Warm Weather Means Lakeside Fun

Living in New Jersey most of our lives we were used to having fresh seafood either at a restaurant at the shore (the Jersey Shore is referred to as ‘the shore’) or at restaurants in our local area.  Not so much here in land-locked Tennessee!  We can buy seafood within an hour’s ride that originated in South Carolina or Georgia so we are not doing without totally! (But it’s not the same.)

While we don’t have an ocean here, we do have lakes – lots of lakes.  Sure, they are not natural; they were created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to aid in flood control. They provide electricity and as a side item, as well as giving boaters, swimmers and fishermen a place to enjoy those activities.

To combine boating, fishing, swimming and eating – the answer is a lakeside marina.  We have a few such marinas along Watts Bar Lake.  I forgot to mention camping – there are marinas that are overflowing with RV’s that people vacation in or even spend entire summers.  What do these people have in common besides the water?  Food…they all have to eat.

Entrance door is where the ramp is, restroom doors to the left - yes - you have to go outside to 'go'

Since many boaters and campers bring food with them from home, there are always some who still like to go to a restaurant and enjoy someone else’s cooking.  One such place is the Crows Nest Bar and Grill in Ten Mile, Tennessee.  I found their ad quite by accident but ventured there Friday afternoon on purposes.

Looking out at the marina

It is only open Thursday through Sunday keep that in mind, although their website doesn’t mention being open Thursday.  The main dining area has lots of windows looking out at the marina…it is very relaxed and casual place.  They also have a porch area with tables but it was very warm and I prefer eating inside with the a/c going!

Lots of fries and slaw

We didn’t know what to expect but I will say the atmosphere was better than we thought.  Some of the food was good, some not so wonderful.  Example, my husband had the 10 ounce hamburger steak, fries and cole slaw.  The fries were extremely hot, but his hamburger steak was cold.  He said it all tasted good but he wished they had gravy for the meat, but they didn’t.  He left stuffed however.

The photo makes the fish portion look big, but it wasn't

On the other hand I ordered fish of the day which was grilled Tilapia.  I had to pay $3 extra for a dinner salad that had about 10 pieces of baby greens and a baked potato.  I did that since I don’t care for any of their sides.  The salad was not filling; the fish was not filling so thank goodness for the potato!

The prices are a little high, but were expected.  The service was good until just before we left.  It was payday and the entire crew spent a lot of time behind the bar discussing their checks, which seemed a little rude to me.  No one even thanked us for coming or gave any indication they noticed us leaving. 

Photo of the bar prior to the 'big meeting'

All things considered, I don’t think we will be revisiting the Crows Nest Bar and Grill.  I couldn’t wait to get home and have a snack since I was hungry!  If you are into fries and burgers, maybe you might like the place.  You can check out their website here and make up your own mind.  I am an extremely fussy eater, my husband, on the other hand, not so much!

You can check out their website for the menu as well as directions.  It’s your choice, sink or swim!

Photos belong to AbbyG

Countryside Restaurant, Vonore, Tennessee

A few months ago we stopped at the Weigles gas station on Highway 411, northbound side, in Vonore, Tennessee.  When  we travel and have to stop for a bathroom/gas break I prefer stopping at Weigels since the stations and the restrooms are always clean and tidy.

While my husband pumped gas I noticed a restaurant next door called Countryside Restaurant.  It wasn’t time for lunch since it was early in the morning.  I purposely remembered the name and looked it up when we got home.  I not only checked out their website, but I also read a lot of reviews and they were all favorable.  I said to my husband, “One day we’ll go there and check it out.”  And so we did….

Countryside Restaurant, Vonore, Tennessee

There is a sign out front but the restaurant does sit fairly back from the road and it blends in with the scenery, so be sure you don’t miss it.  Just remember it is next to the Weigles in Vonore and you should be able to spot it.

Last Friday we went to Countryside for an early dinner.  We do dine early, that was something we started when we retired!   When we entered we were greeted and told to sit anyplace.  We took a table in the corner and there were two other tables with customers who were just finishing their meals.  Once they left we had the place to ourselves, but don’t forget this was 3 pm on Friday afternoon!

 

Our drink orders were taken and delivered and by that time we both knew what we wanted.  My husband had the smoked prime rib sandwich with fries.  I had the 8 ounce prime rib dinner with a salad and baked potato.

The salad, I always ask for just lettuce, was fresh.  The lettuce was crisp and the French dressing had a nice tang to it.  Now on to the main courses….

I have to preface my next statement by saying that being from ‘up north’ we are used to most restaurants serving prime rib, good prime rib.  

