Well, Gatlinburg wasn't what we were expecting. I had visions of a small town, cowboys riding in on horses, tying up at the saloon, and taking shots of whiskey ( ....bartender, gimme a nudder.......... again......). Ha! Not really, but I was expecting a more historic looking town with a western theme.
Between the rain that was still in the area and the rain and fog in the mountains, we decided we didn't want to stick around for a couple of days as intended. It was a bit of a bummer to both of us as we had planned ( and did need ) a break from riding.
Oh well, Maybe Knoxville, then towards Chattanooga and then Lynchburg ( Lynchburg, home of Jack Daniels Distillery - why not, we're in the heart of whiskey and bourbon territory ! ).
Off we went towards Knoxville, less than an hour down the road. Riding the back road was great, again, the vegetation was so green and full and the old dilapidated barns and houses were so cool to see. Even in the grey sky's above and the somewhat somber moods we were in!
At Knoxville it was time for brunch and we stopped at 'Shooney's, a family diner the sign said. The breakfast buffet was great - anything and everything fried or deep fried - not a lick of fruit in site ! This is not untypical we've noticed.
Our waitress was one of many very jolly, very southern accented woman that served. When she found out where we were from and that we were on a motorcycle, well, she talked, and talked....and laughed ..... and shook, if you know what I mean. She was very nice. But, she told us we HAD to go to Nashville. "Not that aw'm sayin y'all alcoholics, but ya gotta see Printers Row Area. There are bars....." By the time we got on the bike, she had us laughing and convinced, we were going to Nashville ! In hindsight it was so funny!
Three hours later, we were in Nashville.
What a town. The lady wasn't kidding about the bars, but she didn't mention the extent of the music ! I know we all expect music in Nashville, but there are about a half mile of bars and live music in everyone of them. Country, rock, southern rock, blues ..... No cover, Just come and go as you please. And neon signs.... And people taking it all in..... A Very festive atmosphere.
Downtown Nashville was a very comfortable place to walk, people everywhere, and police cars and cameras very visible.
I think we'll be going back tonight !
Hmm, that Jack Daniels tour.....
Just couple of side notes:
- the photo of Karen and I was taken by a visitor from Vancouver. I took their photo and they returned the favour.
- the old barns we enjoyed seeing along the way, the server at Jimmy Buffets has a company that buys old barns and makes furniture from the timbers, it's called 3lovesfurniture. He said he combined his woodworking skills with his degrees in history and environmental science. When he takes down a barn he does genealogy research into the barn and those who buy his products get a paper on the history of the product! He now has a 110 years old tobacco barn built of oak. When you bring the surface of the wood down it has a redness to it from the barn having to be kept so warm to dry out the tobacco.
