Shelby had great luck in Christian County Kentucky hunting this year and brought home a beautiful 9 point buck. He saw so many other big bucks that he wanted
to take us for the last weekend of their gun season. Thanksgiving day
2017 was much like every other: woke up, started some cooking and turned on the
Macy's Day Parade. We had a busy day of eating ahead with going to the Byrd's
at noon for lunch, and my mom's at 3 pm for an early dinner. I feel full already.
I was cooking fresh turnip greens from our garden (will share the recipe later)
and mashed potatoes. Shelby makes the coleslaw and it is so yummy! He made us
some of his delicious BLTs for breakfast. After we wrapped up all this epic eating we
hit the road to Athens, Al where we will spend the night. I keep
thinking I can't believe we have eaten all this yummy food today and then will drive
4.5 hours. Sleepy time!
We got on the road at 5:40 pm and made our first stop at 7. After all
the food we ate today we still had to stop and get snacks! My little family
is so cute and we are such a compliment to each other. We drove along singing
to Chris Stapleton and talking. And then they surprised me: they are
taking me to Antique Archaeology tomorrow in Nashville!! Omg I am so
excited. I love American Pickers and even though I know Mike, Frank or Dani D
will not be there I am still hopeful 😉. I can't wait to see it!
It was everything I thought it would be! The building had
this amazing smell like real tobacco (not a cigarette) bourbon, something
smoky, and aged leather. It was awesome! I found a shirt to remember my
surprise and just wandered around.
After a bit we got back on the road - destination Pembroke, KY.
As soon as we got there we got into our hunting gear and loaded up the Polaris.
Jeff and Keith had just gotten in from their duck blind and we visited for a
bit. Jill and Kaitlyn were Black Friday shopping. We left and drove to the land
we were hunting and dropped off a blind for the next morning. Shelby
drove us around showing us all the places he hunts. He wanted to take us to the
spot by the old tobacco barn and it was beautiful. I wish I could paint - it
would be a perfect addition to the wall. Of course, it would also make
some beautiful pieces of reclaimed art too! I was in my own tree stand and
my only gun was a video camera. Shelby and Emily were in a stand nearby. This
trip was her opportunity to kill a buck. Right before dark I could hear
something walking down the hill to my right, sniffing and eat as it went. It
was just dark enough that I could not see what it was. We decided to call it a
day and head back to the Polaris. On the way back to the house we decided to grab some
Ferrell's burgers. Yum! I don't get to Kentucky often enough and when I
do, I want some Ferrell's. They did not disappoint! We got to visit with Jeff,
Jill and Kaitlyn for a bit then it was time to get to bed. We had an
early morning and Jeff and Keith were heading out early as well.
Shelby took us to his other stand and we were sitting in a
ground blind. The temperature was not as low as we would have thought but the wind was
fierce! This girls likes to be warm and also to sleep when hunting. Both
were tough this morning. I was bundled up but sitting on a folding dove
stool. Every time my head dipped forward as I tried to fall asleep I would
startle awake. You will see this is a theme today. Emily told me that 'you
aren't supposed to sleep when you hunt' and then she took a one hour nap. Lucky
child. Daddy wrapped her in his super warm Sitka jacket and let her lean
against him. I believe I even heard her snore a little but rest assured she was
not sleeping while hunting. We saw a couple of squirrels and they were
fun to watch. When they would bury a nut they would cover it, pat it down
and cover it with leaves, the whole time looking around like they were being
watched. Don't worry little squirrel, I will stick with my snacks.
After we packed up that blind we rode around the land. There was
a beautiful cemetery with a newer grave dated 1876. It was under a beautiful
tree that had dropped lots of fall leaves. The sun was coming through the trees
and dappled the ground with light-very peaceful for sure. Shelby then
wanted to show us another spot they hunt so we left to ride around. We walked down a pretty steep
hill that we could not drive the Polaris down due to the washing. There
was lots of deer tracks and rubs on trees. There was even a spot pretty
messed up that looked like it may have seen a fight. We saw something
run away from us through the trees when we walked down but did not get a good
look. We walked around and looked at this pretty creek then headed
back. After a little more riding we climbed a hill and looked out over this
beautiful valley. Oh my, Gods country is so perfect! I need a cabin
there. I do not even drink coffee but may start if I had a porch with
that view. Well, I will probably stick with hot tea.
We decided to go get some lunch and found the best spot, the
Plow Point Restaurant in Lacy, Kentucky. The food was great and the service was
so friendly! We liked it so much we planned to come back that same night
for dinner with some of our Kentucky Framily (friends that are like family). I
love food and it seems like most of our trips anywhere either start because of
food, involve certain food in the plans, or we find great food that demands a
return trip.
We went back in the afternoon for our last hunt-we have to head
home in the morning. We went back to the spot with the old tobacco barn. I was
once again back in the single tree stand. This time Emily painted my face, she
called it Camo Cheeks, with some paint Shelby had. That was fun. Girls
can wear makeup in the woods! We did not see anything again except for
squirrels but it was still beautiful. We had a very interesting moment - I was
dozing a little (big surprise right) and a tree to my left dropped a limb. With
a loud crack it split and fell and hit the ground with a fun sound. Poor
Emily was scared I had fallen asleep and fell out. Thank goodness that did not
happen. Scared me awake for sure! Watched some squirrels hiding their
treasures and listened to some birds singing. At dusk we heard something coming
down the hill again and sniffing and eating. I never saw it but it sure
ran off when we came out of our stands. It was a bittersweet walk and ride
back since this was our last hunt. We did not see anything but the family time
was amazing. We met the Slaughters at the Plow Point and had another
great meal. Mr. Alton and Mrs. Rita were there and Kieth. Good meal with good
friends.
Shelby decided that on the way home we would make some fun stops
instead of a straight drive. We chose Lynchburg, TN where we went to the Jack
Daniels Distillery. Such a cute little area. We did the Dry County Tour where
we learned how it all came about, and how it is made. It was a fun
little detour. We went to the little town square and shopped around. Got
the same recommendation from 3 different shops-go to the Barrel-house BBQ for
lunch and have the Grilled Cheese Crack sandwich. Wow! Grilled
pepper jack cheese on Texas toast with pulled pork and their house made
habanero BBQ sauce. Um...yea it was fine! Emily got BBQ nachos that were
pretty amazing too. It was a fun stop that most people may not think
about because you would assume it is all about whiskey drinking. It was just fun to
learn about and of course the food was a great perk. Barrel-house BBQ you are
now on our list!
As we began our 5 1/2 hour trip home I decided that I was wrong
about quick trips out of town. I usually worry about a long drive in a
short time (8 hours each way in 3 days) but this was great. I definitely am
changing my view of a long haul in short period of time and we will do this
again. I can't wait to go back to Kentucky and see our Framily. We will
miss y'all and hope to see you soon!
Jennie
Jennie
