Our Visit to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee

Welcome!

A few weeks ago, Greg and I made a little journey to a park in Spencer, Tennessee, several miles from where we live. The park we visited was Fall Creek Falls.

On the way, before we went to the park, we stopped for lunch in Pikeville, Tennessee. We'd planned to go to a restaurant we'd researched online, but we couldn't find it after we got there. I remembered that it was supposed to have been near an ice cream parlor, which we easily found. I went in and asked where the restaurant was, and the girl that worked there told me that it had just recently gone out of business. A customer there said that he was sorry about that, because it was a really good restaurant. I thanked the girl for her information, and I told her that we might be back later after we ate lunch somewhere.

As we drove through the small town, we went by a restaurant that looked very attractive so we decided to try it out. 

It was called Pig-N-Catch.

On the sign outside, it said that they had barbecue, catfish, and steak. That really got Greg since he loves barbecue!

(I decided to get chicken tenders which I'd never before had. They were delicious! A few weeks later, I even worked up to chicken and waffles which I had thought was a weird combination, but now, that's my new favorite occasionally when we eat out.)

We were really lucky with this restaurant, and for dessert, we decided to go back to Ember's Ice Cream Shoppe in Pikeville where the girl had been so helpful earlier.

Ember's Ice Cream Shoppe

Delicious Again!

So far, this had been a great day, and we hadn't even been to the falls yet!

Fall Creek Falls State Park was so pretty!

There were several waterfalls to see. What an adventure!

To me, this was the most picturesque of the falls-

Fall Creek Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States at 256 feet-

We got plenty of exercise, walking around and seeing the waterfalls and other beautiful scenery.

Time for a Break! (Notice the waterfall between the trees on the left in the distance.)

For those who love being in the water, there's always swimming here in the park. 

Some people even jumped into the water from the large nearby cliff!

FYI
Fall Creek Falls State Park
2009 Village Camp Road
Spencer, TN 38585
423-881-5298

Positive thought: "Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape."-Anonymous
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, August 4, 2019, Becky

Drug Stores Past and Present Including One That Became a Restaurant

This blog post is a very special one for me because it's about a drug store that became a restaurant. I'm talking about Swaney Swift's on the Square in Gallatin, Tennessee.

You see, my parents used to own a drug store when I was growing up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It was called-

Here's the interior of Swaney Swift's-

as compared to the Botts Drug and Variety Store one in Big Stone-

Shirley used to work at the drug store for my parents.

Greg and I really enjoyed our little trip to Gallatin which we'd never before visited. Swaney Swift's used to be an old drug store, but just recently it became a restaurant.

The restaurant is decorated in a drug store motif.

We had a delicious meal there, served by our waitress, Lexie. I had a yummy raspberry grilled cheese sandwich, and for dessert-

what else would be more appropriate in a drug store turned restaurant than a milkshake!

Was it good? Here's the answer! "Good to the last drop," just like that popular coffee that's been around for a while. 

And, this old milk shake machine brought back more fond memories of my parents' old drug store.

This experience was like a walk down memory lane for me. It was one I'll always treasure.

Just go to Swaney Swift's if you'd like to make your own fond memories.

FYI

Swaney Swift's

www.swaneyswifts.com

Positive thought: "Life is a collection of moments."-Pinterest
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, May 5, 2019, Becky

New Beginnings!

Welcome!

Winter is almost over, and spring is just around the corner, in a couple of weeks! Yea!

While we don't want to wish our lives away, there's nothing wrong with having something nice to look forward to!

Winter does have some bright spots-some nice holidays, fun in the snow, hot chocolate by a warm fireplace, etc. (Guess winter's not so bad after all! We can find the good in everything!)

The last holiday of winter is St. Patrick's Day where for that day at least, we can all become a bit more Irish, if we wish. My mother always loved Ireland, and I guess I get that same love from her. Part of our family heritage is Irish.

What's not to like about Ireland? The gorgeous scenery, the great food, Irish dancing, the haunting music!

And who can forget the wonderful Irish blessings, sayings, and prayers!

"An Irish Prayer"

"May God give you, for every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer."

We can make the best of things whatever the season, but some of us prefer the warmer months of spring and summer when you can get out more and enjoy the beautiful sunshine and warmer temperatures.

It's out with the old-winter, and in with the new-spring!

Pretty Spring Flowers in Our Yard

There are plenty of wonderful spring celebrations like Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and Father's Day.

