Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO CROCKETT TAVERN MUSEUM IN MORRISTOWN

The girls wonder where we are going.
The girls wonder where we are going.

On Wednesday May 25, 2016- we took a Day Ride. Our destination was the Crockett Tavern Museum in Morristown, Tennessee.

Jeff kicks off the day in this short video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 10:30am. The skies were mostly cloudy and it was cool enough for both of us to put on our textile jackets and full finger gloves.

We rode north on Broadway to Halls, where we stopped to fill our tanks and get our morning snack.

Snack of champions.
Snack of champions.

From Halls we took 131 north through Plainview, Luttrell, and Washburn.

Roadside view in Washburn.
Roadside view in Washburn.

We continued north past 25E to Thornhill and onto Treadway.

Turning onto 31 south.
Turning off 131 onto 31 south.
Getting ready to head toward Short Mountain.
Getting ready to head toward Short Mountain and Mooresburg.

We took 31 south, a beautiful winding road that climbs Short Mountain and then back down to Mooresburg.

But first a short road block. (The fella holding the sign was super nice.)
But first a short road block. (The fella holding the sign was super nice.)

In Mooresburg, we took 11W to Bean Station, and then 25E heading into Morristown.

We stopped on 25E for a view of Douglas Lake.
We stopped on 25E for a view of Cherokee Lake.

Once we reached Morristown, we headed straight toward the Crockett Tavern Museum. The Museum was easy to find. It’s just one block off 11E. (Just watch for the signs.)

The Crockett Tavern Museum.
The Crockett Tavern Museum.
The building is a replica- the original burned downed.
The building is a replica- the original was burned in the late 1800’s after housing smallpox victims.
The replica tavern.
The replica tavern.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Sally Bennett, the museum director, who spent about an hour giving us the tour and showing us exhibits. The entrance fee is $5.00- money well spent.

Sally was very friendly and knowledgeable. She truly made our time at the museum enjoyable and educational. To read more in depth about the Museum, check out this very informative article by CLICKING HERE.

Sally shows us pioneer lock engineering.
Sally shows us pioneer lock engineering.
The checkers game inside the tavern.
The checkers game inside the tavern.
1800 tavern prices.
1800 tavern prices.
Two likenesses of Davy Crockett.
Two likenesses of Davy Crockett.
Jeff in a coon skin hat holding a pioneer rifle.
Jeff in a coon skin hat holding a pioneer rifle.
I can't imagine actually shooting that rifle!
I can’t imagine actually shooting that rifle!
The backside of the tavern.
The backside of the tavern.
Original millstones from the Davy Crockett birthplace in
Original millstones from the Davy Crockett birthplace in Limestone, TN.

If you want to get an up close glimpse into pioneer life and learn more about Davy Crockett, the Crockett Tavern Museum is a great place to visit. You can get more information about hours and events of the museum by CLICKING HERE.

After our museum visit, we rode into downtown Morristown and had lunch at The Jersey Girl Diner.

In downtown Morristown, parked across from Jersey Girl Diner.
In downtown Morristown, parked across from Jersey Girl Diner.
Jersey Girl Diner in Morristown, TN.
Jersey Girl Diner in Morristown, TN.
Inside Jersey Girl Diner.
Inside Jersey Girl Diner.
Lunch was really fresh and delicious!
Lunch was really fresh and delicious!
Jeff is laughing about the very LARGE salad he ordered.
Jeff is laughing about the very LARGE salad he ordered.

After lunch we walked around downtown, taking photos and enjoying the unusual second story elevated sidewalks. From the East Tennessee Vacation website is this information:

Completed in 1969, the downtown “SkyMart” was an ambitious urban renewal project that added a second overhead sidewalk to Morristown’s Main Street. They add a unique character to the Historic downtown area and serve as a fun venue for downtown’s festivals and events. Enjoy a variety of dining and shopping featuring several specialty and antique stores.

Lower level of downtown Morristown.
Lower level of downtown Morristown.
Unique antique shops.
Unique antique shops.
Memories of days gone by.
Memories of days gone by.
Another view of the street level.
Another view of the street level.
Photo of historic downtown Morristown.
Photo of historic downtown Morristown.
Now we are up on the second level.
Now we are up on the second level.
It's a great view of all the historic buildings.
It’s a great view of all the historic buildings.
Pretty cool!
Pretty cool!
What pretty buildings.
What majestic buildings!
Looking down on where we parked.
Looking down on where we parked.
Time to head back toward the bikes.
Time to head back toward the bikes.
By now it's 3:00pm and time to start back to Knoxville.
By now it’s 3:00pm and time to start back to Knoxville.

Next time you’re in Morristown, take some time to stop in and explore downtown. It’s really a lot of fun!

After exploring downtown, we got back on the bikes, then took 66 south all the way to Dandridge.

In Dandridge, we took 139 along Douglas Lake and into East Knox County. We then took Thorngrove Pike back to John Sevier Highway and then back into Knoxville.

We got back home at 5:00pm and our total ride was 147 miles. What a great day!

You can see our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.