March 29 - April 1, Memphis and Camping near Nashville
By Brian Gilbar
We both woke up on Sunday a bit congested (I suspect from the casino air) and it's also spring allergy time so we took a bit of time getting up. We did one load of laundry while getting ready to head out. We stopped at Zaxby's (chicken place) in Collierville for breakfast/lunch before a hike. I had never been to one before. The chicken was delicious but everything was quite salty. Probably good before a long hike to have extra salt in our bodies!
We then headed to do a 7 mile hike at Herb Parsons Lake. The trail goes around the lake. It was quite chilly at first, about 49 degrees and quite windy. We had decided to wear shorts as it was supposed to get up to 68 degrees today. It did warm up eventually. The trail was beautiful and we didn't see too many people, although there was a mix of hikers, bikers and runners. Chris had been on this trail before when he lived in Memphis, probably 7 or 8 years ago, so it was fun to do the trail with him again.
With allergies in full swing, we headed back to the hotel for a rest before heading to Memphis for dinner and drinks! We ate at Central BBQ in Memphis. This lace is quite popular as it was when Chris was here 7+ years ago. You stand in line outside and then a little bit inside before you can order. Once you have your receipt you can sit down and they bring your food to you. I had a pulled pork sandwich and peanut butter pie. The pulled pork was tender and delicious and the peanut butter pie was amazing...it tasted like fudge only not as heavy.
We then went to a bar that Chris used to go to called The Pumping Station. It was good sized but very discreet. You couldn't tell it was there from the front. It was fairly active for a Sunday evening I suppose. There was a group of really loud people in the back, and the smoking section of the bar was tough with allergies, so we didn't really stay too long. But it was a fun experience. In the back patio there was a heat lamp and when you sat back there and looked up there was a really cool (and sorta creepy) tree.
Unfortunately for me it was a rough night with little sleep as my allergies were really bad, but they were somewhat better by morning and after re-sorting the car we headed out.
Our first stop today (Monday) was Johnsonville State Park where we hiked the Johnsonville Historical Trail at Johnsonville State Park. It was supposed to be an 8 mile well blazed trail, but when we got going we found it to be quite confusing. It was frustrating, but there were some pleasant parts, including the view of the lake and the quiet in the trees with just some birds talking. We ended up hiking 4 miles total. There was also this very unique station with a hand crank that when you cranked it, it would play audio recordings of information about the history of the area. You can see the picture of Chris cranking it below.
After the hike we headed to Montgomery Bell State Park to camp for the next two nights and to do some hiking. After an easy camp set-up we had dinner (Chris made an amazing steak) and then early bedtime.
Tuesday morning was rough as neither of us slept well between allergies and our tent having to be set up on a slant. It was actually kind of funny that throughout the night we slid closer and closer to the door of the tent. But regardless, we headed out for what turned out to be a very busy day. We first did a 3 mile hike starting at the campsite. It used to be a longer trail so we thought it was 5+ miles but it was beautiful and a nice leg stretcher. We started out on the Wildcat Trail and ended up on the Ore Pit Trail. Chris said that the history of that trail was that many years ago whoever lived there had dug these huge pits but we aren't sure why. We passed by many of these pits on the trail. We also saw an old Church and a log cabin that were connected to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. One of the pictures below has more information about the log cabin.
From there we went on a drive up through Kentucky (my first time there) and drive back down to Tennessee through the Land Between The Lakes. It was a fun adventure. We first stopped in Hazel, KY at a small store owned by an older man who had lived there his entire life. He was really nice to talk to and shared some history of the town. We then went to an Elk and Bison Preserve which was amazing! Then down between the lakes and back into Tennessee.
After several failed attempts at finding a bowling alley (one closed during their open hours, one full with leagues) we happened upon a great, very red neck bowling alley that was small with old equipment, but it worked well. It was called Bowl-O-rena. The people were nice and the beer was cold and delicious, and we were briefly protected from allergens so had an allergy break. And...the best news of all...I had only my third turkey ever, and my highest bowling score of 170. Of course I took pictures for proof.
After bowling we were both a bit spent so we ate at Applebees and then headed home to sleep. We both slept better, although sleep was not excellent for me but better at least. Wednesday morning we decided to do one last hike that starts at the camp, Montgomery Bell. It was a beautiful, grueling 10.5 miles. We were both done with it for the last mile or so, but it was good exercise. Chris then made a delicious lunch of chicken and melted cheese in grilled torillas, we packed up the car, and headed to Nashville, TN.
