Schwab’s Iconic Museum

Beale Avenue traces its origin back to 1841 when it was named for a military hero. Its proximity to the riverfront made it desirable for tradesmen and shopkeepers. One of those early shops is A. Schwab’s, which is the last of the original stores along Beale. For many generations, this iconic shop has been the place to purchase dry goods. Over time, they found that customers were more interested in souvenirs and party supplies. As we were exploring the store, we discovered that it is also home to a local history museum. The Beale Street Museum focuses on the history of the store, as well as the people who have made the street a familiar name.

Mr. Handy

A series of glass-encased cabinets showcase some of the famous names whose lives are intertwined with Beale Street. The iconic roadway has had a long association with music. It began as a home to traveling musicians in the 1860s. By the late 1800s, familiar music destinations were introduced. The Orpheum Theatre, originally known as the Grand Opera House, would become the classiest theater outside of New York City. A fire in 1923 reduced the building to ashes, but a new theater would spring up in 1928. It would be W.C. Handy who would become the major influence behind the changing of the name to Beale Street. His song, “Beale Street Blues”, would become an anthem, which would draw other blues artists to downtown Memphis.

Bigger than Life

While we were walking on Beale Street, we spotted many recognizable names and figures. Memphis is obviously proud of its musical heritage and does a great job of showcasing it to visitors. The jazz clubs that line the street hold the memories of artists from days gone by. Louis Armstrong, Memphis Minnie, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Roscoe Gordon are just a few of the famous musicians who frequented Beale Street. We’re sure that most people are familiar with Memphis’s Graceland, which was the home of Elvis Presley. There is even a sign denoting the worthwhile work of Danny Thomas, who founded the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in the early 1960s.

Gathering Grounds

Walking on Beale Street, in the middle of the 20th century, would have looked far different than today. The area was home to many black-owned businesses. During the 1960s, the Civil Rights Era began in Memphis. The National Civil Rights Museum details many of the hardships faced by those struggling for racial equality. Beale Street was a gathering place for members to meet up and strategize. In fact, the sanitation workers strike found the protestors walking on Beale Street.

Swelling Crowds

As evening approached, the clouds rolled across the sky. The swelling crowds made walking on Beale Street a little more of a challenge. Even during a pandemic, we found the swirling sounds of blues and jazz emanating from doorways. Darkness began to envelop the city, but here the neon lights provided plenty of illumination. Even with an influx of people, the excitement of this historic street reigned supreme. We realized that dinnertime was approaching, so we were facing a hard decision.

Memphis BBQ

Diners on Beale Street face a lot of choices. With the crowds surging, we knew there would be long lines at the places with live music. Being from Kansas City, it only seemed appropriate that we would seek out some Memphis barbecue. The smell of hickory smoke led us to Pig on Beale. Being one of the newer breeds of BBQ joints, we decided to see how they do ‘cue. Memphis barbecue has some similarities to KC style, as they are both based on “low and slow”. We sampled a mixture of pulled pork, sauced ribs, onion rings, and potato salad. The meat was flavorful without being dry, so we decided to give them good marks. The sauce at PIG is rich and packed with flavor, and those rings are something to behold. We exited the restaurant satisfied that we had just sampled some authentic Memphis-style BBQ.

Walking on Beale Street

Our visit to Memphis was steeped in history, so you know I was loving every minute of it. The energy of the crowds helped fuel our continued exploration, well into the late evening. We could imagine what it must have been like to witness some of the blues greats live in action. For decades, this historic district has represented the life and times of people from Memphis. Walking on Beale Street, we could feel the lifeblood of the city coursing through the brick pavement. Have you ever spent time on this famous road?

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Artsy Start

There is something appealing about a space filled with old-school artwork. During our travels, we have seen so much grassroots art that we have grown to love all of the variations we find. Sunrise Memphis has plenty of this homemade eye candy hanging on the walls. Many of the pieces reminded us of the handmade items we found in Lucas, Kansas, which is lovingly referred to as the “Grassroots Capital of Kansas”.

Bring the Green

The menu at Sunrise Memphis is quite extensive and includes handhelds, as well as plated dishes. When I noticed a menu item that put avocado into play, I was betting that Crystal would pick it. Sure enough, one order of Basic B for her. It all starts with some of their homemade Ciabatta bread, which is delicious. A healthy slathering of mashed avocado is added and then it’s topped with two eggs cooked your way. On the side they toss in a serving of their hash browns, which add a tasty crunch to the meal.

Hearty Beginnings

I wasn’t feeling peckish in the least, so I selected the Kitchen Sink. Just as the name would imply, this plate is packed with savory fare. I wasn’t jealous of Crystal, since I had my own hash browns and eggs. She may have been a bit envious of my Hanna Farm grits, Evan Meat sausage, and Petit Jean farm bacon. To wipe up the last drops of goodness, they include a sumptuous buttermilk biscuit. This looks like a lot of food, (which it is) but I was up to the challenge.

Simple Messages

Dining at Sunrise Memphis definitely had us rubbing elbows with the locals. That look I get when I pull out the camera was replaced with smiles, whenever I caught the glance of other diners. I’m guessing that the food is so good that the locals are used to people documenting their experiences. In fact, the notice about not hoarding tables may have even been meant for travel bloggers who camp out for the perfect shots.

Sunrise Memphis Moments

Now that we had our bellies full of the delicious eats from Sunrise Memphis, we were ready to head out on our morning of discovery. While we may not blog about every breakfast, we certainly like to shout out the ones that make our travels extra special. This place definitely falls into that category and we are so glad we found it. What type of breakfast stops do you look for when traveling?

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Lorraine Motel

The warm summer sunshine cast its first rays across the lawn of the Lorraine Motel. The complex of historic buildings, that make up the National Civil Rights Museum, features this historic lodge. Built in 1925, the structure changed names a couple of times, with the name Lorraine being applied in 1945. Life during the segregation period was difficult for blacks traveling throughout the United States. Walter Bailey had purchased the property with the idea of creating an upscale lodging option for black clientele. Originally constructed with only 16 rooms, Bailey added a second floor and swimming pool.

Haven for Rest

His project worked, and soon the Lorraine Motel would become a haven for those looking to rest from their travels. Memphis saw an explosion of population growth that moved the city from 100,000 in 1900 to nearly 400,000 by 1950. Fueled by this rapid growth, many industries took a foothold in Memphis. Music has long been associated with the city and many famous artists are from this birthplace of rock ‘n roll. During the 1960s, artists like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Otis Redding would seek shelter at the Lorraine Motel.  Often, they were in town for work being performed at Stax Records.

Lay of the Land

Just about six blocks from the Mississippi River, we located the National Civil Rights Museum. Parking was found less than a block away, as there were no crowds on an early Sunday morning. Turning the corner that led to the motel’s courtyard, we found signage that laid out the key displays. We wished our timing had been different, as we would have loved to tour the interior exhibits. Fortunately, they have made sure that visitors can have an educational experience at any time. Scattered around the museum courtyard is a series of kiosks that offer audio-video excerpts about the days leading up to the fateful assassination.

Electronic Guidance

The quiet morning was actually a perfect time to visit. Martin Luther King Jr. had arrived in Memphis in early 1968. He was there to support the striking black sanitation workers. During this visit, he was booked in room 306, at the Lorraine Motel. On the evening of April 4th, King stepped out onto the motel balcony. At 6:01, a shot rang out that would change the history of America. We stood there looking up at the balcony where King was assassinated. We had learned on another trip, that the assassin James Earl Ray, had escaped less than a year earlier from the Missouri State Penitentiary. Now that we were at the scene of the assassination, we were gaining perspective of the atmosphere in America during these tumultuous times.

Gaining Perspective

The heinous act created a shockwave through the Civil Rights movement. Race riots would flare up in major cities all across America. Many of the civil rights leaders called out for a non-violent action, which was the approach used for decades by Martin Luther King Jr. The city of Memphis resolved the sanitation worker’s strike in favorable terms for the laborers. President Lyndon Johnson attempted to calm the rising storm by reaching out to leaders from all sides. King’s wife, Coretta, continued his worthwhile work until her death in 2006. The name of Martin Luther King Jr. has become synonymous with peaceful change.

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We want to thank Memphis Travel and the Memphis Zoo for hosting our visit. Rest assured that all opinions are ours. 

Laser Focus

The number one species that we were looking forward to seeing was the Giant Pandas. These mesmerizing creatures remind us of oversized stuffed animals, even though they can be surprisingly dangerous. During our planning stage, I had plotted a path that would bring us to their exhibit in short order. Arriving at the opening time meant that most of the animals were alert and active. Passing through a 50-foot pagoda, we found ourselves deposited at the perfect time to watch one of the two pandas eating breakfast. This endangered species spends a significant portion of its day, up to 14 hours, eating bamboo.  A large amount of the balance of the day is spent resting. Luckily, we arrived during feeding time.

Watchful Eyes

While the giant pandas were our primary target, there was no way we would have passed up the other exhibits. An African lion couple was entertaining the crowds with their vocal calls. The female was enjoying some people watching from her comfortable perch. The male strolled the exhibit keeping watchful eyes on zoo guests. It was a great opportunity for some photo captures.

Natural Beauty

Another big cat we spotted was the Snow Leopard. These creatures are always interesting to see. Being elusive in nature, it is rare to be seen in the wild. Unfortunately, this is a species that is closing in on extinction, if not for the work of zoological parks around the world. Seeing them in this exhibit allowed us to witness the beauty of their coats. In the wild, they would blend in with their natural habitat and be nearly invisible.

Always Aware

Moving from one exhibit to the next, we were seeing a pattern. In almost every case, the animals were keeping watchful eyes on all of us, visitors. Even as they paused for rest, it seemed they were still observing. We were also observing and noticed that the flamingos, while colorful, paled in comparison to the ones we spotted at the Philadelphia Zoo.

People Watching

We moved into Primate Canyon, where the feedings had ended and the animals were now just observing. One of the Lowland Gorillas was intently watching the passing crowds. As we watched him, we wondered what he was thinking. His intense stare lasted for such a long time that we finally needed to move on to the next exhibit.

Silly but Serious

The last space we had time to view was the Orangutans. These creative creatures are almost always a source of entertainment. While most of them were busy scampering around their space, one had decided to play a solo game of hide-and-seek. We paused for quite a while watching his antics. The shot above shows his watchful eyes checking out my camera. It was clear that these fun-loving creatures had plenty of experience interacting with zoo visitors.

Timed Entertainment

It feels good to be back at it and exploring again. The pandemic did make us realize that we enjoy nature and its wonders. We began hiking, albeit not the strenuous type, as well as visiting national parks. Over the coming months and years, we anticipate bringing you more articles that deal with all types of nature experiences. Zoological parks are definitely still on our list, but we also intend to step out into the wild some more. We hope you enjoy this added direction and will experience some of these sites, as well. It’s time to get back out into the world.

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Keeping Our Rhythm

We were hitting our stride for visiting pancake restaurants. This morning, we dropped by Log Cabin Pancake House for our morning flapjack fix. If a restaurant has cabin and house both in its name does it make it extra special? Well this place certainly had some unique topping combinations. Crystal was sticking with her berry heavy choices, but I still wanted to test the waters. A plate of Caribbean Pancakes was certainly out of the ordinary. The pancakes had slices of bananas cooked into the batter, and then topped with more of them. It was also sprinkled with coconut, powdered sugar, and chopped pecans. These were certainly the most unusual variety of hot cakes I sampled.

