I have had various songs playing through my mind during this adventure...one is Willie Nelson's On the Road Again. A second is the Christmas song: Over the River and Through the Woods.(it is kind of like Christmas with all the shopping) A third is: Livin La Vida Loca by Ricky Martin...and the last is Feelin HOT HOT HOT (the Jamaican dance song) but much more a description of today as the sun was unyielding. We were beginning to feel like little wilted flowers by three this afternoon and I even had to admit that after three whole days of shopping , even we were happier in the air conditioned car than treasure hunting in the 103 degree heat.
The car was beginning to taunt us with the read out on the dash, but that may just have been us imagining it as the heat makes you feel a bit off after awhile.
However this did not defer us from following Michelle's well plotted plan of covering 83 miles to our next stop and finding unique things and memorable people along the way.
Some stand outs include: A couple Michelle met from New York that have been yard sailing this route for 15 years. They claim to have met others in route who traveled here from as far as Australia and Europe to partake.
Also, a nice woman named Rita George who has been married over 44 years at the young age of 61. She enjoyed telling me that she has 7 great grandchildren and that in her day in Tennessee she was considered old to have married at 17. When I told her some women in Chicago don't get married or have children until they are in their thirties and forties, she laughed and said that wasn't how things were in this area.
We had amazing ice cream that was churned by a horse on a treadmill like machine...see pictures...it was INCREDIBLE as was the fresh squeezed lemonade we enjoyed along the way. Dinner was Southern BBQ and although we felt a little scolded as we left plates a bit full due to over ordering,and the manager made a point to tell us that there were starving children in Ethiopia, we loved every bite we could fit.
After the BBQ, we made our way two block to the local watering hole for a quick cocktail. We sat down at the bar and started chatting with a nice man named Scott. In typical fashion we asked Scott many questions and found that he was fairly well traveled and although he loves exploring the world, would never move as he loves the people and the land itself. When prodded, he admitted that yes, he thought we had major accents and that in fact accents like ours are a bit annoying to locals here and in fact we sound a bit squeaky...HahHAHAHHAHa! We cracked up laughing.
Michelle and I told him that when we asked some people to take our pictures today they weren't entirely friendly, and then he gave us a knowing look....yes, it was the accents...lol....hahahhhaha.(We know it was just the heat, it couldn't possibly be us. :)
In the request of the day, I did ask a friendly looking woman to try on a necklace that I wanted to see on someone. She replied that I could just put it over my head. I explained there was no mirror, so she took it and while annoyed still put it over her head. I smiled and thanked her, pleased with my find. She proceeded to lift over her perfectly styled hair and it got stuck...YIKES!
After untangling, she handed over and I happily purchased for the full asking price from the amused vendor for $2.00. I guarantee that she does not forget to put a mirror out next year.
Special finds include: a magnetic kissing boy and girl bank, a vintage mini xylophone, antique glassware, an old antique rare group photo, a mini painted lady head, a tiny golden book from 1963, vintage sporting goods, an antique ice bucket, and so much more..
Well, off to bed as we have to rest for the big adventure ahead on our final scouting day and our stop in Beaver Lick, KY. Yes, you read that correctly.Til tomorrow our friends...
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday's Fantastic Finds Summary
Hello Friends! We have driven about 200 miles of the yard sale but the laughs and memories we have had along the way stretch much farther. The day before at McDonald's in Pikesville, TN the young man taking our order told us we were, "The most well mannered ladies of the day." We wondered what impressions we would make along the way today as we could only stay "well mannered" for so long.
We started the day in Crossville, TN with our evening destination being Jamestown, KY. In Crossville, at about our first or second stop of the day we met some fantastic people. First we met Jerry (I had to love him right away, right?) and his niece who were selling some of the most beautiful and unique glass. He was very warm and friendly and after chatting with him for a while he asked us our names. When we told him he said, "Ah, I'm not going to remember them" and we all laughed. He was married more than 50 years and he gave us some great advice on marriage: "Pick a good one." Good advice. He was kind enough to let us leave our purchases there so it wouldn't slow us down as we shopped and we told him we would be gone about 10 minutes. In true Christine and Michelle fashion, we returned an hour or so later. Jerry handed us our bags, kissed us each on the cheek and wished us fun and safe travels many times until we reached the car. I am sure he was thinking that we were the craziest women he would meet that day and what we perceived as southern charm was really him just making sure we actually left the area.
We also met Ron and Mourine Williams who grow and sell the MOST DELICIOUS tomatoes. They were kind enough to offer us each a tomato which we proceeded to eat like apples. Ron was mentioned in a newspaper article, which he proudly showed us, because Paula Deen used his tomatoes in one of her recipes on her show. He told us he retired about a year and a half ago and is now enjoying gardening. He said that meeting people like us makes selling in the World's Longest Yard Sale worth the effort. "It's not how much money you can make. This is what makes the Yard Sale so great, meeting nice folks from all over." We've already gone from well mannered to nice and it is only 10:00 am.
