Those of you who have been following thervdreamlife.com may have noticed that I haven’t shared anything in quite a while – in the form of a blog post anyway. We have settled into our South Carolina life and have certainly cut down on our travel. Last week, however, that changed as we ventured to Lynchburg, Tennessee, the home of Jack Daniels!
Having done the Kentucky Bourbon Trail several years ago, we often talked about visiting the Jack Daniels Distillery. Well, we did just that and spent three days in the little town of Lynchburg. Our plan was to travel on Sunday, July 2 and arrive in the area on Monday in order to make our 2:00 tee time at Bear Trace Golf Club. Well, you know what they say about the best laid plans…sometime in the late afternoon, the infamous “check engine” light came on in the car and it did not go off. We found a car dealer Chattanooga, TN, early Monday morning and nine hours later and $800 poorer, we were back on the road! Needless to say our golf clubs took the ride for naught!
Arriving at our Airbnb, we instantly found ourselves stepping out of our present lives and into a rural, peaceful experience. We spent two nights with no television and no internet in an old popcorn silo that had been moved from Kentucky and converted into a quaint country cottage with a John Wayne theme! Its name was the “Duke” and just look at the pictures! It was beautifully appointed with everything from swinging saloon-type doors into the bedroom to an authentic bathtub and hammock on the back porch!
The small town of Lynchburg is literally built around a square, which of course we had to explore. It is filled with stores – lots with a Jack Daniels souvenir theme – and various restaurants, coffee shop and ice cream parlor. The original hardware store is now run by the Distillery and sells everything and anything you might think of related to Jack Daniels!
Since we arrived in town in the late afternoon, all of the restaurants were closed so we drove to Tims Ford State Park, in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and on the lake we discovered The Blue Gill Grill – say that three times fast! Now, Bill and I are beach people as you know, but we got a good taste of “lake life” as families docked their pontoon boats and took advantage of this delicious lakeside eatery!
Tuesday morning – July 4th – we had breakfast at the local coffee shop and took in the Independence Day sights! We couldn’t help but notice a very long line of people waiting to get up to where the local fire department was grilling, so we automatically thought it was burgers, hot dogs or ribs, but come to find out that it was corn! Ears of corn still in the husks were wrapped in foil and put on the grill. They were then stripped – leaving the end on for ease in holding – and then doused with melted butter and salt and pepper! Of course we had to try an ear, which was amazing, and there was no set cost – only donations. We watched as people opened bags and received up to a dozen ears, and the event was going to go on until all the corn was gone! A young girl working in one of the stores shared, “I live for this day every year! There’s nothing better!”
After our mid-day corn, it was almost time for our scheduled tour of the Jack Daniels distillery. Since we had some time, we went in search of Jack’s grave which we found right up in the town cemetery. You could even sit a spell and chat with him if you’d like!
Now, back to the tour! Our guide was tremendous and has been giving tours for almost 30 years. Justin or “Juice” as he is known around the distillery, was funny and extremely informative. On Stop 2 of the tour we received our slushes – I had Jack and lemonade while Bill chose Jack and Coke! Then for the next hour or so we witnessed all facets of the distillery process from charcoal mellowing to the iron-free water used to make the whiskey; and did you know that on the first Friday of every month, every employee receives a bottle of Jack Daniels with their paycheck! One can only imagine that the absentee rate on those days is extremely low!
Interesting to note – Jack Daniels never married but was quite the lady’s man and his distillery is located in Moore County, Tennessee – a dry county! Hmmm…I guess somehow they circumvent that law as guests are permitted to purchase bottles but can only taste a total of one ounce! The tasting was also very informative as “Juice” guided us through the proper way to taste whiskey. “Slide the entire taste in your mouth. Hold it there and look down. Put your tongue into the whiskey with your head down then slowly lift your head and let the nectar of the gods roll down your throat!” And I bet you didn’t know that Jack Daniels No. 7 won the gold medal for “Best Whiskey” at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis!
Our Airbnb host recommended another restaurant on the other side of Tims Ford Lake, so we had an early dinner at Drafts and Water Crafts. Once again, the marina was overflowing with boating families and the restaurant was completely booked for the Independence Day’s festivities and fireworks. We were, however, able to sit on the deck and enjoy a cocktail or two and a pizza. Now let’s talk about “firsts!” We enjoyed a bacon and pickle pizza which was actually very good…first time for everything!
On Wednesday, before heading to Gatlinburg – next post! – we experienced another taste of history – Miss Mary Bobo’s Restaurant. The beautiful building was originally a boardinghouse run by Mary Bobo in the early 1900’s and is now a Lynchburg tradition boasting the best Southern food imaginable – and or course laced with none other than Jack’s whiskey. Twelve of us sat around a huge round table in one of the many dining rooms that held the largest Lazy Susan I have ever seen, while our host, Randy, filled us with local history and slowly rotated the Lazy Susan as we served ourselves the daily delicacies! The menu changes daily, but we enjoyed fried chicken, candied apples (Jack infused), fried okra, creamed corn, cornbread, summer squash casserole, baked beans, coleslaw, and pecan pie topped with Jack infused whip cream! Miss Mary Bobo lived just shy of her 102nd birthday, dying in 1983. Oh, did I mention that the restaurant is now owned by Jack Daniels and their employees also receive the first Friday bottle with their paycheck!
Our time in Lynchburg was magical, so after lunch we pointed the car in the direction of Gatlinburg, where we spent three days with my daughter, Kelsey, and her family…Stay tuned!
thervdreamlife 