Here in the south that isn’t often the case.  But I will give credit where it is due and the prime rib at Countryside was good, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would give it an 8.  I would have given it a 9 but it was cooked with a hint of garlic, not something I care for.  With that said, the prime rib sure looked bigger than 8 ounces!  It was juicy and tender but it was just barely warm.  The photo might make your mouth water!

8 ounce Prime Rib - very good!

My baked potato was a little on the cool side, but with the salad and size of the prime rib I only took a few bites of potato anyway, so it wasn't a problem. My husband found the prime rib sandwich a little difficult to eat as a sandwich. Instead of thin sliced prime rib on a hoagie roll it was a ¼ slice of prime rib, which he wound up using a knife and fork on.  After seeing my prime rib compared to his he knew he should have ordered the prime rib dinner too.  Oh well, next time.

Not only does the Countryside Restaurant have a very diverse menu, they also have two ‘all-you-can-eat’ choices daily:   Fish and chicken 11 am – 4 pm for $9.95 and Fish and shrimp 4 pm – 9 pm for $12.95.   Plus they have daily specials.  To see their full menu check it out here.

Once I bit into that prime rib I knew right then and there that we will be going back for more in the near future!  If you have a hunger for prime rib (or anything else!) try Countryside Restaurant in Vonore, Tennessee.

Countryside Restaurant

2021 Highway 411, Vonore, TN

Open daily 11 am - 9 pm!

Photos belong to AbbyG

Snow in Southeast Tennessee

Snowy weather can make driving tough. It is important to take it slow and easy on ice covered roads. Those pesky icy patches can be a nightmare. The worst is when you get caught off-guard like I did.

We left home in my beloved PT Cruiser to take my daughter to her new job. When snow started falling in southeast Tennessee I knew it was time to stop the errands want head home. We used the van to pick her up. Instead of sliding all over the road like we did in the car, our heavy Chevy Express took the snow covered roads in stride.

It was enough to make me want to run back to Myrtle Beach to escape the wintry conditions. Too bad more of the white stuff is predicted to arrive Friday evening or I just might go. Here's a video of our drive in the snow that fell in East Tennessee.

Wait til you hear in the video what my daughter had to say about the parking lot at her job. Her comment didn't match what I saw on the roadway at all. What do you think?

Knoxville to New York City for less than $350

Never underestimate the potential of budget travel. My recent cheap trip from Knoxville to New York City cost less than $350. I could only be gone from work from Monday to Friday. The challenge was to go round trip  from Knoxville to New York City in a five day week and have fun, on a budget. Some people said that it couldn't be done, but I live to prove naysayers wrong. I went round trip from Knoxville to New York City on less than $350 including transportation, lodging, food and souvenirs.

If I can go to NYC for less than $350, you can too. This is how I did it.


Transportation is usually the most expensive part of a trip. The cheap transportation winner was Megabus. If you've not read about how I scored two spectacularly cheap tickets from Knoxville to New York City for $20 then you should read that next. Here's the link. 

The bus departure from Knoxville at 11:50 p.m. on a Monday. We arrived in New York City at 4:30 pm the next day (Tuesday). That was the only night that we needed to spend the night out. The hotel that I chose was on Long Island and near family.

My friend and I walked the three blocks to Penn Station and bought off-peak tickets for the Long Island Railroad. Since the complimentary hotel shuttle was on an "on call" system, there was no need to leave the city at a particular time. We had several hours for sightseeing (more about the sights in a minute).

We used a taxi a couple of times but mostly we hoofed it around New York City. Foot transportation isn't simply cheap, it's the best we get a city. The only times that we used a taxi was when what we wanted to see was too far to walk, or when we were under time pressure.

Sightseeing Tuesday night included Times Square, Herald Square and got lost in Macy's a few times. Please don't laugh. The store is nine stories high and takes up an entire city block. There is an elevator wall and several escalators.

An extremely helpful employee assisted us in finding a food court there in Macy's. We grabbed a cheap snack there before hoofing it over to Penn Station again. How about a bagel, cream cheese and two drinks for less than $5.00? I'm pretty sure I paid more in Knoxville, but maybe not.

The hotel we stayed in was on Long Island and close to family. What I wanted an a clean room, free transportation to and from the train depot, free breakfast and free WiFi. Ideally, the shuttle would take us somewhere besides the train station.

That's not too much to ask is it?

I found it. TownePlace Suites by Mariott on Long Island had the total package. It costs us only $189.77 with tax to get everything we needed. This price was better than or comparable to those that I looked at near Penn Station. It was relatively close to my cousins and the shuttle driver even took me to pick up takeout from a local restaurant. How's that for cool?

My cousins picked us up from the hotel the next day (Wednesday). My aunt kindly bought lunch for my friend, cousins and myself at a lovely restaurant. I hated it when we said good-bye at the train station later that afternoon. We enjoyed a beautiful day together! Hopefully we can do it again soon!

