Tennessee BackRoads Part 1

Friday night, I grabbed my walking shoes and a pair of clean underwear and headed with my mother to my cousins house in Glencoe, Alabama to spend the night. We got wind that cousin/navigator Johnny's "bus" tour was scheduled for an early Saturday morning departure and I didn't dare want to miss out. The thing is, with my cousin at the wheel one never knows where you may end up going, or even when you might arrive back home...but there is always guaranteed adventure. Right up my alley! Besides that....there was talk that a definite stop along the route was the Crow Mountain Apple Orchard, and I needed to stock up on my Apple cider. It freezes well....and it also sells out because of demand. Big Daddy was very understanding when I explained the necessity of the trip. He completely understood-even offering to watch the kids. Apple cider from Crown Mtn (as attested to in a recent post) ranks high in our household.

We were off bright at very early Saturday morning to pick up two more passengers, Jack and Mary from Sand Mtn. They both went to high school with my mother's brothers as well as my cousin Johnny. As I understand correctly, Johnny, Jack and my uncles were quite a "gang" of small town boys back in their hey-day. It was what would be recalled much of the trip, to my delight.

So, for those who might be playing along and keeping score, on this trip was Mary, Cousin Granny, Me and my Mom and of course Jack and Johnny-who were not photographed among the flowers. Go figure...

Let me just say, this was a motley crue, despite the seniority of the ages in the group (myself, not included, I beg your pardon). This crowd is just as rowdy or perhaps more so than my beloved group of girlfriends that I equally enjoy traveling with. I will attest that this trip required the packing of an extra set of underwear....because the laughter is frequent and of the nature from deep in the belly. You must know that if one gos on a trip with seniors, some of which are hard of hearing, some of which like to discuss bodily functions and regular routines....there will be much to laugh at. And so it was.

I was told shortly after departure, that this trip would not only stop at the orchard, but also several Hammer's stores-and who knows where else. It was a "Hammer's "world" tour of sorts. The thing is at a Hammer's store, each one can be different. You never know what they might have in stock. First stop of the day was in Guntersville. After riding riverside, taking in the sights, we stopped at the Hammer's Store there. I made a haul of some Christmas gifts. $1.25 for Abercrombie T-shirts! I bought 5 of them (my kids love them). I also found some American Eagle hoodies for $24.00. Score. Finally a set of 300 count designer sheets with scalloped lace edging for Sledge's room-$16.00 (retail $78.00). I was happy.

From there we headed north towards the Crow Mountain. Crow Mountain is not only where the orchard is located, but it is also where my cousin Glenda (aka Granny) is from. We spent some time retracing her family roots. I found it to be quite fascinating. I will go into more detail on that tomorrow.

From there we paid a visit to....the orchard.

First stop....free shots.

Of straight Apple juice. And I mean straight from the apple.

I believe that I failed to mention in my last post that this juice is 100% sugar free (naturally sweetened) and preservative free.

Oh! Honey!

And then we proceeded to buy apples and apple juice to fill our car halfway to the ceiling.

With apples this fresh and tasty, it was a necessity.

Join me.....there is more to come on my roadtrip on the backroads of Tennessee. You will not want to miss it!