Weekend Road Trip: Destination - Somewhere Outside of Nashville, TN!

Bj and I enjoy our travel adventures together, even if it's for the day.  We had been talking of seeing one of his teacher friends for a while now and this is my year of quit talking about it and just do it.  So we quit talking about it and started actually planning the trip!

This friend John taught with my husband at the alternative high school.  Both had challenging times there and both retired soon after.  Since John's retirement, we were noticing how much happier he was, how he was enjoying tending to his property and then to his girl's property.  He was loving his life.  So I was anxious to meet his girl, Luann.  She was God sent.

We had originally planned to go the last week of August, but  we had a surprise visitor!  My step son.  He was able to stay for a week which was wonderful!  So we were able to re-schedule this trip for Labor Day weekend.

We didn't want to impose too much on John & Luann's hospitality.  They let us arrive late on Friday night and we planned on leaving Sunday before lunch.

The trip:

We left late Friday (after we got home from work and loaded the car).  We did our usual pick up supper in Blairsville after topping Blood Mountain.  Bj loves to get McD's to travel so we can drive while we eat and not stop.  Their hamburgers and fish sandwiches are easy to handle with the steering wheel.  (I am determined to find a chick fil a in Blairsville!)  Just to let you know, I will never feel badly about using a McD's bathroom and not purchasing anything after our experiences with them this trip.  I think I finally have Bj convinced why I loathe McD's (besides the food) and we should never return to one.

We had a nice drive in.  It started getting dark in Chattanooga so we didn't get to enjoy any sights the rest of the trip in because it was dark.  I will mention that whatever highway we took, after Murfeesboro and before the last state highway, was horrible.  It had giant and tons of bumps in it, it was the darkest stretch of highway ever, and not a single place to stop to tinkle.  UGH!

We finally arrived at Luann & John's home and waited anxiously to hug everyone and then visit the potty! (Just sayin')

It was a fun welcome by a bunch of us tired folks.  We hit the hay shortly after to begin fresh in the morning with my favorite... coffee!

We had a really nice day.  After getting re-acquainted with John, acquainted with Luann, and getting to love on furbabies, we were ready for the day.

Our gracious hosts: Luann & John

co-hosts Nana & Ricochet

I forgot the kitty's name and their other furbaby eluded being photographed

They took us to the local flea market and it was awesome!  At first it wasn't too hot, so that was nice but as we nearly finished our rounds, it was getting pretty humid!  We took our prizes and then headed off to lunch.  We cooled off at a ginormous buffet restaurant.  I even had dessert!

we stumbled upon a great selection of antique silverware to make jewelry out of!

This old general store on the flea market property was awesome!

The boys looking at tools!

are these cool or what?!?

Our next big adventure... the jeep ride through their valley.  Oh my gosh, it was the bomb!  It cooled off nicely and John's old jeep took us through the rough valley and crossed the waters everywhere.  We saw the coolest house that had a waterfall in their side yard.  Gasp!  It was incredible.

Beginning our jeep journey!

Our night cap was a lush burger and a bit more conversation before our tired bones were ready for bed.  Bj and I found the remotes to the tv and found a tv channel or 2 with the strangest movies and shows on.  We eventually settled for the old "Batman" series and turned it off about 5 minutes later.  Wow... how was that such a huge hit in the day?  I digress.

We ended our visit after coffee and breakfast.  I took a bunch more pictures and then we said our good-bye's.

Side Trip:

On the way home we took advantage of the daylight and took some TN state roads.  We found a great antique market in the stables of a glorious estate, "Old Plank Stables".   She let us know to keep going up the road and check out Bell Buckle, TN.  Umm... so glad we did and that will be an actual return destination to this antique shop loving couple.  If you ever see a sign for Bell Buckle on your travels through Tennessee, GO!  What a great town!  Everyone is super friendly there and there is a great cafe there that people wait like hours to eat at.  We didn't do that so I can't speak of their food, but I can tell you the wait was legit!

Inside "Old Plank Stables Flea Market"

inside one of the great shops in Bell Buckle, TN

After getting good and hot, we began our journey home.  We stopped at the nicest rest area ever outside of Chattanooga and again had a horrible McD's experience for supper.  (we were pressured to use the kiosks to place our own order and then the girl got on to me for not taking a number - I told her, "Sorry, I just started working here like 3 minutes ago!".  I was kinda rude back.  But I will tell you the positive... Our order was absolutely correct for the first time ever!).

Bj taking it in at one of the nicest rest areas ever.

Recap:

All kidding aside, we had a wonderful weekend together and with our friends.  Any travel time is adventure time for us.

YOUR TURN!

Do you like to antique?  

Where have you found a great "off the beaten path" town to antique in?  

Please share in the comments!  

We'd love to try and visit there!