The
entrance road to Cumberland Mountain State Park crosses the man made dam and bridge which is pretty awesome as seen in these two shots from the web and our shot from the bridge as we headed out to lunch.
While
the park is only about 40 miles west of home (as the crow flies), we changed
time zones and so it gets dark there almost a full hour earlier and we learned
something the previous day. By the time our
normal suppertime rolls around, we have no desire to leave the warm cabin and
go out to eat, which explains yesterday’s evening meal, so we made a different
plan. For our main meal this day, we
headed out to Genesis Italian Grille for lunch and each ordered a plate of the
spaghetti and meatballs that we had both been craving.
We got there about 11:15 so the place was still pretty empty but since this was breakfast we were hungry by this time.
Genesis
was ranked in the top ten by the various restaurant raters and we thought it
was pretty good and probably very good for most Tennessee eaters, but since I
was raised on great Italian food, I’m a little fussy about it. I thought the sauce was a little sweet for my
taste, but I add zero sugar to mine and we both thought the meatballs were
better than most. The service was very
good so I’d say it was an overall good dining experience and I would go back if
I had another Italian craving. As a
bonus, we each brought home about half our meals so we had plenty for supper –
no need to go back out in the dark – I might have to stay on DST if I lived
here.
After
lunch, it was back to the cabin, build a fire and watch college football – we
noticed there were many more cabins occupied for the weekend.
Photos
can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Have
a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.
Larry
11/15/14
event date
Very pretty and peaceful there Larry. You were smart to stay home & sit by the fire when it got dark. I grew up on CST and really prefer it, but any time zone change messes with your brain for a day or two until you get used to it.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you guys had a nice quiet getaway.
Sam
That looks like a wonderful breakfast. As we travel from the east coast to the west coast and back most winters we are constantly going thru time zones, and time changes, It does kinda mess you up a bit, Cooking supper outside at 530 on my Weber in the dark, is not as much fun as in the daylight.
ReplyDeleteStandard time is a drag this time of the year, especially since we are so far east. But since we like Cumberland County we just try to adjust. I'm glad you liked the Italian Grille.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that first picture! So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe bridge is awesome for sure, great pics! The time change thing; have lived here in CST zone for many years. It's now pretty dark at 4:30, but love the early morn when it's light out, unlike back home, EST, still dark.
ReplyDeleteLarry, Laurie and I love that stone bridge over the dam... It's a classic. Nice looking plate of spaghetti and meatballs, although I agree with you. I'm not crazy about sweet marinara... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! Love when you can stake out a local place and the food is good. It has been cols. I think returning to the cabin building a fire and watching college football is a great day. You were raised on great Italian food…Lucky you! Was the influence mom/dad or someone else?
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Velva
If you make it down to Exit 273 you must try the Rose Garden restaurant (you can't miss it - the only 2 things off that exit are a gas station and the Rose Garden). It is a great "meat and 3" type place with an OUTSTANDING breakfast. Also, pies are homemade and to die for. I stop there at least once or twice a month when I travel from Knoxville to Nashville to visit family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip
DeleteThat first shot is lovely - I really like the reflection! The pasta looks tasty but I am sure yours is better after being raised on good Italian food.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Larry - happy Thanksgiving to you and Bev!
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous!! We are trying to plan some weekend getaways and this looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures,can't take my eyes off from it
ReplyDeleteI really like that first image. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing photos of this area with us. Makes me wanna come and visit.
ReplyDelete"back to the cabin, build a fire and watch college football "
ReplyDeleteAnd that, my friends, is how you spend a late fall Saturday properly. Great trip, Alexis and I have to do that.