Selfie Stops

With breakfast done, it was time to head out of town. Today’s schedule had lots of car time, but we left space for stops, as often as wanted. Passing through the park, on our Smoky Mountain Road Trip, we were enjoying the rushing water from the recent rains. It seemed like every curve we rounded offered another good selfie opportunity. After a while, we decided to get back to the main purpose of today’s drive.

Above the Clouds

With the sun threatening to make an occasional appearance, we headed off to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway. This Appalachian roadway leads travelers along a path from Cherokee, North Carolina to Afton, Virginia. The 469 miles of scenic wonders were too much for our schedule, so we chose the section that leads up to Asheville, North Carolina.  Our path led us through multiple tunnels and past amazing overlooks. The 80+ miles of our route took us around 3 hours with stops. We limited our stops this direction, since we had decided to come back the same way.

Duck, Duck, Beef

With hunger setting in, we pulled in to Asheville to scope out a lunch stop. We saw plenty of familiar names of places on our itinerary, since many restaurants are regional chains. Our final destination brought us to Biltmore Avenue, where we tested out the dishes at White Duck Taco Shop. This place offers some interesting flavor combinations and is clearly a local favorite. (You can read about Blue Ridge and Asheville here.)

Scaling Heights

Our return trip saw the sun beginning to escape from the clouds. With the return of the light, we decided it was the perfect chance to scale Clingmans Dome. We had passed the turn-off earlier in the week, but the rain prevented a visit. This time we found that many visitors had the same idea as we had. We joined the line of hikers making their way up to the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains. Soon we were looking out over the beautiful blue mountains. (You can read more about Clingmans here.)

Da’ Bears

Even though the climb was a challenge, we couldn’t imagine anything that would top it. As we made our way down the mountainside, we came to a small pull=off parking lot, that is near a trail head. Earlier in our trip we had spotted a black bear running across the road ahead of us. It was thrilling and really excited Crystal. If you were following our Instastory, you probably saw her video clips during our Smoky Mountain Road Trip. You can see the clips in our Smoky Mtn. highlight reel on our Instagram profile page. (Connect to our Instagram account here.)

Say What?

As we sat there watching the mother and two cubs interacting, we were amazed to see them grazing on the native grasses. While we knew that they were omnivorous, it was a surprise to see how much grass they consumed. Soon a larger crowd appeared, and we witnessed the reason there are so many warning signs posted around the park. While we sat in our car and watched, others were getting out of their vehicles for closer views. It was a surprise that the mother didn’t get upset, as some people approached within less than thirty feet. It wasn’t long before the bears disappeared into the nearby woods.

Testing Our Skills

Back in town, we dropped our car at our lodging, before heading to dinner. We picked a fairly nondescript Italian restaurant along the strip. With the new influx of visitors for conventions, we noticed most of the restaurants were doing good business. After a meal filled with discussing the bears, we were ready to go explore some more of the strip. Just a short walk from our dinner location, we happened upon the Guinness World Records Adventure. This place was a cross between a museum and an arcade. It had tons of informational areas that taught us the background on some amazing feats that have been performed by average people. Mixed in, there are exhibits designed to allow visitors to attempt to set their own world record. While we may not have broken any standing records, we did get a chance to top our personal bests. (You can read more about our World Record attempt here.)

And Now For Something Different

Our last full day in Gatlinburg dawned with an air of anticipation. While we had enjoyed so many great activities during our Smoky Mountain Road Trip, our time was drawing to an end. The schedule for our day included spending the majority of it in the national park. A hearty breakfast was needed to fuel our activity. Crockett’s 1875 Breakfast Camp was highly rated by many of our readers who have visited this area. While the plan was to vary from our pancake tour, we ended up having Crockett’s version of a flapjack. (Check out the meal we had at Crockett’s.)

Falling For You

Now that our hungers had been satisfied, it was time to get ready for a day of adventure. We stopped by a local deli to pick up the makings of a good lunch, which we packed in our cooler. On this pass into the park, we tried to soak in all of the nature. We found a small waterfall behind the Sugarland Visitor’s Center, but knew we could do much better. Our path for the day had us heading toward Cades Cove, which is one of the most popular sections of the park. We didn’t have time to do much hiking prior to this day, so when we arrived at the trailhead for Laurel Falls, we made sure to stop. The hike is along a paved path, so we saw all ages enjoying this view.

Horsing Around

Once we arrived at our destination, our first stop was the Cades Cove Riding Stables. Crystal and I had an opportunity to go riding in the Rocky Mountains, so we were looking forward to this experience. The previous experience had us in a string of horses passing through the hills. This time our group was limited to just the two of us and our tour guide. What an amazing opportunity to get to spend some one-on-one time learning about life in this part of the country.

Big Wheel Keep On Turning

After our ride, we ate our lunch in the picnic area nearby. Just being in nature was extremely enjoyable and relaxing. Once we finished our meal, we started the auto route that follows the one-way road around Cades Cove. Along the way, there are some pull-offs and stopping points to explore. An old homestead with working grist mill was certainly one of the highlights. (Read more about Cades Cove here.)

A Day in the Life

With our day waning, we wanted to squeeze out every minute of our time on this Smoky Mountain Road Trip. Back in town, we decided to enjoy more of the the day without rain. A stop at  Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf was another chance to challenge our skills. While Crystal was in the lead so far, I was holding out hope of catching her. At this attraction you can spin a wheel to determine what odd manner you will need to putt from. As we played along, we saw lots of familiar cartoon characters.

Dining Nawlin’s Style

We felt like we had tested most of the mountain cuisines, so this final Gatlinburg dinner needed to be something out of the normal. Tucked away in a shopping alcove near our lodging, we found New Orleans Sandwich Company. Earlier in the summer, we had traveled to NOLA, so a chance to gobble down some gumbo sounded appealing. Boy, were we surprised at how good the food was at this place. By the end of our meal, we felt like we had just dined in the French Quarter.

Elevated Play

With the sun getting close to setting, we had time for one more round of miniature golf. Hillbilly Golf  was recommended by a close friend, so we were sure that we would enjoy it. We started our round by riding an incline train up a mountainside. Once up top, you play the course working your way down the hill. It reminded us a lot of being in the Ozark Mountains, which is one of our favorite regions to visit. This round I won, so in the end I decided to call it even. Since we don’t keep scorecards, it’s mostly just a gut feeling of who played each course the best. In the end, we just enjoy spending time together.

Our Final Flapjacks

In the morning, we packed our car to head west. We said our goodbyes to Gatlinburg, and made one last pancake breakfast stop, before leaving the area. This time, we went all out with our hot cakes of goodness. Smoky’s Pancake Cabin has a menu filled with some interesting flavor combinations, like the Blueberry-Lemon version that I had. Now that we were all pumped up with sugar, it was time to head to Knoxville.

Gateway to the Appalachians

It’s only about an hour from Gatlinburg to Knoxville, so we were pulling in just as the day was getting going. Knoxville sits just west of the Appalachians and we watched the mountains shrinking in our rear view mirror. This is the 3rd largest city in Tennessee, but it is easy to navigate. Since we were only in town for 24 hours, we focused our visit in the Market Square district. From this location, we could easily walk to all of the sites we would be touring. We found this World’s Fair city to be filled with some unique historical attractions, delectable dining options, and interesting outdoor art. (Check out our Knoxville adventure here.)

Making Memories

With our Smoky Mountain Road Trip winding down, we were relishing in our memories of pancakes, mountains, and bears. In just about a week, we had so many unbelievable moments to remember. Trips like this can be exhilarating, but require a good level of planning. We hope that by showing you the places we visited, and including plenty of photos, it might make your planning a little easier. Check out some of articles and let us know what you think. Do you see something we could add to our coverage to make it more helpful? Toss us a note in the comments section below and we will see what we can do. In the meantime, travel safely!

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Hitting the Road

While some would opt to fly to Gatlinburg, from Kansas City, we choose to drive whenever feasible. Knowing that we would be on the road for around 11 hours total, we decided to break up our drive into manageable pieces. Heading out after work on a Friday, we logged the first leg of the trip and spent the night in Illinois. Cruising a northern route, allowed us to pass through southern Indiana and into Kentucky. The sunshine had our spirits high, as we stopped to pick up some research material for potential future destinations. After many scenic stops, and a slow progression through Pigeon Forge, we finally arrived in Gatlinburg by Saturday evening.

First of Many

The next morning we woke to find that the rains had arrived, as well. Our lodging was just a block off of the main strip, so we had tons of options for dining, shopping, and entertainment. From our research, we had noticed an amazingly high number of pancake restaurants. It was decided that it would be fun to see how many we could sample, so our first breakfast was at Pancake Pantry. Since the early 1960’s, this flapjack house has been serving up stacks to customers from near and far. This was a great start to our Pancake Tour of Gatlinburg. (You can see more of our pancake stops here.)

Local Shops

The rain was fairly light, and we were well prepared for it. After spending so much time in the car, we wanted to stretch our legs for a bit. We decided to explore some of the strip. Window shopping is fun for a while, but fortunately many of the shops open up on Sundays. We popped in a few and explored their inventories. Most of the people we met were in a positive mood, even with the weather. We were settling into a relaxed state, and knew it was time to get going on our itinerary.

Rainy Days and Fun Days

Midday was approaching, so it was time to head to lunch. Even though the rain had increased in intensity, we were still impressed with the beauty of the region. Having the Great Smoky Mountains as a backdrop seemed to make Gatlinburg magical. As we made our way toward lunch, we watched some birds in Le Conte Creek.

Brightening Our Day

When life serves up a gray day, we have found that visiting a colorful restaurant will brighten our mood. No Way Jose’s Mexican Cantina is a local chain with three locations. A survey of people on some East Tennessee Facebook groups identified this as a good option. Wanting to mix up our cuisine choices, we picked this one to be our Mexican food destination. Since this day was completely dedicated to pedestrian activities, we decided to enjoy a couple of adult beverages. In the end, this place ended up being a great choice for affordable food and drinks, and bonus points for being located within walking distance. (Read more about Jose’s here.)

Rainy Day turned Fun Day

Since we were already open to suggestions from our connections, our next choice was an easy one. Just across the street from lunch is the Ripley’s Aquarium. This looked like a great place to spend some quality time and get out of the rain. While there is plenty of moisture on the inside, it’s reserved for the specimens on display. We enjoyed exploring all of the exhibits and touch tanks. There were even a couple of surprises awaiting us. (You can read more about the aquarium here.)

More to Explore

We spent quite a while in the aquarium, and by the time we left the rain had subsided. Strolling down the strip, we happened upon a quiet alcove filled with shops. Avoiding puddles, we kept our umbrella handy just in case. Downtown Gatlinburg is very family friendly, and filled with plenty to explore. It seemed like we kept finding these little sets of shops tucked away from view, so be sure to investigate fully.

Get Mellow

By dinnertime, the showers had started again. While they weren’t hard enough to drive everyone inside, they were still a nuisance. Now seemed like a good time to head back indoors and grab some dinner. Mellow Mushroom caught our eye with their groovy color scheme. Inside, we clambered up the stairs that led to their second story location. Here, we had another chance to dabble in some adult beverages. I had just finished sampling some of the local moonshine, so we passed on this opportunity. We ended up discovering some really good pizza at a restaurant chain that we will be able to visit during other road trips (You can read more about Mellow Mushroom here.)

