pie.)

We loaded onto the bus and began our final journey home. I fell asleep for about 1 1/2 hours and missed our first rest stop. Sleep right through it. 

Our final stop was at Loves in Columbia, TN, where I bought two double cheeseburgers and fries at Wendy’s, which we ate on the bus.

We arrived in Lawrenceburg around 6 P.M. Everything was unloaded for the people getting off here. 

The next stops were Loretto and Florence. We got off at Lawrenceburg and were home by 6:30 PM.

Had a great trip. 

2025 Oct 30-Nov 5: Bus Trip to Washington, DC with The Club/Diamond

 Bus driver Mistie Byrd is on First Class Charter Bus #G220.

Day 1: Thursday, Oct 30 - Travel day, 

We stopped at Jack's to get two sausages and biscuits for breakfast. 

We rode to the Club, went inside to get our new blue shirts and name tags, Hubby helped load the coach, and I helped load the snacks. Everyone was on the coach by 8:30, and we set off.

Our first stop was at Loves in Columbia, TN, to pick up a couple and for a restroom break. Hubby spent $15.08 for two Mountain Dews, cheese crackers, and snacks. 

We stopped in Cookeville, TN, for lunch break, where there were several restaurants to choose from. We went to Panera Bread,1255 Interstate Drive, Cookeville, TN, where we bought a grilled cheese, a cup of chicken noodle soup, and wild rice soup with French Bread. We spent $21.92.

We stopped for dinner at Fiddler's, where we enjoyed a buffet meal. We spent 43.21. I got Mac & Cheese, creamed potatoes, fish, fried apples, and Blackberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.

Fiddler's Restaurant 

Fiddler's Restaurant 

Fiddler's Restaurant 

We arrived at our hotel, Garner (formerly La Quinta Inn), 1800 E. Main St, Wytheville, VA. Room 410, at 8:43 P.M.

Garner Inn Wytheville, VA

Iphone photos

993- Photo of the bus

994-995 Panera Bread Cookville, TN

997-1006 Fiddler's Wytheville, VA

1007-1008 Photos of our room 410

1009 Receipts 

Steps 8,295 Cal 1,556, 3.15 Miles, zone 37 

Day 2: On Friday, Oct 31, 

I walked around the hotel before breakfast and had a blueberry yogurt. Today, we will continue our journey towards Washington, D.C. 

We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Fishersville, VA, for lunch, where I ordered pinto beans, fried apples, cornbread, chow, and iced tea. I forgot to pack pajamas, so I bought a pair at Cracker Barrel and spent $35.60

We stopped at Pilot in Tom Brocks, VA, for a restroom break and snacks.

We arrived at our hotel, the Hampton Inn, 4050 Westfax Drive, Chantilly, VA, room 418. We will stay here for four nights.

We rode to Texas Roadhouse, 4993 Westone Plaza, Chantilly,
VA, for dinner. It was a prepaid meal. I ordered a grilled pork chop with rolls and a sweet potato.

Texas Roadhouse Chantilly, VA 

Returned to the hotel and rested.
Iphone photos

1010-1017 Walking around Garner Hotel, Wytheville, VA

1019 Cracker Barrel Fishersville, VA Car

1020-1021 Loves Tom Brook, VA

1022 Hampton Inn Chantilly BA 

1023-1025 Texas Roadhouse Chantilly, VA

Canon EOS R6 Camera

5724-5729 Travel Virginia

5730-5745 Travel Virginia

Walked 8,112 Steps 1,519 Cal, 3.08 Miles Zone 33

Day 3: Saturday, Nov 1,

For breakfast, I ate a yogurt and two pastries with kiwi juice. 

We loaded onto the bus at 8:30 and picked up our guide at 9 A.M. (Sondra)

We visited the Korean War Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial.

We stopped at the Fashion Centre Mall at Pentagon City for lunch. 

Hubby and I ordered the bigger plate of walnut shrimp, Broccoli, and beef with Chow Mein and three rangoons, which we split. We spent $17.87.

I also bought a pink sweatshirt for $42.39. 

We loaded back onto the bus and went to the Roosevelt and Martin Luther King memorials. 

We went to dinner at Mount Vernon Restaurant, 3200 Memorial Hwy, Mount Vernon, VA. I ate chicken, potatoes, Cherry Pie, and iced tea. 

