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Road Trip to Laurel
  • Laurie Remillard
  • kim.walks on Instagram
  • Laurie Remillard
  • kim.walks on Instagram

Road Trip to Laurel

Sunny skies and clear roads (hopefully) as we drive south through the US. Read more
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  • Trip start
    May 28, 2024
    Road Trip to Laurel
    Kim and I ran across 4 lanes of traffic for this photo... enjoy!
    1Nightcap, vanilla cream liquor

    Hamilton to Windsor

    May 28, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The road trip begins!
    Kim and I left Hamilton after work, and had a smooth drive all the way to Chatham, when the heavy rain started. Lucky for us, it stopped as we arrived in Windsor, because we had our first photo op of the trip at the Windsor sign on Walker Road at Provincial.
    We are settled in with Anita now, toasting our vacation officially beginning.
    Can't wait to see Suzanne first thing in the morning!    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    1Laurie, Anita, Suzanne and Kim ready to leave Windsor
    Ambassador Bridge, Windsor OntarioKim drove for the first leg of the day - our plan is to switch drivers at every stop & rotate seats1The first of many mural photos!Painted on the sidewalk, Toledo1ToledoSuzanne and Laurie, at the Ohio River, CincinnatiJohn A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, Cincinnati OH to Covington KY2Baymont by Wyndham, Bowling Green. Our 2nd floor rooms were not a fun climbCracker Barrel was a short walk from the hotel, which was lucky because we walked back in the dark!

    Windsor to Bowling Green

    May 29, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    A relaxed start in Windsor at 9am, crossing in to US on the Ambassador Bridge. We had a good look at the new Gordie Howe Bridge, still under construction, but it's beautiful.
    Our first stop was in Toledo for breakfast, and a quick mural tour. Back on the I75 to Cincinnati where our lunch plans on the riverfront were thwarted by a Reds game, so we hopped on the I71 and ended up at a grocery store deli counter in Crescent Springs Kentucky.
    A bit of a tour through Louisville (looking for a mechanic, that thankfully we didn't need in the end).
    The drive along I65 through Kentucky was amazing, I didn't expect the hills, or the road cut out of the rock. Really pretty. We were hopeful for a sign announcing change from EDT to CDT, but no luck.
    Arrived at our hotel in Bowling Green at 7pm on the dot, a quick look at the room and then off to dinner at Cracker Barrel (you have to go at least once, so I'm told).
    Back to the hotel for a swim and soak in the hot tub, a shower and bed.
    Good night all!    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel

    Merridee's Breadbasket

    May 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Lunchtime in Franklin, we were hoping for a cozy bakery or deli - we found both at Merridee's.

    Merridee’s Breadbasket has been featured in Southern Living Magazine, on the Food Network’s “Best of Baker’s Show” on Nashville Public Television’s “Tennessee Crossroads” and has received the Sizzle Award from Southern Exposure Magazine for being voted Best Bakery in Williamson County… three years in a row!
    We can see why Merridee’s continues to be a favorite place for local folks and visitors to gather and share good food, good conversation and good coffee.

    “It is a privilege to carry on the traditions and the heart of Merridee’s Breadbasket. We take great pleasure in the way people enjoy their experience in this little hometown bakery. Stop by, take a moment to sit, meet the friendly staff and discover the simple pleasure of Merridee’s.” – Jim Kreider, owner    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel

    Whitney's Cookies

    May 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    We stumbled across Whitney's Cookies while looking for murals. This was an unexpected surprise!

    Whitney auditioned for Masterchef at just 22 years old, setting her on career path that she couldn't have imagined.
    During the 13 years of being featured at events and cooking on stages and in kitchens across the world, Whitney’s most requested dessert item was her brownie cookie. Its popularity sparked the idea for Whitney to create her own cookie company so that everyone could enjoy her cookies, and with that she launched Whitney’s Cookies.    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    Lunch at Merridee's in Franklin
    Bowling Green Harley Davidson1Anita on a HarleyHistoric Franklin TennesseeWe saw the most historic and patriotic homes driving through Franklin, flags and flowers everywhereWe heard there were some great murals in Franklin, this was the only one we foundGas fill up and window wash!Since we were only driving thru Alabama on this trip, we took a break at Gov. Guy Hunt Rest StopWe all agreed, Alabama has the nicest rest areas!1We arrived after dark at Our Little Farmhouse b&b in Laurel, Mississippi. Look how pretty it is!