We had the cheap trip from Knoxville to New York City because of discounts and the cost and timing of the bus tickets. Discounts included 10% at the Hard Rock for AAA and finding a bus tour with an online discount of 50%.  

Despite spending so little left me feeling empowered. Not deprived. For less than $350, I saw many sights and had a good time.

Tuesday evening and all day on Wednesday were spent in New York before we had to leave very early on Thursday morning. The amount of time is similar to weekend tourists who arrive on Friday evening, spend Saturday and leave early Sunday morning.

Not only was going from Knoxville to New York City a cheap trip, but the bus didn't have any of the TSA hassles that airline travelers have to deal with. Traffic was a problem that someone else had to deal with. We just sat back, chatted about our adventure and enjoyed the ride.

Is this kind of budget travel for you? Tell me what you think by leaving a comment below.

Here is my cheap trip breakdown:

• $20 Megabus Ticket
• $190 Room
• $33.56 Meals not taken out of cash (1 lunch was a gift.) $33.56
•      Houligans $13.59
•      Hard Rock $19.97
• $11.10 Transportation not taken out of cash
• $24 One tour ticket
• $35 Gas to/from bus
• $8.00 Fees
• $100 Cash for incidentals such as:
•      Souvenirs (Cash)
•      Postcards and postage (Cash)
•      Miscellaneous snacks etc. (Cash)
• - $75 Unspent cash in pocket upon return 

• Total spent: $346.66

Note: None of the prices in the list were shared expenses. Hubby wasn't able to come, so my friend agreed took his place. It didn't seem right for her to pitch in on the room and bus tickets. I think she spent less than I did! Who goes from Knoxville to New York City on less than $350? We do!

Now that you know our secrets, you can too.

Shop the World Gifts in Englewood, Tennessee; A Fair Trade store

Shop the World Gifts in Englewood, Tennessee makes it possible to shop local, and global, at the same time. They are part of a growing movement that sells only fair trade merchandise. Fair Trade is a global ministry that fights world poverty and hunger by giving the artisan a living wage. The items sold at Shop the World Gifts are eco-friendly.

It's important to shop locally whenever possible. I shop there for quality merchandise and to support the fair trade mission. The scarf you see me wearing was purchased at Shop the World Gifts. It's one of two that I picked up that were made in India. The quality is excellent. The scarves cost around $20 each and can double as a light shawl.

The video shows some of the jewelry and ladies accessories that the store carries. Nativity sets, small statues, Christmas ornaments and sun catchers are some of the items that are available. The puppy ornament that I bought in the video is from Vietnam. My friend liked her present and she loved that it is fair trade.

Even though the store is locally owned in Englewood, the owners Bill and Jane Cochran don't take salaries, profit or income from the business. The couple has the store because they believe that everyone deserves a living wage. In the video below, Bill Cochran tells us more about Shop the World Gifts and the Fair Trade mission.

Shop the World Gifts is on Hwy. 411 in Englewood, Tennessee. The address is 3230 Highway 411 N, Englewood, TN 37329. Store hours are from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM every day except Sunday.

Smoky Mountains trip for November 2015

My travel destination of the month for November 2015 was to Pigeon Forge and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road trip takes me a couple hours. However, no matter how close or far your vacation destination may be, it's still a bummer when it rains.

We checked in at the K.O.A. in Pigeon Forge is near the heart of the Smoky Mountains. Hubby got camp set-up just before the rain started. Our rented site was a shady spot that backed up to Patriot Park. The bathhouse was across the driveway. It was as pretty as it was convenient.

We had water, electric, a picnic table and fire ring that had to wait. He felt like he hit the jackpot when the rain stopped just long enough for him to get the RV lights out! I bought the light set from Amazon in 2014 and another this year. Each light has a translucent plastic RV over it and the strands plug together like Christmas lights. The photo below opens in a separate Amazon tab. They're adorable.

In the morning, my rainy vacation grief could only be eased by shopping at the Tanger Outlets in Sevierville. Hubby didn't fall for the grief story one bit, but took me shopping anyway.

Maybe he mumbled something about our budget when dropped me at the Lenox Outlet, but I was too focused on the giant "Sale" sign to notice. He and Daughter went to the Disney Store while I was left in my own magical world without a chaperone.

A few stands of grief remained when I poked my head into the Rockport Outlet, and then the Reebok Store before regrouping with the family.  Hubby glanced at my shopping bags, big grin and did some quick mental math. Hen then decided an early dinner at the Applewood Farmhouse was in order. They were still on less expensive lunch menu and they give an AAA discount. It was an excellent meal.



