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.