Our Tennessee vacation—part 8

Friday…

                When we were at the Comedy Barn Thursday night, they gave us an offer we couldn’t refuse.  They said we could go to the Country Jamboree Breakfast Show for dirt cheat.  We bit.  I’d wanted to see the show, but didn’t want to spend any more on shows.  We were not really on any certain time schedule since Cliff didn’t have to work until Saturday night so we decided it would be a great end to our trip.  We were in.

                After buying our tickets, we headed in to take our seats.  I was hoping we wouldn’t have to walk far.  Our scooters were already packed in the van and it was pretty tight.  No way were we taking anything out again until we got back home.

                The show was at the Hatfield and McCoy theater and we ended up with seats on the same level at we had been on when we went to that show.  Different angle, but same level.  This time we didn’t have a table to ourselves.  We had another nice couple at the other end. 

                I was excited to see this show.  The starring act was the Blackwood Quartet and the Blackwood Singers.  They are a gospel group I really love to listen to.  Yes, children.  Mama Sage enjoys listening to all kinds of music.  I keep telling you that but you don’t believe me.  About the only kind of music I don’t enjoy is heavy metal screamin’ meanin’ stuff.

                When we sat down, they asked what we would like to drink.  Any breakfast beverages were available.  Take one; take them all.  I had juice and water.  Cliff had coffee and water.  And then they brought us the meal.  Good eatin’ sausage, bacon, hash browns and a biscuit.

               

                We had a little bit of a preshow/introduction and when no one was talking, we had some quiz questions and history trivia up on the big screens at the side of the theater.

               

                It was during this wait time that I glanced down and noticed that the floor is even decorated country style to go with the tables.

               

                We loved the show.  Loved it.  A little bit of everything.  I definitely recommend this one.  I guess I recommend about all that we saw.  We’d do all again with the exception of the murder mystery show.

                We had the comedy

               

the great singing

               

a ventriloquist

           

ending with a beautiful tribute to the military and patriotic songs.

           

            The show was over and it was time to head on home.  We had a stop to make on our way out of town so we didn’t dilly dally too long on our way out.  We did talk to the singers though.  Texas is Texas and when you spend nearly 20 years in the area, you can just feel it in your bones when you’re near another Texan I think.  We discovered the feeling was right.  One of the ladies was from the Houston area.  We talked to her a bit and I’m hoping they’ll find a way to do a show down that way.  Preferably at my sister’s church, Second Baptist, so she can enjoy them like we did this day.

            The stop we were making was to look at a possible business venture.  Kris would like to run a hot dog cart.  We got in touch with the folks who make them and asked if we could meet them and actually see one.  Keith, one of the business partners who makes and distributes the carts, was willing to meet us for a little bit on our way out of town. 

            We drove up into the mountains there in Sevierville to what turned out to be a home he’s building.  It’s just a few doors from his own home.  Beautiful location and beautiful homes.  When we saw he was driving a Karmann Ghia, we figured something the man does must indeed be profitable! 

            He turned out to be a very personable, down home, down to earth kind of guy.  I’m very glad to have met him and learn some of the ins and outs and pros and cons of the business.  He wasn’t pushy thinking we needed to buy from him.  In fact when we mentioned hunting on Craigslist for a used one, he didn’t try to dissuade us. 

           

                And then we were off.  We were saying a slow goodbye to the mountains since a good part of the trip was still in mountains and hills. 

               

We had one very brief, extremely brief, downpour complete with huge raindrops, thunder and lots of lightening.  About two minutes worth and that was it.  Over and done and then no more the rest of the trip.  When it was done…it was done!

               

State by state the scenery changed

                

and we even began to get a taste of fall.

               

                When we were just about to the Ohio border, we decided food and gas were in order.  We stopped at the Dutch Pantry.  Great place!

 Love the décor and the things they sell are homey, country…what I like.  And here too, there was a sign on the way out the door thanking those who served their country. 

               

 One day we’ll need to go back with friends and see who will try the challenge. 

               

We took home a baker’s dozen of their apple fritters.  A huge container for 2.99.  It was tough driving home and not munching on them but we did it. 

                We got home to our puppy who missed us something awful I’m guessing from all the kisses we got.  Then the trip was behind us.  Kind of bitter sweet.  I love being home with family, but I LOVE being out on the road too. 

Our Tennessee vacation—part 4

Monday…

                I had a lot on my list of maybes for this day.  As I mentioned before, originally we had planned to make this our second day at Dollywood.  Had it not been for our ECVs (electric carts) there would have been no way for us to do it in one day.  Lots of hills, inclines both slight and steep, shows that would have been impossible for us to get from one to the other as quickly as we’d needed to.  Another advantage of using the carts was that we could skidder past all those little food places QUICK!  Lol  Country food, fair food, candy….all have this magnetic power over me.  With the cart’s go power, I made it through with only our meals.

