No Hardware at the Hardware Store

Harrison Brothers Hardware no longer sells hardware. In 1983, the Historic Huntsville Foundation purchased the store upon the death of the original owner's son. The idea was to preserve the store. The foundation has kept a lot of the displays, shelves, flooring, even the safe and elevator. The 1907 National Cash Register still works, and they ring up sales on it. How cool is that? Our guess is that the store sees a higher than average number of cash sales, just to see the register work! 

Displays and merchandise

Marbles - the only item sold today that the hardware store sold

The cash register still works!

Where Are We Going Next?

Muffler Man and Unclaimed Baggage

We left the Pigeon Forge area and spent the night in the Chattanooga area, where we caught up with kite flying friends, Chuck and Carla. They were very gracious in showing us around and telling us a bit about the Chattanooga area. Though with all the things to see, they were a bit surprised to hear that Harold wanted to see the Muffler Man at the go-kart track. The Pinball Museum, the Lodge Cast Iron Museum and the International Towing and Recovery Museum would have to wait for another time.

First Muffler Man of 2023

Thank you Chuck and Carla!

The next day we continued our journey toward Huntsville, AL. We took a rest break at Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, AL. We had heard about this place and thought we'd check it out. While the history and the process are interesting, neither of us found any bargains. You can read about them if you follow the link. 

Replica of that first truck

Who knows where we'll pop up next!

Where Are We Going Next?

Making Your Own Knife

Knives are big in the Smoky Mountains area. Smoky Mountain Knife Works  claims to be the world's largest knife showroom. Harold had stopped by on another trip and made sure that I got to see the store too. I was amazed at all the different types of knives. I never knew there were so many different brands, types, and sizes. The three story store had artifact displays, history displays, and various other items for sale too. It's worth a stop if you're in the area.

Making your own knife is a popular activity too, especially for fathers and sons. I suppose it's a welcome relief from all the shopping! There are several places that offer the opportunity to forge and shape your own knife with the help of an experienced knifemaker. We were one of Uncle Hank's last customers. He was ready to focus on his custom knife orders and some other projects.

Your choices to make

Out of the forge

Hammer away

Measuring for thumb notch

Finished product

 Where Are We Going Next?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park. I would have thought it would be something like Yellowstone. However the Great Smokys are easier to reach and up until 2023 have been free. In 2023 the park service is initiating a parking fee. 

Even in December and January the clouds and mountains look amazing. We drove around Cades Cove, Newfoundland Gap, and the Foothills West Parkway. We've heard that the 11 mile Cades Cove Loop can take  3 to 4 hours at peak times. We were quite glad not to have to fight that kind of traffic or vulture for parking spots. 

80% of Cantilever barns are in Sevier and Blount Counties

The Sinks

The Foothills Parkway ends at the Tail of the Dragon. It's not part of the national park, but we weren't going to miss the opportunity to drive it. We're counting it even though we're not on motorcycle or in a sports car. Everything was closed and we think we saw about 20 cars the whole time - and no motorcycles. We were quite glad that we were almost alone on the road.

Where Are We Going Next?

Cool Beans (and Burgers and Hot Sauce)

Bush Beans began in in Chestnut Hill, TN, in 1908 when A.J. Bush opened a cannery. Today Bush uses 25% of the navy bean crop in the United States. We enjoyed their free museum and were eager to try their pinto bean pie at their onsite cafe. As an acquaintance said, it should be called pinto bean pecan pie because it tastes like a pecan pie. The cafe is only open for lunch. Plan accordingly. 

Just like Mom's!

Guy Fieri and his Triple D restaurants have been a part of our travels. The TV Food Map website is one of the first things Harold checks when we're looking for a place to eat. Pigeon Forge has one of Guy's Flavortown restaurant. So, of course we had to try it. The burgers were monstrous!

Bacon Mac & Cheese Burger

Pepper Palace has its manufacturing facility in Sevierville. They're expanding. Consequently, the kitchen is closed for tours. Their free hot pepper museum in Gatlinburg was open though. 

Where Are We Going Next?