After dinner, we rode through Washington, where we saw the Air Force Memorial, the Pentagon, and several Smithsonian museums.

We stopped at the Capitol building at night (which was closed). Several of us walked up to the front of the Capitol building to take photos. We stopped at the US Marine Corps Memorial to take close-up pictures. We dropped off our guide, Sondra, and rode back to the hotel. I took a hot bath and wrote in this journal. 

Iphone photos:

1028-1031 Korean Memorial 

1032-1038 Arlington, VA

1042-1046 Franklin Roosevelt Memorial

1055-1057 Lincoln Memorial 

1058-1067 Washington Sites 

1068-1075 Mount Vernon Restaurant

1076-1077 Newington, VA

1078-1081 Arlington, VA

1086-1090 Washington, DC

1091-1120 Capitol Building, Washington, D.C.

Korean Memorials 

Capitol Building at night 

1124-1146 Us Marine Memorial 

16,293 Steps, 1,985 Cal., 6.01 Miles, 103 Zone 

Canon EOS R6 Camera Photo 

5746-5759 Washington, D.C.

5760-5764 WWI Memorial

5765-5802 Lincoln Memorial

5904-5812 Vietnam Memorial

5813-5817 Lincoln Memorial

5818-5823 travel DC

5824-5861 FDR Memorial

5862-5868 MLK Memorial 

FDR memorial 

FDR Memorial 

Day 4: Sunday, Nov 2,

Breakfast consisted of an omelet, sausage, patties, and kiwi juice.

We picked up our guide at 9 A.M. at Arlington Cemetery, where we went through security and took a trolley tour. 

We stopped at the Changing of the Guards and JFK burial site. We used the restroom at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and took a group photo. 

We loaded on the trolley and headed back to the bus. We rode to the Fashion Ctr at Pentagon in Arlington, VA, to eat lunch.

Hubby and I ate at the Villa Italian Kitchen, where I ordered Mac & Cheese with garlic bread. Hubby ordered a slice of pizza with a bowl of mixed veggies. We spent $26.31.

We stopped at Lego Land, where I bought some Christmas presents for the grandkids and spent $69.93.

After lunch, we rode into D.C., stopping at the People's House, a White House Experience. Then we all walked to the White House, stopping to take photos along the way. 

One of our members danced to a Tennessee Song. We made another group photo in front of the Secret Service Car. People were gathered outside, enjoying the day. The DJ played "Rocky Top" and "Tennessee" for our group. Hubby stayed on the bus. We dropped off our guide and rode to Oak Grove Holiday Inn in Sterling, BA, for a buffet meal and entertainment. One of the women at our table was brought a plate of food, while everyone else had to get their own food. We all kidded her about being special. At the end of the program, one of our group members announced that she would honor her. I ate creamed potatoes, fish, red Velvet cake, and water.

There was dancing, and the Ohio group said they enjoyed our entertainment. That was the most fun they had on their trip. (Another Diamond Group that joined us)As we were leaving, a couple asked us where we were from. We returned to the hotel, took a hot bath, and went to bed.

The White House

The People's House Museum

Arlington Cemetery 

Iphone photos

1147-1175 Arlington Cemetery 

1176-1177 Lunch at Villa Italian Kitchen

1178-1204 Washington, DC

1205-1225 The People's House 

126-1233 Washington Penn AVE

1234-1254 The White House outside the gate

1255-1263 Pumpkin Display at Holiday Inn 

Steps 12,632 Cal 1,814 Miles 4.66 Zone 56 

Canon EOS R6 Camera photo 

5869-5940 Arlington Cemetery 

5941-5946 Group Photo

Group Photo at Arlington Cemetery 

5846-5980 Arlington Cemetery 

Zone 56 miles 4.66 cal 1,814 Steps 12,632

Day 5: On Monday, Nov 3, 

Breakfast consists of an omelet, pastries, and kiwi juice.

We were on the bus by 8:30, and picked up our guide at 9 A.M. Our first stop was the Jefferson Memorial. Next, we stopped at the WWII Memorial. 

WWII Memorial facing the Lincoln Monument 

Jeffeson Memorial 

Lunch was at the Kennedy Center, where I ordered a berry yogurt, croissant, and Coke. Hubby ordered a smash burger, fries, and Coke. We spent $22 and $16.50.

