Maine Trip 2026 - Part Nine - Nashville to Lubbock

 Day 32 - October 9, 2026  31086

Off to Nashville . We left Knoxville early to arrive in Nashville early so that we could go to the Country Music Museum, as they were having a special Dolly Parton exhibit. I dropped Deb off at the museum and went to find someplace to park. I got to drive down Broadway Street. The busiest street in Nashville, with tourist, tour buses, party barges, you name it. For those of you who have not been here, or not been here i awhile - here are some Dash Cam pictures

DashCam - Broadway Street  #1

DashCam - Broadway Street #2

DashCam - Broadway Street #3

DashCam - Broadway St & 1st Avenue. Hard Rock on the left, Tennessee Titans Stadium in the distance

Before I found a parking place, Deb called and told me to pick her up as the Dolly Parton exhibit had been removed.

After picking Deb up, it was off to the hotel. Grand Ole Opry tonight, with dinner at Salt Grass first.

We have been to the Grand Old Opry several times over the years. The last time we were there, about three years ago, we found that Uber was the easiest way to get to and from without having to deal with crowds and parking. So, Uber again.

Salt Grass Restaurant is directly across the street from the OPRY. Convenient to have dinner then cross the street. 

Grand Old Opry

 

Can't Miss the sign

This is the 100 year anniversary of the Opry

Plaza in front of the Opry

One of the things we have found about the Opry is that you don't know whom will be performing. We purchase the tickets back in April and there were no listing of the groups that would preform. There are normally about eight different performances with each group performing two to three songs. There is always a headliner. The night we were there it was Kathy Mattea. The overall show was good and we enjoyed ourselves. Getting the Uber to the correct location to take us back to the hotel did prove to be a challenge.

Day 33 - October 10, 2026

Headed to Little Rock, AR on the home stretch. Hurricane Isaias provided an ample amount of rain that lasted from Nashville to almost Jackson, TN before it stopped. Traffic did not slow for the rain, though it was obvious that hydroplaning was a distinct possibility. Truck traffic was heavy all the way to Little Rock. 

Dinner was at the Lost Forty Brewery and Barbeque.

The service was great, the staff friendly, but the food was a little lacking. Both the Brisket and the cornbread were dry.  The beer, 2nd Rodeo Light was good, but served warmer than I like. Debbie ordered a salad, and when it came, with the dressing on it, there was water in the bottom of the bowl. Debbie mentioned it to the waitress who took it back to the kitchen and the Chef came out. He apologized for the salad, stated that he was embarrassed that it had left the kitchen. They made Debbie a new salad - with out charge.

Had good conversation with some other folks from Texas that were dining there.

Day 34 - October 11, 2026

Today it is off to Oklahoma City. Another long driving day. Pretty uneventful drive, once we maneuvered out of Little Rock. We arrived at the hotel at about 2:45p after the 319 mile drive.  The wind was blowing and the dust was filling the air.

Dinner was at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill.

The motif is all Toby Keith country. A lot of photos and memorabilia. The limited menu includes salads, appetizers, sandwiches and some plated meals. I had he Brisket with barbeque baked beans, which included large chunks of brisket, and it was excellent. Deb had a grilled chicken salad and enjoyed it. Service was great and the staff friendly. If we make it to Oklahoma City again, we will go back.

Day 35 - October 12, 2026 -32008  - FINAL - 32388   Total = 6,253

The final day. Oklahoma City to home in Lubbock. Winds were whipping across the plains and I was getting a sinus infection. West on I40 to Amarillo, with a stop at Buc-ee's to get chopped brisket sandwiches for dinner, then down I27 for about 120 miles. We got home tired at about 4p. A very enjoyable trip, a lot of memories filed away, a lot of Dash Cam video and photographs. But, Home Sweet Home.

Maine Trip 2026 - Part Eight - Burlington, MA to Knoxville, TN

 Day 27 -  October 4, 2026

This morning after breakfast at the hotel, not a good buffet, it was off to Suffren NY. This drive took us south through Massachusetts, into Connecticut for a short period, then into New York. We were able to enjoy some fall colors on the way.

DashCam Snap

Our stay was booked at a Crowne Plaza hotel with a restaurant. Time to watch some football.

Day 28 - October 5, 2026

After a great breakfast buffet at the hotel, which included made to order omelets, we fueled the car and we're off.

Our next destination on the return is Winchester, VA. Today's drive took us from New York, through a portion of New Jersey and Maryland, before sending us into West Virginia and finally our destination Virginia State. Passing the more open country side of farms and pastures.