We drove into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after dinner. The rain had stopped and a fresh clean smell wafted in the air.  The overlook on the Gatlinburg Bypass was cool, but not cold. I took photos, then a video, then a photo for a tourist couple from Kentucky. They were thoroughly enjoying their vacation week.

Road construction near the next overlook made us decide to go back to the K.O.A. We were enjoying the warm fire and RV lights when Hubby's cell phone rang. We escaped to the Smoky Mountains in part because work was going on at the parsonage and in part because we wanted to get away. It was a good combination. Hubby's hushed tones had me concerned. It had been an idyllic day. What could be wrong?

Hubby disconnected and turned to me. It turns out that thee team needed an extra day to complete the project. Would we mind staying at the campsite one more night?

I told him that we could make the sacrifice.

Here's a video that we made from an overlook on the Gatlinburg Bypass. Check it out. Don't forget to give it a thumbs up! Be sure to subscribe to see more videos as they develop.

Abrams Falls Hiking Trail is Stop 10, Cades Cove Loop Road

The Abrams Falls Hiking Trail is stop Number 10 on the Cades Cove Loop Road. The gravel road turnoff is on your right, just under five miles into the loop. Look for a small sign on the right hand side of the loop road that marks the road to the trailhead. The large, partially shaded parking lot is about .25 mile ahead after you exit from the loop road.

A big reason that folks grab their hiking gear and hit this trail is to see Abrams Falls. This waterfall better known for its mass of rushing water than for it's 20' height. Currents are so powerful at the foot of the falls that swimming is discouraged.

The hike is five miles round trip and easily takes an afternoon. The National Park Service says the hike has a difficulty rating of "moderate".  Hikers may want to bring trek poles and other gear. The trail is rocky and hiking boots are recommended. It is also important to carry water and follow other recommendations from the NPS as you would for any other hike in the Smoky Mountains National Park.

Pay particular attention to the information about bear safety when you visit the park website. I was turned away the first time that I visited the Abrams Falls Hiking Trail because of my service dog.

 It is true that service dogs are allowed to go many of the places that humans are allowed. The problem here isn't that the park rangers are being mean. The problem is that dogs view bears as a nuisance from which they must protect their owners. For their part, the bears view Fido as a potential food source.

Because of the no dog restriction and my leg brace, I haven't hiked this the trail in years.  My estimate is that the trail gets rocky at about .5 miles in. around .5 miles. That's about as far as I can go without Tomlin and a good walking stick.

A picturesque bridge near the start of the Abrams Falls Hiking Trail trailhead is wide, wooden and easy to walk on.  As you can see from the photo,  the bridge is a good spot to pause and enjoy being in Cases Cove.

Cades Cove Loop Road goes in one direction only. As this map shows, you'll need to complete the auto tour to exit the park after your time at the trailhead is completed. To do this, go back down the dirt road driveway and turn right onto the Cades Cove Loop Road.

Your next stop will be at the Cable Mill Area Visitors Center. This houses restrooms, a gift shop  and has several historic buildings to explore. You can stamp your passport book here and talk with friendly rangers who can answer any questions you might have about the Cades Cove area.

City Cafe - Cleveland, Tennessee

A fun eatery in Cleveland, Tennessee is City Café.  The name might sound familiar as there are a few other City Café locations in Chattanooga.  But this one is new and it making quite a hit in Cleveland. 

City Cafe, Cleveland, Tennessee

We don’t normally travel an hour from home to try a new restaurant, so I had to make it worth the trip by combining some shopping and eating!  It turned out to be a great decision.

We hit it between busy times, so there was no waiting for a table.  It’s not a huge place so at certain times you might have to wait for a table.  But while you wait you can occupy yourself by standing in front of the cake display and drooling!  More about that later.

We were seated rapidly and our drink orders were taken and filled quickly.  I looked around to realize that the space was airy and bright and they have tables and booths.  Our server asked if we were ready to order and I told him we need some time to read their extensive menu.  Their menu is ‘huge’ and while I don’t have the time or the space to list everything they serve, you can look at the menu on their website here.

Salad at City Cafe

In general they have breakfast food, lunch items/specials, dinner items and deserts.  I had steak on my mind when we sat down, but after careful consideration I decided on Broiled Shrimp.  With that entrée you get:

Choice of Soup or Salad – we took Salads and be careful…the croutons are loaded with garlic. 

Potato – Fried, Baked, Rice even Tater Tots!

One Side Veggie – I asked for Steamed Veggies (carrots and squash mix) and the only complaint was that they were cold.)

Broiled Stuffed Shrimp at City Cafe,

The shrimp were very good and the potato was hot, but as I said the veggies were cold.  My husband took French Fries and he said they were extremely hot and crisp.  Also, the portion of fries was too big; there were enough for 3 people!