Startling Discovery

Once again, the rain had subsided, but the skies were threatening to open back up at any time. We decided to look for a little indoor entertainment, as we strolled down the strip. About a block away, we happened upon Circus Golf. This multi-attraction site looked promising for a silly time. Inside, we found that the mini-golf course is illuminated with black light, which made for some colorful fun. After playing a round, we decided to add a try at their Shoot’em Up Cinema. This attraction had us mounting up to try our skills at a modern day shooting gallery. While Crystal may get the upper hand at miniature golf, I have a dead-eye aim when it comes to shooting games. Score one point for each of us.

Rinse and Repeat

While the rain may have had us dodging in and out of shops, it made for great sleeping weather. We rose the next day to gray skies, but the rain seemed to be holding off. Breakfast meant another round of hot cakes, this time at Atrium Pancakes. It quickly became apparent that we would run out of mornings, before we ran out of pancake options.

Our First Smoky Excursion

The forecast still called for showers, so our jumbled itinerary had a day that would be perfect for intermittent rain. With a window of two or three hours before the rain, we decided to enjoy our first cruise into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. After a quick stop at the welcome center, we made our way toward Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the way, we enjoyed the amazing views that come with a Smoky Mountain Road Trip.

Just Dropping In

The average time to pass through the park is estimated at around one hour, but we were in no hurry. The plan was to see some of the sights that were along the way. If you follow our Instagram account, you probably saw Crystal’s excitement when we spotted our first black bear. (You can follow out our Instagram account here.) Once we made it into Cherokee, we decided to stop for lunch. We weren’t sure how long our museum visit would take, but we didn’t want hunger to interfere. We found this family owned deli just a few blocks from our destination. Front Porch Cakery & Deli offers some interesting twists on many standard dishes. It was definitely a good find.

Getting to the Roots

Ever since we began planning this trip, a visit to the Museum of the Cherokee Indian had been high on our list. While I am unsure of any Native Indian in my bloodline, Crystal’s is a little easier to identify. Her family bloodline has a significant amount of Cherokee, so this stop was especially poignant. As we explored the museum, we found ourselves walking through the history of this proud people. Even through all of their trials, they have survived. It was an honor to have the opportunity to visit this museum. (You can read more about this museum here.)

Smoky Mountain Road Trip Discoveries

After our tour of the museum, we spent a little time exploring some of the shops in Cherokee. The road back to Gatlinburg gave us another look at the national park. Cruising through the winding roads, we noticed the numerous creeks that run within view of the road. Many of these were swollen from the recent rains, which made them all the more beautiful. We stopped at a couple points that offered easy access to the water’s edge. There are certainly tons of selfie spots dotted all through the park.

Run Forrest

Back in town, it was time to pick a dinner spot. Since this trip wasn’t quite like our other destinations, we were allowing ourselves to pick our dining spots on the fly. Our trip was designed to have us in Gatlinburg during weekdays in the middle of September. We assumed this would be less busy, since schools had started back up. When we arrived back in Gatlinburg, on this Monday evening, we noticed a slew of tour buses delivering crowds at the nearby hotels and lodges. It looks like we weren’t going to have the city to ourselves. Spotting a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant, we realized that we had only dined at the one in New Orleans. It seemed like a good time to test this place out again.

You’re Unbelievable

To avoid the swelling crowd, we had dined earlier than normal. This left us plenty of time for some evening exploring. The Gatlinburg Strip stays busy until around 9:30, when the crowds begin thinning. We had seen the unusual structure for Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and decided to stop by for a visit. Inside we found lots of oddities and interesting factoids. This place has quite a few interactive exhibits, so we found ourselves acting like a couple of kids. (You can see some of the exhibits in this Ripley’s article.)

Putting Around

After our Ripley’s visit, we headed back out onto the strip for some more exploration. We passed by another moonshine outlet, where inside we saw plenty of people bellying up to the bar for their free samples. The shops were filled with souvenir shoppers looking for mementos to remember their own Smoky Mountain Road Trip. For us, we were just soaking in the rainy days and fun days that we were experiencing in this mountain town. We dropped into another one of the indoor mini-golf attractions that dot the strip, and played a quick round. By now, we weren’t worrying about keeping score, but just enjoying our time together. With a third of our trip concluded, it was time to get rest up for more adventure.

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We want to thank Ripley’s for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

People Person

By doing a little research, we were able to discover that each of their sites holds 400 to 700 exhibits. We visited on a rainy evening, after a filling dinner. The chance to walk off some of our calories looked unlikely since we found ourselves wrapped up in examining the displays more than strolling. The museum is designed to highlight the odd and unusual from all areas of life on Earth. Many are concentrated on the strange hobbies that people have engaged in over the years. The life-size statues help paint the picture more clearly.

Highly Skilled

For each display, there is an informational placard. Here, we were able to get some backstory on the person, place, or thing that was being highlighted. The stories from Ripley’s have been heard for many years. As children we would enjoy investigating the oddities galore that were found inside each copy of Ripley’s Believe It or Not books. Everything seemed so exotic and far-fetched that it was hard to imagine. At the Odditorium, you get a better perspective by seeing the exhibits in person.

Somewhat Frightening

One of the areas that Robert Ripley liked to feature was human hobbies. While some would be as simple as swallowing coins or nails, others took a slightly scary turn. The idea of people using their bodies as a living canvas is easily evidenced by the number of tattoo shops. When it comes to having your teeth filed or implants for horns, that is a slightly different idea. While most of us would never consider doing this, it certainly makes for a conversation starter when you see what some others have done.

One of My Favorites

Many of you may not know this, but I have a thing for collecting masks. The walls of our home office hold the ones that I have picked up along the way. When I saw this display, I was immediately drawn to it. To me, it is amazing that so many different cultures, from all over the globe, developed masks as a means of storytelling. It shows that down deep we are all very similar to each other. There is something magical about the ability to change a storyline simply by assuming a new face.

Getting Involved

Inside Ripley’s, we found a variety of interactive exhibits. As always, Crystal had to play the part of the subject, since I was busy behind the lens. Some displays allowed us both to interact, but it would have been difficult to capture those in photos. Rest assured that I was just as big of a kid as she was, during our visit. If you go to the Gatlinburg location, be sure to take full advantage of the mirror walk that captures your image a various speeds. It’s fun to watch the replay of you sliding across the space, even though you had walked at a normal pace.

Unusual Factoids

At strategic points in the museum, we came across these placards. A throwback to the original books that we enjoyed, these factoids are what we remember from our youth. My mother was surely entertained when I would read for her, stories from the latest issue. How many of you remember these unusual books from the 60’s and 70’s? We know they continued in popularity since our kids would find these during their school days, as well.

Oddities Galore

It is hard to say just how long we spent exploring the Odditorium. By the time we were ready to leave, the crowds on the Gatlinburg strip had thinned to near nothing. These were the times we enjoyed just walking along and talking about our day. It helps cement the memories by discussing our favorite parts of each stop. The walk also gave us a chance to discuss the upcoming day, and what fun adventures it would hold. While we may not be finding oddities galore like Robert Ripley did, we were still having tons of new experiences.

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Beautiful Vistas

When you hear the name Great Smoky Mountains, your thoughts are of huge hillsides and scenic peaks. In between those mountains are some beautiful valleys. One of the most picturesque is Cades Cove. We made our way into the park via the entrance from Gatlinburg. A quick stop at the Sugarland Visitor Center allowed us some historical and topographical knowledge of the park. Here, visitors can pick up brochures and maps that will help guide them through America’s best free attraction. With all of the recent rain, we knew the hiking trails would be muddy. It was decided to stick to adventures that kept us closer to the main walkways. As we made our way toward the 11-mile loop road of Cades Cove, we enjoyed the amazing scenery that unfolded before our eyes.

Scenic Streams

Where there are hills and mountains you will usually find plenty of streams. The flowing water is inviting to watch and brings a sense of peace. As you make your way through this national park, be sure to watch for pull-offs that signify good viewing spots. If you visit during drier times, you may wish to hike to one or more of the many waterfalls that dot the region. For us, we had to be satisfied with the small rapids that are found in the streams that hug the road along the way through the park.

Wildlife Watching

There is something magical about spotting some of the wildlife that calls Cades Cove home. As we passed along the road, we needed to keep a keen eye peeled for the critters that reside in the park. During our visit, we saw a black bear scurry across the road on its way to a new spot to forage. Wild turkeys were prominent fixtures that seemed to enjoy hanging out along the side of the road. Once we passed into the broad valley, it was our turn to watch the elk grazing in an open field. We joined the long line of cars that had pulled off to the shoulder to witness these graceful creatures in action. Before long, a bull elk appeared from the trees to keep an eye on the does.

Trail Rides

While we had decided that hiking in the mud would be off our list, there was still an opportunity to get a little closer to nature. Once we arrived at Cades Cove, our first stop was the Cades Cove Riding Stables. Since our visit was on a weekday, after the Labor Day weekend, we had an opportunity for a personal tour. Crystal rode on Sky and I was on Frank, while our tour guide Sarah, was riding her horse Salem. The sunshine made us forget about the muddy conditions, and it didn’t seem to bother our mounts in the least. Since it was just the three of us, we mostly spent our time discussing life and traveling. We learned more about each other and by the end of our ride, felt a bond with our new friend. This is one of the things we enjoy most about traveling to new destinations.

Historic Homes

After our ride, we started our slow drive around the Cades Cove Loop. This 11-mile journey offers lots of beautiful sights, as well as some of the original structures from days long ago. One of the areas that can be explored is Cable Mills. With buildings dating back to the mid-1800s, this is a bonus at America’s best free attraction. After parking our car, we walked through the area investigating and exploring each of the buildings. The old farmstead includes a house, sheds, a smokehouse, a corn crib, and a working grist mill. Inside the mill, we watched a volunteer preparing to grind a batch of meal, much like it has been done for over a century.

Jealous Much?

Many of the visitors to Cades Cove come for a chance to spot wildlife. Throughout our visit to the park, we did see a wide range of animals, but none more than the wild turkeys. Where we come from, these are not a rare sight, so we ignored the small flocks that congregate in various places. As we scanned the horizon for bears, elks, or other large creatures, I would do my best to avoid the birds that refused to move for passing vehicles. After a while, it almost appeared as though the turkeys were doing everything in their power to get noticed. There was even one point that a single bird crossed slowly in front of our car while staring at both of us. He was not willing to accept being overlooked.

America’s Best Free Attraction

Touring Cades Cove is an opportunity that is not to be missed. Since most people visit during the summer months, the traffic can be extremely heavy. There are a couple of ways to overcome this issue. We chose to visit after the kids had returned to school, but this isn’t always a good option for families. During the summer months, every Saturday and Wednesday morning is reserved for non-automotive traffic. Visitors can walk or bike around the loop-free from vehicle traffic starting at sunrise until 10:00 a.m. They even have bike rentals at the Cades Cove Campground Store. They also have a deli, where you can pick up picnic supplies, in case you forgot to pack them before heading into the park. With all of these sights to see and places to explore, how many of you are thinking of adding a visit to America’s best free attraction?

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Stacks of Flapjacks

We are sure most of you have enjoyed plenty of these fluffy cakes, as much as we have. While we will usually change things up from one day to the next, some foods are enjoyable enough to sample on consecutive days. When we saw the unusually large number of pancake houses, we felt the need to test out as many as possible. Our days were to be filled with plenty of activities, so we were confident a sweet start would be burned off fairly quickly. We made sure to add some protein to each meal so that hunger wouldn’t return before our regular lunch time.