We both woke up on Sunday a bit congested (I suspect from the casino air) and it's also spring allergy time so we took a bit of time getting up. We did one load of laundry while getting ready to head out. We stopped at Zaxby's (chicken place) in Collierville for breakfast/lunch before a hike. I had never been to one before. The chicken was delicious but everything was quite salty. Probably good before a long hike to have extra salt in our bodies!
We then headed to do a 7 mile hike at Herb Parsons Lake. The trail goes around the lake. It was quite chilly at first, about 49 degrees and quite windy. We had decided to wear shorts as it was supposed to get up to 68 degrees today. It did warm up eventually. The trail was beautiful and we didn't see too many people, although there was a mix of hikers, bikers and runners. Chris had been on this trail before when he lived in Memphis, probably 7 or 8 years ago, so it was fun to do the trail with him again.
With allergies in full swing, we headed back to the hotel for a rest before heading to Memphis for dinner and drinks! We ate at Central BBQ in Memphis. This lace is quite popular as it was when Chris was here 7+ years ago. You stand in line outside and then a little bit inside before you can order. Once you have your receipt you can sit down and they bring your food to you. I had a pulled pork sandwich and peanut butter pie. The pulled pork was tender and delicious and the peanut butter pie was amazing...it tasted like fudge only not as heavy.
We then went to a bar that Chris used to go to called The Pumping Station. It was good sized but very discreet. You couldn't tell it was there from the front. It was fairly active for a Sunday evening I suppose. There was a group of really loud people in the back, and the smoking section of the bar was tough with allergies, so we didn't really stay too long. But it was a fun experience. In the back patio there was a heat lamp and when you sat back there and looked up there was a really cool (and sorta creepy) tree.
Unfortunately for me it was a rough night with little sleep as my allergies were really bad, but they were somewhat better by morning and after re-sorting the car we headed out.
Our first stop today (Monday) was Johnsonville State Park where we hiked the Johnsonville Historical Trail at Johnsonville State Park. It was supposed to be an 8 mile well blazed trail, but when we got going we found it to be quite confusing. It was frustrating, but there were some pleasant parts, including the view of the lake and the quiet in the trees with just some birds talking. We ended up hiking 4 miles total. There was also this very unique station with a hand crank that when you cranked it, it would play audio recordings of information about the history of the area. You can see the picture of Chris cranking it below.
After the hike we headed to Montgomery Bell State Park to camp for the next two nights and to do some hiking. After an easy camp set-up we had dinner (Chris made an amazing steak) and then early bedtime.
Tuesday morning was rough as neither of us slept well between allergies and our tent having to be set up on a slant. It was actually kind of funny that throughout the night we slid closer and closer to the door of the tent. But regardless, we headed out for what turned out to be a very busy day. We first did a 3 mile hike starting at the campsite. It used to be a longer trail so we thought it was 5+ miles but it was beautiful and a nice leg stretcher. We started out on the Wildcat Trail and ended up on the Ore Pit Trail. Chris said that the history of that trail was that many years ago whoever lived there had dug these huge pits but we aren't sure why. We passed by many of these pits on the trail. We also saw an old Church and a log cabin that were connected to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. One of the pictures below has more information about the log cabin.
From there we went on a drive up through Kentucky (my first time there) and drive back down to Tennessee through the Land Between The Lakes. It was a fun adventure. We first stopped in Hazel, KY at a small store owned by an older man who had lived there his entire life. He was really nice to talk to and shared some history of the town. We then went to an Elk and Bison Preserve which was amazing! Then down between the lakes and back into Tennessee.
After several failed attempts at finding a bowling alley (one closed during their open hours, one full with leagues) we happened upon a great, very red neck bowling alley that was small with old equipment, but it worked well. It was called Bowl-O-rena. The people were nice and the beer was cold and delicious, and we were briefly protected from allergens so had an allergy break. And...the best news of all...I had only my third turkey ever, and my highest bowling score of 170. Of course I took pictures for proof.
After bowling we were both a bit spent so we ate at Applebees and then headed home to sleep. We both slept better, although sleep was not excellent for me but better at least. Wednesday morning we decided to do one last hike that starts at the camp, Montgomery Bell. It was a beautiful, grueling 10.5 miles. We were both done with it for the last mile or so, but it was good exercise. Chris then made a delicious lunch of chicken and melted cheese in grilled torillas, we packed up the car, and headed to Nashville, TN.
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