Service was prompt, dirty dishes were removed from the table very quickly.  Anyone who passed by our table asked if we needed anything.  They get my vote for good service.

Now to the good stuff – the cakes, pies, pastries – oh my!

The selection is unbelievable.  One word of warning….the portions are big enough for two, or even three.  If you eat a full meal there, then share a slice of cake!  We ordered the Death by Chocolate and took it home…it wasn’t what I thought it would be – it was really just a huge piece of chocolate formed out of a few types of chocolate.  There was no cake to it.  It was difficult to eat at home, I am glad we didn’t try to eat it at City Café!

The bottom line is that we would, and we will, eat there again on our next trip to Cleveland, Tennessee.  I think the next time one of those big steaks might be on my plate!

City Café

919 25^th Street NW

Cleveland, TN 

Phone: 423-790-7460

Photos belong to AbbyG

Social Media Meetup planned for Etowah area

A new social media meet up is being planned for the Etowah, Tennessee area. Your thoughts and ideas on what you would like to see happen are welcome. The networking meetings are loosely structured. There aren't any fees, dues or applications.

It's just a time to get together with other social media influencers and do some networking. We may talk about blogging, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, social media platforms or photography. Dress is casual.

0ur first social media meet up will be as follows:

Nov. 17, 2015

Starr Mountain Bistro
Highway 411

Etowah, Tennessee

Time TBD

Everyone is encouraged to bring business cards to exchange or filers about your work. Logo or promo items about your blog or business are also encouraged. Nametags are provided.

Although the meet up is in Etowah, the get together is open to anyone from the surrounding areas. You don't have to be a pro to attend. Newbies and those who simply have an interest in social media is welcome.

Would you like to join us? Email me at youvebeenreviewed@gmail.com or contact me on Twitter @gaylecrabtree for more information.

Guthrie Corn Maze in Riceville, Tennessee

Fall in Tennessee means three things. It's time for football, corn mazes and fall colors. Hubby and I headed out to Guthrie Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Riceville, Tennessee  to experience the maze and fall colors.

The farm is surrounded by blazing reds and yellow gold autumn trees. Hay rides, an obstacle course made from tires, the ever popular pumpkin patch and rubber duck races can keep you busy all afternoon. You don't even have to leave if you get hungry. The concession stand has funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers and nachos with cheese. Did I mention that they have funnel cakes?

A $10 admission to Guthrie Farms Corn Maze gets you everything except concessions, pumpkins and souvenirs from the gift shop. You can roam the grounds, get lost in the maze and enjoy music to your heart's content. Don't forget to make time for the petting zoo. They have the sweetest little pigs to pet and the donkeys are as soft as clouds.

Let's talk pumpkins. They cost .40 per pound. Sizes ranged from a little bigger than a grapefruit to about 16" across - or more!  Try buying some one of those at your grocery store! I noticed a few people wheeling theirs out in wheel barrows.


Guthrie Farms has a number of special events scheduled throughout the month of October. The calendar and admission schedule is online. They also have special rates for school groups and a huge parking lot to accommodate the buses and other vehicles.

 I love it when businesses give back like Guthrie Farms Corn Maze does. You can get into the corn maze for free by bringing in a child's coat. These will be donated to the school so they can be given to kids who need one. It's a cool way to keep kids warm.

Check out this cool video.

McMinn Regional Humane Society in Athens, Tennessee

Thinking about adopting a puppy, cat or dog? I visited the McMinn Regional Humane Society in Athens, Tennessee in Athens, Tennessee to learn more about their program.  A lot of sweet dogs and cats are waiting for a forever home. Walking away from some of the faces was pretty tough, but our living situation isn't conducive to another pet right now. Highlighting the McMinn Regional Humane Society on my blog seems like a good way to help.

McMinn Regional Humane Society

You might guess that I am a fan of animal rescue! My dog, Tomlin, was rescued before he got to a shelter. From researching dog breeds it seemed that a husky mix would fit our family. I had just about given up when a friend called sharing news of a. The owner didn't want to take the puppies to the shelter, but might need to if the pups were adopted soon. Tomlin has been bounding through our lives ever since.

Sometimes people wonder what if they adopt a pet and it doesn't work out. This shelter has a provision for that. The McMinn Regional Humane Society in Athens will accept a return within two weeks. The only caveat is that you don't get your adoption fee back. Kara explains where your fee goes in the video below.

Starr Mountain Oysters brings pearls to Tennessee

Good news treasure hunters! If you've been dreaming about finding a pearl in an oyster, your search is over. Tara and Arlene at Starr Mountain Oysters in Tennessee are riding to your rescue. I was first introduced to these ladies when a friend had an oyster party.

