And Willie Said: A 'Different' Kind of Restaurant in Tennessee

Day 62 - Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Jackson TN

According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the state of Tennessee is considered a to be a southern state, or said another way - it is in the South. So I am not surprised to see a Moon Pie when we get to our destination this afternoon in Jackson, Tennessee.

Meanwhile, back to our leaving Heiskell:

While it is still hot down in the Houston area, this morning it is 59 degrees and cloudy when we leave Eastern Tennessee and head west toward Jackson. It is so refreshing to travel up and down the hills in the Great Appalachian Valley. The hills are so high and the valleys are so low that the road ahead just seems to disappear.

Our route turns a bit to the south and through Knoxville and Nashville. Some of the hills take us down a 5% grade, but in the flat land cities we encounter the morning rush hour and traffic backing up.

One impressive site to me is the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant, also known as the Clinch River Power Plant. The Clinch River is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, but we have no desire to stop and fish. Maybe we will opt for a trout dinner tonight.

My map shows me that the Clinch River flows on to join the Tennessee River, and we cross the Kentucky Lake on the latter river.

Our reason for leaving so early in the morning was to arrive to the Cracker Barrel Restaurant shortly after noon because their complimentary parking lot is first come first served. We arrive at 2 pm and are lucky enough to find a convenient spot with ample room for the Jeep to park in front of our motorhome, 'Sweet Georgia Brown.'

We plan to patronize the restaurant in return for our free parking, and head inside to make our reservation for dinner. If you have never been to a Cracker Barrel restaurant, you need to take a look. Their store is 'something else!' So many things to buy - including trinkets, souvenirs, snacks, clothing, and many emotional purchases that you may later find you have no use for.

Finding the Moon Pie takes me back to my childhood, but I do find a suitable gift for Marty Waldie - an angel figurine.

Later in the evening we are seated for dinner and find a Tricky Triangle Peg Game on the table to amuse ourselves as our meal is being prepared.