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Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Day Trip Adventures

  1. Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill near Harrodburg , KY.

      Eat at Trustee’s Table there

      Self guided tours and guided tours

      Take 127 North

https://shakervillageky.org


2.  Glasgow Ky

     South Central Kentucky Cultural Center on the square-was once a factory that made pants

     We like to shop @ Rural King and eat at Freddy’s Steakburgers

     We also take a cooler because Ruler Foods (a division of Kroger’s) has a store there with 

     Great prices on milk and eggs and other things! 

     Stop at Marrowbone at Mennonite Store/ Country Kitchen?

     Eat a banana split at the Tastee Foods in Burkesville (blue dairy bar)


3.  Nancy, KY

Eastern time zone

     Haney’s Appledale Orchard

Best fried apple pies-more of a hand pie with crust and coated in confectioner sugar

https://haneysappledalefarm.com

     Mill Springs Battlefield National Cemetery and Visitor Center

     Lee’s Ford Marina has nice restaurant

 

4.  Big South Fork Scenic Railroad in Stearns, KY

     Nearby is Yahool Falls and Cumberland Falls

Cumberland Falls is a state park and the lodge there has a restaurant. The drive to the falls is curvy and the address of the area is Parker’s Lake, KY.

The train ride is in Stearns, KY and takes you to the Blue Heron area and back.


https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm

https://bsfsry.com


5.  Tompkinsville , KY

     We cross the ferry at Turkey Neck Bend (long drive)—go left after crossing ferry to get to town—or go through Celina and reduce chances of getting lost!

Eat at Dovie’s on the square

Visit Old Mulkey Meeting House


6. Creelsboro, KY

     About 10 miles SW of Jamestown, KY

Billed as a ghost town was once a river boat stop on the Cumberland River

Eat at old general store 

I recommend barbecue  on hoecake

About two miles from store is Creelsboro Natural Bride aka The Rockhouse a large sandstone arch.  The arch did not have signage the last time we were there so it may to hard to find.  There is a granite monument at the parking area.  The arch is in sight of the parking area and requires some climbing to get down to it.  

https://campbellscreelsborocountrystore.com


7.  Rugby

     Was a restaurant there, but if not open the R.M. Books General Store says they have the best Fried Bologna in TN   Its too thick for me!

They offer tours and there are some hiking trails.  The church is a great photo spot and the cemetery is very interesting.

https://historicrugby.org



8.  Brushy Mountain Prison

9182 Highway 116

Petros, TN

Eastern time zone

 Pay extra for the guided tour

Eat at the Warden’s Table

https://tourbrushy.com


9 Colditz Cove in Allardt, TN

     Waterfall hike



10.  Crossville 

     Cumberland County Playhouse never disappoints

     Nice shops and eating places on the square

     Homesteads museum

Cumberland Mountain state park has golf, hiking and a restaurant.



11.Cumberland Gap

Eastern time zone

Stop at Lincoln Memorial University and visit the Lincoln museum

Drive to the top of Pinnacle point the stand in two states and enjoy the view

Visit the town or Cumberland Gap and drive through the tunnel to Middleboro, KY

https://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm


12. Mammoth Cave

Check their website for different tours and times


13.  The Ark Encounter

Williamstown, KY

Eastern Time Zone

Be ready for much walking and lots of reading in the exhibits

We had a big buffet lunch at Emzara’s 

You arrive in the Parking Lot and buy tickets, then board a bus for a short ride to the ark.

They have added several activities since we visited several years ago.

https://arkencounter.com


14.  Burgess Falls

       Between Cookeville and Sparta

Hike to the Falls—There is an observation deck but if you are adventurous you can continue to the bottom.

Near the entrance to Burgess Falls is a great place to eat called Chestnut Oaks Farm Store and Kitchen.  Their menu contains smoked food and they also sell local crafts and ice cream.


15.  Granville,TN

Calls itself Tennessee’s Mayberry Town

Plays and radio shows in the old Sutton Store

They have museums, a pioneer village and a tour of the Sutton Homeplace.