    Bowling Green to Laurel

    May 30, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    I can't believe we saw so much today! We travelled through Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, and finally arrived at our farmhouse airbnb in Laurel well after dark.

    Started the day in Bowling Green KY, first stop at Harley Davidson to pick up some souvenirs, and then onto the Interstate 65 to Franklin TN (after a quick drive through Franklin KY before we realized it was the wrong state!). Loved Franklin, so quaint! We had lunch at Merridee's, picked up cookies at Whitney's and of course found a mural.
    Back on I65 towards Birmingham, and stopped for a stretch at the Gov. Guy Hunt Rest Stop... Alabama wins for the best rest stop.
    We opted to push through to Mississippi instead of stopping for dinner, and picked up pizza and snacks at Aldi's.
    We are settled in with drinks and TV, pajamas and quilts. Happy.    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    1At The Scotsman, they were filming inside the workshop today. Cooled down with a sno-cone.
    Our Litle Farmhouse airbnb, so nice to listen to birds this morningDJ Bolton, from Bolton Hometown Tours, he had us laughing and entertained the whole timeOne of the homes we saw on the tourInside the Scotsman's soda cooler!Lunch at Wilson's Commissary, a fun restaurant with great foodThis store was incredible, you have to visit to believe it!The Laurel stop on Mississippi Blues TrailLeontyne Price Music ParkHog Heaven Bar-B-Que, huge portions!

    A day in Laurel Mississippi

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We saw so much today!
    We started our morning with coffee on the screened porch, and then a walk through downtown Laurel before our tour with Bolton Hometown Tours. DJ was an amazing guide, 100% recommend.
    The open-air tour gave a peek at some of the homes and business highlights, which we then spent the afternoon exploring.
    We visited the Hellfighters USA Motorcycle Shop, stopped to see the Mississippi Blues Trail marker, and then the Leontyne Price Music Park - an opera singer who received more than 20 Grammy Awards and received the longest recorded standing ovation - 45 minutes! The Music Park was next to the Outdoor Art Gallery, with some fantastic local muralists.
    We asked DJ from Bolton Tours for his bbq recommendations, and he gave us his top 3... we decided on #2 Hog Heaven for dinner - so good 👍    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel

    Wilson's Commissary

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Becki said when we go to Laurel, we HAVE to eat at Wilson's Commissary!
    I'm so glad we took her advice.
    It was a fun restaurant, colourful, upbeat and busy. Friendly servers and great food. 10/10 recommend.

    "Come fill your hearts and bellies with our homestyle southern comfort food. We guarantee that you will lose a notch on your belt!"    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel

    Hog Heaven BBQ

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We asked our Laurel tour guide DJ Bolton for his best bbq recommendation, and he did not disappoint!
    We found Hog Heaven BBQ on Google Maps and drove out of town to a rural highway, a packed parking lot, and a line up winding through the restaurant - all good signs!

    Good BBQ, good folks, and good times: That’s what we’re all about here at Hog Heaven, where this husband-and-wife team has been sharing delicious BBQ and Southern comfort food favorites with our community since 2004. We’re a relaxed, easy-going place, but we’re serious about the food we serve, and we hope you can taste our hard work in every meal you enjoy with us.    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    Adam Trest's studioTHE TARRANT HOUSE - Angie's new home. She has worked on every episode of HometownCorner of Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street, built in 1903The Overstreet House - Season 3 finaleThe Carter House - 2nd Reno

    Laurel's Homes

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Some of the homes from the HGTV show Hometown, and some of their neighbours, photographed from the back of a golf cart during our tour