                One of my MUST DO places to see was the Incredible Christmas Place.  It’s such a special place!  It’s not just the Christmas store that’s the draw.  For many, I’m sure it’s the Inn.  They have a beautiful, huge resort across the main drag from the store area.  And there is also a lovely little restaurant that we could see next to the store area.  As big as the Inn is, my guess is they have one or more food places there too.  And it’s beautiful.  Makes you think Christmas in the middle of 90+ heat. 

                The shopping here didn’t disappoint me.  I’m a Christmas lover.  It was just beautiful.  Let me drop a photo or six in here as we “talk.”  I was pleased to see they did respect the men who come with the shoppin’ mamas.   They had quite a few sitting areas.

               

                As we got out of the car, conveniently there was a potty stop.  J  They’re smart.  Having them OUT of the actual store probably kept down the possibility of thefts.  Next up, we came to the “reindeer” area.  It was a little walkway between things that had cute fake deer in stalls. 

They had a discount area upstairs too.  Nothing up there struck my fancy enough to bring it home, but I’m sure a few would have if I’d had a little more to spend.  I wanted to get some specific things to bring home.  Nope.  Not talkin’.

               

                It was mesmerizing to walk around in this place.  Beauty in every step.

                

                This was maybe the cutest of the rest stops.  Made for a man.  All done in there with a hunting theme.  And…a TV. 

            More and more and more themes.

    I was soooo tempted, Cheryl.  J

               

                Next on my list of must do places was the Apple Barn.  I love fall and give me an apple any old way and I’m happy.  This place didn’t disappoint.  In fact, we loved it.

               

                We decided to start out with our noon time meal.  Our dinner was going to be at Dixie Stampede.  We found out there is a restaurant at each end of this beautiful place.  We chose the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant for lunch.  I’m so glad. 

               

                They seated us right away.  The place is huge and we were a bit off the peak meal time so we didn’t have a wait.  I loved that our seats were in porch swings.  No kidding.  Porch swings.  Now isn’t that cool?

               

                Then we are brought a basket of apple fritters, apple butter and two little glasses of apple julep.  Very good!  It’s served to everyone like people get bread in so many places.  (They later gave us the Applewood julep recipe.   1c. pineapple juice, 1c. orange juice, ¼ c. lemon juice and 1 qt. apple juice.  Serves 6)  Wonderful, wonderful.  They had my vote!

               

Next came a piping hot cup of yummy veggie soup.  Our food was great!  I chose chicken.  This was my chicken vacation.  I’m a chicken lover from way back.  Any way, shape or form.  Just makes me happy.

                When we finished our meal, we decided to adventure a little bit and check out the shops.  First…the General store.  How cool!  Everything in it was apple related!  Even the lampshades!

               

                From there we went to the Apple Cider Bar and got a nice glass of fresh squeezed cider.  Yummy.  I bought a GIANT bag of dried apple slices for much, much less than the equivalent of apples would have cost.  And I don’t have to use my fruit fresh, my dehydrator and my time to put them up!  Cool!  Also got some recipe cards.  Awesome recipes for lots of things we’d been able to taste.

                Next…candy?  Did someone say candy?  And the sugar free section was huge compared to most candy stores.  Great selection!

                

                Yes you’re reading this next one right.  Moonshine taffy!  Lol

               

And they do make much of the candy right there.

               

                Next the bakery and ice cream shop.  Oh my goodness, my goodness, the BEST ice cream EVER is apple cinnamon.  It was like an apple dumpling ala mode!  So so sooooo good.

               

                We drove around a little bit checking out other areas.  We wanted to see what else was there so we had a heads up for our next trip down.  We wouldn’t decided on a next trip even if we hadn’t purchased the vacation deal.  Oh yes.  We really do love the area.

                And then it was time to head to the Dixie Stampede.  I  love their show and their preshow and didn’t want to miss a minute of either.  The first picture here isn’t a good one, but I wanted you to see that you are definitely close up to the action.  This is the folks beginning to bring the horses in from the stables for the show.

               

                For the preshow, they take you into a room with long, long tables and a “bar.”  No alcohol, but drinks.  I think they used to have beer but this time it was pop.  We were able to drive our carts right in and then when it was time for the show, we’d be able to go up an elevator to the seating.  Perfect.

                

                Once the room was full, the entertainment started.  Great stuff.  Loved it.

               

                Then up to the actual arena seating.  Couldn’t really get pictures.  They don’t allow them during the show any more.  I was a little disappointed.  Last time we went we could take as many as we wanted.  We did get a picture of our server.  He was great!

               

                We did enjoy the show so much.  Even though we were in the tippy tippy top seats, we could easily see it all.  I don’t think there are bad seats there.

                I hope I’m not boring you.  If I am, the good news is, you can click and exit at any time and I won’t even know!

                You know, Adam was right.  Getting away totally from it all for a while was definitely proving to be a good thing.