In years past, on May 1, even in the United States for a while, there was another holiday, May Day, in which there was singing and dancing around the maypole, which was a tall pole decorated with flowers and colorful ribbons. There was a May queen. May baskets were taken around and hung on people's doors. (From theholidayspot.com)

May Day is still celebrated in places like the quaint little village of Rugby, Tennessee. Greg and I went to this celebration a few years ago, and we loved it!

Another small town in Tennessee, Bell Buckle, has a yearly festival, "Daffodil Day," which celebrates the arrival of spring. During the time of the festival, six miles of colorful daffodils line the road which leads to Bell Buckle. This year (2018), the festival is on Saturday, March 17.

Also, I recently read an interesting, helpful article by author and life coach, Valorie Burton, who asked "What are you tolerating?" She wanted you to think about what it is in your life that you are putting up with needlessly that you need to change.

For example, clear out the clutter, replace or repair old worn out furniture, work on unsatisfactory relationships, etc.

It's good to make out a to-do list of all of the things that you have been tolerating since they can really drag you down. Handling these issues should give you more energy and less stress.

This does work, because I went through our house and other facets of my life, and found some things that needed attention, and after I'd taken care of them, I felt so much better, and more positive.

So, throw off the cloak of winter, and embrace spring and new beginnings!

Positive thought: "Every ending is creating the space and opening for an amazing new beginning."
-Bryant McGill
Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, April 1, 2018, Becky

Celebrating Fall, Tennessee Style

Fall is a wonderful time of the year, especially in Tennessee, with the vibrant colors, the cool crisp air which calls for warm, rich foods and drinks, festivals, and other types of celebrations.

Greg and I have taken time from our busy schedules to thoroughly enjoy this time of  year.

We have visited several places this fall, both far and near.

First of all, Greg and I met some special members of our family to enjoy "Bush's Visitor Center" in the Smoky Mountains in Dandridge, Tennessee.

Everything was dressed up in its fall finery.

We visited the General Store, Museum, and the Cafe.

Bush's Family Cafe

Our helpful, personable waitress Sharon (not pictured) was great. She made our visit there more enjoyable.

The food in the Cafe was simply delish!

There had to be beans on the menu, of course!

And, we just had to try the pinto bean pie! Yum!

www.bushbeans.com

In Spring Hill, Tennessee, Greg and I went to "Vintage 615" ("trendy clothes, gifts, furniture, & decor") for the "Fall Photo Party & Anniversary Sale" where we had our picture taken with a vintage truck which was decorated with pumpkins and bales of hay. 

We really enjoyed the free refreshments.

And, I found a pretty bracelet at a reasonable price which I absolutely love!

www.facebook.com/vintage615studio.com

Next, we traveled to Waverly, Tennessee to a small but terrific restaurant with a big menu, "Hole in the Wall Diner," where they make "Homemade Donuts & Buns Every Day."

Does this look good or what! It was! They even serve fried cheese!

www.holeinthewalldiner.com

Greg and I just happened upon "Pumpkinfest" in Franklin, Tennessee, and we're glad we did! It was so much fun!

There were pumpkins galore,

and a pumpkin carver-

There was delicious food, even gourmet Greek-

There were great arts and crafts-

Check it out!  A lovely little handmade bookmark and much more!

The pumpkin festival was well-attended. Many people even brought their dogs.

A darling little sweetheart!

After "Pumpkinfest," we went to a new coffee shop in Spring Hill, "The Fainting Goat Coffee."

It is a very popular place, and it's almost always crowded inside and out although it's not evident in this photo. Right after I took this picture, the outside tables filled up even though the temperature was in the 50's!

We really enjoyed the coffee and the bakery items which were perfect on a cool autumn day!

www.facebook.com/tfgspringhill/

And, speaking of food, what about a pumpkin pie for this time of year, especially for the perfect ending for your Thanksgiving meal!

This luscious-looking pumpkin pie is from "Pie Sensations" in Columbia, Tennessee.

www.piesensations.com

Fall Decorations Outside "Puckett's Downtown Columbia"

If you like the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."

www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Also, I have a book you might enjoy, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind" which is available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download.

http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Positive thought: "Eat, drink, and be thankful!" (from a plaque)

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 10, 2017, Becky

Fall Festival Time in Tennessee!

Welcome!

"My Take on Fall"

"Tell stories around the fire...
Jump in leaves
Wrap your hands around a hot mug
Eat a caramel apple
Be outdoors...
Roast marshmallows
Carve a pumpkin
Go on a hayride...
Wear a scarf
Bake cookies and pies
Take a drive just to look at leaves."
-www.diariesfromthedirtroad.blogspot.com

Go to a fall festival in Tennessee!

