Since the devastation of Hurricane Helene and Milton has been in the news so much of late, my mind was taken back to our trip to Asheville, NC. It was about this same time of year when my husband and I headed east for yet another road trip. This time, though, we were going to be driving right through an area of Kentucky and Tennessee where I spent some years in my youth. There’s just something about visiting old stomping grounds that can bring back fond memories, right?
We headed out from southwest Missouri, traveling east on Hwy. 60, a picturesque four-lane highway that winds through some wooly country in the must-see Mark Twain National Forest. Our first stop on this trip was Big Spring, one of Missouri’s first state parks. We discovered that this stunning geological marvel is frequently referred to as the largest spring in America, though that title is debated considering Idaho’s Snake River Spring and Florida’s Silver Spring. But Missouri claims it as the biggest one in the country. And who’s gonna argue with a daily flow of 286 million gallons of water?? Not me!
Further east on Hwy. 60 is Sikeston, the top of the “bootheel” of Missouri. No drive through Sikeston would be complete without stopping at the original Lambert’s Café. It offers southern food and is the home of ‘throwed rolls.’ The food is tasty and not too expensive. A winning combination in our book!
We drove about an hour and a half further and were then ready to get out and do some walking around. We started at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. We found the Hematite Lake Trail to be just right for a leisurely 2-mile stroll. It’s pretty level so wasn’t too challenging. This trail is also dog friendly so, if you’re traveling with your pooch, it’s a great spot to get your four-legged friend some exercise!
Our first overnight stop was Nashville, Tennessee. While we didn’t stay at the Opryland Resort, we did go “hang out” for a while. The gardens, all 9 acres of them, are beautiful along with the waterfalls and waterways. There are multiple restaurants to choose from, too. Even if you’re just driving through Nashville, it’s worth a stop.
The next day we completed the 5-hour drive to our final destination, the Biltmore Estates in Asheville, NC. This 8000-acre estate did not disappoint. The backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains with the formal and informal gardens dotting the landscape makes for an absolutely gorgeous experience. The gardens along with all 3 stories of the house can be seen on self-guided tours. The winery is also a must see. They offer complimentary wine tastings in the Tasting Room or, at the end of your day of touring, enjoy a relaxing glass or bottle in their indoor/outdoor Wine Bar. We were invited to spread a quilt on the ground and to enjoy our glass of wine with nibbles from their charcuterie board. It was a lovely way to end our tour of “America’s Largest Home.”
Since most of our road trips include enjoying nature along the way we like to stay “in the mood” by diffusing earthy scents in our car. On this trip we enjoyed the Drive Time® Truck Puck® in High Range Cedar Fragrance. We like this for our road trips because they last for weeks and never leak. We chose this scent for its notes of pine, balsam, fir, and patchouli, which seemed like the perfect companion to national forests and Blue Ridge mountains.
Sadly, Hurricane Helene did cause damage to the Biltmore Estate. But they have announced its re-opening on November 2, 2024.
Lori Herr for The Gift of Scent