2010 October 11, Monday, Jack Daniels Distillery Lynchburg, Tennessee

This was our trip to Lynchburg, TN to the Jack Daniels Distillery. 

My husband slept late and we did not leave until about 9:30 A.M. we arrived in Fayetteville, Tn, at 11 A.M. stopping at Honeys Bar and Grill to eat lunch. 

Honeys Bar and Grill

I ordered a slaw hamburger and my husband ordered a regular hamburger, onion rings and we both ordered ice tea with lemon. 

I took pictures of the Lincoln County Courthouse,CSA markers, two cannons that were brought here from Fort Morgan in Mobile Bay, the war memorial, and the old Lincoln Theater. 

Lincoln Theater. 

Lincoln County Courthouse, CSA markers, two cannons 

We then headed down highway 64 east to Lynchburg, Tennessee. 

We met two couples from Ohio driving a Chrysler town and country just the same color and year model as the one we were driving. The driver laughed and said, “ I hope you guys do not get mixed up in which van you are driving.” I laughed and said, “I sure we would notice that the tag is from Ohio.”

We parted ways and headed to the visitor’s center where we got tickets to go watch a movie about the life of Jack Daniels and the start of Jack Daniel Whiskey.

The movie had already started and the room was pitch black so I sat in the first set that she could fit into. My husband squeezed next to me and I could here his heart beat with every breath he took and the man next to me I leaned over and said I am sorry if I am too close but it is dark in here and I was afraid to move.

After the movie, we were ushered outside into a small bus and were carried to the top of the hill where the tour began.

We were all asked to line up for a group picture, which could be downloaded, from the Internet free of charge a few days later. 

I was telling my husband that years ago you had to actually walk up that hill, and the woman behind me said she remember that. 

The area where we got off the bus was the charcoal area and our tour guide Jesse James ask if anyone wanted whiskey sprayed onto their arm. Several said yes and boy was it strong.

The guide explained about the making of whiskey but I was a too busy taking picture of everything.

We followed him to the spring from where all the water is used in making of the whiskey. The water came from a spring inside the cave. The cave becomes smaller the futher back,  until it becomes a small hole.

Jack Daniels Tour 

Jack Daniels Tour at the spring

Jack Daniels Tour standing next to Jack

Jack Daniels Tour relaxing 

Jack Daniels Tour sitting on the wall

Mr. James took pictures of several people in our group, each with their own cameras.

We were then taken to the old office of Mr. Jack Daniels where we were told the story about the safe.

Jack Daniel got up early one morning and went to his office. Jack needed to get into his safe but forgot the combination. Jack got angry and kicked the safe with his foot, breaking his toe.

His toe got infected, had to be removed, later his foot, then his leg and later he died. 

Jack Daniel was only 5feet 2inches tall, not a very big man.

There were several pictures hanging in the office, and old potbelly stove, and in one room was the grain used in making Jack Daniel Whiskey, Rye, Wheat, and Corn.

We walked to the brewing house where the brewing machines were shut down for the yearly cleaning. 

We went threw several buildings up and down several flights of stairs. 

The last building we went through was the barrelhouse. This is where the whiskey is stored until it is sold. The whiskey that was stored on the bottom was the best whiskey, because it does not get as hot. 

We were told the story about Moore County being a dry county and how Jack got started making whiskey. Jack never married and left his distillery to his favorite nephew Lem Motlow. 

Motlow was the brains behind the making a success of the name Jack Daniels.

Barrel of Jack

Motlow House 

After the tour, we were given a glass of ice-cold lemonade. (Very good)

We toured the museum taking pictures and then we went outside to take some more pictures.

We walked down to a bridge connecting the distillery to the small historic town of Lynchburg, Moore Co., Tennessee. 

I walked across the bridge while my husband stayed behind waiting for me. I walked around the town taking pictures of the courthouse, Moore County marker, veteran’s marker, and several stores. 

As we were leaving, I took a picture of Lem Motlow old home place.

We headed west to Winchester Tennessee where we stopped to take a few pictures.

