2026 April 28-30 Mystery Trip with Travel Lady (Greenville, Kingsport, Bristol, Tusculum, & Gull's Gap, Tennessee)

 April 28-30 Mystery Trip with Travel Lady  

(Greenville,  Kingsport, Bristol, Tusculum, & Gull's Gap, Tennessee) 

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.(Bus driver Steve) (Bus Starship Dream Line Journey, Excelsior.)(Group leader Krystal)

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.

Photos 

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.

Photos

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. 

Photos 

6131- Breakfast at the hotel @7:33 AM

6132-6142 General Morgan Inn @7:59 AM

6143-6203 Walking Up Main Street @8:07 AM

6204-6238 Leaving Greeneville, TN @8:37 AM

6239-6244 Midfield Farms Bulls Gap, TN @ 9:18 AM

6245=6251 Myers Farm Bulls Gap, TN @11 with lunch 

2024 July 9, 22, 24 Day trips to Pulaski, Lynnville, TN., Corinth, MS., & Danville, Hartsell, AL., with Ava

2024 July 9, 2024 Tuesdays Day Trip to Pulaski and Lynnville, TN

 Today, we rode to Pulaski to visit the Giles County Memorial Interpretive Center and the Trail of Tears Museum.

Ava and the Trail of Tears Statue

Many of the park benches and markers were in much need of repair. 

We saw a golden rain tree, a Statue, and several Markers. 

We were getting ready to leave when we saw pictures of the Trail of Tears in the tunnel under the highway.

Ava and I decided to walk through the tunnel. 

Students created The Bench Project, "Wilma Pearl Mankiller," "The Children the Oxen," and the Trail of Tears, as well as several paintings. 

It was a treasure trove of local artists' work about the Trail of Tears. 

Ava and the  1927 Baldwin Steam Locomotive

We next rode to the Town of Lynnville, TN. 

We visited the Train Depot Museum, where we saw a miniature train engine, signal lights, several signs about the train, a train conductor, and a ticket counter.  

Outside, we walked into the 1927 Baldwin Steam Locomotive and the 1920s Passenger Coach 2587. The red caboose was locked, so we did not go inside. 

Along the hallway were signs about the Milky Way Farm and a picture of Frank C. Mars, the owner and maker of Mars candy. 

We took several pictures outside, one alongside the LRR Lynnville Railroad Museum sign and the Giles County Turkey. 

Ava at Soda Pop Junction

We walked across the road to Soda Pop Junction.

Outside was an orange and white truck with a sign that read "Soda Pop Junction Good Ol' Soda Pop."

We were greeted upon entering. 

I ordered a Chili's dog, and Ava ordered a hamburger and fries. She ate her fries but not her hamburger. Hubby ate her hamburger and most of my chili dog.  

Ava ordered an orange crushed soda in a bottle. 

I told our waitress that Ava loves to visit museums, and she said, 'Ava, I have something to show you.' 

She took a quarter out of the register, and we walked to the back of the restaurant. 

She placed a quarter in the slot, and a piano and a hand-held organ began to play.  

We thanked her and began our journey to Lawrenceburg. 

We had to return to Kroger's to pick up the salmon and cantaloupe I had left at the store the day before. 

It began to rain as we started our journey home.

July 22, 2024, Monday, Microwave Dave 

Today, we visited the Florence Library to see Microwave Dave and create musical instruments out of trash.

Ava made a guitar out of a shoe box.

And a water bottle with seeds.

The kids, as well as the adults, had a good time.

Ava put her finger in the alligator's mouth. 

Ava wanted ice cream, and we were going to Tuscumbia. I remembered that the Palace had good ice cream. 

Ava ordered Smoky Mountain Fudge.

Ava is enjoying her Smoky Mountain Fudge Ice cream in a cone. 

I ordered pecan praline. 

Then we went to the Helen Keller Library to listen to "Book It with Jazz" by the Jazz Allstars.

Afterward, we went to Champy's for lunch. 

Hubby ordered a salad, and we shared a catfish meal.

Ava ordered a chicken-finger meal.

We had leftovers.

Microwave Dave went through the cycle of Blues Music from the days of slavery. 

People make music with a rhythm to help them pass the hard times. 

Then, the clicking and clacking of the railroad era, the sounds of the wheels on the train as it went down the tracks. 

The free slaves moved to the city with a different rhythm. 

The time the people were paid to play music. 

He asked if any of the kids knew about fractions. 

Then, he began telling us how the beats were fractions. 