      In Jackson County

     Open Wednesday though Saturday

Several festivals and special events are held each year.

https://www.granvilletn.com



16.  Drive the Rollercoaster Yard Sale

      1st weekend in October

One of the biggest best spots is Temple Hills



17.  Muddy Pond

Amish Community

Get a sandwich at Front Porch

They make molasses in October

Shop at General Store

Various shops and green houses in the community


18. Bardstown, KY

    Visit square enjoy meal at 200 year old Tavern there

    Tour My Old KY Home

https://www.visitmyoldkyhome.com


19.  Fall Creek Falls

  State Park near Spencer TN

Several water falls with short hikes

The Lodge is brand new and has a good restaurant

They have some cute cabins built over the lake there

https://tnstateparks.com/parks/fall-creek-falls?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_OetBhAtEiwAPTeQZ670Id86--zDzGa_G0XWXMgPHVxWOiLcuc549wwHYYtWYms1nY895BoCF5YQAvD_BwE


Fall Creek Mennonite village at same exit off Highway 111 

Great place for buying plants and vegetables in season.  Maps are available on their website

https://www.southeasttennessee.com/fall-creek-community/


20. The Caverns  and Rock Island State Park 

Near McMinnville

Go to Sparta and drive toward McMinnville, the park and cave are both well marked


21.  Bowling Green Ky

About 2 hour drive

Corvette Museum

Railroad Park with restored train cars

Lots of eating and shopping 


22.  Liberty, KY

Eastern time zone

Eat at the The Bread of Life Cafe, which is staffed and owned by the Galilean Children’s Home.  The profits from the restaurant and gift shop go to the school.  

The buffet is huge and includes the salad bar.  Never disappoints

On Saturday morning only they have a breakfast buffet.


Nearby is a Mennonite community called South Fork where you can buy salvaged groceries, produce, baked goods and all things kitchen/cooking related.  

During the 127 yard sale this community has a large spot at the entrance selling all sorts or things including homemade ice cream and pretzels.

https://explorelibertyky.com/amish-mennonite-shops/


23.  Danville,Ky

Eastern time zone

Kentucky’s oldest city

Very interesting architecture in the downtown area.

In the center of the town there is a replica of the original settlement called Constitution Square

Shopping and eating on the main street.  

Drive around to view some very old antebellum homes.

The public library there is worth a visit.  Its five stories with a reading courtyard and sculpture garden.


24.  Bush Beans Visitor center in east Tennessee

Chestnut Hill, TN

Near Sevierville  if you are in the Smoky Mountain area

Visitor center with a free,small self-guided museum showing the history of the company.  It also includes a  gift shop and restaurant with country dishes and their signature dish, pinto bean pie.

https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/about-us/visitor-center


25.  Cave City, KY and Horse Cave

About 10 miles from Glasgow on highway 90.  You can see or stay in the WigWam village. There’s shopping and dining and several things for kids like Dinosaur World and a Wildlife Museum.  

Just a few miles up the interstate you can visit Horse Cave, KY.  They are a town built on top of a cave.  You can tour the cave and cave museum there.  The Dutch Country Safari Park is at the exit.  It is a drive through animal park owned by the Mennonites in the area.  (We did not actually do these two things)


26.  South Pitttsburg, TN

This town is on the border of Alabama and Tennessee and is home to the Lodge Cast Iron Company.  You can view the world’s largest cast iron skillet in their museum and eat in the restaurant called Big Bad Breakfast.

This one is a long drive to Dunlap on through Jasper on Highway 64 to I-24 and we recommend that you plan this in conjunction with something else that you might find in the area!  It is close to Chattanooga and South Cumberland Park.

https://www.lodgecastiron.com/museum


27.  Louisville, KY

This city has lots of things to do and we have always made it an overnight trip.

There’s a large children’s science center and a Louisville Slugger museum downtown. You can take a riverboat ride and watch a minor league baseball game.

There is a huge Cavern system built under the city that you can tour or zipline.  We did the drive though Christmas lights and it was great.  That is seasonal, of course.

We had a great time at Churchill Downs and stayed in a rental unit right across the street.  There is also a good zoo in Louisville.


Bernheim Forest 

Located in Clearmont, KY just off the interstate is a great stop when traveling to Louisville.  They are famous for the three wood sculptures called forest giants.  There is a playground, miles of hiking in the different forest areas.  We walked the trail with the forest giants and the holly forest. 

https://bernheim.org 


28.  Stanford, KY

Eastern time zone

The second oldest town in Kentucky built right on the Wilderness Road.  We recommend visiting the shop called Ky Soaps and Such and eating at the Bluebird.  The Bluebird is a Farm to table restaurant with delicious fresh food and the world’s best pie.  Don’t leave without ordering the Strawberry White Chocolate Pie. 