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    Matthew’s Home - Season 1 Episode 6
    The Berry House - Jemarcus Ross homeSeason 4 Episode 16 - now under new ownership1Wisteria- Built in 1901 for Silas Wright Gardiner (original founder of Laurel)First Trinity Presbyterian Church - built 1925Miss Pearl’s house - Season 2George S. and Catherine M. Gardiner Home1Arabian, Part of the sad history of the south is the era of segregationDeakle House - circa 1910The Warren House - Season 1, Episode 2

    Bolton Hometown Tour

    May 31, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Erin and Ben continue to help revitalize their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi through home renovations and small business restorations. It is hard to believe that over 100 homes have been renovated by the Napiers .
    The Bolton Hometown tour gave us a behind the scenes tour with a little bit of history thrown in.
    In 1882, Laurel, a quiet town in the southeast region of Mississippi was officially founded. At that time, it was nothing but miles of timber and a lowly population of around 800 people. The Eastmans and Gardiners are two prominent families that were substantially influential in the initial development of the town. Lauren Chase Eastman and George and Silas Gardiner were shared owners of Eastman and Gardiner Lumber Company. In 1894 they packed up their families, and moved them to one of the most isolated settlements in Mississippi. By the 1920s, Laurel was shipping more yellow pine than any other location in the world.
    Fifth Avenue is were the wealthy lumber barons resided in their mansion homes, Fourth Avenue was for the managers, Third Avenue was for the foreman, and Second and First Avenues were for the workers, and Sixth and Seventh Avenues were reserved for the merchants.    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    We had been talking about Buc-ee's for weeks, and finally made it! Leeds, AL
    1It was raining when we were packing up at the airbnb, so the Canada rain ponchos came in handyAlabama rest areas continue to impress us. Everyone is friendly, it's clean, and so much to see!2A stop Buc-ee's for a few Alabama souvenirs and picnic suppliesWe brought our bbq leftovers from Hog Heaven, and picked up buns, cheese + fruit. Perfect late lunch1Alabama liliesAt the top of Lookout Mountain, the Chattanooga Valley behind us. Cold and windy!The Incline Railway, might have to come back to TN... the steepest incline railway in the world!The Chattanooga ValleySonic, on Shallowford Rd. Great burgers and fries, we can't get over US portion sizes!

    Laurel to Chattanooga

    June 1, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Checked out of our Airbnb and made a quick stop in Laurel for souvenirs, then got on the road. Our first stop was Buc-ee’s in Leeds Alabama for a bathroom break and some shopping. We stopped at another beautiful rest area in Alabama for a leftover BBQ picnic. We were surprised to travel into our 7th state, Georgia, but sadly the sign was knocked down. Next stop - Lookout Mountain. We were too late to catch the last ride on the incline railway but that didn’t stop us from getting to the top. The rain stopped long enough to enjoy the gorgeous panoramic views of the Chattanooga Valley from the observation deck. We checked into our hotel after 8:00 pm so we walked through the “Drive-In Sonic”, that was across the street, for a quick dinner.Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    1

    The Homefront Tea Room

    June 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    We read about Tea in the Depot at the Tennessee Valley Railway Museum while planning our trip to Laurel, and made sure we included Chattanooga just to experience it. It did not disappoint, everything tasted so good, and there was plenty to eat.
    We enjoyed looking at all of the displays and chatting with the hostess and server Thatcher.
    It was surprising to learn that the Tea has only been operating for 2 years, and all of the items displayed were donated by the community.    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    Leaving Chattanooga Tennessee
    11Driving through Grandville TNCrossville TN was cute little town. This old train station was next to French's Shoes on the main st2Somewhere in the Tennessee hillsWe stopped for ice cream and postcards here, Pall Mall TN1Stop, KY1Monticello KYThis was in Monticello, KY where the youth community painted dozens of giant chairs around townWe stopped for dinner at Bob Evans in Lexington - great food, terrible service.

    Chattanooga to Sparta KY

    June 2, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    After our beautiful lunch at the Railway Museum, it was time to go. On our way south we took the Interstate, anxious to get to Laurel. Driving back north again from Chattanooga TN, we decided to take the slower roads... or as a local fella said "Ya'll takin the scenic route".