Driving thru Winchester 

Oldham Theater in Winchester Tennessee

We then headed toward Huntsville the long way. My husband stopped along the highway (Davey Crockett Hwy/64 hwy.) so I could take pictures of John Ruch, Kentuck, Polly Crockett, Jesse Bean, and Falls Mill all in Belvidere, Tennessee.

We then rode through New Market stopping to take pictures of the Skirmish of Limestone Road, The Town of New Market, and Buckhorn Tavern.

2 miles NW on Old Limestone Road during a Skirmish August 5, 1862
Federal General Robert L McCook was killed by men of Capt Frank Gurley's Confederate unit. In retalation the Federal forces burned and pillered the area. 

We stopped at Cheaders in Huntsville to eat supper. I ordered a Caesar salad, taco soup (mostly whole tomatoes) and ice tea. My husband ordered grilled shrimp, ribs, and a couple of sides. 

I was not impressed with the fool. 

We stopped at T&T Grocery to get gas and then home. I uploaded my pictures onto the computer and then to Flickr. 

Ready for my next day trip. Where will it be?

2010 ~September 25, -27 Hermitage, Dollywood, Tennessee Aquarium

Day 1: Saturday, September 25, 2010

Trip to Hermitage Tennessee and Pigeon Forges, and Chattanooga Tennessee.

We left at 6:30 A.M. Saturday morning we were on our way to visit the Hermitage in Hermitage, Tennessee. 

We traveled through Lawrenceburg on Highway 43 through Spring Hill Tennessee stopping at Rippavilla Plantation and the Mule Museum to take pictures.

Rippavilla Plantation 

Rippavilla Plantation 

We stopped in Columbia Tennessee at Mcdonald's where I ordered a cinnamon melt and a diet coke. 

After leaving Spring Hill, we entered onto interstate I-65 north toward Nashville, Tennessee. We stopped in Franklin Tennessee to get gas and we stopped at Hardies where my husband ordered a breakfast sandwich. 

We arrived at 8:30 A.M. just as the museum opened. 

The tickets to visit the home, grounds, and museum were free, but to take the wagon tour it cost $10.

Andrew Jackson and his wife 

Andrew Jackson Carriage

Upon entering the museum, we were ushered into a movie theater where the life of Andrew Jackson was shown. After the show, we entered into the hallway of the life of Andrew Jackson where I began taking pictures. We walked through not taking time to read or listen to a tape. We walked over to the Jackson Mansion stopping along the way to take pictures of the landscape and the historic markers. We walked through the gardens and the family cemetery where Andrew Jackson and his family were buried.  Jackson and his wife had a large tombstone. Andrew Jackson’s faithful slave was buried in a small grave near the family cemetery.

Standing in front of the tree

Andrew Jackson Tomb 

The Hermitage

We went to the restrooms.
My husband sat down to rest for a while  I walked to the old spring where I took several pictures. I took pictures of the wagon and the horses.
Our wagon ride was at 10:15 A.M.
The wagon ride carried us past a log cabin, which was the first home of Jackson, after he built his new home he gave the cabin to his slaves to live in.

A log Cabin was the first home of the Jackson 

The cabin was a two-story building but later was converted into a one story, because slaves could not live in a two-story building. We went further onto the grounds to visit the slave homes, spring, and see other historic markers. 

Waiting to take the wagon ride

the wagon ride

We met several people on the wagon ride, a couple from Ohio, several people from Alabama, and several Alabama fans who ragged the Ohio Couple about their ball players. 

The Hermitage was preparing for an upcoming wedding in the building next to the spring.
Several buildings have been added to the Jackson plantation that were not part of the original plantation, they are used for school training, weddings, and other functions.

We walked to the Mansion where we had to wait in line to go inside.

We were given a tour of the home along with several other people, which took about 20 to 30 minutes. 

We walked back to the gift shop where I bought several postcards, and we finished in the museum.

There was a long line of people waiting to get into the Museum and they were told that once they got inside they would have to wait in line again to tour the mansion. 

The tour took us three hours but it did not seem that long.

We left the mansion and took  I-40 toward Knoxville, Tennessee to Pigeon Forge we have a room at The Inn at Christmas our check-in time is 4 P.M.