This is such a beautiful time of year in Tennessee, and the weather is warm with a slight breeze. It's just a perfect time to attend one of the many fall festivals in Tennessee during the month of October.

"Autumn paints in colors that summer has never seen."
- From www.picturescafe.com

Here are some of the best fall festivals in Tennessee that I have either personally attended or that I know of-

-Unicoi Apple Festival, Erwin

Although I've never attended this festival, I know it's very popular. A friend of mine from Erwin told me that it's fantastic, and that she thought I'd really enjoy the arts and crafts, the wonderful food including apple dishes, and the entertainment. Greg and I decided that we're finally going next year, so we're putting it on our 2018 calendar!

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6 & 7, 2017
www.unicoicounty.org

-National Storytelling Festival, Jonesborough

We have been to historic Jonesborough many times, but we have never been to this festival either. The stories are told by professional storytellers, and I have heard that the event is quite good and well-attended. This is its 45th year, so you know they're doing something right! You can see examples of the Storytelling Festival on Youtube.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2017
www.storytellingcenter.net

-Robert A. Tino Smoky Mountain Homcoming, Sevierville

For those of you who like art, you will love this one! Greg and I once stopped by Robert A. Tino's art gallery on our way to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Robert Tino is an excellent landscape artist who paints scenes of the beautiful Smoky Mountains in acrylics and in watercolor. Besides the artist's work, this festival also features Southern food, mountain music, crafts, and activities for children.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 6-8, 2017
www.RobertATinoSmokyMountainHomecoming.com

-National Banana Pudding Festival, Centerville

Greg and I have attended this festival which we really enjoyed, especially the banana pudding! (It's flavor brings back fond memories of back home, and of the wonderful banana pudding Mama used to make.) The pudding made at this festival should be good since this is a competition to determine the best banana pudding in our nation! Besides puddin,' there are crafts, entertainment, and children's activities.

Bananas on Display at the National Banana Pudding Festival in Centerville, Tennessee

F.Y.I:
Dates: Oct. 7 & 8, 2017
www.bananapuddingfest.org

-Heritage Days, Rogersville

Not only have Greg and I attended this festival in the past, but we have also had our own booth in the arts and crafts area where we did portraits of people. It was a great festival, a lot of fun, and we did really well there. Besides the arts and crafts, they have a lot of other things going on-traditional Appalachian Mountain music, dancers, food, storytelling, pioneer demonstrations, antique cars and quilts, etc.!

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 13-15, 2017
www.rogersvilleheritage.org

-Webb Art and Craft Show, Bell Buckle

We have been to Bell Buckle many times since it's such a unique, quaint little town (with a population of only 500!). According to "Thrill List" which rates the best small town to visit in each state, Bell Buckle is the best small town to visit in Tennessee! We have to agree that it's a fantastic place to visit for its charming little shops and tasty food. I've written blog posts about it several times, including the last one that I wrote on 8/21/16, "A Bell Buckle Celebration."

Greg and Me at a Festival in Bell Buckle

A good time to visit Bell Buckle might be this month for the Webb Art & Craft Show where there will be over 100 artists with their pottery, plants, jewelry, paintings, photography, and many other delightful things.

FYI:
Dates: Oct. 21 & 22, 2017
www.bellbucklechamber.com

-Henry Horton Spirits of the Past, Chapel Hill

Lastly, no October celebration would be complete without doing something kinda scary, so how about going on a paranormal Halloween investigation at Henry Horton State Park! We have been to this nice park before, but not during October, and certainly not on a paranormal investigation. A friend emailed me about this event, and Greg and I are thinking about going. It would make a great "Spirit Photographs" blog post!

FYI:
Date: Oct. 28, 2017
http://tnstateparks.com/events/details/#/?event=henry-horton-spirits-of-the-past

So, the different above-mentioned festivals and events offer something for just about everyone, and hopefully you'll find something here that you might enjoy. Have fun!

If you like the paranormal, check out my other blog, "Spirit Photographs."
www.spiritphotographs.blogspot.com

Also, especially since Halloween is coming soon, might I recommend my book on the paranormal, "Photographic Encounters of the Spirit Kind" which is available now, either in paperback or as a kindle download,
http://amzn.to/2usXWIO

Happy Halloween!