Variety of Options

The names of the pancake restaurants certainly hint at being in a country setting. We dined on flapjacks in an atrium, as well as a pantry. Many restaurants give a nod to their building with names involving houses or cabins. There was one that we visited that took it a step further and named their place the Log Cabin Pancake House. We guess that they wanted to make sure their customers knew that a cabin can double as a house. Since our lodging was located right off the main strip, we focused our choices to be as close by, as possible. Fortunately, this still left more restaurant options than we had mornings for our pancake tour of Gatlinburg.

Powdered Sugar Overload

While each cake house had its own recipes, one common theme was the excessive number of choices available. Sure the base flapjacks are very similar, although some offered buckwheat or other special grains. It was the toppings that brought out the dizzying array of decisions. We had our choices of all types of berries, compotes, jams, jellies, and fresh fruits. Another common theme of Gatlinburg pancake houses is the use of powdered sugar. Many of the options arrive covered with a fresh dusting of the snow-white, sugary substance. Our pancake tour of Gatlinburg opened our taste buds to some wonderful flavors.

Going Nuts for Pancakes

Each morning we looked forward to the sampling of a new pancake restaurant. The choices became increasingly interesting with each new destination. Crystal stuck with her fruit-flavored cakes. Some places brought this with toppings that arrived on the plate, while others would bring a side of flavored syrups. One of her favorites is blueberry, so I wasn’t surprised to see that appear more than once. I wanted to spread my flavor-sampling wings, so I looked for some of the more unusual topping combinations. At one stop, I sampled a tropical version that included coconut and banana. Another choice was a nutty and sweet Pecan pancake pictured above. These paired well with the real maple syrup that was a standard feature at every restaurant.

Franken”Cake”

There was one morning that we had planned to forego our pancake tour of Gatlinburg. A visit to Crockett’s Breakfast Camp looked so intriguing, that we were willing to give up one spot to test it out. It was a wise decision, as this place represented Appalachian dining perfectly. During our visit, we learned a valuable lesson about social media. The manager of Crockett’s had been following our Instastory and seen our various pancake photos. When we stopped in, he recognized us and decided to send over one of their signature “Aretha Frankenstein” pancakes. This was certainly a departure from your standard flapjack and so delightful. (Read more about our Crockett’s visit here.)

Sugary Start

When the final morning of our Gatlinburg visit arrived, we decided to take our pancake tour on the road. Heading away from the strip was leading us to Pigeon Forge. Just as we entered the city, we spotted another pancake cabin. There was time to enjoy one more “carbalicious” breakfast, before hitting the road for home. Since we were sure we had blown our diets completely, why not just cap it with an over-the-top meal. This place offered a chance to get sweetness overload, which required ample amounts of coffee to wash down. My Lemon Berry Pancakes had a delicious sweet-tart combination of flavors that made me stuff myself. There was plenty of sugar in this final pancake stop to keep our motors running all morning.

Our Pancake Tour of Gatlinburg

In the end, our pancake tour of Gatlinburg introduced us to more than just a variety of topping options. At each stop, we met some wonderful, welcoming people who share a common interest in food. We all must eat to survive, so why not make refueling our bodies a pleasant experience? This was a vacation, so we were satisfied in knowing that we could return to normal eating when we returned to our daily lives. For now, we are celebrating an opportunity to sample the flavors of the Appalachian Mountains in a beautiful setting. Perhaps you have planned or even made this same trip. If you have visited Gatlinburg, it’s safe to assume that you dined in at least one of the numerous pancake restaurants that dot the landscape. What was your favorite flavor combination?

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We want to thank Ripley’s Gatlinburg for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own. 

Getting Started

We were still dealing with the on and off showers but were not going to let that interfere with our plans. After a day of exploring Ripley’s Aquarium, we decided that we might as well check out another one of their sites. (You can read about the aquarium here.) We had finished our dinner and spent some time rummaging through the numerous shops that line the strip. When we came to the Guinness site, we were ready to do a little fun exploring. Once inside, the first task is to get yourself set up with an Adventure Pass. This allows visitors to participate in the world record challenges and perhaps become a record-setter. With pass in hand, it was time to dive in.

Seeing the Skills of Others

Guinness World Records is a cross between a museum and an interactive gallery. Many of the exhibits are designed to show visitors the odd and amazing. A slew of video boards showcase the skills that some of the previous record-setters used to make it to the coveted title of world’s best. Even without the opportunity to become a record-setter, there is plenty to see and do.

One for the Record Books

Let’s face reality, many of the world records are in some pretty obscure areas. It’s unlikely that we will ever obtain a celebrity status that will win us a place in that area of the record book. We enjoy playing some games of skill, like Skeeball but don’t expect to ever top the charts in that area. Of course, we did see a couple of kids making their attempt at Galaga. Neither of us plans to enter into a food-eating contest, which seems to be quite popular. We were quickly discovering that we may not have what it takes to become a record-setter. Oh well, we could still have plenty of fun matching ourselves up to the existing world record holders. I decided that perhaps a shot at paper football maybe my way into the book, but after multiple attempts it was clear that I would not become a record-setter.

Mixing It Up

With my world record dreams dashed, it was time to get back to just enjoying the displays. One that caught my eye was Riley the Rubik’s Cube solver. Hmm. This sounded like an unusual exhibit and one that we would have to see for ourselves. The object is to mix up the colors on the cube to stump the robot. We knew that a simple couple of turns would not be enough, so we jumbled it up. After placing the cube back into the box, the robot takes over. We watched as it methodically spun and turned the cube until all of the colors were back where they belonged. This takes a while since it is much more deliberate in its approach. We have seen kids do this task in mere seconds, but watching Riley helped us better understand how the task is accomplished.

Something for the Kids

The exhibits that allow visitors to become a record-setter are designed to be appealing to all ages. Sure the kids will be all into playing the games, but we saw plenty of adults engaging, as well. We were a couple of them. After all, when was the last time you played hopscotch? Using the Adventure Pass allows visitors to play as many of the games as they desire. While we knew that we had a slim chance of becoming a world record setter, we could still enjoy ourselves. In some ways, the Guinness World Records Adventure is like an interactive arcade. There are plenty of games to be played, and you never know if you might just be the one to get your name in that annual book.

Your Turn

By the time we completed our visit, we had decided that we weren’t cut out to become a record-setter. That’s okay since the fame and fortune would have certainly gone to our heads. The Guinness World Records Adventure offers 10 stations that allow visitors an Official Attempt at setting a world record. We realize that it is a pretty slim chances, but found out that it has already happened more than 20 times. It goes to show that inside each of us, there is a world record attempt just waiting to be released. Maybe you will be the next one to make it into their yearly book. If so, you can bet that we will see it and say, “Hey I could do that!” What world record do you think you could break?

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Mr. Maples

The outside certainly evokes the idea of an old mountain camp, and stepping through the door kept the theme going. The restaurant is named for local legend, David “Crockett” Maples. The frontiersman served in the Civil War, where his company helped protect the Appalachian region. He returned to the Gatlinburg area to operate a supply store with his wife, Mary. At times, Mr. Maples would serve as a mountain guide for visitors, which led to his near demise. A blizzard left him stranded and he nearly froze to death. Severe frostbite cost him both feet, but that didn’t stop David Maples.

Unstoppable Spirit

“Crockett” created a pair of boots with wooden feet. He secured these to his legs and was able to get around with a pair of canes. With the mobility issue solved, he was able to continue his active life until his death at the age of 88 years. When you make your stop at Crockett’s Breakfast Camp, you will want to give a nod to the statue of Maples that can be found outside. Back inside, the smell of frontier food had our appetites revving. After a quick look around, it was time to sit down to a hearty breakfast.

Protein Portions

Crystal decided to sample some standard campside eats. Eggs, bacon, and toast would provide her fuel and the side dish of fresh fruit was a great compliment. An unexpected treat was a dollop of Cherokee Sweet Corn Pone. This delectable, sweet substance is a mixture of cornmeal, sugar, butter, and water. While the recipe sounds simple, the results are out of this world. Good thing they ration this stuff because you can have too much of a good thing.

Not Your Average Bennie

I was feeling much more ‘”out of the ordinary” for my order. For the past couple of years, I have had a hankering to test out as many Eggs Benedict dishes as I can find. Crockett’s has a plate that puts the frontier food spin on this classic dish. The Signature Corned Beef Hash Benedict starts with an English muffin and ends with their homemade hollandaise sauce. In between, they load a healthy helping of corned beef, which they top with two poached eggs. A side order of baked apple slices added a sweet, cinnamon touch to my meal.

Frankenstein Flapjack

During our visit to Gatlinburg, we came to realize that pancake places are abundant. We had already tested a few and decided that we will be compiling a pancake plethora article in the coming weeks. In the meantime, it was our turn at the Thick Aretha Frankensteins Pancake. The manager sent one over for us to sample, and we were blown away by its size. We found out that it is baked, instead of being whipped up on a griddle. The texture was so airy that we kept nibbling away at this monstrous creation.

Full Up with Frontier Food

After filling our bellies, we took a few extra minutes to nurse our coffees. These extra moments gave us time to walk through the day’s itinerary. We knew that the recent rains would make some of the trails less than pristine, but it wouldn’t stop us from exploring a region we had waited so long to visit. With plenty of fuel from our frontier food, the day was ours to seize. It’s time to hit the trails and make the most of our day. What do you think of the tale of David “Crockett” Maples?

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The Hike

At a height of 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak along the Appalachian Trail. It also happens to be the highest point in Tennessee. After driving the seven-mile access road, we came to the start of the trail. With another 300 feet of elevation to gain, we knew it would be quite a hike. A stream of visitors was headed up in front of us, with some being accomplished hikers. The trail upwards is paved, so the half-mile hike wasn’t rugged. There are a few resting stops along the way, which were found handy by quite a few of the visitors. As we climbed Clingmans Dome, the parking lot was becoming just a speck below us.

Climbing Clingmans Dome

Once we reached the top of the trail, we came to the long- spiral ramp that leads to the observation platform. The ramp adds another 375 feet to the hike, but beats a steep staircase. As we made our way up, we began seeing the landscape from a new perspective.

Our Prize is in Sight

The trees had towered over us during our hike. Now we began gaining altitude on them. The change allowed us to observe the various levels of the canopy. Built in the post-World War II era, this platform was designed to accommodate the growing crowds of tourists. The tower design allows 360-degree views of the surrounding horizon. Construction was completed in the fall of 1959, for $57,000.

Time to Reflect

With our climb completed, we now looked forward to some resting time. We knew the way down would be easier, but our legs were pleased to end their climb. Our Gatlinburg trip had started by dealing with the remnants of Hurricane Florence, that had moved inland. We jostled our itinerary around so that our indoor visits took place on the wetter days. Earlier in the week we had passed by the road to Clingmans Dome, as we headed to North Carolina to visit the Cherokee Indian Museum. (You can read about that visit here.) By waiting, we ended up with perfect weather and amazing visibility.

Surveying the Horizon

There are a few placards along the edge of the platform, which tell visitors what they are seeing on the horizon. It is said that during overcast weather the views may be as low as 20 miles. On the clearest days, visitors will have a chance to see up to 100 miles away. This allows for views of seven states. While it’s hard to say exactly how far we were seeing, it was obvious that waiting for our visit was the right move.