Kennedy Center 

WWII Alabama Memorial

When I finished eating, I walked out onto the balcony, which wrapped around the entire building. It overlooked Washington, DC, and Virginia. I got some great photos. We walked through the Kennedy Display inside the building, then loaded onto the bus and rode to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. We were met by our host, given a speech, and guided through the main chapel. We were told we could visit all the chapels inside the church. 

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

Everyone met outside, this is where we said goodbye to our guide, Sondra. We loaded onto the bus and headed to Manassa for dinner at the Great American Restaurant. Here I ate Shrimp, onion rings, fish, hushpuppies, and tea. It was a buffet meal. 

We boarded the bus and headed for the hotel, about 25 minutes away. We arrived a little after six P.M. I wrote in my journal, watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and went to bed. 

Iphone Photos

1264-1280 Washington, D.C.

1281-1285 Jefferson Memorial 

1286-1303 Washington, D.C.

1304-1324 WWII Memorial 

1325-1357 JFK Center 

1359- 1406 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 

1407-1424 Washington, D.C.

1425 Dinner 

Canon EOS R6 Camera Photo 

5881-5990 World War I Memorial

5991-6020 Travel DC

6021-6043 WWII Memorial

6044-6086 Kennedy Center Roof Top View

6087-6105 Kennedy Display

6106-6119 Travel DC

6120-6202 Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

6203-6235 Travel DC

Steps 10,884 1,686 Cal, 4.1 miles, Zone 34

Day 6: Tuesday, Nov 4: Travel Home & Woodrow Wilson Museum

For breakfast, I ate yogurt and a muffin and drank Kiwi juice.

Hubby filled the ice chest full of ice for our water, and snacks were added for the day's adventures. 

There was a misunderstanding about loading the luggage onto the bus. So I went to each floor to check whether the luggage had been collected, but it had not. 

The man loading the luggage had only done the 5th floor, so I asked several of the men if they would help.

We loaded onto the bus and were on our way by 8:30 A.M. 

Our first stop was a Rest Stop in Timberville, VA. 

Our next stop was the Woodrow Wilson Birth Home and Museum in Staunton, VA.

Woodrow Wilson Birth Home 

Woodrow Wilson 

Woodrow Wilson Presidential Car 

We stopped at Chick-fil-A for lunch. I ordered five chicken minis, fries, Coke, and ice cream.

Our next stop was a rest area in Staunton, VA.

We arrived at our Hotel, Garner, room 410, unloaded our overnight bags, and went to our room until 5:15. We loaded onto the bus and went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. Several people ordered pizza from a local Pizza Hut, while others went to a local restaurant. At Cracker Barrel, I ordered Mac & Cheese and okra with cornbread, chow, and iced tea. Spent $29.30. Hubby ordered a big breakfast.

I also bought three Christmas bags for $5 and two candy bars, for a total of $13.62. 

We rode back to the hotel and packed for our travel home tomorrow. 

1426-1430 Rest Stop Timberville, VA

1431 Staunton, VA

1432-1509 Woodrow Wilson Birth home and museum

1510-1520 Staunton, VA

1521-1527 Rest Stop Christianburg, VA

Steps 4,232, 1.62 miles, 1,372 Cal Zone 1

Day 7: Wednesday, Nov 5. 

For breakfast, I ate Raspberry yogurt, apple pastry, and apple juice.

I walked down the hill to the sidewalk to take a photo of the historic marker of Walter Crocket and the Welcome to Wytheville, VA sign. 

We loaded onto the bus and were on the road by 8:30 A.M. 

Our first stop was the Davy Crockett Travel Center, Baileyton, TN

We ate lunch at Buc-ee's. I bought a berry parfait and cheese chunks. Everyone ate on the bus. 

Our last stop was at Love's in Columbia, Tennessee, to drop off a couple and to use the restroom.

We arrive at the Club around 5:30 P.M. Everyone unloads the bus, and we are home a little after 6 P.M. I have an online class every Wednesday at 6:30 and just made it. Hubby unloaded the car.

We did not stop for dinner.

Iphone Photos 

1528-1534 Walter Crockett Historic Marker 

1535-1537 Water Tower Wytheville, VA 

1538-1548 David Crockett Travel Center, Baileyton, TN

1552-1557 Buc ee's Crossville, TN

Steps 4,545 1,435 Cal 1.72 miles Zone 15