2018 Aug 22, Kermits Outlaw Kitchen & Sites Tupelo, MS.

Hubby and I rode south on Natchez Trace, stopping at Pharr Mounds where we saw three markers overlooking the Indian Mounds. Trade from Afar, Objects, and Ideas, and Coming Home. 

Pharr Mounds 

Pharr Mounds Rest Area

We stopped at Natchez Trace Visitor Center Saltillo near Tupelo a part of the National Park Service. 

The ranger gave me a map of the Trail of Tears. I also pick up Explore the Natchez Trace Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee A Unique Journey from Natchez to Nashville, and a book about Natchez Mississippi (I hope to visit Natchez shortly).

There were signs throughout the center Natchez Trace Parkway Center, The Heyday of the Old Trace, Transition, Who traveled the old trace, The old Southwest, The Mission to remember, Traces of Tribes, and a bust of Meriwether Lewis. 

Visitor Center Natchez Trace Mississippi

Visitor Center Natchez Trace Mississippi

We stopped at the Tupelo Automobile Museum where we saw over 100 various restored cars from the turn of the century to the present day car.  

The tour begins with a brief history of the museum and its founder Frank Spain.
We saw a 1976 Lincoln Mark IV owned by Elvis Presley, Liberace's Barrister, one used in the movie The Great Race, New York to Paris, Richard Petty #23 NASCAR, BB King's Rolls Royce, & Chevy El Camino. We saw the 1948 Tucker, 1920 Cord L-29, 1937 Lagonda, and 1929 Duesjnberg, just to name a few.

Liberace's 1982 black "Barrister" Corvette was one of only seven made by California customizer George Barris. The extended body, multiple side pipes, and golden radiator grill were common to all seven, but the full-size candelabra bolted to the trunk is exclusively Liberace.

Richard Petty #43 NASCAR HE won his 200th and final race in Daytona

Elvis Presley 1976 Royal Blue Lincoln Mark IV
This car was given to a policeman that oversaw Elvis's security.

BB King 1978 Rolls Royce 

We stopped at the newly remodeled Tupelo Welcome Center on display is Tuple’s, Elvis Story. Welcome to Tupelo and Elvis's Musical influence in Gospel, Country, Blues, and Modern Music. 

Elvis influenced Music in the gospel, Blues, Country, and Modern 

In Tuple’s Fair Park stands a statue of Elvis Presley holding a microphone and has his hand held out to welcome his fans. 

On October 3, 1945, a ten-year-old Elvis played to his first crowd on these grounds and took 5th place in a talent show.

We also saw a plaque with a picture of Elvis holding a guitar and guitars throughout the town of Tupelo.

The Elvis Presley statue stands on the site of the old fairgrounds where the concert took place, created by Mississippi sculptor Bill Beckwith.

We were told that Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen has the best food in town. 

So, we each ordered a fully loaded hamburger and fries.

Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen purchases its food from local farmers. The food was delicious. (One of the best hamburgers that I have eaten in a long time.)

Outside Kermits’s was a pile of wood, and a raccoon holding a shotgun. 

Inside hanging on the wall was the outlaw Willie Nelson. 

Outlaw Burger 

Kermit's Outlaw Kitchen
KOK is a wood-fired grill that uses the freshest meats produced from local farms.

2018 Aug 16, Road to Southaven, MS

Sometimes we plan trips and sometimes we just wear it. Today was a wing-it day.
Hubby had a heart test at 10:30 AM which did not take very long.
He said have you been to the Train Bridge and seen the mural that is being painted?
I said I had been to the Train Bridge many times but had not been lately.
So off we go to check out the new mural of a train which I was told is not finished.

Train Bridge Mural


Hubby said I do not want to go home, have you heard of Southaven, MS? I said I think we have been through there.

Hubby said I want to go look at an Entegra Class A diesel and we can get lunch along the way.

I said you know we traveled this same route last week when we went to Little Rock, Arkansas.
We stopped in Corinth, Mississippi at Cracker Barrel for lunch.

Cracker Barrel Corinth, MS 

Checker Board at Cracker Barrel 

Lunch Shrimp, Fried Apples with Cornbread! YUM!!

Hubby eating Pinto Beans, Fried Apples, Cornbread, and Roast Beef

We traveled US 72 West to 385 West and I-55 South to Southaven, which is just a short distance away from Memphis. We saw countless jets overhead coming out of the Memphis Airport.
We stopped at America's Largest Indoor RV/Marine Showroom at Southaven's RV's.
We looked at two of the  Entegra Class A diesel.
https://www.southavenrv.com/rv/southaven+ms/entegra+classadiesel/4844/entegra+cornerstone+45b

Sitting on display were a couple of Travel Trailers and I said we have come a long way since the beginning of travel. Hubby and I were watching the Travel Channel and it said that it was not until the 1960s that the name Travel Trail went to being called RVs.

We normally do not do a lot of shopping but today was a wing-it day.
Across the highway was the Tanger Outlet so off we go in that direction.
Mississippi is just as hot in the summer as Alabama. Hubby parks and we began our journey through the outlets.
I said I would love to have something cold so hubby sats down took out his cell phone and began looking for restaurants.
In the meantime, I have spotted Blues Markers and guitars dotted throughout the shopping area, and off I go taking pictures.

Travel Trailer

Travel Trailer

Tanger Outlets 

Flowers at Tanger Outlets

Birthplace of America's Music Blues  Notice the tarps over the walking areas. 

I take over a hundred pictures when I get a call saying where are you?
By this time it is hot, I stop at a vending machine for a Coke.

Children's Play Area Tanger Outlets 

Splash Pad at Tanger Outlets 

We headed back to the car and began our trip home it was around 4:30 and traffic was getting heavy.
The GPS bypasses Interstate traffic.
We stop at Jack's in Corinth for dinner, Mapco for gas, and Walgreens
We arrive home around 8:30PM

🚗2018 July 31, Adventures trails that lead to Pulaski, Tennessee

Hubby and I rode north along the 101 highway and took Highway 64 east in Lexington. 

We turned left onto Alabama County Road 89 which took us into Tennessee. 

In Tennessee, we followed County Road 98 also called Rabbit Trail Road.

We turned left at Bonnertown Deli, Gas Station, and Lottery Store onto Appleton Road. 

Bonnertown Deli, Gas Station, and Lottery Store

We stopped at the Big Red Store (closed except for 4 days a year) to take pictures. 

This is where we saw a historic marker telling about the Confederate leader Forrest and his troops that camped along Sugar Creek in Giles County preparing for a Federal attack. 

We continued on Appleton Road which dead-ended at Sugar Creek. 

We took Blooming Grove Road, a narrow two-lane, rough, snake road for several miles. Along the way, we passed the Appleton Church of Christ, goats, turkeys, horses, cows, and a flock of vultures. 

Once again we encountered Sugar Creek where we saw a family with two little boys wearing life jackets and two girls swimming.

They scurried out of the creek as we proceeded to cross.

The cross-over was concreted with water flowing over the top. 

Nestled on top of a hill across Sugar Creek stood Mount Zion Cemetery, and Church with Sugar Creek flowing from two sides. 

We continued along Blooming Grover Road where we saw fields of Corn, Black-eyed Susan, and a barn full of hay.

We saw a John Deer Mail Box at 8125 waiting for the mail carrier. 

We stopped in front of a white wooden farmhouse that had a red tin roof, in the front yard was a row of pink Lilies in full bloom. 

After many turns and twists, we arrived at Minor Hill Highway. 

Narrow Roads

Farm House

The Yellow Deli with a beautiful garden caught my eye so we decided to stop for lunch.  

I took pictures of the garden as we approached the entrance.

We were greeted by the owner and told the upstairs was closed.

The owner said you are welcome to go upstairs and look around while you are waiting for your food. 

I ordered the Cranberry Cashew Salad with Mixed greens, cashews, craisins, Havarti cheese, peppers, and tomatoes with house dressing and cranberry bread.

Hubby ordered Deli Rose Roast Beef Sandwich with Pepper Jack Cheese, Provolone Cheese, Onions, Tomatoes, Mayo, Mustard, and special sauce on an onion roll served with chips and a pickle.

We finished the meal with Carrot Cake topped with Cream Cheese icing topped with nuts.

Cranberry Cashew Salad 

The Inside of the Deli was as beautiful as the outside. Murals dotted the walls, and Common Sense Soaps and Body Care lined the entranceway Way, leading to the hosted area, cashier, and bar. 

Plants were everywhere including the window seals, and the windows were dressed in tied-back yellow and white check curtains.

Half-bushel baskets were used as light fixtures.

Wooden Tables, iron back chairs, and wooden booths were throughout the lower and top levels of the deli. 

The top level had an enclosed garden where you could enjoy dining outside. 

This beautiful building was built around 1900 called the HGH Gladish Heritage House. 

Inside The Yellow Deli 

Inside The Yellow Deli 

Outside the Yellow Deli 

We rode to the Trail of Tears Interruptive Center the museum was closed

We walked around outside looking at the markers, benches, statues, dog fountains, and beautiful plants. 

We stopped at Home Depot for a few items.

We ran into a patch of rain traveling home. 

The days' adventure included traveling on narrow, winding back roads, with one a dead end. 

Traveling across water-covered roadways along Sugar Creek and people enjoying a swim. 

Enjoyed lunch at The Yellow Deli and Gardens and a stop at the Trail of Tears Interruptive Center. 

Sugar Creek 

2018 May 29-Jun 2, 🚙The sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Loaded my new Nissan Murano with my suitcase and camera and drove to my sisters to meet them for our trip. While waiting for them to finish getting ready I went outside and took some pictures. There were birdhouses in different shapes and sizes filled with bird feed atop tall poles, along with wind-chimes, and deer antlers.

Standing next to a mailbox, I saw a bicycle covered with vines of purple flowers, its basket was filled with lots of pink flowers.

Sitting next to a gate, and next to a pink rose bush,  with some faded and crumbling blooms,

sat on a wooden bench, that read School Bus

On top, of the fence post, See Rock City, on both sides red rose bushes stood a birdhouse.

A flower bed with several greenery plants, stepping pads, a wooden bench, a wagon wheel, a pot, and water flowing from a small pump down a wooden plank into a bucket. 

All this was enclosed and the ground was covered in mulch, a birdhouse, and a fence on the backside. There was a brick path leading up to the home next to the path stood another flower bed, a tall pole with a birdhouse, a wooden sign that read HOME, and atop was a big black dinner bell. All around the home were flowerbeds dotted with greenery and orange/yellow tubed blooms. In the distance stood an outhouse, with a washtub hanging on the side. A cabin with wooden steps on two sides, two wagon wheels, a dipper, cowbells, a bucket, and other paraphernalia hanging from the porch. A black mailbox number 146 standing next to the steps waiting for delivery. Jumping, playing, and hiding among the tall flowers was their bulldog puppy.

Red Roses

We have had lots of rain during April and May and today was no exception.

It started to rain and rained most of the day. The rain lessened the further south we went. 

We enjoyed lunch at Dairy Queen in Northport near Tuscaloosa. We stopped at Chick-fil-A in Foley for dinner. It was getting late when we arrived at Island Winds East. Unloaded the car and headed to the beach. My niece and her friend had never seen the Ocean/Gulf and were very excited. The water was still very turbulent from the storm that had come through a few days before. 

There was a full moon overlooking the Gulf the night we arrived. 

Full Moon 

Bird, Clouds, and Turbulent Water 

Wednesday, May 30

Around six AM I walked to the sand-covered beach, there were a few people out and about, some watching the sunrise, some looking for shells, and some walking and wading in the water. 

It looked like a fire breaking through the clouds as the sun began to shine. It was going to be another hot day.

Everyone enjoyed playing in the gulf. It was too hot for me so I got into the swimming pool and later went back to the room.

Around seven I walked down to the concrete boardwalk to watch the sunset. There were several tarps above concert benches with palm trees around each area. Footprints covered the sand and silence filled the air along the beach.

As I neared the Hangout I could hear a band playing 

Sunrise

Thursday, May 31

With my camera, I walked to the quiet beach around 7 AM.

There I saw a few white & pink clouds floating above the Gulf as the sun began to rise. 

A few birds were feeding, few people setting up for the day but still very quiet. Going to be another hot day.

Around noon we went to the theme park OWA in Foley.

The ground at the park was covered in Concrete making for an even hotter day.

We rode several rides but had the most fun in the kiddy area. 

Enjoyed a banana split Ice Cream at Hershey Ice Cream Parlor.

At Wahlburgers everyone ordered hamburgers and fries, and I ordered chicken fingers.

Katie enjoyed the splash pad where buckets of water splashed over her head. 

OWA Park 

Friday, June 1

Up and down to the beach at 6AM to watch the sunrise. A few clouds covered the sky, the waves not quite so turbulent, and not as many birds. The storm had brought high waves and in those waves were schools of fish.

