Shunpiking - Turner Travels Day 1

So today began the journey to the USPSA Production Nationals shooting competition in Barry, IL.  Note this is Barry, not Berry, IL.   Both are still small towns, but are some distance apart.   Big T qualified to compete at the Nationals this year by winning the state competition in his class.  Since it was within reasonable driving distance, we decided to make a trip of it --back roads, rural South, old-school car trip.   I learned today that choosing to use the backroads is called "shunpiking".

We started out with a stop in Oakland, AL for one of our favorite girls, Lulu, who was having a birthday party to celebrate turning 5.  She is a petite 5 year old, but has plenty of spunk and personality.  Kindergarten, here she comes!   After the homemade yummy cake and ice cream, we hit the backroads of Alabama into Tennessee heading north for our evening's destination, Kenlake State Park at Land Between the Lakes.    We drove through several communities and small towns.  It was refreshing at times to see the quaint downtown / main street areas.  I think my favorite was Hazel, KY.   We saw all sorts of things in front of businesses or homes that made us laugh.   I remember one home had a pay phone in the front yard.   With the recent news, we even counted how many Confederate flags we saw, until we got to Crump, TN and there were too many to count.   Lovely old homes, cool classic cars,  corn fields, and antique trucks were frequent sightings.   Others of note were three trucks pulling trailers hauling square bales of hay and a tractor with hay roll spikes lifted on the front with a wooden sign that said "Wedding  ->"  directing guests to the parking area.  We were almost to our destination when we saw something that I had not seen in a very long time, or even set foot in -- a tobacco field.  

Once we arrived at the Kenlake lodge, we unloaded a few items and selected a local place for dinner called the Willow Pond.   With a name like that, we suspected that they would have a good fish selection on the menu.   We both opted for the blackened catfish -- great choice!   Big T went with the mayo slaw, and I chose the vinegar version.   We were both pleased with our choices as well as with the unlimited white beans and hushpuppies.   Our waitress was outstanding.  Big T ordered half & half tea to drink, and when she refilled it, she actually did it at the table with both pitchers.  And no mess.

We came back to the park and drove to the bay area for a sunset photo.

Ah.