Blue Ridge Country March/April 2021 - 58

30-million-year-old rock formations, streams
and the tallest underground waterfall (210
feet) in the eastern United States. YR
(tuckaleecheecaverns.com)

sunfish, muskie and more species, fish
these waters from the bank, pier, dock,
kayak, boat or enroll in a tournament. YR
(roanetourism.com/get-outdoors/float-in-roane)

;  Ijams Nature Center. (Knoxville, TN).
Explore the crown jewel of the city's Urban
Wilderness via hikes, paddling in Mead's
Lake Quarry, mountain biking, rock climbing
and nature viewing. Learn about local flora
and fauna, connect with nature and stop
by the visitor's center at this 315-acre
protected land area. YR (ijams.org)

;  The Lost Sea. (Sweetwater, TN). Take
a unique glass-bottomed boat ride on
America's largest underground lake in an
extensive and ancient cave system known
as Craighead Caverns (the dimensions of
which have still not been mapped). Learn
about prehistoric and human history
including a discovery of a giant Pleistocene
jaguar, artifacts from a First Nation council
room, Civil War events, moonshining and a
dance floor. YR (thelostsea.com)

;  Historic Rugby. (Rugby, TN). Begin a
journey back in time at the Visitor Centre
and Theatre with an award-winning film
followed by a guided walking tour. Learn how
this remote location was a center of learning
and enterprise in the late 19th Century,
including a stop to see skilled craftspeople
creating in the historic print shop. YR
(historicrugby.org)
;  " Million Dollar Dike. " (Dandridge, TN).
Stand on the engineering project that saved
a town from flooding and helped power the
" Manhattan Project " for World War II. This
1,000-foot-long earthen dam is 50 feet high
and cost the TVA an estimated one million
dollars to build. It offers views of the town,
Douglas Lake and the mountains from the
parking lot on top. YR (dandridgetn.gov/planyour-visit/history)
;  Fishing at Watts Bar Lake. (Roane
County, TN). Easily accessed from many spots
around the county, this 39,000-acre lake is
known for world-record catfish and crappie.
With largemouth, spotted and striped bass,
Take a public tour of historic Brushy
Mountain State Penitentiary.
PHOTO COURTESY BY JAMES DUKE

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;  Historic Homes of Knoxville Tour.
(Knoxville, TN). Step into the past with guided
tours of seven historic homes that reflect
the evolution of this location from " rough
frontier town to a grand state capital to
the attractive city of today. " Included are
stops and presentations at Blount Mansion,
Crescent Bend, James White Fort (be sure
to ask why the bottom of the legs on antique
pie safes are dark!), Mabry-Hazen, Marble
Springs, Ramsey House and Westwood. YR
(hhknoxville.org)
;  Cove Lake State Park. (Campbell County,
TN). Find easy access across this 606-acre
state park at the edge of the Cumberland
Plateau. A 3.8-mile paved trail, along with an
11-mile through section of the Cumberland
Trail, winds in and around the park. There
are 106 campsites (grills and picnic tables
included) as well as pavilions for family fun
and special events. YR (tnstateparks.com/
parks/info/cove-lake)
;  Andrew Johnson National Historic
Site - Tailor Shop. (Rutledge, TN). Visit this
site to learn about the early
life of this President. View
some of his original tailor
equipment and other period
pieces, and hear about
his life and history in this
county. The exhibit is small
and worthy of a quick stop
in your travels. Add a further
tour of the visitor center,
early home and homestead
in the neighboring town
of Greeneville. YR (8095
Rutledge Pike, 37861)

EAT (& DRINK)
;  The Carmichael Inn. (Loudon, TN). Dine
in the 1821 home that served as a stop on
the stagecoach and railroad lines of the
past. Southern comfort food on the menu
includes fried catfish, shrimp and grits,
Grandma's meatloaf and some of the best
steaks in the area. YR (visitloudoncounty.com/
carmichael-inn)
;  RM Brooks General Store. (Rugby, TN).
In continuous operation since 1917, this
" little piece of history " general merchandise
store wins " THE Best Fried Bologna
Sandwich " in the state award. Grab some rat
trap cheese, homemade desserts, and an
RC and a MoonPie™ (also begun in 1917);
and stay at the campground out back.
There's also an old wood stove for sittin'
around. YR (rmbrooksstore.com)
;  Tsali Notch Vineyard. (Monroe County,
TN). For a native fruit wine experience, visit
here to taste the magic of the muscadine.
Called " America's wild grape™, " it
is indigenous to (and familiar in) the
southeastern region of the country and is an
antioxidant super-food. This vineyard has
6,000 vines growing on 21 miles of trellises
over 35 acres. Visitors can even pick their
own during fall harvest. YR (tsalinotch.com)
;  Starry Nightcap Tavern & Creekside
Grill. (Deer Lodge, TN). Have delicious meals,
listen to music and relax beside the creek
in this unique eatery nestled in the woods.
Summer activities, a rental cabin, fire
pits and warm weather fun make arriving
" guests " depart as friends. YR (5455
Nashville Hwy. 37726)
;  Little River BBQ. (Townsend, TN). For
genuine, old-fashioned barbeque, have
a meal at this restaurant. The smoker
is always going; and the food is always
delicious. Located right on the river, you can
sit in the screen porch dining area to enjoy
the view with your meal of BBQ sandwiches,
beef brisket or pork ribs - and be sure to try
the fried dill pickles. YR (smokymountains.
org/vendor/694/little-river-bbq)
;  Knox Brew Tours. (Knoxville, TN). Take a
behind-the-scenes tour of a variety of local
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Blue Ridge Country March/April 2021

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