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, November 5, 2017, Becky
Positive thought: "One way to make the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure."
-William Feather

A Tennessee Road Trip, Part 2

On last week's blog post, "A Tennessee Road Trip," that I wrote on 7/24/16, I told about our fun trip to David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

On this post, I'll tell about part two of our road trip.

After we left the park, on the way home, we went through another interesting place, Ethridge, Tennessee, that we had visited a couple of years ago. In fact, I wrote a blog post about it on 8/11/14. We enjoyed being there so much that we decided to stop back by and see a couple of things we missed last time.

This vintage truck and the outside of this building were all we saw when we went by on our last trip to Ethridge since this business was closed.

It's reopened, so we got to see inside this time.

An Old Soda Fountain

It's called the "Ira Irving Gen. Store & Bus Station."

We were surprised that there was a Greyhound bus station in this small town, but it's mostly for the benefit of the Amish who live in Lawrence County, Tennessee. Besides their buggies, the Amish have to rely on either the bus, taxi, or plane for their transportation since they don't have cars, etc.

A Member of the Old Order Amish Community

This is an old building that is next door to the general store and bus station that has all sorts of interesting tools and other items for sell that would especially appeal to the Amish.

Life certainly is fascinating, especially when you travel! Travel opens up new places to explore and fun things to do. We can hardly wait for our next adventure!

Starting next month, I'll be publishing "The Art of Positive Living" posts only on the first and third Sundays of each month, and the "Spirit Photographs" posts on the first Saturday of each month, at least for now, as I have a pretty full schedule, trying to juggle all of my many projects.

Positive thought: "I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list."-Susan Sontag
Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky

A Tennessee Road Trip

Greg and I recently took a little trip to yet another park, David Crockett State Park in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. and this was a really nice one. In fact, this park got the "National Gold Metal Award," "Best in the Nation" which it truly deserves.

The 1,100-acre David Crockett State Park "is in honor of one of Tennessee's most famous native sons," a "pioneer, soldier, politician, industrialist, legislator, statesman, patriot and hero..." according to the brochure.

The park offers camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and swimming. It also has cabins, picnic pavilions, an amphitheater, bike trails, and a restaurant.

When we arrived, we were really impressed with the beauty of the park, and that same excellent quality was evident in the Crockett's Mill Restaurant & Patio inside the park where we enjoyed lunch.

The decor was very attractive.

You can either order from the menu or opt for the buffet, and we chose the buffet, as we usually do whenever there's a buffet available.

The food was great. In fact, this was probably the best ham I've ever tasted!

View from the Restaurant Window

 After lunch, we decided to explore the park, and...

The scenery was gorgeous!

Paddle-boating is so much fun!

In fact, our entire visit to the park was fun. You might just want to try it for yourself sometime!

F.Y.I.

www.tnstateparks.com

We went into Lawrenceburg after we left the park, and saw this impressive statue of David Crockett on the town square-

It just so happened that the day before our trip I decided to work on ridding myself of a not-so-good (bad) habit. I told Greg that I had a plan to rid myself of this habit. My plan was to reward myself in some way during the late afternoon of each day that I got through the day without giving in to this habit.

These rewards were just little things, gifts to myself (like special food, under $5.00 items, watching favorite DVD's, etc.) for doing a good job. I made out a list of rewards, and started implementing my plan on the day that we went to the park.

My first day's reward was a cone of ice cream which was easy to obtain since we were on a trip.

Yum! 

(However, I don't plan to give up one bad habit for another one! I eat something sweet just once or twice a month. That's why this ice cream cone was such a special treat for me, a perfect reward!)

Anyway, the plan seems like a good one because I have refrained from this bad habit for several days, and if I can get through a whole week, I'll buy myself a book that I've been wanting. If I can just get through twenty-one days, the bad habit should be eliminated completely.

In the meantime, I'm thoroughly enjoying every day as I have something positive to look forward to with my little rewards. I can't vouch for anyone else using this plan, but this seems to be working for me.

Even after I'm completely rid of my bad habit, I think I'll try to give myself little rewards for completing tasks, in a timely manner, that usually cause me to procrastinate.

This trip to David Crockett State Park was just part of our Tennessee road trip. We also enjoyed a little extra add-on excursion which I'll write about next week on this blog.

Please stay tuned for "A Tennessee Road Trip, Part 2" next Sunday.

Positive thought: "Good habits are as addictive as bad habits, and a lot more rewarding."
- www.quotesgram.com

Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky