While having to drive away from our lovely cabin was oh so sad, we did have some fun on the way home! Right outside of town we stopped at a big Knife store (Like Bass Pro, see look Mike I said Bass Pro and not Bass and Pro shop :p, but with all knife stuff) and bought some kick ass kitchen utensils and some camping tools.
After quite a ways further we ended up stopping for the night a bit south of Indianapolis at the Cracker Barrell, and then at a much less shady hotel than the way down, we got up and decided to head into the city for some brunch. Mike found reviews for a place called Maxines Chicken and Waffles... and I'll let you guess what the specialty was! And oh man, was it special! Some fantastic chicken fingers with fresh squishy yummy waffles and Peach Butter. The peach butter didn't taste like peach to me, but it was sweet and buttery and delicious on both waffle and chicken, and apparently famous b/c they sold shirts about it! The place had a lot of character, and you can tell it started out as a family run joint that just expanded. Very cool!
On the way in to Dekalb, we were a little bummed that our adventure was, well, not ending, but at least going back to more normal or usual context of work, etc. But we did see a double rainbow and beautiful sky which perked me up a bit! Once we got into the apartment, I was wishing to be back in the cool weather of the Smokies even more, though, since the heat was up to 95 degrees! Ahh! A story for another time, though...
We really had a fantastic wedding, and a great week away together. I'm so glad that we decided to go right after the wedding, I think it would have felt really anticlimactic to go back to work right away, and this way I got some time to focus on and really enjoy the cool fact that I'm now quite happily married, husband and all, before the hubub of life crept back in. Although I won't lie, I'm looking forward to the next weekend already. :D
Photos by Sarah, Nov 6, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Arts and Crafts District
For our last full day in Gatlinburg, we decided to enjoy the area right outside our cabin door, so to speak. We toured around the shops of the Arts and Crafts district, first, enjoying more local quirkiness! Our first stop was a little odd, as a very old woman was running a woodcarvers shop which demonstrated a severe obsession with both wooden birds and republicans (hundreds of pics on the wall!).
The second shop was a little more exciting, as it was a Magic shop. Mike found some interesting books, and we had a nice conversation with the couple running the shop. Turns out, the woman had been a professional clown, which gave her and I some things to discuss (thanks to Mom, and my interesting childhood), including how she was once sued by a woman who stayed in the bathroom for 3 hours, unbeknownst to the clown, because she was much to terrified to come out and walk past the face painting table. The guy also did a cool trick with Titanic themed cards, and we bought a crystal growing kit from him. Also turns out that his son makes funny little side show displays, including the dead wood fairy up on the shelf in the shop, for haunted hours, etc. (www.sideshowgaffs.com)
A little later, we ended up in a belt maker's shop, and got the man measured for a fancy new built, complete with holster capability (I've been trying to get him a fancy belt forever!) for future ordering. Next door was a shop run by a Native America woman whose ancestors were the name sake of the area (Gatlin), and where I finally got something I have been wanting since I've been old enough to love furry blankets... a sheepskin. It's luxurious, and poofy, and warm, and I love it! It's also washable, which rocks. Yay!
A little further down the street, we walked into a shop called "Hill People Crafts" to ask a guy about the inventive hammock chair hanging out front. He somehow pegged us as newleyweds, and gave Mike the advice that "the first 50 years are the hardest, after that it's all downhill" before convincing me to try out the strange chair thing, which was awesome, but I think we might be able to rig one up on our own!
Afterward, we went on to Ma's Kitchen to get some hot tea, which turned into hot tea and homemade coconut custard pie... good thing calories don't count on vacation! Yum!
The second shop was a little more exciting, as it was a Magic shop. Mike found some interesting books, and we had a nice conversation with the couple running the shop. Turns out, the woman had been a professional clown, which gave her and I some things to discuss (thanks to Mom, and my interesting childhood), including how she was once sued by a woman who stayed in the bathroom for 3 hours, unbeknownst to the clown, because she was much to terrified to come out and walk past the face painting table. The guy also did a cool trick with Titanic themed cards, and we bought a crystal growing kit from him. Also turns out that his son makes funny little side show displays, including the dead wood fairy up on the shelf in the shop, for haunted hours, etc. (www.sideshowgaffs.com)
A little later, we ended up in a belt maker's shop, and got the man measured for a fancy new built, complete with holster capability (I've been trying to get him a fancy belt forever!) for future ordering. Next door was a shop run by a Native America woman whose ancestors were the name sake of the area (Gatlin), and where I finally got something I have been wanting since I've been old enough to love furry blankets... a sheepskin. It's luxurious, and poofy, and warm, and I love it! It's also washable, which rocks. Yay!
A little further down the street, we walked into a shop called "Hill People Crafts" to ask a guy about the inventive hammock chair hanging out front. He somehow pegged us as newleyweds, and gave Mike the advice that "the first 50 years are the hardest, after that it's all downhill" before convincing me to try out the strange chair thing, which was awesome, but I think we might be able to rig one up on our own!
Afterward, we went on to Ma's Kitchen to get some hot tea, which turned into hot tea and homemade coconut custard pie... good thing calories don't count on vacation! Yum!
Our Cabin and The Pub
After our adventures shopping, we decided to head back to The Fox and Parrot. Now, the night before, we had driven out to this British Pub that was down the way from our cabin, and when we walked in, he had been closing up early because it was slow, but the owner turned all the lights back on, got us a couple of beers, and cooked up some of the best damn food ever! That night, I had fish and CHIPS (I got yelled at for complimenting his french fries because we don't honor the french in these parts) to die for, and Mike had steak and mushroom pie with HP sauce, also delicious. The guy was pretty excited because the next day was the 5th of November, or Guy Fawkes day and was planning a celebration, complete with fireworks... so, back we went!
Unfortunately the weather wasn't too grand, and I think it kept people home, but we spent quite a few hours hanging out in the pub, chatting, reading quirky things off his book shelf, and enjoying the atmosphere, extensive beer choices (but not too many, had to drive!) and food. I also had one of the most expertly 7-minute poured Guinness ever. It was great fun, and we even have buttons to commemorate the day! We really wish this place was down the street all the time!
After our pub time, we headed back to the cabin to enjoy our last evening there. The cabin was really great, hardwood floors, nice view, hot tub, etc. Only complaints are that the shower was so strong I thought my skin would rip off until i figured out how to turn it on half power, and the hot tub was 107 degrees the first time we got in!! Someone came and fixed it, thankfully. All in all, a great choice of place, seemed far away from town, but still within hitting distance of cool spots.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't too grand, and I think it kept people home, but we spent quite a few hours hanging out in the pub, chatting, reading quirky things off his book shelf, and enjoying the atmosphere, extensive beer choices (but not too many, had to drive!) and food. I also had one of the most expertly 7-minute poured Guinness ever. It was great fun, and we even have buttons to commemorate the day! We really wish this place was down the street all the time!
After our pub time, we headed back to the cabin to enjoy our last evening there. The cabin was really great, hardwood floors, nice view, hot tub, etc. Only complaints are that the shower was so strong I thought my skin would rip off until i figured out how to turn it on half power, and the hot tub was 107 degrees the first time we got in!! Someone came and fixed it, thankfully. All in all, a great choice of place, seemed far away from town, but still within hitting distance of cool spots.
The Aquarium of the Smokies
We did a little shopping in downtown Gatlinburg, cruised the strip so to speak, and happened across an honest to god, and legal, moonshine distillery! They gave me 3 samples right in a row, and I almost fell over! The funniest part was that a little while later, we stopped at a shop in which the woman saw our bag, and said "Oh, did you try the moonshine, it's really quite genuine in taste". To which we stopped a second and considered, and then inquired as to how, exactly, she knew this, and she explained she lived in the moonshine county, and actually had a blown up still in one of her trees! Too funny!!
After our shopping adventure, we went to the Aquarium, exploring the rain forest area, and then taking a ride on the moving sidewalk that went through the middle of a large tank filled with sharks, big turtles, stingrays, and lots of fish! It was quite awesome. We also went through an exhibit with some cute penguins (you can crawl into the exhibit and hang out right there with them!) and then!!! saw the sting rays (<3) my favorite! The exhibit was beautiful, they look like butterflies or angels in the water, and then, at "sting ray bay" I got to pet them! We stuck around for a dive show, and I got to pet one while it was eating, and making all kinds of weird noises b/c of the air going through the spiricals on the side of its head.
After our shopping adventure, we went to the Aquarium, exploring the rain forest area, and then taking a ride on the moving sidewalk that went through the middle of a large tank filled with sharks, big turtles, stingrays, and lots of fish! It was quite awesome. We also went through an exhibit with some cute penguins (you can crawl into the exhibit and hang out right there with them!) and then!!! saw the sting rays (<3) my favorite! The exhibit was beautiful, they look like butterflies or angels in the water, and then, at "sting ray bay" I got to pet them! We stuck around for a dive show, and I got to pet one while it was eating, and making all kinds of weird noises b/c of the air going through the spiricals on the side of its head.
Ober Gatlinburg: the view from above
After a breakfast of homemade pumpkin pancakes, that started out a disaster, but ended up scrumptious (one big fancy pancake instead of little ones!), we headed out to Uber Gatlinburg, as I thought it was called. A very nice tram trip up to the top of the mountain, where we played shooting games, rode the batmobile, and saw some black bears. Fun!
Cade's Cove
Since the weather was not terribly fantastic (a bit chilly and rainy) we decided to take a driving tour of part of the National Park, and got to see some old churches, cemeteries, and houses, as well as the local wildlife!
Adventures with the "colorful" Locals
On the way to the National Park, we happened upon some fantastic roadside attractions! First, we stopped at a farm stand-ish place that served the BEST BBQ I've had in a long time. We tried Brisket, BBQ pork, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, fried okra, and hot apple cider. The farm stand also had deep fried peanuts (?!) that were delicious, although I tried a "HOT" labeled one, and honey, they weren't kidding! I had to run to the car for crackers and soda because my throat was burning!
A little further down the road, we met Cap'n Dave. We met him because we looked out the window and saw an enormous carving of a large, busty, viking looking woman riding a wild hog (the animal) with wheels. Needless to say, we decided to stop! Many, many interesting things... sasquatch with jerky, tongues,etc. It says you can ride the indian shaped bike, and when I sat on it to have my picture taken, Cap'n Dave himself thought I didn't look excited enough, and had to demonstrate to Mike how to properly "ride the Indian". He subsequently did a very good job. :D
A little further down the road, we met Cap'n Dave. We met him because we looked out the window and saw an enormous carving of a large, busty, viking looking woman riding a wild hog (the animal) with wheels. Needless to say, we decided to stop! Many, many interesting things... sasquatch with jerky, tongues,etc. It says you can ride the indian shaped bike, and when I sat on it to have my picture taken, Cap'n Dave himself thought I didn't look excited enough, and had to demonstrate to Mike how to properly "ride the Indian". He subsequently did a very good job. :D
On our Way: Bourbon and Fried Chicken
We took off from Starved Rock Lodge on Monday, happily newly married, and ready for a week away! Monday night we stayed at a slightly shady hotel in Frankfort, KY, the capital city, and waited in anticipation for the morning to come so that we could make a tour of a small part of the Bourbon Trail.
Tuesday morning, we got up and upon recommendation from some locals, went to a diner called "Anybody's Diner" across from the Buffalo Trace Distillery which served.... FRIED BOLOGNA for breakfast!!! Can you even imagine my delight?! It was delicious, topped with a little grape jelly, served with some fried potatoes and eggs. Mmm. mmmm. mmmmmm.
A little while later, we drove into the Distillery grounds, which were quite pretty, and headed to the visitor's center/shop. Much to our dismay, we learned that although tours were going on that day, no liquor could be tasted, bought, or sold because it was election day Blast! But still, we got to watch some delicious smelling whiskey being bottled, and the strange phenomenon of guys rolling kegs from one building to another. Who knew that they use gravity and hand power instead of some sort of machinery, just like the old days? It was an interesting tour, ending in some Root Beer (boo) and scrumptious Bourbon Balls... little chocolate truffles with deliciousness inside!
We also stopped at the very first KFC on our journey, and got our picture taken with the Colonel. :D
Tuesday morning, we got up and upon recommendation from some locals, went to a diner called "Anybody's Diner" across from the Buffalo Trace Distillery which served.... FRIED BOLOGNA for breakfast!!! Can you even imagine my delight?! It was delicious, topped with a little grape jelly, served with some fried potatoes and eggs. Mmm. mmmm. mmmmmm.
A little while later, we drove into the Distillery grounds, which were quite pretty, and headed to the visitor's center/shop. Much to our dismay, we learned that although tours were going on that day, no liquor could be tasted, bought, or sold because it was election day Blast! But still, we got to watch some delicious smelling whiskey being bottled, and the strange phenomenon of guys rolling kegs from one building to another. Who knew that they use gravity and hand power instead of some sort of machinery, just like the old days? It was an interesting tour, ending in some Root Beer (boo) and scrumptious Bourbon Balls... little chocolate truffles with deliciousness inside!
We also stopped at the very first KFC on our journey, and got our picture taken with the Colonel. :D
Wedding Photo Booth
My Aunt and her family contributed an awesomely fun photo booth to our wedding celebration! What a great time, and I bet you can pick out which pictures came later in the evening!
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