OK, I may be "the Sarge" about getting up and out but Chrisitne is "the Sarge" about how many miles we have to go until we stop again. It's a good thing it was so hot because it made passing some sales by much easier.
As we shopped I heard this more than once, "That is such a pretty dress. Where did you get it?" OK, I know you are thinking it too so I'm just going to say it. Who wears a blue sequined dress to go yard sale shopping? Simple answer. Christine.
We drove to the Headquarters of the sale in Jamestown, TN where Chrisitne managed to buy some "cha cha" jewelry from the 60s. I bought a few things along the way but really fell in love with the old red wagon wheels. I would have loved to buy one but we are already nearing capacity in the car. Stop Laughing! In Jamestown we stopped at the Chamber of Commerce which is now housed in the old jail cell where we bought World's Longest Yard Sale t-shirts. We'll wear them loud and proud! Look for Christine to be wearing one under one of the many fur coats she's purchased at other yard sales.
We arrived at Lake Cumberland State Park in Jamestown, KY around 6:00 pm. We drove on winding roads through the mountains and we came across 4 wild turkeys. It would be just a few short minutes before we realized they would be the only "Wild Turkey" we would come across as Russell County, and all neighboring counties, are dry. For our friends unfamiliar with the South, that means NO ALCOHOL! We would have loved to share a bottle of wine on our balcony overlooking the beautiful lake and mountains, but it was not to be this year. We've said along the way that this was a "trial run" and there would be mistakes and things we would learn along the way. This was one we won't forget next year. Yes, we said it. Next year.
OK, Christine just hand slapped me for being more informative and not my "usual funny self". It's a little difficult to be funny as I watch Christine stuff every hotel ammenity into her bags while laughing. I think it may be wise to start counting pillows and art work and comforters at each hotel before we leave. Afterall, I would hate to waste yard sale money on bail money.
We started the day in Crossville, TN with our evening destination being Jamestown, KY. In Crossville, at about our first or second stop of the day we met some fantastic people. First we met Jerry (I had to love him right away, right?) and his niece who were selling some of the most beautiful and unique glass. He was very warm and friendly and after chatting with him for a while he asked us our names. When we told him he said, "Ah, I'm not going to remember them" and we all laughed. He was married more than 50 years and he gave us some great advice on marriage: "Pick a good one." Good advice. He was kind enough to let us leave our purchases there so it wouldn't slow us down as we shopped and we told him we would be gone about 10 minutes. In true Christine and Michelle fashion, we returned an hour or so later. Jerry handed us our bags, kissed us each on the cheek and wished us fun and safe travels many times until we reached the car. I am sure he was thinking that we were the craziest women he would meet that day and what we perceived as southern charm was really him just making sure we actually left the area.
We also met Ron and Mourine Williams who grow and sell the MOST DELICIOUS tomatoes. They were kind enough to offer us each a tomato which we proceeded to eat like apples. Ron was mentioned in a newspaper article, which he proudly showed us, because Paula Deen used his tomatoes in one of her recipes on her show. He told us he retired about a year and a half ago and is now enjoying gardening. He said that meeting people like us makes selling in the World's Longest Yard Sale worth the effort. "It's not how much money you can make. This is what makes the Yard Sale so great, meeting nice folks from all over." We've already gone from well mannered to nice and it is only 10:00 am.
OK, I may be "the Sarge" about getting up and out but Chrisitne is "the Sarge" about how many miles we have to go until we stop again. It's a good thing it was so hot because it made passing some sales by much easier.
As we shopped I heard this more than once, "That is such a pretty dress. Where did you get it?" OK, I know you are thinking it too so I'm just going to say it. Who wears a blue sequined dress to go yard sale shopping? Simple answer. Christine.
We drove to the Headquarters of the sale in Jamestown, TN where Chrisitne managed to buy some "cha cha" jewelry from the 60s. I bought a few things along the way but really fell in love with the old red wagon wheels. I would have loved to buy one but we are already nearing capacity in the car. Stop Laughing! In Jamestown we stopped at the Chamber of Commerce which is now housed in the old jail cell where we bought World's Longest Yard Sale t-shirts. We'll wear them loud and proud! Look for Christine to be wearing one under one of the many fur coats she's purchased at other yard sales.
We arrived at Lake Cumberland State Park in Jamestown, KY around 6:00 pm. We drove on winding roads through the mountains and we came across 4 wild turkeys. It would be just a few short minutes before we realized they would be the only "Wild Turkey" we would come across as Russell County, and all neighboring counties, are dry. For our friends unfamiliar with the South, that means NO ALCOHOL! We would have loved to share a bottle of wine on our balcony overlooking the beautiful lake and mountains, but it was not to be this year. We've said along the way that this was a "trial run" and there would be mistakes and things we would learn along the way. This was one we won't forget next year. Yes, we said it. Next year.
