Tag Archives: road trip

East Tennessee Day Trip

September 15, 2019 Sharon 2 Comments

While looking for a new subject for my podcast, I came across the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. I also noticed they were having a Cherokee Fall Festival. It would make the perfect East Tennessee day trip. So, we made our way from Knoxville, TN to Vonore, TN.

Greenback TN

When I travel, I like to stop at local places to eat, so I searched for diners between Knoxville and Vonore and found the Greenback Drugstore and Diner in downtown Greenback, TN. It’s more diner than drugstore. But it’s a great little spot for a quick breakfast. Right across the street from the diner is the historic Greenback Depot, home to several small shops. None of which were open when we came through town.

The historic Greenback depot in downtown Greenback, TN. — Greenback Depot

Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum

At the Cherokee Fall Festival, we were surprised to find Civil War reenactors. I am famous for not reading descriptions all the way through. Apparently, the reenactment is because a troop of Cherokee joined the Confederates for several major battles. We did not stay for the reenactment, battle isn’t my thing. But I did get some cool shots of the actors and their camp.

Civil Ware reenactors are presenting the flags during the opening ceremony for the Cherokee Fall Festival. — Presenting the flags

Tents in the Civil War encampment. — Civil War Camp

The festival was held on the grounds of the Birthplace of Sequoyah Museum. Sequoyah created the first written language for the Cherokee Nation. He is also believed to be the first person to create a written language without ever knowing how to read or write another language. Listen to the episode to find out more about Sequoyah.

Maryville, TN

On the return, we spotted this abandoned grocery store. The signs on the outside were new. The soda machines out front seemed to be working. There were items inside, but it was early Saturday afternoon and the place was locked up tight. So, I am assuming it is closed for good. I had to stop and take pics.

For lunch, we stopped at Jake’s Place on Highway 411 in Maryville, TN. Jake’s is a country cookin’ joint. We BBQ sandwiches. Hubby got fried okra on the side, made with fresh okra, not frozen. I had onion rings because it’s been years since I’ve had them. They were good, just enough breading without being overwhelming. The pulled pork was perfectly smoked without being overwhelming.

Sometimes it’s difficult to go on a real vacation. A quick day trip usually isn’t hard to find. Our travel time was about an hour each way. We ended up being out of the house for about 7 hours. I’d love to hear about your own day trip! Tell us about it in the comments or share the link to your blog!

Prints are available of the photos in this blog, just click on the pic.

Americana, Photography, Purchase Fine Art

Photography from Cincinnati Ohio

July 28, 2019 Sharon 2 Comments

Downtown Cincinnati

I recently traveled to downtown Cincinnati Ohio for an episode of Tourist in your Town, my travel podcast. While there, I managed to capture a few photos. Prints are available, just click on the image and it will take you straight to the page!

Ezzard Charles

Ezzard Charles, also known as the Cincinnati Cobra, was an American boxer and former World Heavyweight Champion. Some say he is the greatest boxer of all time. I don’t know a thing about boxing, so I’m not the one to ask. I do know that this mural is a great tribute to a local hero.

The Skystar Ferris Wheel

This ferris wheel is located right on the banks of the Ohio River. This view is from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. You can see Northern Kentucky just across the river.

Empty Warehouse

This image was taken as we walked through the warehouse to enter the underground tunnels on our walking tour.

If you want to know more about my visit, be sure to listen to the podcast. You can find it anywhere you listen to podcasts. You can also visit the website, Tourist in your Town.

If you are looking for travel photography, be sure to visit my gallery.

Photography

Rhode Island or Bust

September 16, 2018 Sharon 10 Comments

I lost my job in July. But that’s not what I’m here to talk about. When I lost my job, it allowed me to take some time off, giving me a chance to spend time with one of my oldest friends (as in how long I’ve known her). She was also off of work because she was going back to school to get her Master’s Degree at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. Turns out she would be driving up and needed someone to go with her. Since I had nothing better to do, I offered to be her partner in this extra long road trip, from East Tennessee to Rhode Island. We loaded up and headed out. It was Rhode Island or Bust.