Overcoming Fear

Once on the platform, I had been completely engrossed with capturing images of the landscape. As the crowd thinned, I noticed Crystal was spending her time near the center of the platform. I suggested she come closer to the edge, and at that time we had an aha moment. After 37 years of marriage, there are still things we discover about each other. I knew she feared heights, but I didn’t figure that it would apply to an area with a wall and railing. When I suggested a selfie along the wall, it threw her into a panic. We solved it by having her keep her eyes set on me, as I moved us closer to the side. It was a reminder of how much we trust each other.

A Pleasant Surprise

With our time on top complete, we made the hike back down to our car. Passing new climbers, it was our turn to give words of encouragement to those contemplating their decision to continue. We made the drive back down the mountain toward Gatlinburg. On our first drive through the park, we spotted a black bear scampering across the road. Crystal was ecstatic about it and even recorded a video for our Instagram feed. This day, we turned a curve and spotted a mother and two cubs near a roadside pull-off. I pulled in and we watched them for quite a while. The experience was a cherry on top of the great day we were having. It inspired a second “bear video”, which ended up in our Instagram feed again. I’ll add a link to our Instagram account, but you will have to scroll over to the Smoky Mtn reel to watch her reaction. The highlight reels are the smaller circles above our posts. We have a reel for most of the cities we have visited, so be sure to check out some of the others. (Here’s a link to our Instagram.) How many of you have seen a wild bear this close?

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Room with a View

We look at chains as being businesses that are succeeding. One of the most difficult things to achieve in the restaurant business is consistency. While it can be fun and exciting to create a new dish, being able to recreate that experience repeatedly is a bit more of a reach. For a business to grow into a successful chain, it must be able to replicate the same experience for customers in each of its locations. Some, such as fast food stops, do this by minimizing the extent of flavors they offer. We don’t find a reason to highlight these to our readers. There are others though, that don’t shy away from letting their originality shine through. These are the places, that we believe, need to be considered as additions to your itinerary when traveling to new destinations.

Adult Libations

As we explored the “Strip” in downtown Gatlinburg, we ran across a myriad of dining options. You can find just about every cuisine imaginable, but on this day we had a hankering for a pizza. The light rain was enough to keep the larger crowds down, which made our wandering more enjoyable. We spotted the Mellow Mushroom signage near one of the moonshine shops that dot the landscape. Moonshine Tastings are a sure sign that you are in the Appalachian region. Once inside, we took the colorful steps up to their second-story perch. One of the first things to greet our sight was the Moonshine Lounge, which serves up adult concoctions to compliment your meal.

Peace of Pizza

Mellow Mushroom began their journey in 1974, so they have tons of pizza-making experience. Over the years, they have expressed themselves through the artwork that fills each of their locations. While “Peace of Pizza” is a play on words, they have incorporated this theme into their daily lives. In the early days, they would have friends offering to paint the colorful murals to hang in their restaurant. This idea has continued, and each of their stores has its own unique “flavor”.  It reminded us of the unique artwork we found at Artego Pizza in our hometown. (You can see more about Artego here.) With all this eye candy surrounding us, we settled into a comfy booth near the windows. Outside the rain fell along the strip, but we were comfortably positioned to watch the passing storm.

Welcome Surprise

Our server walked us through the Mellow Mushroom menu, which includes a variety of dishes common in pizzerias. While a hoagie or calzone sounded appealing, our visit was destined to include a piece of pizza. Being ones to have our heaviest meal at breakfast, we decided a small pie would suffice. At most pizza shops we would have to compromise on which variety to select when ordering a small pie. Mellow Mushroom surprised us by allowing the combination of two styles on our small pizza. I immediately gravitated to the Mighty Meat, which includes pepperoni, sausage, beef, ham, and smoked bacon. Crystal decided to order the Great White and had them toss on some grilled chicken. We have to admit that we were quite excited that we found a place that allowed this customization.

Pizza Lovers Unite

While we have only sampled the one Mellow Mushroom location, we were quite satisfied with the results. A bite from Crystal’s choice offered a smooth flavor that was kicked up with the tang of the feta cheese. My style was a protein-filled meal, that I knew would sustain me through an afternoon of exploring. Our server was extremely attentive without hovering and seemed happy that we enjoyed our pie. The small size was just enough to satisfy our hunger, without the need for leftovers. (That is something we avoid when traveling.) We noticed that the rain showers had passed on by, so it signaled the time for us to head back out onto the strip. Having identified a new restaurant that we could sample in other locations, we were satisfied with our peace of pizza experience. Have you ever sampled the pies at Mellow Mushroom? We’d love to hear about some of their other locations.

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Getting Some Country Air

We visited Gatlinburg in the Fall, which meant that the weather pattern was a little active. On a day that brought sunshine, we headed over to Ripley’s Davy Crockett course for a hillside challenge. There are two themed courses to choose from, so we went with the one that had the least golfers. Built on a small hillside, there were some stairs to traverse, but not too many.

Adding a Twist

Our mini-golf galore tour started with an added twist. Some of the holes have a spinner that identifies an unusual approach to play. Of course, this isn’t required, but it does make for a few extra smiles and giggles. Just imagine trying to use the putter when on your knees. It’s not as easy as one would think.

Up, Up and Away

While Ripley’s had a hillside, down the road we found a mountainside course. Hillbilly Golf was suggested by one of our friends, and we couldn’t wait to experience it. We actually played this course on the same day as the Davy Crockett one. When the drizzle stops, you take advantage of every minute. At Hillbilly Golf you climb into an incline train, which hoists you to the top of the hill. Tucked away in the tree cover is one of the most unusual courses we have played.

Is That Banjo Music?

We began our game at the top, and the course is laid out to lead you down the mountainside. Along the way, we found lots of nostalgic artifacts that would have been commonplace in many mountain homes and farms. Some city dwellers may be puzzled by these pieces, but visiting a local museum will usually help clear up their use. As the evening sky darkened, we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of this place. It was certainly unlike any course we have experienced.

Rainy Day Escapes

While the outdoor courses were a little farther off the downtown strip, this didn’t mean that mini-golf couldn’t be found closer in. There were a couple of evenings that we found ourselves ducking out of passing showers. The strip has plenty of shops for this, but we also discovered mini-golf galore in this area as well. Treasure Quest Mini-Golf whisked us away to some of our favorite movie sets. This indoor course allowed us to entertain ourselves while staying high and dry out of the rain.

Lights, Camera, Action!

As we made our way through the space, we saw plenty of notable characters. The course isn’t too challenging, but we have found ways to add fun to each place we play. Be sure to check out all of their props, as they were very inventive with their decor.

Let It Glow!

Okay, that was a pretty corny subtitle, but it made me smile. Speaking of corny, have you ever played mini-golf under black-light conditions? A stop at Circus Golf had us doing just that. This place had a combination of attractions, which had us making a return stop. Their mirror maze didn’t sound that appealing to us, but we did enjoy a round of their Shoot Em’ Up Cinema. This was another chance to pit our skills against each other but in a shooting gallery setting.

Why So Serious?

Most of our selfies are a little more run-of-the-mill. We are usually trying to focus on the site we are visiting, but we thought we’d toss in a couple of the ones we take for ourselves. Life is about having a good time and sharing a few laughs. Sure, there are times to be serious, but not during mini-golf. Here we are playing for fun and bragging rights. Who wouldn’t be surprised to find these terrifying creatures around you during a friendly game?

Finding Mini-Golf Galore in Gatlinburg

It’s easy to see that you can find Mini-Golf Galore in Gatlinburg, so why not add in a game or two during your next Smoky Mountain vacation? The nearby mountains make a wonderful backdrop for a semi-competitive challenge. You’ll get some fresh air and possibly make a few new friends. (Maybe even a mountain full.) This family-friendly activity can get expensive when you add in a group. You will want to check out some of the shops around town for their visitor’s flyers. These are packed with coupons and discounts for many of the attractions along the strip. After all, the games are even more fun when you save a little money to play them.

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Coloring a Gloomy Day

No Way Jose’s Cantina is a regional chain with three locations. They opened the first restaurant in 1997, and have been a staple for visitors ever since. Our visit took place on a gloomy September day, but as soon as we approached the mood began to lighten. Once inside, the brightly colored interior laid out before us. Although they had just opened a few minutes before our arrival, the place was already filling up with hungry tourists. The aroma of the cooking dishes made our hungers race, and we anxiously followed the hostess to our table.

Getting Started

Downtown Gatlinburg is laid out well for getting around on foot. With our lodging just off the main strip, we were able to leave our car parked most of the time we were exploring the city. Since we were afoot, it was a perfect opportunity to imbibe in a couple of their specialty drinks. Crystal selected one of their pina coladas, while I sampled a Mexican Runner. They were the perfect touch to accent some Queso dip, chunky salsa, and chips. We noshed on this snack, while we awaited our main courses to arrive.

Affordable Lunches

While reviewing the menu, one of the things we noticed were the affordable prices. This is not always the case in places that are tourist heavy. We were happy to see many meal options below $10 per plate. My choice was the Chicken & Avocado Salad, which is served in a crispy tortilla bowl. It was pretty much like a taco salad, excpt with grilled chicken and slices of avocado. The ingredients were fresh and flavorful, and the Avocado Dressing was a great compliment to the dish.

Sizzling Eats

Crystal went with the Sizzling Fajita Salad, which is also less than $10. It was similar to my meal with the bowl shell, but hers had the addition of fajita meat. There is something special about the sound of the sizzle and the smell of the meat, onion, and peppers. Both of our meals were large enough to fill us, before we finished.

No Way Jose’s Cantina Brightens a Gloomy Day

Our foray into Mexican cuisine in Gatlinburg had been a total success. We had many more meals planned and our confidence was boosted that we would find plenty of delicious meals. Our vacation was off to an amazing start, and we were enjoying all of the southern hospitality that is common for this region. Be sure to check out some more of the flavors of the south by reading our articles from downtown Knoxville. (Here’s a link to the overview article.) Bon Appetit!

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We want to thank Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

1) Visual Experience

Ripley’s Aquarium is large on the outside, but even the size of the building hides just how much there is to see inside. The displays are designed to delight the eye and intrigue the mind. We loved the huge waterfall that can be seen once you enter the building. You will even pass behind it, as you make your way through the exhibits. Be sure to stop for a selfie, since the large atrium entrance is visible through the water.

2) Educational Exhibits

We love visiting sites that further our education. As we made our way through the aquarium, we found tons of displays that include some background information on the creatures we were watching. Some of the displays are plaques, while others are video screens that provide a short presentation. Whatever they had, it seemed like most of the visitors were intrigued by the opportunity to uncover new details about the species that share our world.

Some of the exhibits included creatures that were familiar to us, like piranhas. But others offered a glimpse at ones less common. How many of you have heard of the mudskipper? This unique little creature inhabits many places in the Eastern Hemisphere. That makes them quite an oddity here in the United States. They almost resemble an oversize tadpole.

3) Quirky Creatures

Many of you are well aware of crows and ravens affinity for shiny objects. Did you know that there is a crab that has the same quirky obsession? The Coconut Crab is well-known for its antics of “borrowing” items that it finds appealing. We are betting it was quite a shock to people visiting the areas that these creatures inhabit.

4) Picture Perfect Moments

Throughout Ripley’s Aquarium you will find beautifully designed displays. These days it’s not unusual to see almost everyone capturing the moment with their cellphones. Sharks, octopus, rays, and many more make great subjects for photos. With so many colorful species to see, you will want to make sure you have plenty of memory space and a full charge before visiting. Now if they will only stand still for a second, so we can snap a pic.

