Tennessee Hotspots For Backyard Vacations
Most people are feeling the financial pinch of our current economic predicament and instead of travelling extensively this summer, are choosing to stay home. Right here in Tennessee is a whole summer’s worth of places to visit, for those of us who choose to wander no further than our own backyard. Here are a few of them:
- Loretta Lyn’s Ranch - Located 65 miles west of Nashville in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, this fun place to visit gives you an up close and personal view of one of America’s greatest country legends. Don’t forget to brush up on Loretta Lyn trivia before you visit by watching biographies and movies about the Star on channels carried by DISH Network.
- Natchez Trace State Park - A path that runs 444 miles from Mississippi to Tennessee, Natchez Trace was a traditional Native American trail that was later used by foreign explorers. The state park boasts lakes and woodlands, a perfect spot to take the family camping.
- Belle Meade Plantation – Considered one of the country’s grandest mansions, the Belle Meade Plantation is a 30-acre historical site that includes structures dating back to 1970, including the restored mansion.
There is so much history and so many things to see in Tennessee, you’ll be glad you vacationed at home this summer.
Lottery Plugged With Flair
"Wooooo" is what you might imagine yourself saying if you won the Tennessee Mega Millions lottery, but "wooooo" is what pro wrestler Ric Flair really is saying to promote the game.
A 30-second television ad on channels carried by DISH Network feature "the nature boy" slapping around an ill-fated skinny dude and telling him to turn puny jackpots into huge ones by playing Mega Millions.
Rebecca Hargrove, president and CEO of the Tennessee lottery said "He's an absolute delight to work with and everybody knows him. He's a good representation of good people. Everything we do is geared to sell more tickets, and this ad as garnered a lot of attention."
I don't know about you, but I'm buying my Mega Millions ticket today! WOOOOO!
World's Ugliest Dog Dies in Tennessee
The ‘Worlds Ugliest Dog’, named Miss Ellie, died in her Tennessee home at the ripe old age of 17 (that’s over 100 years in dog years, folks!). Miss Ellie was graced with the title of ugliest dog by Animal Planet’s World’s Ugliest Dog contest in 2009.
Miss Ellie was a Chinese crested hairless dog who sported bulging eyes, a mostly hairless body, and a tongue that persistently hung out the side of her mouth. She starred in Animal Planet’s Dog 101, which is carried by DISH Network, and has been in a number of commercials and television programs.
Miss Ellie was part of a troupe of dogs that her owner, Dawn Goehring, trained to perform regularly at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Mad Militiaman to Face Charges
"Sworn Obama Enemy" Walter Fitzpatrick, a retired military man, attempted to get a Monroe County grand jury to indict Obama for treason last year. Fitzpatrick seems to believe that Obama was not really born in the United States.
Angered by the grand jury refusing to consider his case, Fitzpatrick began issuing a series of complaints against officials he accused of misconduct for not arresting, charging, and removing the president from office.
Fitzpatrick wound up being arrested for inciting a riot in April, after him and fellow "birthers" showed up at the Monroe County Courthouse to carry out a citizen's arrest.
Darren Wesley Huff soon entered the scene, claiming membership in a militia and telling anybody who would listen, including the Highway Patrol, FBI, and a radio talk show that he and fellow militiamen planned to seize the town of Sweetwater during Fitzpatrick's April 20th trial in order to help him carry out his citizen's arrest.
Huff was arrested for carrying guns and ammunition across state lines for the purpose of inciting riotous violence.
And some people call me crazy. At least I have the good sense to protect my family and home using an ADT home security System from nuts like these.
Looking Forward To a Drive on Hayes
Isaac Hayes, the time-honored legendary late soul musician, is lined up to get a stretch of highway named after him in his home state of Tennessee.
State Senate unanimously passes the measure to designate a portion of Interstate 40 as the "Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway". It passed the house unopposed in April. The bill is now set before Governor Phil Bredesen, who is expected to pass it as well.
If passed, the commemorative highway will be near Memphis where Hayes lived before he died of a stroke at the age of 65 in 2008.
In addition to being elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, Hayes is well known as the voice of Chef on the animated TV show South Park, which is aired on Comedy Central as part of basic DISH Network programming.