I’m ready for take off

The van is packed

To the East

We headed East from Knoxville up I-81. We would be overnighting in Richmond, VA with E’s brother and his girlfriend. The only hiccup was our inability to find a Waffle House when it was time for lunch. We opted for Cracker Barrel instead. Perfectly fine, but it’s no Waffle House. Almost there, we decided we looked like we’d been driving for 7 hours and smelled like it too. So, we stopped at a rest area and cleaned up a bit and changed our clothes. We were once again the ravishing goddesses we were when we started out. Once in Richmond, we met up with E’s brother and girlfriend at this great oriental restaurant, Beijing. The food and service were excellent for a busy Friday night.They are a lovely couple and so kind to let us stay in their place. We spent the night at their house and went to a local diner, City Diner, for breakfast. A great way to start the day!

It was a Friday, so the special was fried fish. I got breakfast.

She’s so happy to be starting a new chapter!

Through the Big City and then some

Back on the road, we made our way up through the New England states and toll road mecca. Tolls are a huge PIA, in case you didn’t know. There has to be a better way. Someone out there, please come up with a better way! The roads were terrible too, so it’s not like the $40 we paid in tolls were going for great roads or anything. Rant over.

I was most nervous about driving through New York City. While, we wouldn’t be on the city streets, I knew it would still be a bit crazy and stressful. Guess what! It was! There were so many odd on ramps and off ramps, stay left, go right, stay left, cross 4 lanes and go right. It was a bit nuts. But we made it through without incident. We took a wrong turn somewhere after NYC and ended up taking the scenic route through Connecticut. I’m glad we did. It was beautiful and I will definitely be going back there.

Providence Found

Once in Providence, Rhode Island, we found our Airbnb, a big sprawling home divided up into apartments. We were exhausted, but also starving. We went out in search of food. Apparently, Providence strongly discourages late night shenanigans because almost all of the nearby restaurants closed at 9pm. Yes, even on Saturday. It was close to 8:30, so we were limited on options. We decided (decided for us because not much else in the area), on Andreas, a greek restaurant. We started with the Mussels and they were yummy. I quite frankly don’t remember what else we had because we were half asleep already. Back at the Airbnb, I showered and promptly went to sleep.

Moving In and Heading Out

We started out early, so we could have breakfast then get the van unloaded and me on a train to NYC. We unpacked the van on to the sidewalk because we had to get the vehicle quickly moved. Finally we got everything into her apartment and she dropped me at the Amtrak station.

A quick view of Providence

Just like my undergraduate days

Amtrak station

New Adventures

We went our separate ways. She, off to a completely new and different life. Me, to a solo vacation in NYC and a new life waiting for me at home. I am thankful that we were able to spend this time together and support one another when we needed it the most!

I am proud of both of us for being brave women!

Americana, Photography, Tuesday Trekkin'

Tuesday Trekkin’ Cades Cove and Elkmont

February 6, 2018 Sharon 4 Comments

We finally got back on the road for Tuesday Trekkin’. My Tuesdays have turned into take the cat to the vet day. We have 6 cats and 4 of them are seniors, so vet visits are a way of life. Anyway, back to the real reason we’re here.

Plans? What plans?

We had been planning to go to Jonesborough, the first town in Tennessee. However, plans are more like suggestions for us, so that didn’t happen. It was cold and I didn’t fancy walking around outside in the cold. We decided a car ride might be a better option. We could see things and still enjoy the heated seats. There was also the lure of possible snow in the mountains. Snow can make pretty pictures.

Lunch

We planned to eat at a bbq place in Townsend, but we got there and it was closed for the season. We found a great little Italian place, Brianna’s Italian Restaurant and Cuisine, just down the road instead. It proved to be a happy accident. Walt had the stromboli and I had the eggplant parmesan. Both were excellent! We will definitely be going back.

Cades Cove

Cades Cove was a bit of a disappointment as there was only a bit of snow here and there. Winter in the mountains is brown. Cades Cove is a valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road is an 11 mile loop where you can see tons of wildlife, some old historic cabins, and a few old churches. We took the shortcut though and saw none of that. Onward we went.

They just blew a whole in the mountain and made a tunnel.

The trees are bare and there is a dusting of snow. You know that water is cold!

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is full of trails and paths

Winter in the Cove is quiet.

