Sunday, July 7, 2013

My kind of town...


We are planning a trip to this great city early this Fall. Mr. MW has been here a couple of times, but for Annie and I it will be a first. I love a big city and am starting to get excited about this adventure.

We will be driving...with a "lay-over" in Nashville. I have always wanted to visit Franklin, Tennessee so we will be stopping there on the way North.

I'd love to hear from you if you know of any great places to see along the way. Shops...antique malls...historical homes. Any info about this area would be greatly appreciated. We might vary our route on the way home so we can see more sites.

Many years ago, on a trip to Cincinnati, we made stops at the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill and the Smokey Mountains National Park. We like to see our National Parks and always make a point to visit if we are close to one.

Any info...ideas...recommendations? 

Hope you all enjoyed the holiday. Mr. MW had a great race through the dunes and on the beach of Honeymoon Island. The course is lit by luminaries...a 10k...6.2 miles which he considers a "short run". The rains stopped just in time and the bugs were scarce, luckily.

Thank you for the lovely comments about our candle lit living room. We love our little home. It's our "starter house"...but after twenty four years I am fairly certain we will be finish here as well. Wouldn't want it any other way.

Enjoy the day,
Robyn




11 comments:

  1. A neat little town for antiquing close to Knoxville Tn is Clinton,Tn it is my all time favorite especially the Corner Market antiques. You can check the town out on the internet it is known for their antique shops. Of course you can never go wrong with the Smokey Mts especially Cades Cove. We make a trip to the mts in the spring for the wild flowers and the fall for the colors. God dips His paint brush and paints the hillsides in an array of yellows,reds and oranges it is breath taking!
    I hope you njoy your trp the planning is part of the excitement.!

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  2. Sorry I can't give you any pointers for your next trip but I'm sure that you'll all have a great time. I'm looking forward to some pictures and highlights of your trip.
    Enjoy your summer and stay safe.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  3. Ah that's so great about Mr. MW's run! My DD has started running and has done 5k races, but not 10k. Your hubby is pretty amazing! Chicago is a place I've flown through but never actually visited. Very sad. I'm not sure what route you will take to get there. And it's been years since I've been in that area too. I hope you find great places to stop!

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  4. Hi Robin, what fun that will be, always enjoy a holiday.....sorry, no help from me, Blessings Francine.

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  5. Hi Robin,

    The Museum of Appalachia is in Norris, Tn. (20 miles N. of Knoxville). Please check it out if you are going that way. Well worth it. I believe it is not far from Clinton, which Glenda mentioned for antiques. 3 Sisters Antiques is in a mall there. Of course there is a lot to do in Nashville (historical homes, Belle Meade Plantation, The Hermitage-the home of Andrew Jackson). Tennessee is a beautiful state. Also mentioned are the Great Smokey Mountains. Just beautiful. Let us know where your travels take you.
    Sheri

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  6. Sounds like fun, would love to see Tennessee!

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  7. ooh Chicago. I haven't been there but it is on my list. I tend to spend time looking at trip advisor on line for recommendations on attractions and restaurants. they are reviewed by travelers and provide links to the websites. I have been very happy with the info. It is also great to use on your smartphone. The near me now option makes it easy to find your next stop on a trip.
    Have a great week!

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  8. Love how you ended this post.
    We have been happily content in our humble "starter" home also. After 27 years, we also feel certain "there is no place like home".
    (Not to mention - there are so many other great things to do in life, other than move !!). ;)
    Rose

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  9. Hi Robyn,
    We are also in our "starter home" after 19 years. Since it still works for us, we just never moved on :) I can't help with your travel to Chicago, but since I have been commuting downtown daily for 25+ years, I would love to share some of my sweet home Chicago favs :) Favorite Chicago style deep dish pizza - Lou Malnatis and Bella Bacinos. If you have your heart set on the original Pizzeria Uno's go to Pizzeria Due's across the street - exactly the same with a shorter wait. Chicago style hot dog - Superdawg still in the city, but about 10 miles from downtown - published in "1000 Things to see before you die" this is an original drive in complete with carhops and trays on your car windows. The 12 foot hotdog people are a hoot. P.O.S.H. is the best shop to visit along with Macy's on State Street (formerly Marshall Field's) with a huge Tiffany glass dome ceiling. Lincoln Park Zoo is the last free zoo in the country and is right on the lakefront-beautiful. And if you don't have enough time for a river/lake front boat tour, hop on the Chicago Water Taxi for a $3 12 minute ride, but do it round trip from the Wrigley Building as the Madison Ave stop has a very steep two story cement staircase. Hope you love Chicago as much as I do! Feel free to email me with any questions!
    Blessings, Patti

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  10. Robyn,
    Okay, I give up trying to pinpoint where you live. I grew up 5 minutes from Honeymoon Island (back then the traffic was very light). My parents still live in the same house off Michigan Blvd. If I make it down, how hard would it be to get together?

    trisha

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  11. Robyn,

    If you can swing a trip to the Museum of the Appalachia you won't regret it. It's just north of Knoxville. Might want to check to make sure they are open when you will be there first. We are so lucky to live 3 hours from Chicago. (Not sure I feel that way when we are only driving through on our way to Wisconsin and get stuck in traffic!) Our kids love the Field Museum - home of SUE the T-Rex. All the museums are fun and Shopping on the Mile - what can be better. Steak houses -YUM, our favorite is Ruth's Chris. If you are looking for a quick lunch - the basement of Water Tower Place there is an eating area where you get a "credit card" and you can visit any of the stands set up, they put your food bill on your card and when you are done, you pay the cashier the total you built up on your card. There is a Mexican stand that makes the BEST chicken tacos. I'm so sorry I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it's downstairs in Water Tower Place - lots of good shopping there too. Have fun! ~Ann

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