Thompsons Station | Wander Woman

Posts Tagged With: Thompsons Station

Sisters Road Trip – Third Stop, Memphis!

Posted on November 3, 2014 by queenbookworm

Left Thompsons Station (Nashville) TN headed to Memphis

We drove 212 miles southwest from Nashville to Memphis along I-40. The leaves were changing at Nashville’s elevation of 600 feet but the trees were mostly still green at Memphis’ lower elevation of 300 feet. Coming from southern Florida where we’re only 4 feet above sea level I’m surprised we didn’t get altitude sickness. Only kidding … I had altitude sickness when I visited Machu Picchu in Peru at 15,000 feet and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

Why is it that you’re always hungry on a car trip? My sister and I can’t seem to drive for more than an hour without wanting to nosh. So when we passed a sign for Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen, we had to stop.

We had a wonderful breakfast at a very reasonable price. The sausage and bacon came from her farm about 8 miles up the road in Hurricane Mills, TN. About an hour after breakfast we kind of kicked ourselves for not driving out to her farm to say “howdy”! Sure.

I’ve always been drawn to the old west and I’ve decorated my 17-foot Casita travel trailer in 1950s retro cowboy style – my best childhood memories are of Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, Sky King, Bonanza, et al. I was a tomboy and wanted to grow up to be a cowboy – not a cowgirl, they were too, well, “girlie”. Loretta has a great little gift shop and I had to buy this plaque for my baby Casita.

My 17-foot Casita Spirit

So, we got to my niece/nephew’s gorgeous home in Memphis and went to dinner at a really fun place called Sliders Inn then spent the rest of our visit walking in a nearby park and enjoying the wonderful weather and great company.

Greeted by my niece with apple caramel martinis

Went for a stroll to work off those apple caramel martinis!

Johnson Park, Collierville, TN – beautiful

We made our famous Chicken Almond Stew for Mike & Jenny & Josh for dinner so they would have plenty of left-overs to remind them of our visit. Then left for the last leg of our journey … kayaking on Rainbow Springs!

Categories: Family, Kayaking, Travel | Tags: Casita Travel Trailer, Colliersville TN, Hurricane Mills TN, Johnson Park, Loretta Lynns Kitchen, Machu Picchu, Memphis, Nashville, Slider Inn, Thompsons Station | Leave a comment

Road Trip – Second Stop Nashville!

Posted on October 26, 2014 by queenbookworm

We drove 250 miles northwest from Atlanta to Nashville, Tennessee to visit our brother & his family in Thompsons Station.

Our first adventure took us to Leipers Fork where country celebrities are often sighted pickin’ and grinin’ at Puckett’s Grocery or with their families at the weekly outdoor movies.

Along the charming main street of Leipers Fork

Behind the old jail where weekly movies are shown outdoors

Leipers Fork

We were talking about the Natchez Trace at breakfast the next day so decided to go exploring along the Parkway and end up at the legendary Loveless Cafe for lunch. They make 7,000 biscuits a day. I think our table ate half of them with the blackberry jam.

First taste of a fried green tomato

My adorable family at Loveless Cafe

So, the following day we went to explore downtown Franklin, TN. I am a Civil War buff and was anxious to visit the historical sites from the Battle of Franklin, a major disaster for the Confederate Army. We didn’t have time during this visit, but I’ll be back.

On this visit to Franklin we started with breakfast at Meridee’s, a local institution, and took a walking tour of Franklin. The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin will be commemorated this year.

Meridee’s Restaurant – a Franklin, TN icon

Downtown Franklin

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin – go to Franklin150.com

This area of Tennessee is steeped in Civil War history and southern traditions and charm. Franklin also has many haunted establishments associated with the war between the states. Can’t wait to return and spend more time exploring – next time.