Elkmont

Walt decided we might try Elkmont, but the sun was setting fast. We weren’t sure we’d make it in time. They close a lot of the roads after dark due to possible hazardous conditions in the winter. But we made it! I had not been there before and found it pretty cool. It’s a small resort community in the mountains where people could stay in the summer. Most of the leases were up in 2001. After that, it became a ghost town. The Wonderland Hotel was once in this area, but in 2005 it collapsed. Most of the historical items were removed and a small annex was left. The annex burned down in 2016.

Several houses in the Elkmont Community are still standing and in decent shape.

A log cabin in the Elkmont Community

A summer cabin in the Elkmont resort community

The steps to the Wonderland Hotel

Sitting on the steps that go up to the ruins of the Wonderland Hotel

The chimney of the Wonderland Hotel stands alone at sunset in Elkmont.

An old sink from the ruins of the Wonderland Hotel.

Tuesday Trekkin'

A look back at Tuesday Trekkin’ 2017

December 28, 2017 Sharon 4 Comments

In 2017, I started a new travel blog called Tuesday Trekkin’. I take Tuesday off of work so my husband and I can spend some time together and travel around East Tennessee. So far, we’ve gone to Clinton, Norris, the Foothills Parkway, Burlington in East Knoxville, and Lenoir City.

Clinton was the first official Trek. Clinton is an adorable little town with tons of antique shops. I also recommend a trip to the Green Mcadoo Cultural Center.

Green McAdoo Cultural Center Sculpture

Downtown Clinton Tennessee

Hoskins restaurant sign

Historic Clinton TN

Clinton downtown

Clinton Antiques

The next Trek was to the Foothills Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. A beautiful drive up the mountain with gorgeous views.

Dangerous Waters

Foothills View

An old road side store in rural Tennessee. It’s old, rotting, falling apart, but the flag still stands.

The back porch is overgrown with weeds, as the cover threatens to fall in.

The side doors stand open, hanging from the hinges, threatening to fall off at any time.

Norris, TN was our third trek. We timed this just right. The leaves were amazing that day!

He stood very still, showing very little fear of us.

It was closed for the season. But we were able to look around.

Orange and Yellow leaves create a fiery bed around the historic Rice Grist Mill in Norris Dam State Park.

Stone steps at the Rice Grist Mill in Norris Dam State Park. The autumn leaves have fallen and the recent rain gave them the feel of an orange water fall.

A heron sits still and quiet by the stream in Norris Dam State Park in the fall.

Norris Post Office sits among the fallen autumn leaves.

The colorful autumn leaves are reflected in Norris Lake on the quiet, still water.

I snuck in a weekend trek to Nicholasville, KY on Thanksgiving weekend.

The Jessamine County Courthouse in Nicholasville, KY looks different from most other American courthouses.

A small church just off of the main street in Nicholasville.

An old cafe sign I found in an alley in Nicholasville, KY.

The Jessamine County Courthouse in Nicholasville, KY is an unusual Gothic architecture.

One trek kept us close to home with a drive around Burlington in East Knoxville.

The Lunch House in Burlington is a popular spot for breakfast and lunch.

Greenlee’s Drug Store has long been closed for business.

Ace Building Golden Gloves Arena in Chilhowee Park

The Homer Hamilton is an amphitheater in Chilhowee Park. It is used for concerts during the Tennessee Valley Fair.

Our final trek of the year was to Lenoir City. The best thing about Lenoir City was the Le Noir Restaurant. Downtown was quiet with a few antique shops.

One of the best meals we’ve had on a Tuesday Trek so far.

A warm interior with a little retro feel. The food was great and service perfect!

This sign is modern with a retro feel. It felt a little out of place since it’s so new compared to everything else downtown

A lit barbershop pole in downtown Lenoir City, TN.

The long shadows at sunset and the Christmas bow give this that small town feel.

The flag blowing in the wind with the Used Books sign grabbed my attention immediately.

The side entrance to the firehouse feels very retro and looks inviting in this early sunset photo

Be sure to follow me so you can follow Tuesday Trekkin’ as well as see my other art and travel blogs. Feel free to share your blog link in the comments, too!

Keep Trekkin’!

Purple Rosemary