The sun was up, and it was getting hot as my sister and I walked down to the Hangout stopping to take a picture in the BIG BLUE chair. 

Gulf Shores Hangout 

Everyone enjoyed another day at the beach, not me I went sightseeing.

I drove to Elberta to see dinosaurs and arrived around 10AM. Stopped at a Marathon Gas Station in Elberta to fill it with gas, and to purchase a coke and cookies.

Dinosaur Park 

I drove to Fort Morgan and toured the Museum where I saw Mobile Point Lighthouse Order Fresnel Lens (1873-1966), a 32-pound Carronade, a picture of Admiral David Farragut, Civil War Artillery at Fort Morgan, & Last Campaign Federal Operations at Mobile March thru April 1865. 

There were war signs posted along the walls, “I want you for US Army, Join the Army Air Service, Help Them Keep your war sayings PLEDGE, Tell that to the Marines Men wanted for the Army and etc.” Army returns to Fort Morgan 1989, A gallant officer and gentleman Lieutenant Colonel Charles S. Stewart. The Big Gun Corps at Fort Morgan had several uniforms and guns. I walked around inside the Fort and drove around the outside of the fort. It was just too hot to stay for very long. 

I drove to Foley where I toured the Train Depot and the L & N. Red Caboose stationed outside the Museum. 

Inside the museum, I saw a statue sitting on a long bench, a bell, a set of faded blue luggage, and a stove with a metal kettle sitting on top. I saw an empty trunk, a closed trunk, and a Piano with a songbook opened to the song DEAD MARCH IN SAUL on page 87. 

Song Book at Train Depot 

I saw a wheel barrel with a sack of Hollywood-washed potatoes, two old-style telephones, the sign “No Longer a 'ONE CROP” Country, a couple of washtubs, a Mother’s Best Flower sign, a ringer Washing machine, an Ice Box and a Potato Grader.

 I walked across the street where I toured the Holmes Medical Hospital Museum.

There I saw wheelchairs, hospital rooms, a doctor's office, examining rooms, medical equipment, bedpans of every shape and size, medical books, an Ex-ray Room, medicine bottles, scales, a skeleton, a sink, a washtub, an Incubator for infants and so much more. 

I walked up the street to the Art Museum flowers were in bloom everywhere. Painted on the Foley Coffee Shop was a man standing next to a red truck, a train engine # 1701 with smoke coming out of an airplane flying overhead. 

Mural 

I walked to the overpass, took the elevator up crossed the road to Heritage Park, stopped at the Visitor Center, and drove back to Condo.

We ate dinner at Desoto’s Seafood Cafe the place was packed.

Saturday, June 2,

Up early once again to white clouds with the sun trying to break through, the beach was quiet, and the sand was covered in footprints, going to be another hot day.

I drove over to the Wetlands and walked across the wooden bridge. There were two young from Texas fishing. I took a few pictures as I walked along the bridge. 

Wetland Bridge/Boardwalk 

Rode back to the Condo packed and drove home. 

List of Factory Vehicle Tours Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi

1. Tiffin Motorhome Factory -Monday thru Friday at 9:30AM 

Walking tours depart from the Visitor’s Center at the front gate and last approximately an hour.

No appointment was necessary.

https://tiffinmotorhomes.com/about/factory-tour

2. Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant 300 Nissan Drive Canton, Miss. 39046

(601) 855-6000

Canton tours are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Central most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Advance reservations are required, and tours normally stay booked up months in advance.

http://www.nissan-canton.com/visit-nissan-canton/

3. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama — Montgomery, AL

Hyundai offers a 90-minute tour of its assembly plant in Alabama, which builds the Elantra and Sonata sedans. The tour takes visitors to several different buildings on the campus by way of trams, which have an audio tour. Tours are free but reservations must be made ahead of time. Groups depart Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. The on-site visitor center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You MUST HAVE A CONFIRMED TOUR RESERVATION BEFORE YOU CAN ENTER HMMA

https://www.hmmausa.com/hmma-tours/

Note: You must have a confirmed tour reservation before you can enter HMMA.Note: You must have a co