What is an oyster party, you ask?  It is a home party. Except this time, what you're buying is a lot more fun than plasticity or other home products. At the end of this party you will walk away with your very own pearl from your very own oyster. How cool is that?

Tara and Arlene Starr Mountain Oysters

What fun we had! Each of us got to choose a bead cage and an oyster. Four different colors are available, but, like a package on Christmas morning, you don't know what you get until the shell is opened.


One. Two. Three. Tara went to work to coax my pearl from its shell. You could tell that it was super-cozy in there because it didn't want to come out. She tapped it. Coaxed it. Pushed it, tugged it and then finally! The "pregnant" oyster gave birth to a 6 mm baby pink pearl. Soft and sweet, my new precious even glows in the sunshine.

Take a look at the video to see how much fun it is for yourself, be warned. You may want to sign up for a Starr Mountain Oysters party yourself. (Or at least catch up with them at a festival).

Pssst.
Tara says that some folks in Tennessee get corn from a jar. Well, good news. You can even get oysters in a jar to take home. Watch and see. She it explains it in the video.

Fall in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee

Although the leaves are just starting to change colors, that doesn't mean the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area isn't colorful!  Fall decorations are everywhere.  Between pumpkins, hay bales, fall flowers and scarecrows the area is fairly well covered!

Fall is not my favorite time of year, but as we drove around Pigeon Forge last week the 83 degree weather made it feel more like summer.  Enjoying Fall decorations while wearing shorts is my kind of fun. We weren't the only ones visiting the area and traffic was heavy to say the least!

Pumpkins Everywhere!

We stopped by The Christmas Place which is an amazing store.  It’s Christmas all year long in there.  I already have a lot of ornaments I got there years ago when we lived in the area.  I did want a new one for Ruby, our lab.  I had her name put on it and the date.  Since she was with us on our trip she needed a souvenir too.

The Christmas Place

The store is decorated for Fall outside and Christmas inside!  The lights and decorations will make you want to sing Christmas songs.  We were there early and got a front row parking spot and a very short checkout line.  That won’t be the case as the days and weeks go on.  It’s a wonderful place to start your Christmas shopping.

My husband and his new friend at The Christmas Place

You better start your day with a good breakfast.  There are many pancake houses in the area where you can eat to your tummy is full.

If you head up the Parkway to Tanger Outmall you’ll see they have gone pumpkin crazy as their entry road is decorated than more pumpkins that I could count.   With the traffic it was impossible to get a photo of it, but take my word for how nice it was.

Most homes and rental cabins in the area have some type of Fall decorations, if only a flag or a scarecrow in the yard.  People really get into it around here.  Our first fall in Sevierville we did the hay bales, mums and scarecrows in the front yard. 

These are friendly bears!

If you are looking to buy your Fall decorations head over to Old time Pottery in Pigeon Forge.  They have a ton and a half of Fall decorations and they also have out thousands and thousands of Christmas lights and decorations.

The tourists were in town and we were part of.  The only difference is we know the back roads to avoid the worst traffic jams.  But it was fun being in the action and seeing all the wonderful Fall decorations in the Smoky Mountains.

Tourist Traffic on the Parkway heading to the Smoky Mountains

Photos belong to AbbyG

Highway 411 yard sale and Etowah Fall Arts and Crafts

Good news bargain hunters! The Highway 411 Yard Sale is this week and the Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce Fall Arts and Crafts Festival caps off the weekend! The Highway 411 Yard Sale is held annually on the first weekend of October and a few days before that. The route goes from Leeds, Alabama, to Newport, Tennessee.

Highway 411 sign

Sure, there are other towns along the route where you could stop, but Etowah, Tennessee is my favorite. It's a small slice of Americana Pie. People are friendly, parking plentiful, and restaurants range from fast food to sit down. There is Mexican, Chinese or American. Almost every one is locally owned (except maybe a couple of franchises.) Plus, it's in my backyard, and I am absolutely partial to my back yard. 

Furniture, glassware, cars and just about everything else that you can think of will be available along Highway 411 Yard Sale route Although the event kicked off in mid-week, some spots out of town that were ready for business as early as Tuesday. Sellers take heart! As of this writing, spaces are still available near the high school.

L&N Depot: Etowah, Tennessee

For many of us, the real fun begins on the weekend when the free Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce Fall Arts & Crafts Festival kicks into swing. Events and activities center around the historic L&N Depot (circa 1906). Free parking lots are next to the depot and there is street parking.

You can find just about everything at the Fall Arts & Crafts Festival. Music entertainment includes top area talent. Find a pearl in an oyster at Starr Mountain Oysters. Hungry? Buy munchies from area churches and vendors or stroll through town. Looking for birthday or Christmas gifts? Peruse the rows of arts and crafts for unique items to take home.

