End of TN trip with the Longways

After our storm experience, the weather was fantastic and we continued to show off our wonderful state.

The wonderful Carnton Plantation, used as a hospital for the wounded from the infamous Battle of Franklin, was top on our list to show our guests. Blood stains are still on the floor from the surgeries performed on the thousands of wounded.

Besides the main house, there are outbuildings, including a slave house.

This is also the site of the largest private military cemetery.

The mistress of the house kept records of those buried, and continued to wear mourning clothes for the rest of her life. The book, "Widow of the South", is a great novel based on this plantation and it's mistress (Especially those interested in the civil war).
There is also a beautiful garden, and springtime is a great time to enjoy! (And this particular day, lots of cicadas!!)

The following day, we traveled to Franklin via the back roads. This is our kind of travel! We passed several historic mansions built in the 1800's, all private residences. Besides crossing the Tennessee Valley Divide and the edge of the US territory in 1801, there were several towns I had never heard of:
Williamsport, a quaint little town with the historical African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME),

and old barns.

Water Valley, with the metal-sided buildings.


The area got the name from a devastaing flood in 1874, when Lieper's Creek swelled over its banks and caused lots of damage. It is one of Maury County's first settlements.
McKnight Station Train Depot near Bethel,

and Boston, where, in 1801, the U.S. territory ended.
And one we had heard of... Lieper's Fork!

Then on to Franklin to do some antiquing!

Sunday after church we came back on another road, through Mt. Pleasant. On the way we saw more historical plantations (mostly hidden from the road), and St. John's church and cemetery.



Mt. Pleasant was a smaller town than we had expected. There is a monument honoring the Confederate soldiers.

After we got back, the golf cart parade came by about 6 PM on Sunday afternoon, led by the hayride!


Today, Memorial Day, we are relaxing, having a lazy, contemplative day. For many, especially in war zones, it will not be.
To all veterans, as well as current members of the service, THANK YOU for your service!