OK, Christine just hand slapped me for being more informative and not my "usual funny self". It's a little difficult to be funny as I watch Christine stuff every hotel ammenity into her bags while laughing. I think it may be wise to start counting pillows and art work and comforters at each hotel before we leave. Afterall, I would hate to waste yard sale money on bail money.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday's Fantastic Finds
We are off to sleep after a fun filled day of shopping til we couldn't shop anymore. See pictures below showing a glimpse into our day. Michelle will be updating all the events of today first thing tomorrow in the morning, so you can see how we are doing on our adventure.
In the meantime, please have a drink for us as we are in dry county! Til tomorrow our friends...
In the meantime, please have a drink for us as we are in dry county! Til tomorrow our friends...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What An Adventure!
After 21 years of friendship, Michelle and Christine headed off yesterday on the trip of a lifetime. Hundreds of miles away there were streets paved of gold....Well, not really, but to bargain chasers and treasure hunters it is pretty close!
806 miles took us to Chattanooga, TN and we slept like rocks. Driving is a crazy thing when you start descending down mountains that have a truck run off just in case. (I wonder if drivers from Chicago can use that for their suv's?)
After 9 hours of chatting and excitement about what we would find, we pulled into the starting gate of our real adventure.
A couple of cocktails later found us exhausted and dead asleep ready for the day ahead.
And we awoke ready to go! (Well at least Michelle did!...Christine was begging for mercy to sleep but Michelle "the sarg" had a plan and a schedule!).
So off we went! (After Christine bought Visine from the gift shop)......
And we drove eagerly to our first sale!
The first purchase was a lovely apron that Christine modeled for a sassy older lady who told her she should buy it and 'don't use it in the kitchen"....the vendor spoke up and said it was for decoration.....and the sassy lady looked at her with a knowing look and said "honey, wear it to bed".......WE THEN KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A GREAT TRIP AHEAD!
We met wonderful people all day long, but a few stuck out....a couple of guys from Chicago, now living in Florida ,who wanted to chat about Chicago restaurants while we were shopping....(we just wanted to shop truth be told), a fun vendor named Dennis who tried to talk us into a sign that was quite a laugh(check it out on the pictures) and our favorite vendor of all who charmed us with his Southern ways and called us "Sugar" with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips....yes, he was a charmer and we both walked away with full hands.
We bought: antique sporting goods, a world's fair bottle, glass bowls, old toys, a tiffany's (blue box,white bow) ceramic box, books(on charm! lol)....so much this list does it no justice. (A complete list with pics will follow after the trip).
However, it's midnight and I need to sleep as Michelle has been in bed for a few hours and she will be ready to go much earlier than I will if I don't rest for another shopping day!
We promise a complete wrap up when we get home and much more tomorrow!
Another neat highlight: we met a wonderful woman from HGTV who took our picture and asked our story.
It has been a long, hot and exhausting day, but really we wouldn't change it for the world.....til tomorrow our friends...
806 miles took us to Chattanooga, TN and we slept like rocks. Driving is a crazy thing when you start descending down mountains that have a truck run off just in case. (I wonder if drivers from Chicago can use that for their suv's?)
After 9 hours of chatting and excitement about what we would find, we pulled into the starting gate of our real adventure.
A couple of cocktails later found us exhausted and dead asleep ready for the day ahead.
And we awoke ready to go! (Well at least Michelle did!...Christine was begging for mercy to sleep but Michelle "the sarg" had a plan and a schedule!).
So off we went! (After Christine bought Visine from the gift shop)......
And we drove eagerly to our first sale!
The first purchase was a lovely apron that Christine modeled for a sassy older lady who told her she should buy it and 'don't use it in the kitchen"....the vendor spoke up and said it was for decoration.....and the sassy lady looked at her with a knowing look and said "honey, wear it to bed".......WE THEN KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A GREAT TRIP AHEAD!
We met wonderful people all day long, but a few stuck out....a couple of guys from Chicago, now living in Florida ,who wanted to chat about Chicago restaurants while we were shopping....(we just wanted to shop truth be told), a fun vendor named Dennis who tried to talk us into a sign that was quite a laugh(check it out on the pictures) and our favorite vendor of all who charmed us with his Southern ways and called us "Sugar" with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his lips....yes, he was a charmer and we both walked away with full hands.
We bought: antique sporting goods, a world's fair bottle, glass bowls, old toys, a tiffany's (blue box,white bow) ceramic box, books(on charm! lol)....so much this list does it no justice. (A complete list with pics will follow after the trip).
However, it's midnight and I need to sleep as Michelle has been in bed for a few hours and she will be ready to go much earlier than I will if I don't rest for another shopping day!
We promise a complete wrap up when we get home and much more tomorrow!
Another neat highlight: we met a wonderful woman from HGTV who took our picture and asked our story.
It has been a long, hot and exhausting day, but really we wouldn't change it for the world.....til tomorrow our friends...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)