Overnighters can stay at the Red Roof Inn or a couple of other hotels in town. Plus, there are sundry shops, antique stores and those tempting restaurants to try.

Etowah Depot Hwy 411 Yard Sale

Getting here
The main street through Etowah is the highway. Just drive straight on in until you get here, then park and shop.

If you're on I-75 North, take the Calhoun exit #36 and stay on Tennessee 163 East. It dead ends onto Highway 411. Turn left and keep going into town. You'll notice a small campground on the left just after you turn onto the highway. It's always packed with vendors that have come in for the yard sale. Navigating the campground parking can be a little tricky, but I found some glassware bargains last year along with some higher-end pieces.

Traveling South on I-75? Take the Athens exit #49, turn left onto Highway 30 when you come off of the interstate and keep going. Turn right when Highway 30 dumps you onto 411 at the edge of Etowah. Turn right, grab a parking spot and start shopping.

Doing the Tennessee Valley Fair on the cheap

There are ways to do the Tennessee Valley Fair on the cheap that really help the budget. Hubby and I set out to find the most budget friendly options a few years ago. Here are a few tidbits that we learned about doing the Tennessee Valley Fair on the cheap.

Opening day tickets are cheap. In 2015, the admission is $1.00 on opening day for the first 96 minutes. Want to know why? It's because the Tennessee Valley Fair is in its 96th year! Gates open at 3:00 and the ticket prices cut off at 4:36 on the dot.

Hubby and I arrived about 20 minutes before opening in 2014. It took about 45 minutes to get inside the gate. Hometown Heroes and students can get in free on specific special days. The Tennessee Valley Fair has a downloadable pdf with the full scoop on special pricing for those days.

Parking
The early bird gets the worm,or, in this case the cheapest parking spaces. Businesses and homes that surround Chilhowee Park rent parking spaces in lots and front yards. These spaces can be higher than those at the entrance gate. You either have to go early to get the spot or catch someone when they are leaving. We have successfully done both. Parking at the fair is $7.00. Prosser Road and Beaman Street gates have accessible parking.

Adrenaline junkies listen up.

Goodies from the Sea in East TenneSSee!

One thing we have learned in our 14 years living in land-locked Tennessee, you can’t smell the ocean, get sand between your toes or get really fresh seafood unless you find a great seafood store.  They are few and far between, but now we have made a connection and I will tell you all about it.

We normally go to South Carolina every summer; the main goal is to eat really good and really fresh shrimp.  Plus we would buy several pounds to freeze to bring home.  This summer we decided to skip the Low Country, but we still have a craving for fresh shrimp. What do to, what to do?

Friends discovered a place called 'The Shrimp Dock' and they went there for lunch.  But, the location isn’t really convenient for us.  I did check their website and what did I find but the fact that they have three locations in total.  The one in Alcoa/Maryville is just a one hour ride from here to there.  The two other locations are Farragut and Bearden.

One afternoon last week I called the Shrimp Dock to verify that they would have fresh shrimp the following morning.  Once I had that confirmed we planned to leave a little before 9:00 am in order to get there when they opened at 10:00 am.  We got there a few before the ‘open’ sign was turned on.

Display Case 

As soon as the door was unlocked we entered, found the shrimp display and started ordering.  They had 4 different sizes/prices.  We walked out of there with about 9 pounds of shrimp.  Needless to say we had a cooler with us to keep them safe on the ride home.

Once home my husband divided the shrimp into one pound packages and used his vacuum sealer.  He left one pound out for our dinner that night.  I made Oven Baked Shrimp and have provided the recipe I use at the bottom of this article.

Weighing the fresh Gulf Shrimp

The shrimp they sell are Gulf Shrimp, which I’ve heard are better than Georgia or South Carolina shrimp – they were good, but I don’t know if they were better!  We were just so happy to be able to buy fresh shrimp.  I asked the young man who waited on us if they have them all year long and he said they do.  It was a lot cheaper driving to Maryville than driving to the Low Country of South Carolina or Georgia!

Here is the link to The Shrimp Dock – you can find all the information you need regarding the three locations, the lunch menu, the retail items and a little history of the company.  If you are a seafood lover but can’t find a good place to buy fresh shrimp, now you can visit The Shrimp Dock and satisfy that Seafood Craving in East TenneSSee!

I will share my favorite method of cooking fresh shrimp – Oven Baked Shrimp, it is very easy:

• Remove tails and shell, put shrimp in a bowl
• Add olive to lightly coat the shrimp
• Add fresh ground pepper and sea salt
• (You garlic lovers can add garlic if desired)
• Mix well
• Prepare a baking pan with parchment paper (it makes clean-up a snap)
• Put shrimp on the prepared pan in a single layer
• Bake in 450 degree oven until shrimp turn pink (just a few minutes)
• Don‘t overcook the shrimp or they will turn to rubber!
• Serve with homemade cocktail sauce and a few slices of lemon

Just looking at these photos makes me hungry!