There is a restored railroad depot and a fort near the main street.  The Buffalos Springs Cemetery on the outside of town is huge and has some interesting monuments.  We highly recommend spending a day in this friendly town.  


29.  Big South Fork National Recreation Area

Our favorite spot to hike in the fall is this area. No matter which way you look the colors are spectacular. Two of our favorite trails are Twin Arches and the trail from Leatherwood to the old O and W Railroad bridge.  Be prepared if you take the short hike to the Twin Arches, there are many, many stairs!

https://www.nps.gov/biso/index.htm


30. Pogue Creek Canyon Natural Area and Pickett State Park

Just before the entrance to Pickett State Park you will find the trail head for the Pogue Creek Natural Area.  There are some amazing rock formations and great views on this trail. We actually encounter a black bear on this trail on day.  

https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-east-region/east-region-/na-na-pogue-creek-canyon.html


31.  Pickett State Park

Don’t forget about visiting this gem in our own county.  Be sure to check our the trails and cross the swinging bride over the lake there.  Hazard Cave is an easy trail and they also have one of the Imagination Library story trails there for kids.  Lots of picnic tables in the lake area to have lunch or rent a boat or canoe in the boathouse, where Peanut worked many summers ago! 

https://tnstateparks.com/parks/info/pickett

 


32.  Monterey, TN

A couple of stops in Monterey, Tn is Bee Rock Overlook just outside of the town.  Its a short walk to an amazing view.  Then stop at Laurel Mountain Bakery and have a homemade sandwich or pick from their breads or baked goods for a dessert.  


33.  Monticello, KY

Eastern time zone

Just a short drive from Byrdstown is the little town of Monticello, KY.  Their square contains a history museum with a cave in the basement and a stage coach on the ground floor.  There is a charming little store called Main Street Books right in the center of town.  We were told the cheeseburgers from the Pool Hall there are not to be missed, but we haven’t tried them yet.

We have eaten at the Black Stallion Steakhouse and at Happy Hoppers, both were tasty.  We come home with tax free groceries from Wal-mart.



34. Wilson County/Tennessee State Fair in Lebanon, TN

You can’t see this in just one trip, its that big!  We go every year because our grandson is showing goats in the livestock area.  There are buildings filled with exhibits, and products from Tennessee and displays from every county.  Some buildings are dedicated to 4-H and FFA and teaching displays for children to learn about agriculture.  Of course, they have a huge midway with rides and all the fair foods.  Livestock shows are happening everyday and the birthing barn is a popular spot.   It's 10 days of fun every August.  

https://www.wilsoncountytnstatefair.com


35.  Highway 52 Yard Sale

In the middle of May, Highway 52 has a yard sale each year.  We usually begins around Hermitage and Red Boiling Springs and goes to Portland. We don’t usually go beyond Lafayette, TN.  We see lots of interesting things and meet many great folks.  We enjoyed eating at the Gibson Cafe for lunch last year.  Its on the square in Lafayette.  Many of the sales are set up right along the edge of the highway.  


36.  127 Yard Sale 

World’s longest yard sale.  Just take Highway 127 North or South during the first Thursday-Saturday in August each year.  Its always fun to go searching for a treasure! We all know most sales begin the first of the week!

  


This is a list of Day Trips or Adventures were have taken within 1-2 hours of Byrdstown.  We found information from the internet and used our cell phone maps for directions.  Check the web sites for more accurate info because some are seasonal and hours may have changed since we visited.  These are just notes made after our visits.

Sunday, June 26, 2022

 Making Waves

We spent all week at Vacation Bible School with a theme called Make Waves.  Our church, First Christian,  was not able to have bible school for the last two years because of Covid. This year we went all out! We had great attendance and raised money for Friend Church, a mission we sponsor in Thailand. 





Tuesday, January 12, 2021

january's first 12 days

 Things happening on the Ponderosa in January:

We started the year with a traditional meal of black-eyed peas, hog jowl and cabbage.  We also had some ham, corn, green beans and mashed potatoes!  Bailee thought the hog jowl was delicious.  Everyone ate some of the other things for good luck without complaint.  

We had stayed up until midnight on New Year's Eve and played games!  We wanted to be sure to send 2020 on its way.