About 250 miles but lots of congestion and slow speed limits made for a long day. Arriving at the hotel, we saw a Mexican restaurant across the parking lot and decided to try that for dinner.  Altos De Jalisco appears to be a family run Mexican restaurant.

The food was good, the service was great. Interestingly, on the wall above our table was a mural depicting Day-of-the-Dead figures.

It was very well painted and presented. What made it even more interesting to us, was the artist signed it “May York” and listed a 509 area code phone number.

To Deb & I this meant at one time the artist was in eastern Washington State. Asking one of the employees, he told us a man had come from quite a distance to paint two murals for the restaurant, but that was all that he knew.

Back wall - same artist

Day 29 - October 6, 2026

Staying in Virginia all of our travels today. We travelled from Winchester to Wyethville, VA. Along the way we saw signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway. We did not take that route (I did not know which way it ran). Though we did not take it, we saw a lot of changing fall colors, but not as plentiful or vibrant as what we had seen in Maine. Lots of farms and pastures and crops and cattle in the field.

After checking into the hotel, Google directed us to the Seven Dogs Brew Pub. Nice atmosphere, good food and nice staff.

Day 30 - October 7, 2026. _30735

Today we were off to Knoxville, TN. After a short drive through Virginia, we dropped into eastern Tennessee. On I40 it was west into Knoxville. 

Once checked in at the hotel, we did some laundry and then picked up a prescription at CVS. Dinner was at Texas Roadhouse.

Day 31 - October 8, 2026

The Great Smoky Mountains today. The last time we had been through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and thee Great Smoky Mountains was in 2003. Boy how things have changed. It used to be a two lane road in each direction, reducing to one lane in each direction through the towns. Now it is three lanes both directions most of the way, reducing to two lanes each way through the towns. It also seems like one continuous development of hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions, from Sevierville to Gatlinburg. It took more than 20 minutes to get through Gatlinburg in stop and go traffic.

DashCam - Gatlinburg #1

DashCam - Gatlinburg #2

DashCam - Gatlinburg #3

DashCam Gatlinburg #4

Once through Gatlinburg, the road drops to one lane in each direction across the mountains. This part of the drive was busy as it was before.

DashCam - Newfound Gap Road - aka US441

DashCam - Newfound Gap Road

DashCam - Newfound Gap Road - Mtn Views

DashCam - Newfound Gap Road - Mtn Views

Cherokee, NC was not the small roadside convenience store it was in 2003. Now it is a tourist mecca with fuel stations, restaurants and hotels.

DashCam - Cherokee, NC #1

DashCam - Cherokee, NC #2

 

DashCam - Cherokee, NC #3

23 years really does make a big difference. 

On the way back, we took the by-pass around Gatlinburg and that was very nice. We also found a Bass Pro Shop in Kodak, TN. We spent some time browsing and making a purchase or two.

Dinner tonight was at Shagbark Barbeque Company. An order at the counter restaurant. Located across the parking lot from the hotel, we smelled the wood smoke and the smell of smoking meat. I had the Brisket Plate with the half a pound of Brisket, pasta salad and coleslaw. Deb had a smoked turkey sandwich with coleslaw. The food was delicious, the service excellent and the employees friendly. They have been in business a year and only have the one location.  Dessert was smoked peach cobbler which was also excellent.

Maine Trip 2026 - Part Seven - Manchester to Burlington, MA/Boston

 Day 24 - October 1, 2026 Mileage; 29728

On the road to our next destination, I mentioned that I had seen Maine Maple Syrup bottled with the Kennebec Cabin Construction logo. That was all it took, and we took the Manchester exit and stopped again at the Kennebec Cabin Construction Company, the Gift Shop and The Wood Shed. As we were checking out with our purchases, the clerk mention that some of the company members (Maine Cabin Masters show regulars) were on site today. They told us to go “out back” which meant the area of The Woodshed’s outdoor venue. We walked back there and saw Jedi, one of the long-time construction crew members, talking to another couple. We walked up and Jedi and the couple were discussing the workshop (a vacant lumberyard that they purchased and turned into a large scale woodshop) and the Waters Run Inn located on State 135. We joined the conversation, and when the other couple bid farewell we had Jedi’s full attention. 