We were warmly greeted at The Inn at Christmas, then we took our luggage to room 213.
We decided to ride around town to see the sites, and one of my husband's friends said we should eat at Huck Finn's Restaurant.
So we stopped there for dinner, where I ordered the special of all-you-can-eat white beans, hush puppies, onion, potatoes, and slaw with iced tea to drink. My husband ordered the Catfish plate and I ate a piece of the fish it was very good.  

 Huck Finns Restaurant

We rode through the town of Gatlinburg then over the mountains. We stopped alongside the road so I could take pictures of the timeless mountains.
Darkness and fog had fallen on the mountaintop it was getting hard to see where we were going,  so we headed back down the mountain.
We rode to Sevierville to Auto Zone to purchase a blinker bulb.
We rode back to The Christmas Inn for Santa's reading but it was too late it was at 9:00PM we did not get back until 10:00PM.

Inn at Christmas 

Inn at Christmas 

My husband’s back was hurting from all the driving so we went downstairs to the swimming pool where he changed into his swimsuit, I had already put mine on and had slipped my cover-up over it. 

The hot tub was full, so my husband went outside; I slipped into the hot tub and stayed there for about 10 minutes. 

I went outside where my husband was sitting watching the kids slide down the waterslide. 

I jumped into the swimming pool and swam across to the other side several times. The water was nice, it was not too cold or too hot. We went back inside, my husband slipped into the hot tub, and I got in the regular pool. 

We changed clothes in the restrooms and went back upstairs.

I download my pictures and upload them to the Internet. My husband was tired so he went to sleep. I went to bed at about 12 P.M. 

Day 2: Sunday, September 26, 2010

The next morning we dressed and went down to the first floor where they were serving breakfast. My husband ate scrambled eggs, ham, sausage, gravy, and biscuits. I ate waffles with heated syrup and orange juice.
It was raining outside so we went to Walmart to purchase a couple of raincoats or ponchos to wear at  Dollywood when it opens at 10am

My husband picked out a blue raincoat and I picked a yellow raincoat. 

yellow raincoat

blue raincoat

My husband parked the car in Dollywood's parking lot, we then rode the trolley over to Dollywood we were let out at the gift shop.
Everyone went through the gates at 9:30AM but nothing opened up until 10 AM.

We rode the simulator of one of Dollywood's creations.
Our next stop was to watch the Kingdom Heirs perform.
We had front-row seats.
One of the members of the band asked us several questions. He said where are you from?

Kingdom Heirs 

Is this your first time seeing the Show? In addition, he asks many other questions.

We raised our hands for being the first time to see the show and he asked where are you from and we replied Alabama. 

He had asked earlier who was Alabama Fans. 

This was our second time in Dollywood and we had never seen Kingdom Heirs perform. 

He said we are always there and why had you not seen our show. 

Somehow we had always missed their show.

He picked at us for a few minutes and then went on to pick at another guest. After the show, we walked around until time for the next show, which was SHA-KON-HEY, which was an outstanding show. 

 SHA-KON-HEY

I took several pictures while the show was going on. The blue smoke, the actors singing, flying, and bouncing off the walls. They were in treetops, flying over the audience and dancing on the stage. It was an awesome performance. After the show, we stopped at Apple Jacks Restaurant for lunch where I ordered a bread chilies bowl with coke.
My husband ordered a sandwich. I could not eat my entire chilies bowl so I gave it to my husband. While he finished eating, I walked over to Dolly’s family reunion show where my husband later joined me.
We walked around the park looking at the areas that we had not seen.
After we rode the train we walked to the back of the park to see the new optical course. We stopped along the way back to take pictures of the tombstones with funny sayings.

It was getting late, we were both tired from walking and wet from the drizzling rain, so we decided to call it a day.
On our way out we stopped at the Spotlight Bakery to get a  piece of Carrot Cake. 

Dollywood Coffin 

Dollywood Coffin 

We ate dinner at Long John Silvers, I ordered lobster tails with iced tea and my husband ordered a meal.
We also shared a slice of carrot cake.
Back at the Inn, I took a hot shower, dressed for the night, and then uploaded my pictures to the computer when I had finished, I crawled into my warm bed and fell asleep. 

Day 3: Monday, September 27, 2010

The next morning we slept later than usual because we were both tired from all the traveling and walking from the day before.