The kids blew their paper horns, and they beat on their coffee cans for drums. 

They picked the rubber band strings on their shoebox guitar. 

And shook their water bottles filled with bird seeds

In rhythm with Microwave Dave's music.

On Tuesday, we rode to the Rogersville Library to see Microwave Dave.

Ava made a drum from an oatmeal box, a paper horn, and a shaker from a Mt Dew bottle. 

We sang along and played our handmade instruments with Microwave Dave.

We learned about the history of jazz. 

Everyone had a good time. 

July 24, Wednesday, Day Trip to Corinth, MS

Today, we rode to Corinth, MS.

We stopped at the Visitor Center and were given information about sites in Corinth, MS.

We walked to the Corinth Train Depot and Crossroads Museum, which was closed. 

I, too, have pictures of the 1924 American LaFrance Fire Truck and a sign of Caboose #2994, a Civil War-era Corinth, big guns, and the Miniature Hurlbut Amusement Equipment Co. locomotive No. 1009. 

We stopped at the New Coca-Cola Museum. Outside was a carved giant wooden Coca-Cola bottle.

There was a buzzer on the door, which, when pressed, released a locked door that allowed entry to a one-room museum. 

The museum featured over 1,000 Coca-Cola artifacts, including a truck, soda fountain, Coca-Cola boxes, bottles, signs, and toys.

Ava at the Coca-Cola Museum 

In front of the museum sat a Coca-Cola drink machine with small glass bottles filled with Coke products you could purchase. 

That took me back to when a Coke cost 6 to 10 cents, not a dollar or more.  

We stopped at the 15,000-square-foot Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center Museum, which features interactive exhibits and a memorial Garden for the 1862 battles of Shiloh and Corinth.

Ava at the Interpretive Center 

We stopped at the Corinth's Highway Hospitality Building, and I said the Crossroads Museum was closed. 

The curator tried to call the museum, but no answer. She said it should be open, so we returned to the museum.

It was open, and the curator said her dog was sick, and she had taken it to the vet. 

We paid the admission fee and walked through the museum.

We enjoyed the miniature running train display. 

It was now lunchtime, and everyone was ready for lunch. Borroum's Drugs Store Diner was just a few blocks from the Crossroads Museum.

The dinner was hectic. We finally found a table where people had just finished eating lunch, with their dishes still on the table. 

Our waitress finally cleaned the table and took our order. 

 I ordered a hamburger with chips, Ava ordered chicken nuggets and fries, and Hubby ordered a double cheeseburger with onion rings. 

This was our last stop before starting for home. 

It rained a little on us, but not much, and it was evident by the time we left. It was still pretty wet when we got home, but it soon cleared off.

We had a great time, and the area wasn't overcrowded with people, which is a vast improvement over fighting a crowd.

Ava had to get her picture taken with a slug at the park near the Visitor Center. 

Ava and the Slugg

Last week was their slug Festival, with slugs all around town.

Monday, July 29, Day trip to Danville and Hartselle, AL

Today, we went to town to pay our utility bills and get our B12 shots.

Ava and the Jesse Owens statue

Ava and Jesse Owens 26 26-foot Long Jump 

Then we rode to Danville by way of US 72 East towards Cullman.

We stopped at the Jesse Owens Museum. 

We watched the 1936 Olympics there and saw how Jesse Owens won the gold medal before World War II. 

Before Hitler killed all the Jewish people. 

It was a very moving story, and it helped me gain a deeper understanding of the Olympics at that time. 

We walked outside, where we saw a statue of Jesse Owens, a replica of his birth home, and a replica of the long jump from which Jesse set a world record at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. 

Ava and Sequoya statue 

We stopped at the Oakville Indian Museum.

We saw arrowheads and other artifacts from the Mississippian, Archaic, Paleo, and Woodland Periods of American Indians. 

We saw a wooden carving of Sequoyah, a mixed-blood Cherokee who developed an alphabet known as a syllabary. 

Ava was not impressed, for she rushed through it.

We bought her a bag of colorful rocks and a mood ring in the gift shop. 

Ava and the Blues Brothers

We stopped for lunch at Oh'Bryan's in Hartselle. 

Ava and I ordered the special for eight dollars, and everything was included. 

Ava ordered fried chicken fingers with fries and a doctor's pepper.

I ordered grilled chicken fingers and a sweet potato with iced tea 

My husband ordered a salad, steak, and potato toast, and iced tea. 

We filled up with gas at Murphy.

And we stopped at Kroger's for sodas.

We were home by 3:30.