We stopped in Elgin to have the front end checked on the Honda Van and had to leave it for repairs, so we ended up driving the LS Saturn, an older car that got good gas mileage.
We stopped for our weekly B-12 shots and began our journey.
We took I-65 North to 840 West to 40 West, stopping at the Pilot in Knoxville to refuel.
 |
| We stopped at the Tennessee Rest Stop in Lancaster, where we saw a display about Tennessee during the Civil War, highlighting the tough men and the even more brutal war. |
We were getting hungry, so we decided to eat at Paula Deen's, but it was way too much food, and since we were both watching our weight, we ended up eating at Long John Silver's instead.
I ordered a piece of Cod Fish (my favorite) and a Hubby seafood platter, which we shared.
We rode past the Old Mill and stopped at Patriots Park, which was nearby.
 |
| Liberty Bell Home to a beautiful landscape and several significant events, Patriot Park is an ideal destination for relaxation and fun.
The park is located behind The Old Mill, off Middle Creek Road. A large expanse of lush green covers the park, but the highlight is undoubtedly the inspiring Veterans Memorial.
A large, cracked Liberty Bell was erected within the park to pay homage to all of the Sevier County war veterans. This act of Patriotism is part of the Patriotism Annual Celebrate Freedom event. This two-week celebration pays tribute to the millions of men and women who have courageously fought for America's freedoms. When visiting Sevier County, be sure to take some time to visit Pigeon Forge's Patriot Park.
|
 |
| Patriot Missile Patriot utilizes advanced aerial interceptor missiles and high-performance radar systems. Patriot was developed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, which had previously designed the Safeguard ABM system, along with its component Spartan and hypersonic speed Sprint missiles. The symbol for Patriot is a drawing of a Revolutionary War-era Minuteman. |
 |
| Patriot Park City of Pigeon Forge A patriot is someone who feels strong support for their country. (See also Patriotism.) It comes from the Hellenic (Greek) word Πατρίς (patris), meaning homeland. It is the female form of Πατέρας, which means Father. |
 |
| Liberty Bell |
The next morning, we took the elevator from the fourth floor to the ground level and walked to the dining room to eat breakfast.
We then rode through Gatlinburg, taking in the sights where the fire had occurred earlier in the year.
 |
| We crossed the Tennessee State line into North Carolina. |
 |
| It was a bit chilly, and I had left my jacket back at the hotel. |
 |
| The Smoky Mountains Our next stop is the Mountain Farm Museum & Visitor Center in Oconaluftee, NC. At the Mountain Farm Museum, we saw Corn Cribs, Broomcorn, a Sorghum Mill and Furnace, a Blacksmith Shop, Sorghum Cane, a fenced-in garden, an Apple House, hog pens, the meat house, and a springhouse. |
 |
| Cabin |
 |
| Mountain Farm Museum |
 |
| Most of the buildings on a mountain farm are related to the most basic of all needs: preserving food. The historic buildings at the Mountain Farm Museum were moved here from various locations within the national park in the early 1950s. These buildings reflect the challenges faced daily by every mountain farm family. John Davis spent two years building this house near Deep Creek, North Carolina. It was completed in about 1900. The log walls are "matched"; Davis split chestnut logs in half along their length and placed the halves in matching positions on opposite walls. |
 |
| Oconaluftee River Trail |
 |
| Hand-stitched quilts at Oconaluftee Visitor Center |
 |
| Inside the Oconaluftee Visitor Center We saw cultural-themed exhibits about the people who once lived in the area. |
 |
| Our next stop was Cherokee Veterans Park, where we saw markers honoring Native Americans who had served in the US Army, US Navy, U.S. Marines, and US Air Force. |
 |
| A bear at the Cherokee Veterans Park represents our US Flag and the American Eagle. |
 |
| Slice of Oreo Cookie Cheesecake |
 |
| Whopper Jr, Onion Rings, and a drink We took a different route (I-40s)back to the Inn on the River and stopped to tour the Bush Museum and Store. |
 |
| Bush's Truck |
 |
3901 US-411, Dandridge, TN 37725
|
 |
| A replica of a can of Bush's Baked Beans showing the beans' journey. |
 |
| Jay Bush and his dog Duke |
 |
| Bush's Factory |
We enjoyed Applewood's Apple Fritters, juice, chicken, and vegetables.
 |
Applewood Apple FrittersIngredients
1 cup milk
1 egg (beaten)
4 Tbsp margarine
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 orange, rind, and juice
1 cup apples (chopped but not too fine)
3 cups cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
Directions
Beat the egg. In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, egg, and melted margarine. Add the orange juice, rind, chopped apples (with the skin left on), and vanilla. Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Stir the mixture into the milk with a spoon until well blended. DO NOT OVERMIX. Preheat the oil in a skillet to 350 degrees. Drop the tablespoons into the hot oil. Fry to a golden brown. Turn so they brown evenly. Allow cooling. Makes about 30 fritters.
|
 |
| Applewood Farm |
After enjoying a nice meal, we rode back to the hotel, took a shower, climbed into bed to watch some television, and fell asleep.
The next morning, we dressed and rode the elevator down to the first floor, where we walked into the dining room for breakfast.
We checked out and headed for home.
We stopped to fill up with gas and visited the I-75 rest stop, where we saw a historic marker.
 |
| The Road to Chattanooga: The Tide Turns for the Union. This interstate highway parallels the historic line of the East Tennessee & Georgia Railroad. Late in 1863, Union and Confederate armies followed the tracks during a series of battles in the fight for control of Chattanooga, a strategically vital rail center. Multiple Civil War-related sites are located in Charleston (Exit 33), near the location of a raid by Confederate Gen. Joseph Wheeler's cavalry. The Henegar House was the headquarters for Union Gen. William T. Sherman. Cumberland Presbyterian Church served as a Confederate hospital. The Hiwassee River Heritage Center interprets the story of the Union occupation of the area. In downtown Cleveland (Exit 25), late in 1863, Union forces built Fort Hill to protect the railroad. A cemetery was established nearby, with the dead of both sides interred there. In 1914, the Grand Army of the Republic erected a monument for the Union soldiers there, one of three such memorials in the state. Fighting occurred around the Masonic Female Institute in Cleveland. The site of a major Confederate hospital is located near Exit 7. Silverdale Confederate Cemetery contains the graves of about 155 of Gen. Braxton Bragg's soldiers. Most of them are unknowns who died in hospitals in 1862. Several units of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park can be accessed from Exit 3, including Orchard Knob, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain. Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's victory there late in November 1863 turned the tide against the Confederates. It resulted in the Federal occupation of most of East Tennessee for the rest of the war. |
My granddaughter brought over her daughter, and she stayed with us until 8:30 P.M.
We had a great time in the mountains, but were also glad to be home.