We ate breakfast but I did not get a waffle because the dining room was full of older people. They had brought in a couple of busses of older people for some kind of convention. 

After breakfast we went back to the room and finished watching the movie Death Becomes Her. 

We checked out of the hotel and rode to Chattanooga. We stopped at Wendy's for lunch and after lunch, we went to the River and salt-water aquarium, where we spent several hours there.
It was a home-school day at the aquarium. 

Tennessee Aquarium

Tennessee Aquarium

Tennessee Aquarium

We rode to Bridge Street Mall in Huntsville at Victoria’s Secret to make a purchase.
I had a coupon to get eight pairs of panties for $25.00 but got five for $25.

We stopped at Zaxby’s in Athens where I ordered three chicken fingers with a salad.
My husband ordered hot wings, chicken fingers, and fries. 

It was very late when we arrived home.
I uploaded a few pictures and went to bed.
Another great adventure!
What will my next adventure be?
Will I go to Orlando or the mountains?

2002 November 7-12 Trip to Washington DC with my Grandson Jake

2002 ~ November 7-12 Washington, D.C

Rode bus to Washington D.C. the weekend of Veteran’s Day with a group of gifted kids from the Lauderdale county school system. 
All the kids and parents, grandparents had to meet  at the board of Education in Florence, Alabama. At 4:30 p.m. where we load into a tour bus.  

Day 1: Thursday, November 7, 2002  

We left Florence, Alabama on highway 72 heading to Huntsville, Alabama. 60 miles

565- Huntsville we took I565 East 2.4 miles to 72 easts for 37.7 miles, 

35 south merge onto veterans drive for 2.1 miles toward Fort Payne, 

35 souths turn right onto Al-35 South for 23.4 miles.

59 North – merge onto I-59 via the ramp on the left toward Chattanooga for 41.9 miles

24 East –merge onto I-24 toward Chattanooga for 17.4 miles.

75 north- merge onto I-75 North via exit 185 B on the left toward Knoxville, Tennessee. 

40 East- take I-40 east toward Knoxville, TN.

81 north – merge onto I-81 north via exit 421 on the left toward Bristol crossing to Virginia.

66 East- merge onto I66 East via exit 300 toward Fort Royal Washington crossing into Virginia. 

We traveled all night on the bus and most of the kids slept. We swapped drivers sometime during the night for drivers cannot drive non-stop for twelve hours.

Day 2: Friday, November 8, 2002

We arrived early the next morning and our first stop was the Arlington National Cemetery. 
We watched changing of the guards.
Arlington National Cemetery

Changing of the guards at Arlington Cemetery 

We saw all the graves of the unknown soldiers, the eternal flame of President Kennedy, his wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and his brother Robert Kennedy.
We saw the memorial for the seven crew members who lost their lives when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded.
On January 28, 1986, Challenger disintegrated just 73 seconds after blasting off, killing  Francis "Dick" Scobee, Ronald McNair, Mike Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judy Resnik, Greg Jarvis and Connecticut teacher Christa McAuliffe. 

Francis "Dick" Scobee, Ronald McNair, Mike Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judy Resnik, Greg Jarvis and Connecticut teacher Christa McAuliffe

Also inside the Arlington National Cemetery is the Arlington House formerly named the Custis-Lee Mansion it was the former home to one of the most famous southern generals, Robert E. Lee.
Arlington House The Custis Lee Mansion

Arlington National cemetery is located on 500 acres site in on the East side of the Potomac River. 

We saw the Pentagon, which is on the West side of the Potomac River.
Pentagon

Pentagon, on the West side of the Potomac River

Arlington National Cemetery 

 Smithsonian National Castle  

We visited the Washington National Cathedral Church located on 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW DC. The Gothic Cathedral with dramatic architecture, soaring vaulting magnificent stained glass sculptures carvings, gargoyles, peaceful gardens, and daily worship. 
The Cathedral is the sixth largest Cathedral in the world offering magnificent views of DC, Maryland, and Virginia are has 57 acres. 
Washington National Cathedra

Washington's National Cathedral  

Jake in front of the Washington's National Cathedral 

We went to the National Zoological Park located at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW it has 1000 exotic animals, including the Panda Bear. 
Smithsonian National Zoological Park

It was getting close to time for the zoo to close when we arrived but I did get to see the two new Panda Bears before they closed.