Some of our favorites to watch are the jellyfish. They are almost magical, as they seem to be suspended in space. It’s easy to find yourself in a trance, as you watch these creatures dance in the water. Since about 95% of their mass is liquid, it makes sense that they would be so fluid. We figured that it wouldn’t be necessary to need 6 reasons to visit Ripley’s Aquarium, since just watching the jellies is a worthwhile activity. Everything else is just a bonus.

5) Hands-on For Real

We are usually intrigued when given an opportunity to mingle with animals of all kinds. It gets even better when the interaction can be hands-on. Our travels have given us plenty of experiences that will stay with us for a long time. Feeding giraffes, lemurs, and okapi jump quickly to mind. (You can read about that experience here.) At Ripley’s Aquarium, visitors get a chance to touch some unique aquatic creatures.

When we saw the touch tank for jellyfish, we knew it had to be experienced. Don’t worry, not all jellies are dangerous, and these are quite safe. The staff member gave us a quick lesson on how to touch these amazing creatures, without hurting them. This definitely ranks up there as a memorable moment, so you won’t want to miss it.

6)Up Close & Personal Experiences

Jellies weren’t the only hands-on exhibit. Learning more about horseshoe crabs was another delight. Being an amateur fossil collector, I know that this crustacean has populated our oceans for millions of years. These living fossils are almost alien to see and their hard shells add to their intriguing appearance. They are almost a little tank of the ocean, with their hard shell.

Rounding out our list of 6 reasons to visit Ripley’s Aquarium had to be the ability for visitors to get so close to the subjects. Many of us would never have the opportunity to travel all over the planet to witness these creatures in their natural environments. Even if we did, how close do you think we could get without them darting off for safety? Zoos and aquariums help visitors get a closer interaction, that helps cement our relationship with the other creatures that inhabit our world. This is important, as it will possibly spark the next great zoologist or exploratory scientist. It also shows us how delicate the bond is between species.

While we think those 6 reasons to visit Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies may be enough, there is even more to be seen. As we continued to explore, we came across their “Shipwreck” exhibit. Inside was a nice grouping of displays, that show some of the most famous ships lost to the depths of the seas. There are also some interactive displays that teach how artifacts are uncovered in the vast depths of the ocean. It seemed that the farther we delved into the aquarium, the more exhibits we uncovered. Our time was drawing to a close, since we always pack our itineraries full of fun. As we departed, we knew that we would be taking some great memories with us. After all, how many people can say that they were able to pet a jellyfish?

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We want to thank the businesses of Knoxville for their hospitality. Rest assured all the opinions are our own. 

Starting at the Beginning

We planned our visit to be a mix of history and current culture. This would give us a real feel for the city of Knoxville. With only 24 hours to explore, we needed to make the most of every minute. Our first destination, after arriving in town, was a stop at James White’s Fort. This is the birthplace of Knoxville, so where better to get a history lesson on the earliest days. During our visit, we were able to engage with staff, who are happy to give visitors an in-depth storyline of the early days of this region. (You can read more about the Fort here.)

Our Introduction to Knoxville Eats

Before making our journey to Knoxville, we made connections with some of the foodie groups in the city. After just a few days of communication, we knew that this Appalachian city had a plethora of delicious dining establishments. The true challenge would be selecting a sampling that fit into the spaces we would be visiting. Since our lodging was in downtown Knoxville, it made sense to focus on the Market Square area. We were only a few hours into our 24 hour visit, when we popped in Tupelo Honey for a scrumptious lunch. This was a good way to introduce ourselves to southern style hospitality. (You can read more about Tupelo here.)

Keeping Our Eyes Open To History

Back out in the daylight, we took a few minutes to look around the immediate area. Market Square started in the mid-1800’s and has been a gathering place for many generations. It began as an actual market area, where merchants would sell their goods to the rich and poor alike. It has been described as “the most democratic place on earth”, since people from all walks of life would mingle for an opportunity to buy from local vendors. Like many urban areas, it saw a period of decline. Those days are now in its past, as Market Square is once again a bustling center for retail and dining venues.

Urban Art

On our walk to Market Square, we passed a small “pocket” park. Situated just across the street, we decided to take a few minutes to check it out. It is named the Charles Krutch Park, after a regional painter known for his pictures of the Smoky Mountains. As we strolled the paved paths of the park, we found a nice collection of outdoor art pieces. The park is also home to some serene water features, which are serviced by plenty of benches. If we had more than 24 hours in downtown Knoxville, we would have loved to soak up some more of the relaxed vibes in this area.

24 Hours to Eat Sweet Treats

Okay, time to be honest. Travel gives us a reason to sample lots of eats that we would usually skip during our “good days” at home. Sure, we know there will be plenty of excessive calories, but we try to combat them by focusing our visits on areas that allow us to do lots of walking. During our 24 hours in downtown Knoxville, we calculated that we walked about seven miles in all. In our minds, this was plenty of activity to justify a sweet treat or two. A warm September day is perfect for a cool cone at Cruze Farm dairy. This local ice cream shop offers up some delectable soft serve options, that we couldn’t get enough of during our stay. (You can read more about Cruze here.)

Heading Back to School

Our next historic stop took us to the campus of the University of Tennessee. For this visit, we did jump in our car, since we also wanted to do a quick driving tour of the region. Once on campus, we felt like kids again, since everyone was preparing for a pep rally to cheer on the local football team. Our focus forced us to come back to the reason for our visit, and we headed into the McClung Museum of Natural History. This FREE attraction is the perfect way to learn more about the people who have inhabited the region that is now known as Knoxville. It even has some cool exhibits on the local dinosaurs that once roamed the land. This all ages attraction is a good way to engage the kids with a fun way of learning. (You can read more about McClung here.)

Time on the World’s Stage

No visit to Knoxville would be complete without a view of the Sunsphere. In 1982, Knoxville was home to the World’s Fair. More than 11 million people visited the fair, which made it one of the more popular world fairs ever held in the United States. As with other one time occurrences, many of the structures were demolished or repurposed after the event. One that has stood the test of time is the Sunsphere. This 266 foot tall tower offers visitors some impressive views of the Knoxville landscape.

Another portion of the fair site is found just a stones throw from the Sunsphere. The World’s Fair Fountain sits at one end of the green space that now encompasses World’s Fair Park. The wide open space is used for events and live performances. Nearby you will find the modern structure that holds the Knoxville Museum of Art. With only 24 hours available in downtown Knoxville, we had to forego a visit on this trip. It’s obvious that there are many other attractions that will need to be explored on a subsequent visit.

Dinner with a Purpose

We returned to Market Square for dinner at Stock & Barrel. This downtown Knoxville eatery was one that was most recommended by our contacts in town. With a “farm to table” philosophy, we had high expectations for this place. Having to wait for seating helped us confirm that it was truly a local favorite. They took our phone number to send us a text when our table was ready. This gave us a little time to explore some of the shops in the square. Too soon, our exploration time was curtailed, by a notice that it was time to dine. The restaurant was buzzing, as diners dove into the amazing meals that flowed from the kitchen. When our plates arrived, it was our turn to savor the fresh eats and flavorful tastes. This place lived up to the hype that our connections had laid out for us. (Check out more about Stock & Barrel here.)

Cramming More Sweets Into Our 24 Hours

After our dinner, we needed to spend some time walking off our meal. Market Square was the perfect place to do some meandering and people watching. The evening seems to be filled with tons of activity, as travelers and locals alike fill the space. It was nice finding out that most of the retail shops stay open late to accomodate the evening crowds. We explored the boutique shops with our eyes peeled for something to remember our visit. Low and behold, what would we happen upon, but another sweet shop. We knew it would be rude not to explore it, so we did our best to check out all of their displays. To make sure we covered everything, we even sampled a few of their most popular creations. Lets just say it was a great way to cap off our day. Now it was time to head back to our hotel for some well deserved rest.

Expanding Our Education

After breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and put our luggage in our car. The staff was nice enough to allow us to leave our vehicle, while we continued our explorations. A short walk landed us at the East Tennessee History Museum. Our earlier stops had given us a good background on the city, and this stop would expand our knowledge to include the region. Inside we found plenty of exhibits about the entire eastern end of the state. We knew our time was limited, so we didn’t get to investigate the museum in nearly the amount of detail as it deserves. It would be easy to spend a minimum of half a day here, and still only have a minimal grasp on all of the displays. Looks like we will need another go at this museum when we return. (You can see lots more about this Museum here.)

One Final Twist

Our 24 hours in downtown Knoxville was almost up, but we still had time for one more foodie experience. The Tomato Head caught our attention with their unusual name. When we researched it a little further, the menu called out to us for a visit. Being pizza lovers, we are almost always up for a slice. When we saw some of their unique combinations, we knew it was a “must try”. The most difficult part of this visit was determining which of their creations we wanted to sample. After all, even on our best days we can only eat so much. (Check out what we chose at Tomato Head here.)

Cramming Tons Into 24 Hours into Downtown Knoxville

Whew! It’s hard to believe we were able to get so much accomplished in such a limited amount of time. We would highly suggest you plan more than 24 hours in downtown Knoxville. Of course, if that’s all you can afford, you can see that you will have plenty to occupy your time. As we drove out of the city, we could rest assured that we had packed tons of fun in our short stay. While it wasn’t the length of time we would have wanted, at least it gave us a taste of this wonderful city. It certainly piqued our interest for a return visit that would allow us to do a deeper dive into the sights, sounds, and tastes of Knoxville, Tennessee. So, tell us about one of your quick excursions!

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Gathering Place

Our arrival at The Tomato Head came about 28 years after its start-up in 1990. In those days, Market Square hadn’t yet transformed into its present day attraction status. Formerly named Flying Tomato, it focused on serving up lunchtime bites to downtown workers. It was chance that brought the owner to this spot. The landlord leaving a pizza oven on the premises became a major reason why Knoxville soon had a gourmet pizzeria. Over time, the unusual flavor combinations being served up created a stir throughout the city. These days, The Tomato Head is a core eatery in what has become a destination for residents and travelers alike.

Focusing On The Food

With a better understanding of the history of The Tomato Head, now it was time to see what 28 years of practice has created. Our visit was planned for lunchtime, as that is the only period that you can order by the slice. That meant that we could sample a variety of their specialty flavor combinations. Choosing 3 out of the 14 available was harder than it sounds, since many sound intriguing. First up we picked the Benton’s Bacon, Ham & Hot Italian Sausage. This savory combination of flavors packs plenty of punch. The carmelized onions added a sweet overtone to this meaty treat.

Getting Sauced

Over the past few years, more pizzerias are mixing up their sauce choices to compliment new combinations of toppings. By focusing on the food, the winner is the customer. A garlicky white sauce adds a boost of flavor to the Blue Cheese & Walnut pie, at The Tomato Head. This slice brought a tangy crunch that had lighter flavors, but was still just as delicious.

Flavor Perfection

Our final choice was the Chicken, Roasted Portobello, and Pesto. Once again, it starts with a base of white sauce, but from there it takes a quick right turn. Smoky chicken is accented by the salty Kalamata olives and sweet caramelized red onion. Toss in the tang of goat cheese and nutty taste of pesto sauce to create a mad rush of flavors. This had to be one of the most interesting pizza combinations we have ever experienced. It is one we would happily repeat over and over.