There have been some lazy days, some dentists appointments, some shopping and lots of Netflix viewing.
On the 12th Gibson Tax Service opened. 

At Cowan Hill Farm
They had a set of triplets born on a cold night.  All were girls, but only two made it.  They are having trouble nursing and their mom was not cooperating!  But they sure are cute.



In National News
Covid is worse than ever from the Christmas surge.  Unfortunately, on Wednesday the sixth during a protest in Washington D.C. Trump supporters broke into the Capitol Building.  It was hard to watch and disturbing that people believed they had the right to enter and destroy property.  Now the media reports that some politicians are trying to impeach the President again or invoke the 25th amendment.  It's a sad and disturbing time.



Friday, January 8, 2021

Restarting in 2021

 I have deserted this blog for one year! I restarted exactly one year ago with good intentions, then 2020 started! It began like any other year full of hope and promise, then quickly became  a year full of disappointments! A big pile of disappointments! It was a year students of history will read about someday.  

Surely, we learned some lessons. We learned to slow down. We spent more time outdoors We learned how to make our own fun.  We learned to get by without some of the luxuries we had become accustomed to. 


We missed so much, like no travel, isolation from family and friends and events and holidays we look forward to all year.  


We lost so many people, it’s been a dark season. 


We hope for better times this year, but so far the first week in 2021 has certainly not shown us much improvement.  


I am going to try again, starting now. I want to record this year and also talk about last year.  My goal when I started this blog was to create a record of our family and help them remember our experiences.  



It will be a long time before anyone forgets 2020!

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

elf

Our Christmas card photo from 2919. We made it last minute when our whole family came together in Crossville at the Cumberland County Playhouse. We took a little trip to see their production of Elf.
Afterward we enjoyed a meal at Cracker Barrel.




Monday, June 17, 2019

starting with a win

This boy is off to a winning start in his first goat show this season.  He showed in the Wilson County 4-H Livestock Group show on June 8th and walked away with the Grand Champion Goat and the first place in showmanship. 
Parker had an extra special fan club there with three of his great grandmothers cheering him on!



dance

This little dancer recently performed in her first recital.  She wasn't nervous or shy about it at all.  She said she hoped everyone threw flowers at her feet!  We couldn't throw them but she managed to collect a few bouquets from her fan club that enjoyed her performance.



Bailee Mae Coutta
Dance Recital 
June 8, 2019

Saturday, April 27, 2019

making the secret sauce

Everyone pitches in to help get ready for the annual egg hunt and Easter picnic on the Ponderosa.  We furnish grilled chicken and ribs and our visitors bring side dishes and desserts.  This year Parker and Bailee teamed up to made the secret family sauce that we use to marinade and and spray on the meat while it grills.  The sauce is a 4-H recipe that my Dad tweaked and perfected after years of coaching outdoor meat cooking.  We haven't meet anyone who doesn't love it!

 The secret sauce contains apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, cooking wine and salt.  The amounts of each ingredient are adjusted to the amount of meat we are cooking!

Easter 2019

We had our annual egg hunt and Easter picnic scheduled for Saturday but the rain came down and the temps were freezing so we decided to reschedule for Easter Sunday, because no one wants to hunt eggs in their winter coats and rain boots!  Not to mention the fact that its very hard to grill in that kind of weather.  So about 50-60 of our friends and relatives came out to celebrate with us on a perfect day!  (Temperatures were 30 degrees warmer ).  The food and fellowship was great and everyone enjoyed being together.  We had egg hunts for the kids (We are now on our second generation of Easter egg hunters here on the Ponderosa) and the grown ups.  I think the adults have more fun than the kids!  












He is not here, he has risen, just as he said.  Matthew 28:6

1962



Here’s an old photo from 1962. These are the kids I grew up with. Our parents played cards and we were together every weekend!  No one can remember who was having a birthday or any other details about the photo but it’s a classic and brings back lots of memories.  We all remain friends today!
Going around the table starting on the right: Byron, Marcia, Janet, Jimmy, Gina, Phil, Me, Debbie, Jackie and Charles


Wednesday, August 1, 2018

back to school

It's Back to School for these three today!

 
Parker starting the sixth grade at Watertown Middle School.



Brynn and Brooks starting second grade at Springdale Elementary School.


Sunday, July 29, 2018

july on the ponderosa

July on the Ponderosa has looked a lot like this!