Jedi and Debbie - Woodshed outside venue

I join them for a Photo Op

Jedi turned out to be very personable. Asked where we were from and answered questions about their construction techniques and the show. I asked about the use of white pine, which he stated was readily available. He stated that they seldom used sheet goods as the cabins they worked on were built many years ago, without the use of squares or levels. The 1x white pine allowed them to work easily in areas the were not plumb or square. We had our photo taken with him, then said our farewells as others were waiting to talk with him. We got in the car to leave, Deb dejected because none of the other members were there. As she was backing out she stopped and said “Ashley is here, that is her car.” Back into the parking spot. We walked back toward The Woodshed Restaurant when Ashley came out of the Restaurant. I said “Hi Ashley, my wife would like to meet you.” She said wait right there, I have to move my car. I get in trouble if I leave it here (in a no parking area) I’ll be right back.

Ashley is co-owner of the company and the design/staging creative person on the construction crew. She is also a talented artist, and the Gift Shop carries a lot of her art and designs. True to her word she came right back, taking an apparently business phone call on the way. By that time others had spotted her and the line grew quickly. She asked where everyone was from and where they were headed, She orchestrated the photo taking session, choosing the location, and moving it so that people would get better light for the photographs. A very personable lady. Not too much small talk due to the number of people crowding around her.

Deb, Ashley and I

Other visitors getting their photo taken with Ashley

We got ready to leave when Deb said that she heard that Chase, Ashley’s Brother, was on his way to the location. We decided to give it 20 minutes, then we would be off. I went to the restroom and when I came back, Deb was ecstatic. She stated that she had met Chase and she had her picture taken with him.

Chase & Debbie

This trip to Maine is now a success as going to Kennebec Cabin Construction and meeting some of the people behind the Maine Cabin Masters Show had been realized. On to Burlington, MA.

More Fall colors

Fall colors along the road

Day 25 - October 2, 2026

The hotel we chose was located in Burlington, MA. This is a short (17 mile) drive into Boston. With traffic, the drive time varies from 30 to 45+ minutes. Parking in Boston can also be problematic. Public Parking ranges from $20 to $40 for the “day” and it is probably not near where you want to be. So, Uber to the rescue. We took Uber into downtown Boston - State and Atlantic Streets to catch the Old Town Trolley.

They divided the Trolley Tour into three separate sections, each color coded. We started at stop #1 on the Green Line.

Waiting for the Trolley

Long Line

Columbus Park and the skyline

The Tolley

This stop is at the Old Town Trolley Headquarters. We took the “hop on, hop off” tour that went through Boston’s North End, across the Inner Harbor to the berth of the USS Constitution.

USS Constitution - through the window andfence

It then crosses back over the Inner Harbor and goes through a portion of Beacon Hill, along the Boston Commons and around the Public Garden. At stop #7 we got off the Green line and got onto the Orange line that took us through the Back Bay area, through the main shopping plaza area which borders the South End.

At stop #7 was a statue of Edgar Allen Poe, along with a Raven.

Edgar Allen Poe with a Raven

The story goes that both Boston and Baltimore claimed to be the home of Edgar Allen Poe. Boston however, has proof that Edgar Allen Poe was born around Tremont & Avery Streets (IIRC). Baltimore named their Football team the Ravens in honor of Poe.

We then got back on the Green Line which took us through the Seaport District and back to stop #1.

Looking through the windshield of the Trolley at the State House

Boston Skyscrapers

Being a narrated tour, we learned of the history of these various areas. This included little factoids like the Back Bay, one of the most expensive areas of Boston, is built on fill. Back in the 1800’s, they tried to fill in some of the area, and found that the tide washed the fill material out to sea. They got smart, and built a dam across the open water, and then filled the space between the dam and the existing shoreline. This project took about 15 years. The mansions that were originally built on the Back Bay fill, were constructed on wooden piers driven into the fill. They were large buildings with thousand of square footage. The supporting piers began to rot away and had to be replaced over time at a large expense. Most of the old mansions have been converted to condominiums that go for millions. Another factoid was that the Battle of Bunker Hill was not fought on Bunker Hill. It was fought on Breed’s Hill in Charleston (now a subdivision of Boston). The Bunker Hill Battle Memorial is located on Breed’s Hill.  We even went down Boylston St. Those that read Robert B Parker's "Spenser" series will recognize that street name.

Taking photos from a Trolley is difficult at best. Especially when it is fully loaded like these were.

Deb and I relaxed while an Uber took us back to the hotel through heavy stop and go traffic.

Dinner tonight was at Yard Haus (House) not far from the hotel. A very good dinner.

Day 26 - October 3, 2026. 29974

Started the day with breakfast at First Watch Restaurant. This is a chain we first found in Louisville, KY.

After a great breakfast it was off to the Winn Street Laundry to take care of laundry. This turned out to be a cramped, expensive business. Then back to the hotel to watch baseball. Dinner was at Yard House Restaurant.