Fat Boy Summer Road Trip 2014 Part 2: On the Road Day 8

We woke up after far too little sleep in Nashville this morning with another long day of driving planned, but wanted to see a couple things in the daylight before we left town.  We went by and snapped a picture of the Nashville skyline in the morning sun and a picture of LP Field, home of the Tennessee Titans.  Our final stop was to the Nashville Farmers Market to grab a fresh lunch before hitting the road for Joplin, MO to hug an old friend and have dinner with her.

The Nashville Farmers Market is huge, with five buildings in total.  Two "Farm Sheds" contain stalls for local farmers to sell fresh produce and feature everything from turnip greens to fresh peaches and heirloom tomatoes.  In the middle is the Food Court, an enclosed building that is home to several permanent restaurants, an international foods market, and quite a few temporary food booths selling everything from handmade pastries and gelato to traditional Indian and Jamaican foods. 

The final two structures are the "Flea Market", featuring booths from dozens of different vendors.   Here you can find all kinds of thins from clothing to household goods and designer fragrances.

In the Food Court we decided on a crepe from Music City Crepes. They intrigued me with hot savory crepes filled with meat and cheese.  I had mine with ground beef, cheddar cheese, olives, onions, and fresh spinach.  It was a nice refreshing yet substantial meal to hold us through the 600 mile drive planned for the day. 

 From Nashville we headed out on our long drive to the Southwest corner of Missouri.  Crossing the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and the Ozark mountains. 

Our route took us to one of the biggest river joinings in the world.  In the span of two miles Route 51 took us across the Ohio River from Kentucky into Illinois, then across the Mississippi River from Illinois into Missouri just a mile north of the point where these two mighty rivers join.  You are in Illinois so briefly that the only indication is a sign saying you are on the Lincoln historical trail just before you leave while crossing the Mississippi.

The Ohio River looking from Kentucky to Illinois

Bridge over the Ohio River on Rt. 51 North of Wycliffe, KY

Bridge over the Mississippi River on Rt. 51 just south of Cairo, IL

A large storm was moving in as we were crossing Missouri.  It went from bright daylight to dark in less than 15 minutes.

By the time we got to our destination in Joplin, MO the storm had passed and the sun was back.

We checked into the Holiday Inn in Joplin and then met up with Katie, a good friend who lives just west of Joplin for dinner at the Steak n Shake before calling it a night.  It was a long drive but worth it to have a few hours catching up with an old friend and having a meal together before heading to bed for Sunday's journey.

The Fat Boy Summer Road Trip 2014 Part 2: On the Road Day 7

With yesterday's delays we had some miles to make up today, but had a night in Nashville waiting as our reward for making the push.

We saw some beautiful scenery crossing the Smoky Mountains as we crossed Virginia, and driving through them in Tennessee as we logged almost 900 miles.  We stopped in Bristol, VA/TN for a later lunch and found ourselves at Burger Bar, a downtown Bristol fixture since 1942 with a big sign advertising Bristol's Best Burger.  We were greated by friendly staff and a 1940s style diner that I'm sure looks very much like it did the day it opened.

I had a pretty basic bacon and cheddar burger made extraordinary by the hand formed fresh beef patty, high-grade bacon, and perfect seasoning.  When I eat at this type of diner I try the burger the way it is served before I add condiments, and for a burger to be "Fat Boy Approved" it has to stand on its own.  This burger did with no problem at all.   The beef perfectly cooked, juicy without grease running all over, high quality toppings, and a great bun that held up without being too crusty.

After completing our meal we found out that Joe Deel, one of the owners was there and when our waitress handed him the card I left with the check he came out to talk with me for a few minutes.  What I wish I had known before I ordered is that much of what they serve every day isn't on the menu.  Regulars know to ask what they have fresh when they sit at the counter, and it has been known to range from fresh organic produce to venison.  If I make it back I'll be sure to ask Joe what he wants to cook me instead of even looking at the menu.  This is hometown hospitality and tradition done right, and Bristol's Famous Burger Bar is earning a permanent place in Fat Boy Heaven as a result.  Whether you are in town for races at the Bristol Motor Speedway, or traveling through to learn more about Bristol's role in country music history make sure you stop in and see the Deel's and tell them the Fat Boy sent you. 

As we left Bristol a torrential thunder storm hit out of nowhere, not an uncommon occurance this high in the Smoky Mountains.  Visibility was so bad that traffic on the Interstate literally pulled over to wait it out or crept aong with 4-way flashers helping fellow travelers see them on the road.  It passed almost as quickly, and we made the trip the rest of the way into Nashville without issue.

We checked into our hotel and quickly changed out of our travel clothes to go out and explore Nashville.  Coop had never been here, and was blown away when we got down to Broadway, where the majority of the honky tanks in town sit side by side in a three block stretch near the Ryman Auditorium and the Nashville Convention Center.  After walking the strip we decided nothing special was going on anywhere else, so we might as well hit the oldest of the bars. On Broadway, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.  The place was packed and we waited on line for about 20 minutes before getting inside.  Once there we got drinks at the bar from the friendly and efficient staff and found a spot to stand and enjoy the performance of Anthony Orion and the Goodfellows.

Broadway in Nashville on a Summer Friday night is something you have to experience to believe

The Ryman, known far and wide as "The Church of Country Music"

Tootsie's Orchid Lounge was crowded beyond belief to see Anthony Orio and the Goodfellows

It was a great night at an amazing bar, and even after a long day on the road we couldn't pry ourselves away until last call.  Now we can't wait to get back to Nashville with more time to explore.