Photos  belong to AbbG

Free Things to Do with Kids in Knoxville, Tennessee

Families with kids that are looking for an inexpensive getaway will find plenty of completely free things to do in Knoxville, Tennessee. I never cease to be amazed at all the city has to offer. Many of the completely free things to do with kids are in the downtown area of Knoxville. That makes getting to these sites easy on the gas budget. Plus, all of them have free parking.

Knoxville Museum of Art
Families may enjoy visiting the Knoxville Museum of Art. Exhibits include different types of art and can also include photography. Parking is available adjacent to the museum.

Fort Kid
This playground is across the street from the Knoxville Museum of Art. Volunteers built it in the early 1990s. Knoxville is slowly phasing out this kids playground. It appears on this list of free things to do in Knoxville with kids because as of this writing, Fort Kid is still open.

World's Fair Park

Indian Boundary Campground: Serenity on the Cherohala Skyway

Indian Boundary Campground is more than the name implies. My family stopped there while we were on our Tennessee road trip and enjoyed it. The campground recreational area offers a lake front swimming beach, hiking trails and other amenities. It's a good road trip stop for families, couples or individuals.

Indian Boundary Campground

Indian Boundary Campground is located in Monroe County, Tennessee is about 30 minutes from the entrance to the skyway. Get there by going to the visitor center in Tellico Plains and follow the signs to the Cherohala Skyway. You will see the signs for Indian Boundary Campground just after entering the skyway.

A well shaded picnic area at the campground afforded us with the opportunity to stretch our legs and enjoy the Cherokee National Forest. This a quiet spot is away from the Cherohala Skyway just enough that passing cars cannot be heard.

From our very first visit, what we found at Indian Boundary Campground put it on our list of favorite places. Camp sites are limited to two vehicles and five people. All spaces have electrical hookups but water is placed at every other camping spot. Indian Boundary Campground sites are paved, flat and well shaded.

One of the things that we liked about the Indian Boundary Campground was the family atmosphere. It is a lively place. Kids were out in force and seemed to be having a good time. Almost everyone waved as we went through.

Cherohala Skyway

Indian Boundary Campground looks to be very well maintained. The bathhouse is modern and each camping spot had a picnic table, grill and hanging hooks. Being able to make reservations online helps add to our attraction.

There are bears in the Cherokee National Forest. Signs at the entrance urged campers to maintain bear proof food storage and put all rubbish in the bear proof bins. Noncompliance attracts bears and may result in a stiff fine.

The campground offers both a ranger station and camp store. You can pick up firewood or other items from the store. Please note that the Indian Boundary Campground is under a firewood quarantine. Firewood must be picked up at the store, off the ground or locally. If you have any questions, ask any ranger for help.

The quarantine is an attempt to prevent the spread of the Aisan Longhorned Beetle and other insects. These non-native species are sometimes carried from forest to forest through the transport of firewood. Despite their tiny size the beetles can devastate a forest. Please don't contribute to the problem by bringing outside firewood into the Cherokee National Forest.

Indian Boundary Campground is an enchanting place to stay and offers many recreational activities. Camp sites are well shaded and spacious. The loops offer a good place to walk or ride bikes. Bring the ingredients along to roast smores over and evening campfire.

The popular swimming beach is only a couple minutes away by car. In addition to other trails, hikers enjoy the trail that winds around the water's edge. The night sky fills with stars on clear evenings.  Indian Boundary Campground is not within walking distance. Getting there by car takes only a minute or two. The whole recreation area is ideal for taking photos.

The lake covers almost 100 acres. Several people were there with fishing poles in hand. A Tennessee fishing license is required. The Indian Boundary Campground store may have information on licenses. A boat dock is available there and the lake is surrounded by a walking trail.

Signs at the Indian Boundary Campground indicate that the road accommodates vehicles up to 26 feet long. Vehicles that are longer than that probably won't be able to get through. There are some close turns that would make large RV navigation difficult to impossible.

Fees are charged at the campground for the space and for the electrical hookup. There is also a fee at the recreational area. Some discounts are available. Prices and hours of operation change without notice and are seasonal.

Visitors are told not to call the Indian Boundary Outpost with questions about reservations or the campground. Instead, visitors are directed to contact the Tellico Plains Ranger Station for information on fees, directions or other details.

Stopping at the Indian Boundary Campground added to our Cherohala Skyway experience. It's location within the scenic beauty of the Cherokee National Forest, recreation area and amenities makes us want to come back for more.