Plans for Success

The Tomato Head has spent the last couple decades perfecting a business plan that puts customer satisfaction at the forefront. We added ourselves to this ever-growing list. Back out in the midday sunshine, we stopped for a quick selfie in front of this Knoxville classic. It was clear to us that the local foodies were in good hands, when they visited Market Square. With our appetites quenched, it was time for us to head a short distance to explore the East Tennessee History Museum. (You can read about that visit here.) Travel blogging can have its own challenges at times, but getting to sample a meal like this can go a long way to making it worth it. What’s the most unique pizza topping combination you have ever tasted?

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What makes up East Tennessee?

Unlike a city museum, the East Tennessee History Center is brimming with artifacts from all around the region. Generally considered to be about a third of the state, the area contains 33 counties. It is considered part of the Appalachia Zone, which includes the Great Smoky Mountains. We knew that Native Indians once populated the land, and here we would learn more about them. During the TVA project, much was learned about these original occupants. (We’ll discuss this later in the article.) The earliest explorers from Spain searched the lands looking for treasures. Their cruelties to the indigenous people formed feelings of caution and resentment among the Native Indians.

Need for Protection

Various tribes had cultivated these lands for many centuries, but it was the Cherokee that dominated the landscape when the first European explorers arrived. They had established a series of towns throughout the region. During the French and Indian War, also known as the Seven Years War, the British erected Fort Loudoun as a defensive outpost. The battle between France and England, would determine who would have a hold over the rich interior lands of East Tennessee and beyond.  An alliance with the Cherokee helped insure a victory for England and the American colonies.

East Tennessee’s Earliest Residents

After the war, one faction of the Cherokee split from the group, as they were angered by the way the tribe was appeasing the new settlers. Word had spread through the colonies of the abundance of wildlife in the East Tennessee region. Many settlers arrived looking for the promise of abundant furs. A series of treaties with the natives slowly chipped away at their lands, until the Cherokee were eventually removed in 1838. Many of these Native Indians would perish on the Trail of Tears, as they made the forced journey to what would become Oklahoma territory. (Read about a stop along the Trail of Tears here.)

Into The Wilderness

After the Revolutionary War, attention turned to further exploration of the lands that lay west. East Tennessee held a lot of promise for early settlers. James White was one of the first to see the value of the lands that make up Knoxville. With the promise of a land grant, from his participation in the war, he laid claim to a vast section of territory. Working with William Blount, they plotted and created the city that would eventually be the state’s first capital. (You can read more about James White here.)

Notable Names in East Tennessee

During our visit to the East Tennessee History Museum, we had the honor to see Davy Crockett’s first rifle. The term “longhunters” was not familiar to us, but was fairly self-explanatory. People like Crockett would head out for extensive periods into the wilderness. Long journeys and extreme hardships were rewarded with large amounts of pelts that were traded with the Native Indians for supplies. It was their colorful stories that enticed the settlers to seek out residence in East Tennessee.

War Reaches East Tennessee

East Tennessee’s unique topography was more conducive to small farms than larger plantations. For this reason, slavery had not been as prevalent in this region. When the proposal of succession was brought forth, East Tennessee’s stance differed from the rest of the state. A referendum was brought forth for succession, and more than 80% of East Tennessee voters were against it. As succession appeared apparent, the Unionist East Tennessee Convention drafted a petition to split from the rest of the state. This was denied, and the governor ordered confederate troops to East Tennessee to insure compliance. Not until late 1863, would Union troops secure Knoxville and Chattanooga from Confederate hold. The Chattanooga Campaign would be some of the bloodiest battles of the war. After the war, East Tennessee residents nursed the ill effects of distrust of the state for many generations.

Sounds of East Tennessee

The music of the Appalachian region is descended from a wide variety of influences. English and Scottish ballads , as well as Irish and Scottish fiddle tunes had a particular heavy affect on the tunes. These can still be heard on the banjo, dulcimer, guitar, and fiddle. Blending in African-American blues, as well as gospel, added another layer to the tunes of East Tennessee. Many of the ballads were written to reflect a moment in time. The east Tennessee History Museum has a nice collection of information about the music of the region. There is even a video loop that plays shorts from various artists that were familiar to us. Such a great experience.

Changing the Landscape

After the Civil War, northern capitalists saw potential in East Tennessee. Heavy investments were made in manufacturing, and soon a boom occurred. Did you know that the first Coca-Cola bottling plant was built in 1899 in Chattanooga? Neither did we. Logging was a growing industry, as the vast forests of the nearby mountain ranges were harvested. The discovery of coal and copper led to a series of mining operations.  One of the largest changes to take place in East Tennessee was the creation of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). This federally created project encompassed flood control, waterway navigation, fertilizer production, and electric generation. Extensive farming had depleted the soil and the best hardwoods had been removed from the forests. In an effort to boost the local economy, the TVA was signed into existence by President Roosevelt. More than 15,000 families were displaced, which created harmful sentiment amongst many residents. Ultimately, the project produced electricity at some of the lowest rates in the nation.

What’s a Hillbilly?

The term “hillbilly” originated sometime before the Civil War, but it’s unclear of the exact start. Broken into two parts, “hill” refers to hill-folk, while “billy” is a Scottish term for comrade. It was often used as a derogatory name for people who lived a simpler life in the Appalachian regions. While many will think of East Tennessee, the term is also used to describe residents of the Ozarks in Northeast Arkansas. In these areas, the people maintained their simpler lifestyles, even as the rest of the country moved forward. The negative connotation of the nickname has been perpetuated in movies and television. Ma and Pa Kettle, as well as The Beverly Hillbillies, are examples of this. Even The Andy Griffith Show portrayed a life that was less technologically advanced. The positive that came from these portrayals is that it showed the people as being deeply founded in their beliefs of good versus evil. The rules they adhered to were governed by the principle of being fair to your fellow man and minding your own business.

A Sip of East Tennessee

The mountain region of East Tennessee was popular for offering privacy from an intruding government. Moonshine is an alcoholic beverage created with stills. What began out of necessity, soon became a way of life for many in the mountainous region. Moonshine refers to a strong alcoholic drink, and in Appalachia many people set up stills to produce “shine” for their own use, as well as to sell. When prohibition was enacted, the process became legendary. Seen as a way to circumvent federal authority, moonshiners faced constant peril from explosions and raids. Working with bootleggers, who were the distribution channels for moonshiners wares, they supplied much of east Tennessee and beyond with liquor. These days, visitors can stop in moonshine businesses, much like a local winery, to sample and purchase a modern version of this ages-old product.

Hidden Agenda

The ridges and valleys of East Tennessee are appealing for a variety of reasons. Picturesque landscapes draw visitors and sightseers. Quiet seclusion offers potential residents privacy, and one area drew the attention of the US Government. During the World War II years, the government was needing to find a place to work in secret. East Tennessee had many sections that had minimal occupancy. In 1942, Oak Ridge was developed to support work being done to develop the atomic bomb. Under the code name of “Manhattan Project”, Canada, Britain, and the US worked in cooperation in this undisclosed site. After the war, the city was turned over to civilian use, and many of the government facilities were destroyed. These days, Oak ridge embraces its “Atomic” past and offers tours of the facilities.

A New View

With a new perspective on East Tennessee, we were now prepared to have a better experience as we explored the region. Our visit to the East Tennessee History Museum helped us recognize names we would see on buildings and street signs, as we traversed the Knoxville and beyond. The museum is filled with so many fascinating stories, that it would be easy to spend at least half a day inside. You will certainly want to reserve at least two hours minimum just to see all of the exhibits. Do any of you have ties to the Appalachian region of East Tennessee?

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Family First

It was easy to find Cruze Farm dairy, since their neon ice cream cone sign hung out from the side of the building. Of course, the gathering of ice cream eaters was certainly a dead giveaway. Once we stepped inside, we were greeted by an immaculately clean looking space. The use of white certainly creates a nice backdrop for the vivid photos that adorn the walls. It caught us off guard to see actual dairy cases, since we had assumed it was strictly an ice cream shop. I guess the name should have clued us in.

Fresh From the Farm Goodness at Cruze Farm Dairy

We weren’t sure what to expect at Cruze, but the steady traffic suggested it should be good. While we have seen more flavor options at other stores, none had the unique combination style. Of course, first we had to decide on the final product. Besides cones, the menu is filled with shakes, floats, and churns, which are a mixture of farm fresh ice cream and cookies or candies. Everything sounded delicious, but we stuck with our original plan to get cones. Regular or cow size? Now, I don’t want it to be a direct reflection, but let’s go cow size. We let a lot of people pass us in line, as we continued to narrow down our final choice.

Twisted Options

What flavor(s) would we pick? Yes, flavors, since Cruze is set up with soft serve machines that sit in tandem. Customers can choose one flavor or a swirl of what’s brewing in the pair of dispensers. They have a few standard flavors that are combined with rotating ones to create a wide range of options. A person who visits on multiple occasions will find new combination choices to try. Once we finally selected our flavors there was one more choice. Did we want our farm fresh ice cream to be dipped? Although the options of chocolate, peanut butter, cherry or toasted coconut toppings were attractive, we decided to hold firm with just the ice cream.  After all, with all of this time invested in decision making, we definitely wanted to savor the flavor.

Hooked on Cruze Dairy Farm

After our first experience with the farm fresh goodness that came served in a cone, we were ready for another. Of course, since we had recently eaten dinner, our bellies told us that would be a bad decision. Oh well, we walked away knowing that we would be in this area again on the next day. Sure as shooting, we happened to find a little time in our schedule to make another stop after our lunch break. Once again, the creamy goodness was waiting for us. This time we looked less like novices, as we were able to step up and order at will. Now we just need to find a reason to return to Knoxville for more Cruze Dairy Farm ice cream.

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McClung Museum’s History

We had scheduled to meet with Zack and Catherine, who are museum staff members. The plan was for a brief overview, to help us get our bearings, before we set out on our own. They walked us through the galleries, pointing out some of the uniquely Tennessee historical artifacts. While the McClung Museum covers a wide range of historical periods, most of the displays attempt to connect the events with this region.

Start at the Beginning

The layout of McClung Museum is designed to fit in the available space. The galleries don’t run in chronological sequence, but visitors will eventually see the complete timeline of history for Eastern Tennessee. For this article, we will attempt to stay somewhat to the course, and show the galleries from earliest to present. I’m going to let you in on a little secret, Crystal is not as big of a history fan as I am. While I can immerse myself in most all of the displays, she prefers to spend her time with the human interest side of history. The McClung Museum exhibit on geology & fossils wasn’t quite her cup of tea. This educational museum covers a wide range of the subject, with artifacts and informational displays. It was an added bonus to learn more about the duck-billed dinosaur, like the one we had met at the entrance to the building.

Moving Forward in Time

We continued to explore the galleries at McClung Museum, and explored the Human Origins exhibit. The space is designed to display a comprehensive overview of humans. Sometimes we forget that we are just one of the millions of species that inhabit the Earth. This exhibit is designed to put the human species in context, by showing the similarities and differences with other mammals. Be sure to check out the ceiling installation, which involves a replica of a painted cave wall from France.

Giving a Voice to Ancient Egypt

Moving ahead in time, McClung Museum next focuses on life and art in ancient Egypt. For a university space, we were quite impressed with the amount of artifacts they have from this period. Egyptian history has fascinated us, and we always look for an opportunity to see more pieces from the time of the Pharaohs. The culture of the people who inhabited the Nile River Valley is intriguing to many, which is apparent in the number of special exhibits that routinely travel from city to city. (Read about an Egyptian underwater exhibit we visited.) This Knoxville educational museum displays a variety of statues, carved reliefs, and objects that were used in daily life.

