My hide was pretty chapped after being in the car so long yesterday so I took it upon myself to find even cooler pit stops. I’ve nominated myself the honorary Troop Leader so now I call the shots on what we do and see. Move over humans there is a new Sheriff in town!
I woke the household up early this morning for my first stop on Enzo the Troop leaders itinerary. Carnation Plantation in Franklin TN was the site of a very bloody battle during the Civil War. After the battle over 3000 Confederate called this their resting place and the homeowners made a memorial in their honor which is still upheld today. Beautiful grounds and amazing road to get there.
I called upon my finest feline debutantes to direct us to a good eatery. We went to Husk whose motto is “if it ain’t from the South it ain’t coming through the door”. Famous for their farm to table dishes and fresh eeverythingwe dined on the second best meal this trip. Located on the old Mayors house in DT Nashville it was one classy joint. I was dressed to the nines in my Sunday best but Blake was in boardshorts and a tee– you cant bring these humans anywhere. Our waiter was so awesome with his cute accent and his upsell of the most unhealthiest yet delicious biscuits and gravy.
Blake has a huge fascination with reality TV but not the kind where girls flash their tata’s like that Girls Gone Wild crap, no he likes Redneck stuff like swamp people, Gator Boys and Duck Dynasty. One of his other Favs is American Pickers where two guys from Nashville go around America pickin vintage items to sell in their shop called Antique Archeology. I’ve watched the show and wanted to surprise Blake with a stop at the shop which also happened to be in an old warehouse district. Very cool!
Locals told us to hit up The Grand Old Opry that made country music famous! Too bad there wasn’t a show cause we all would have went. We caught a glimpse of the famous stage and bought an ornament in the gift shop– womp womp.
It was getting late and we wanted to get to Justine’s house but I had one more surprise in store for Miss Catlin. The great Dolly Parton was born in TN in the Smoky Mountains and she has provided a BUNDLE of business for her hometown. We got off at Sevierville to simply get a photo with the Dolly statue but what we stumbled upon was a solid gold hit!
Within the town of Sevierville and Pigeon Forge is literally a Disneyland for Rednecks. Themed mini-golf courses, NASCAR raceways for kids, restaurants and the one and only Dollywood- Dolly’s amusement park. It was quite a site and also pretty neat that this talented woman brought so much business to a town originally of 300.
Instead of taking route 40 to NC we decided to take 411- the scenic route. It was magnificent and throughout it all Blake and I kept saying we wanted a summer house here. For one the Smoky Mountains are the backdrop and then it was filled with a killer sunset, rolling hills, tiny antique shops, sweet towns and BUSHS baked beans. Yup their factory is there and it was humongous.
It was a really cool drive and then it was topped off with a supermoon, fireflys and the Smoky Mt. We all decided we wanted to summer here for a week next year. So far good ol’ TN is taking the cake!
Enzo The Cross-Eyed Cat 