4. Mercedes-Benz — Tuscaloosa, AL

Tours begin and end at the Visitor Center and consist of a walking tour with a distance of about 2 miles for about 1 1/2 hours. Cost $5person. Tours are Monday and Wednesday at 9 & 9:15AM & 12:30-12:45PM Call for reservations 888-286-8762 or 205-507-2252

https://www.mbusi.com/visitorcenter/vc-plant-tours

5. Nissan — Smyrna, TN; Canton, MS; Decherd, TN

Nissan offers tours at its three plants in the U.S. The Smyrna plant has built a wide variety of vehicles since production started there in 1983. Today the factory assembles the Altima, Frontier pickup truck, Maxima, Xterra, and Pathfinder. The plant is currently closed for vacation, and tours are booked through the end of July. Tours are available at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call (615) 459-1444 for more information

http://nissan-tennessee.com/visit-nissan-smyrna/

6. Chevrolet Corvette — Bowling Green, KY  The General Motors factory in Bowling Green makes just one vehicle: the Chevrolet Corvette, in all its various forms. The one-mile walking tour shows nearly every step of Corvette assembly, from robots welding the steel chassis to the marriage of the chassis and body. Tours depart Monday through Thursday at 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. The cost is $7 per person. Closed until June 2019.  Please subscribe to NCM eNews for future updates thank you.

https://www.corvettemuseum.org/visit/plant-tours/

Food & Drink Factory /MUSEUM Tours South

1. Golden Flake Tour  #1 Golden Flake Drive  Birmingham, Alabama 35205
Company Store Hours M-T 8-4:30PM Friday 7-2PM Closed Holidays
Phone 1-800-239-2447
Must follow Rules 1-14
Must request and fill out a form for tour date and time
9:30, 11, or 12:30PM
Tour last about 45 minutes FREE
https://goldenflake.com/tours/

2. Bush's Beans Best 3901 US -411 Dandridge, TN 37725
The Museum Bush's Story
865-509-3077 -FREE
https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/visitors-center

3. OLIVE and Sinclair Chocolate Company
1628 Fatherland St Nashville, TN 37206
tours are offered Saturdays only from 10-5PM and last 30-40 minutes.
Tickets are $5 per person and include samples, as well as a complimentary hairnet.
Tickets sold on-line no cash.
https://www.oliveandsinclair.com/factory-tours/

4.Jack Daniel's Distillery Tours 133 Lynchburg Highway  Lynchburg, TN
Tours daily 9AM-4:30PM
A. Dry County Tour 1 hour 10 minutes cost $15.00
b. The Flight of Jack Daniel's Tour 1 hour 30 minutes where you'll sip a flight of five Jack products $20
c.The Angel's Share tour 1 hr 30 min cost $25 Tour and Barrelhouse 1-14 and taste whiskey drawn from individual barrels.d. The Taste of Lynch burg two-course experience includes the standard tour and distillery and whiskey tasting and down-home meal at Miss Mary Bobo's. Length 3 hours cost $100 person
https://www.jackdaniels.com/en-us/visit-distillery

5. George A Dickel Distillery 1950 Cascade Hollow Rd  Normandy, TN 37360
Tours Tuesday-Saturday 9-4PM the last tour starts at 3:30PM
931-857-3124
Learn how George Dickel Tennessee Whisky is Handmade the hard way on this one hour tour through a fully operational distillery and barrelhouse. Cost $12
https://www.georgedickel.com/distillery-tour-information


6.Mayfield Dairy Farms 4 Mayfield Lane, Athens, TN 37303
1-423-649-2653  
Tour hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday - 9am to 5pm. The first tour at 10 is, the last tour at 4pm. With tours every hour.
Saturday - 9am to 2pm. The first tour at 10 is, the last tour at 1pm. With tours every hour.
Wednesday* - 9am to 5pm (*Ice cream and gift shop only – no tours)
Sunday – Closed
http://www.mayfielddairy.com/about-us/take-a-tour#visit-us-in-athens-tn

7.Bud's Best Little Cookie 2070 Parkway Office circle Birmingham, Al 205-987-4840
Pardon our Progress….we are working on some exciting projects in our plant so that we can produce more yummy cookies than ever. Please check back with us in the spring to see when we will start booking tours.
http://www.budsbestcookies.com/tours.html

8. Belle Chevre's Creamery 18849 Upper Fort Hampton Rd Elkmont, Al 35620
Tasting Samples at a tasting bar, 9-minute Documentary film
cost $12 person
Tour times: Friday 10 and 1PM
Saturday 11m 1 & 3PM
No tours Sunday-Thursday but visit their Cheese Shop and Tasting Room
256-732-4801
http://www.bellechevre.com/creamery-tours-events/tours/