    We drove through some pretty towns, twisty mountain roads, farmlands and towering forests into Kentucky.

    The last part of the drive from Lexington to Sparta was rainy, and it was dark, so we didn't get to see too much of the area. It was 9 when when we checked into our Ramada by Wyndham rooms. We hung out in Anita and Suzanne's room for drinks and a bit of tv.    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    4 girls and Jack Daniels, outside of Detroit's Duty Free
    That's Kim, in front of the Kentucky Speedway's main entraceSite of the Great River Tragedy 1868, 2 miles above Warsaw KY in the Ohio RiverThe Ohio River at WarsawRabbit Hash General Store, since 1831.Outside the Artisan shop in Rabbit Hash, lots of local pottery, jewelry and leatherworkToledo's Glass City River Wall, as seen from the I7530 minutes before the sun set, we were too hungry to wait around to watch

    Sparta KY to Windsor ON

    June 3, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Last day on the road, we started the day with a lobby breakfast at the Sparta Ramada, and then crossed the road to the Kentucky Speedway - closed since 2020, but still used for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. We only took photos, not lessons!

    Our first stop heading out of Kentucky was at Rabbit Hash, located on the banks of the Ohio River, to see the historic General Store, operating in the same site since 1831. We enjoyed browsing the Artisan shop and General Store, and learning a bit of the area's history.
    A quick lunch at Wendy's and then we got on the Interstate 75 for a direct drive home (eta 4.5 hours)

    We did get off the highway for a short shopping trip at Hobby Lobby, and another stop for gas and snacks.

    The border crossing was quick and painless, thanks to having our paperwork in order, and we slipped into Windsor before the sun set.

    Dropped off Suzanne at home at 8pm, and picked up Chinese for a late supper.

    I'm not ready for our trip to be done!    Read more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    Leaving Canada via the Ambassador Bridge, Windsor
    Travelling through Michigan from Detriot, briefly, along Interstate 75.Continuing on the I75, into Ohio. Stopping in Toledo and Cincinnati.Travelling over the Ohio River into Kentucky, stops in Louisville, Bowling Green, Franklin.Tennessee was traffic congestion at Nashville and then rolling hills on I65 all the way to Alabama.Staying on I65 we cross over the Tennessee River into and Alabama. Through Birmingham andTuscaloosa.We merge onto I59 and enter Mississippi at Meridian. The landscape to Laurel becomes flat againLaurel to Chattanooga we travel through Georgia. The sign is down and we nearly miss it!Homeward, we travel back through Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan over 2 days.Leaving Detroilt Michigan, back over the Ambassador Bridge to Canada. 7 states, 6 days.

    Signs, signs, signs

    June 4, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

     “ROAD TRIPPIN’ WITH MY FAVORITE ALLIES – FULLY LOADED, WE GOT SNACKS AND SUPPLIES. IT’S TIME TO LEAVE THIS TOWN, IT’S TIME TO STEAL AWAY. LET’S GO GET LOST ANYWHERE IN THE U.S.A.”
    – RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSRead more

  • Road Trip to Laurel
    Walking up to a drive-thru for burgers from Sonic in Chattanooga
    A deli counter lunch at Remke, Crescent Springs KYSnocones at The Scotsman in LaurelAt the top of the Incline Railway in ChattanoogaChicken Noodle Stew at Bob Evans, LexingtonEarly morning coffee in our Laurel airbnb screened porchPizza and frozen Margaritas from Aldi's for our first dinner in LaurelA late dinner at Cracker Barrel in Bowling GreenFrings for the win! (Onion rings and fries)A lunchtime picnic at an Alabama rest stop

    So much food!

    June 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    A good vacation depends on good food, right?
    We had fast food, slow cooking, picnic, take out, eat in, high tea, grocery store deli counter and local favourites. We tried new things. Some was good, some was great, and nothing was bad.Read more

    Trip end
    June 4, 2024
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