Miles Ahead of Us

On to the Volunteer State

Three Stops Planned

The RVParky and RVTripWizard itineraries we created include 3 stops in Tennessee: Selmer, Hampshire, and Monterey!

On our way to Selmer we passed a Buc-ee's Travel Center. Although we didn't stop in the RV, we had visited the day before to check out the route. Pilots, Loves, Flying J, and TA are more for trucks. Buc-ee's are for RVers and those who travel by car. If one is planned for your part of the world, be ready for traffic, looky-loos, and shoppers.

Buc-ee's on the Beach Express

Flamingos, Salt crocks, Bathing suits, Smokers, Jerky, Birthday cards, T-shirts, Turkey calls ......

Sugared Nuts, Dippin Dots, and Fudge

Texas Roundup Barbeque sold as fast as they're made

Three rows of pumps with cars waiting in line

Selmer, TN

Selmer, TN is home base for two great friends we met in Tavares, FL at Fisherman's Cove RV Park. Sam and Clara McCuller have called the Selmer area home for all their lives. Sam has always lived in Selmer, Clara lived with her grandparents in a house directly behind the Post Office in the adjoining town. Her first work for the US Postal service began in that very small building. 

As retired Postmasters from the USPS, they know every nook and cranny of every back road. It was wonderful to see the roads they traveled in the years before we met. One trip took us to Corinth, MS, 18 miles south of Selmer. Corinth is another example of small town America reinventing itself, in many instances returning to small shops on Main St. We ate lunch at Borroum's Drug Store where the meals would be familiar to anyone back in the 1940's and 50's. Great burgers and milkshakes, individually made and served when ordered.

With our hosts, we visited Century Farm Winery, a dry camp Harvest Host and creators of wonderful wines. As further evidence of small town America being vibrant and welcoming, the winery owner, Bart, spoke with Clara's brother-in-law while we tasted. Concerts throughout the summer attract many folks and Clara and Sam's relatives among them.

Not to forget whisky, we stopped at Samuel T. Bryant Distillery, a dry camp Harvest Host, too!

Hampshire, TN

A short drive to Hampshire, TN brought us to Amber Falls Winery our second Harvest Host site. We set up the RV for a dry camping night, no water, electricity, or sewer. We don't dry camp too often. We chose this spot because we wanted to visit a friend whose husband worked with Ray, and we wanted to visit the Hohenwald, TN Elephant Sanctuary.

The Elephant Sanctuary is a non-profit organization licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Founded in 1995, The Sanctuary has provided a home to 28 elephants, all retired from zoos and circuses.

"Increasing public knowledge is key to creating a world where elephants no longer live under constant threat of poaching, habitat loss, conflict, or capture. The Elephant Discovery Center offers hands-on self-guided exhibits and educational programming that explores the many ways elephants shape our world. The habitats where the elephants live are closed to the public." The Elephant Discovery Center

Monterey TN

Belle Ridge RV park gave us 3 days of rest with a chance to get some things done in the RV. The park is well cared for and each site has a picnic table and a metal fire pit with a cooking grate. When a rig leaves, the park checks on the site and rakes the gravel smooth. 

We visited some farmers markets, and also our favorite tourist stop, Wally World, where we learned something new about chickens.

As expensive as chicken breasts