McClung Museum – East Tennessee’s Educational Museum

This museum was our second historical stop in Knoxville. Earlier we had visited James White’s Fort, which supplied us with some background on the founding of the city. (You can read about the fort here.) This educational museum is named for Frank McClung, who was a descendant of James White. In 1933, the Tennessee Valley Authority had devised a plan to supply power to the region. In anticipation of the various sites that would be affected by the plan, excavations were conducted at 62 sites across the state. Eventually, the three-story museum was constructed to offer a permanent home for the artifacts.

Closer to Home

The Archaeology & Native Peoples exhibit focuses on the people who have inhabited the region. The displays are broken into five periods of history. Each period is filled with artifacts and information about the culture during the distinct times. The earliest periods (Paleoindian and Archaic) includes tools used to hunt and butcher creatures like the mastodon, which once roamed the area. During the Woodland period the native people began engaging in gardening, which allowed the development of communities.

Dramatic Presentation

In the fourth period (Mississippian), the communities continued to develop culturally. A variety of Native Indian tribes lived in the region, with some constructing elaborate villages that included effective defensive systems. The Historic period is the fifth and most recent time period in this exhibit. By this time, the only permanent Indian tribe in the area were the Cherokees. Besides the various artifacts, there is another feature to this gallery that we found fascinating. On the walls, there are five full-size murals by Greg Harlin. These works, from the nationally acclaimed artist, present moments in time from the Native Indians who populated the region. The exhibit ends with information about the Trail of Tears, which included the removal of the majority of Cherokee in 1838.

War Comes to Knoxville

On November 29, 1863, the Battle for Fort Sanders was fought in Knoxville. Seeking to prevent the loss of railroad access to the Deep South, the Confederate Army attacked Union forces in an effort to retake the city. McClung Museum has a small but unique collection of artifacts from the historic action. Confederate troops proceeded with a poorly planned assault that resulted in a lopsided victory by Union troops. Artifacts in this exhibit include a drum found in the Confederate camp and Frank McClung’s pardon signed by President Andrew Johnson.

Unexpected Industry

An added benefit of visiting educational museums is finding topics we had not been aware of prior to our visit. Little did we know that the Tennessee River has been a supply of freshwater mussels for ages. Excavations show that Indians were harvesting the aquatic creatures for food as far back as the Mississippian Period. The shells were used for scrapers and hoes, while the freshwater pearls were used for eyes on their animal shaped pipes. By the beginning of the 1900’s, Knoxville had joined the pearl-button industry with their bountiful supply of mussel shells. An interesting side note is that the freshwater pearl was named the state gem of Tennessee in 1979. Once again, we found that we were leaving with knowledge we gathered during a visit to a new destination. How many of you enjoy visiting educational museums like McClung Museum in Knoxville?

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Farm to Table at Stock & Barrel

The principle behind the farm to table approach is fairly simple. Restaurants will source ingredients from local or regional growers to help ensure freshness and minimize the use of preservatives. While some will tout this feature, their end products wind up with more shelf-stable ingredients than fresh. Stock & Barrel tries to limit this by creating a network of suppliers from all around the Knoxville region. For instance, the beef for their burgers is raised on a local farm that has been in existence since the 1800’s. A local bakery provides all of the breads they use, and most of the mixers for their drinks are created in-house.

Freshness Brings Them In

Most of you who follow our blog know that we will usually try to dine just off the peak hours. It allows us to minimize our wait time, but still get a good feel for the service when it is busy. At Stock & Barrel, it appears that they don’t have much of an off-peak session. We arrived at what we expected to be an early dinner, and the place was packed. A nice feature was them taking our phone number with the promise of a text when our table would be ready. This allowed us a few minutes to explore more of the Market Square. When our text arrived, we made a beeline for the restaurant and were seated immediately. Nearby, we made note of the delicious looking plates that our neighbors were enjoying. Soon enough, our orders were placed and we sat back to people watch. The buzz of the crowd certainly added to the anticipation of our meals.

Bringing the Farm to Our Table

Even with the abundant crowds, we found the wait for our food to be normal. The founders of Stock & Barrel realized the importance of picking a niche and sticking with it. By developing a menu around a specific cuisine, in this case burgers, it allows them to hone their recipes to near perfection. As our server placed our meals in front of us, the aroma of the fresh cooked beef was tantalizing. Crystal is one who likes to go old school, so her choice was the ‘Merican Burger. The fresh beef patty is topped with American cheese, and all of the accompaniments you would expect to find at an outdoor cookout. Her side of fries had a delicious crispness.

That’s a Lot of Shrooms

I knew Crystal would never go for the ‘Shroomin Burger, since she is not a big fan of mushrooms. Fortunately, I like them enough for both of us. This version is actually topped with three varieties, so when I saw it on the menu it was a done deal. Throw in some Swiss cheese and creamy horseradish, and I was a happy camper. The use of locally sourced fresh beef truly adds a layer to the taste of the burgers at Stock & Barrel. Since they offer a choice, I decided to pick the onion rings, so we could sample both side options. These golden rings have a good proportion of batter to onion and make a good addition to a sandwich that doesn’t include onions.

Bringing the Farm to Market Square

We savored our meals and even had an opportunity to speak with some of the staff. Everyone seemed thrilled for the chance to tell us about their favorites at Stock & Barrel. It was obvious that they all take pride in delivering the best tastes to their customers and it showed in all aspects of our visit. With our meals complete and others waiting for a table, we said our farewells and returned to Market Square. Having enjoyed an early dinner, we now had full bellies and plenty of time to explore the shops. When you make your vacation plans for Knoxville, you will definitely want to add a visit to Market Square to your schedule. It’s sure to be a memory in the making. So which of the two burgers that we ordered would you prefer?

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We would like to thank Visit Knoxville and James White Fort for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.

Exploring Knoxville’s Roots

After serving in the Revolutionary War, James White had earned a land grant of 1000 acres. In 1783, White led a scouting expedition into what is now known as the Tennessee Valley region. He returned to the area that is now Knoxville, and eventually built a two-story log cabin in 1786. Having made friends with the local Cherokee Indians, he traded goods with the tribe. The lands around his home were cleared for the growing of crops, which included vegetables and tobacco.

Within a couple of years, he had built a collection of structures and felt the need to fence them in for protection from wild animals. The courtyard served as a stable for the domesticated animals. In 1791, James White partitioned off a portion of his land to form the town of Knoxville. He named the new city after Henry Knox, who was Secretary of War under George Washington. With the help of his son-in-law, Charles McClung, they laid out the plot of the new city. These half-acre lots were sold for $8.00 each under a lottery system. This was designed to ensure people from all demographics would have an equal chance of ownership. Tennessee would become the 16th state of the Union in 1796, and Knoxville the capital.

Touring James White’s Fort

When James White constructed the original two-story cabin, it was not without luxuries of the day. The chimney was made with dressed stone, and all of the windows contained glaze glass. These were rare to find in a frontier setting. With seven children, plus the two adults, they needed the room the cabin afforded them. White’s open door policy with the local natives meant that on any given night there might be another 20 to 30 people staying within the walls. It was quickly apparent that expansion was necessary.

A couple of years after completion of the original structure, construction began on additional buildings. The first was a kitchen to serve the family and frequent visitors. More cabins were constructed, but these were simpler, single-story structures. By the time the construction of the fence was completed, there would have been up to 100 people on site on a given night, as well as a menagerie of animals in the courtyard. While touring the buildings, we tried to imagine the sight of this crowd. We are sure that every possible inch of floor would have been needed to host such a large number of people. Of course, in those days families were quite a bit larger, so 100 people may have only been 10 or fewer families.

A Day in the Life

Passing through the buildings you can almost feel the age of the wood. Except for doors, windows, and the roofs, most are original from the 1700’s. When you think of the changing seasons and significant severe weather, it made us realize the care that went into the construction. Inside of each building, staff has assembled a variety of artifacts that would have been common to the frontier days in which the White family occupied the compound. Our minds could imagine the family members rising before sunrise to begin the day’s chores, before a hearty breakfast. The day would have been filled with work activities to sustain the family through the year. After a smaller evening meal, bedtime would have been around sundown.

James White Returns to War

After Tennessee was assigned status as a state, James White was elected as a brigadier general for the surrounding district. He also served as state senator for a short period. Having been a successful land speculator, White had amassed large tracts of land. While he was a shrewd businessman, he was also a kind philanthropist. He donated the land that would be used to construct Knoxville’s public buildings. He also helped establish Blount College, which would eventually become the University of Tennessee. In 1800, White moved out of the city to his country estate to the east. During the Creek War, which coincided with the War of 1812, James White was called back into service for his country.

Ready to Explore James White’s City

With our visit to James White’s Fort completed, we were ready to strike out into downtown Knoxville. We were armed with a knowledge of its origin, that exploring Knoxville’s roots had provided. The names we had heard during this visit would replay in other stops we had on our schedule. We find it fun to be able to connect the names of streets, building, and businesses with the history we have learned. It just helps us better understand how everything correlates. So how many of you like to start your visit to a new destination with a history lesson?

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Our First Taste of Knoxville

Our visit to Knoxville was short, but we filled it with lots of sites. Having read a lot about the Market Square, we were eager to check it out. We arrived at mid-morning, and made a stop at a local attraction. With this visit completed, we were ready for lunch and a taste of the Tupelo Honey Cafe menu. Even though the place was busy, we still got seated immediately. The crowd was a mixture of business people and leisure guests, chatting over plates of southern cuisine.

Our First Bite of Tupelo Honey Cafe

After greeting us with some waters, our server went over the lunch menu with us. We placed our orders and he returned in a couple of minutes with a plate of Tupelo Honey Cafe’s southern style biscuits. These fluffy masterpieces were accompanied by some of their homemade jam, which complemented the biscuits perfectly. While we could have just dined on these airy delights alone, we knew our main dishes would be coming soon.

Trio of Tastes

Most of us have been to a restaurant that offers a two part mixer lunch option. Usually it is half a sandwich, paired with a small salad or soup. At Tupelo Honey Cafe, they take this a step farther and add an additional side item with your order. This allows customers to have a nice selection of flavors on one plate. Crystal chose the Spicy Avocado & Egg sandwich, Spinach Salad, and French Fries. The sandwich is a tangy and spicy combination of flavors that put a fun spin on an egg salad sandwich. Her salad had the addition of crunchy pecans, fresh blackberries, and tangy goat cheese.

Flavors Galore

My lunch choice was just as spectacular in the flavors department. This trio included their Slow-Roasted Pork Grilled Sandwich. It was so tender and the meat accented the melted cheese. Definitely an idea I wanted to try to replicate at home. A Wedge Salad added the greenery to my plate, but kept the flavor coming with their buttermilk dressing and plentiful bacon pieces. Tupelo Honey Cafe hit it out of the park with their Creamy Tomato Soup. Topped with some fresh basil, this savory addition didn’t last long. This was the most inventive combination of grilled cheese and tomato soup I have ever sampled, and I have tested many.

A Taste of Southern Style

As we dined, we continued to comment on the fantastic flavors we were sampling. By the end of our meals, our hungers were completely vanquished. After a little more conversation with our server, we thanked him for his attentiveness and bid our goodbyes. We stepped back out into the warm Knoxville fall day for more exploring. It only took a few minutes to walk around Market Square, and see the other restaurants we had on our itinerary. We couldn’t wait to test some more of the southern style cuisine. Have you ever dined at Tupelo Honey Cafe? We’d love to hear your experience in the comment section below. Bon Appetit!

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