Day 3: Saturday, November 9, 2002

We walked along the gates of the White House; we stood in line for over and hour to get tickets to go into the Capital Building. 
US Capitol Tours

Tickets are free and are on a first come first serving basis. 
Distribution began at nine and we arrived there about 7:30. A.M. 

US Capitol Building with our school group 

Ticket to see Washington Capitol

We came back later that day for a 45 minute guided tour.
Inside the capitol building were statues that represented every state of the Union. 
The statue that represented Alabama was General Joseph Wheeler from Pond Springs, Alabama.

There were painting on the walls and ceiling. 

The constitution of our country was under glass in the capital building. 

Washington National Capitol building is located at 3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW DC.

The white House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW DC. 

To visit the White House of a party of ten or more only – request must be made through ones member of congress 6 months in advance. 

We went to the Ronald Reagan building for lunch. 

Ronald Reagan Building

We used the restroom in the US Botanical Gardens.
The United States Botanic Gardens
We visited in the Smithsonian History Museum.

The Smithsonian Museum of National Air and Space Museum is located on 6th street and Independence Ave SW. 
Inside the National Air and Space Museum is many icons such as the original Wright Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louise, Space Ship one, the Apollo II Command Module and a touchable Luna rock. 

smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

We saw the Jefferson Memorial a 19-foot statue of our third president. 
Jefferson Memorial

We saw the FDR Memorial with four out door “galley rooms” featuring ten bronze sculptures depicting the life and times of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his beloved dog “Fala”

National Park Service

We saw the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the Washington Monument all of these are in the West Potomac Park.

Ticket Washington Monument

Day 4: Sunday, November 10, 2002

We went to Mount Vernon, (Washington’s home in Virginia) which is 16 miles South of DC.
George Washington's Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon 

Ticket to visit Mt Vernon

We ate lunch at the Fashion Center at the Pentagon City of 100 shop.
Fashion Centre at Pentagon City

We also visited the house were Lincoln our sixteenth president died. 

We shopped in some of the gift shops on the same street were Lincoln died. 

We went up in the elevator in the Lincoln Memorial, and I had a sick stomach and had to rush back down to find a restroom.
Lincoln Memorial District of Columbia
We saw FDR memorial and his wife Eleanor Roosevelt.

 FDR Memorial

We saw the Gettysburg address where Lincoln was sitting; he was the size of a two-story building. 

Gettysburg Address

We could see across the Potomac River to the White House. 

We ate lunch at McDonalds. 
We saw Fort Knox where they make money. 

We saw where the terrorist had destroyed the building in D.C. and it being restored. 

Pentagon being repaired after 911

We saw dinosaur bones in the Smithsonion Natioanl History museum. 

That weekend they were having a memorial and was reading of the names written on the Vietnam Wall. 

My stomach stayed tore up the entire weekend and I think I used every restroom in DC. 

We ate breakfast every morning at our hotel. 

There were four to a room and the parent or grandparent had to sleep with the child. 

We ate lunch and dinner at several different places in Washington DC.

Day 5: Monday, November 11, 2002

We started our trip back and my stomach started hurting the minute we got on the bus. 
I was having hot flashes, and I felt the urge to throw up.
I told my grandson to get me a Wal-Mart bag to barf in.
He brought me one but it had a hole in the bottom needless to say my barf went in one side of the bag and out the other spilling all over the bus floor.

It smelled awful so the driver of the bus found a place to stop and everyone got out so he could clean the bus.
Everyone went inside the store where we stopped and I went to the restroom, barfed, and pooped again.

Someone gave me some medicine for motion sickness and sick stomach. 

I slept until we stopped at a mall in Knoxville, Tennessee for supper.

My stomach was now settled down so I went shopping at the Disney store, where I bought my granddaughter a Lelo stuffed animal. 

I also bought the movie Snow Dogs that everyone on the bus watched on the way home.
I went back to sleep and I slept the rest of the way home.
A fun trip but no one will forget the time I barfed on the bus on our return trip home.