The Keys have planned a Fabulous Fun Fall outing to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area on Oct. 18.  We'll be meeting up at the Mt. Juliet Cracker Barrel (I-40 @ Exit 226) at 9 a.m. and taking off for Cookeville, with an ETA of 10:30 a.m.   From there, we will take a leisurely ride up across the plateau on some colorful country roads.

Our first stop will be in Clarkrange at the Cumberland Mountain General Store & Rockabilly Café,http://www.cumberlandmountaingeneralstore.com/. Owner Ron Jones will be expecting us for lunch (Yummy Menu attached above). You can get a 1/3 pound burger, fries and a drink for just $5!  The malts and shakes are "To DIE For" – made on an old-fashioned 1947 shake machine. Or, maybe you prefer a root beer float or Mudslide Sundae (an Elvis Favorite with peanut butter and hot fudge).

After we “gorge” ourselves at the 50’s-style diner, we can take a few minutes to browse the interesting old-time antique store (it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a REAL “soda-water bottle!”. . . And there’s home made jams & jellies, muslin flour sacks, metal washboards, old pots, pans and tins – just all SORTS of interesting things from a former era!).

Then we’ll drive on to the REAL gorge: Big South Fork River Gorge. After we enter the park, we’ll enjoy more fabulous fall color as we wind down to the river. We’ll then continue up the other side of the gorge to the eastern border of the park, where we will stop at an AWESOME overlook to take in the panorama from the high point. When we can’t stand the VIEW any more, we’ll head back down to the river and hang out at the picnic area where several trails are nearby. You can take a walk along the river, or, if Rockabilly doesn’t appeal to you and you choose to bring your own lunch, you can eat in the picnic area. You’ll find that the surrounding trees and foliage seclude each table. The river will be the main attraction here, so take a walk!

We will complete our afternoon by heading back to Tennessee’s Oldest Winery in Jamestown: Highland Manor Winery, to sample their award-winning wines.  http://www.highlandmanorwinery.net/  With more than a dozen varieties to sample, a good time should be had by all!  Be sure and allow trunk space for a case!

Please email Laura (mailto:lkey@twlakes.net) by next Tuesday, Oct. 14. We would like to let Ron at Rockabilly know our menu selections before the 18^th to expedite his handling of our group, so please make your selections and let her know when you RSVP.

ZOOM !  ZOOM !  ZOOM !