Jaunted - TN

These Rocking Chairs Now Worth $250 More

egw — 2009-04-10T16:01:36-05:00

"Easy to get to, hard to leave," boasts the website for Blackberry Farm, a picturesque retreat in the Great Smoky Mountains.

According to MSNBC, "agritourism" is on the rise this year as travelers sweetly yearn to get back to the land. Not many farmers' kids we know grew up tooling around on the backroads in a Lexus GX SUV (available for rental on-property!) or getting four-handed massages inspired by the Cherokee, but at least Blackberry is a working farm producing artisan cheeses, fruit, cured meats and preserves.

And then we noticed something funny: Back in 2007 our sister site HotelChatter noticed how heavily acclaimed Blackberry Farm was, noting the tasteful decor and delicious dishes.

The farm has since added 12 guest rooms -- and most shockingly, over $200 to its daily rates for the most modest accommodations. No time like the present to urge people to get back to nature at a ridiculously inflated price!

Want to get back to nature on a budget? You may have to forgo award-winning fly-fishing and the spa, but volunteer vacations like those offered by organic farms through WWOOF offer the chance to get your hands dirty and a little relaxation time, too.

[Photo: markalbert]

Security Theater: Jewel's (Not) Hilarious Nashville Airport Prank

egw — 2008-10-23T09:16:04-05:00

Stars: They're not like us! Singer Jewel played a prank on tour buddy Brad Paisley which consisted of him being arrested at Nashville International Airport.

After they played their last tour date together in Selma, Texas, the Alaskan former folkie arranged for two rent-a-cops to "arrest" Paisley at the gate when he returned to Nashville, handcuffing him and shoving him into an unmarked car. It was there Paisley learned it was a joke as he was cited for excessive "noodling" on the guitar.

This gives an entire new meaning to the term "security theater." Creating a realistic-looking arrest at a gate within view of other passengers and hiring people to impersonate TSA agents and cops? Totally OK. Making a joke going through security? Years in prison.

Related Stories:
· Jewel Punks Brad Paisley [KWTX]
· UFO over Stephenville, Texas Looking For Jewel And Tasty BBQ [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Celebitchy]

Possible Presidents Travel: Now Leaving Nashville, Y'All Come Back Now, Hear?

egw — 2008-10-08T10:00:40-05:00

Last night, John McCain warmly greeted members of the audience but appeared to blank on opponent Barack Obama's name, calling him "that one." He's going to have to do better that that with swing state voters on the road today!

For now, it's time to leave Nashville, the scene of last night's debate, and head to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for a rally at Lehigh University. There aren't any tickets left, but you can always try your luck with a student ID and try to sneak in. After that, they're off to north central Ohio for a rally in Strongsville, the self-proclaimed "Crossroads of the Nation."

Possible Presidents Travel: Everybody Gets a Label

egw — 2008-10-06T13:30:40-05:00

Joe Six Packs and soccer moms turned out en masse to see Barack Obama in Columbus, Ohio this weekend with special guest Bruce Springsteen. The Boss recently made a very special donation to the Obama campaign: Along with his co-headlining a benefit in New York City with Billy Joel, a group of very special campaign volunteers got free tickets to a Saturday show in Philadelphia.

But with the second presidential debate coming up Tuesday, he's off preparing until tomorrow night's bout at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. While he crams, Michelle Obama will be meeting and greeting the populace tomorrow in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

Theme Parks Travel: Pack Up the Kids... And the Bible

kjb — 2008-09-18T11:15:29-05:00

Attention fans of Tennessee and Christianity: Rumor has it that developers are close to deciding on the specific location for a Bible-inspired theme park in the state. A spokesman for the Entertainment Development Group wouldn't discuss any specifics regarding the park this week, but stated that the company was close to making an announcement.

The Nashville-area theme park has been in the works for more than a year, but with the new development group taking over, some believe that it's this is close to becoming a reality.

The people behind the park plan to have attractions based on biblical history and archeology but won't take an ideological stance on the Bible. Of course, residents are a little apprehensive: Many don't want the traffic and congestion associated with a theme park so close to their homes.

Related Stories:
· Bible Park Site Selection Expected Very Soon [The Tennessean]
· Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo of a Bible-based park in Argentina: blmurch]

Shut Yo Mouth! Isaac Hayes to Be Honored with Airport

egw — 2008-08-21T08:45:14-05:00

Coolest airport ever: A Tennessee representative has put forth the proposal to remember musician Isaac Hayes by naming Memphis-Shelby County International Airport after him.

Normally we scoff at celebrity-airport monikers -- fifty years from now some comedian will still be dining out on D.C.'s transit hub named for Ronald Reagan -- but it sounds like Steve Cohen, D-TN, was truly moved by Hayes' memorial in Cordova, near his birthplace of Covington. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton also came to the memorial service, while Tom Cruise and Denzel Washington paid a visit to Hayes' private burial over the weekend.

We'll gladly fly in to Isaac Hayes International if every airline will play the "Shaft" theme upon landing in Memphis.

Related Stories:
· Memphis: Airport Eats [Jaunted]
· Isaac Hayes to Get an Airport Named after Him [ICYDK]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: E! Online]

The 1982 World's Fair: An Idea Whose Time Has Come Again

Victor Ozols — 2008-07-19T16:40:19-05:00

Sometimes, it takes a good look back to see the present for what it is. Here, Victor Ozols plumbs the depths of his memory - as well as a handful of very retro websites - to suss out the meaning behind the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.

I can still recall the commercial jingle: "You've got to be there! The 1982 World's Fair! You've got to be there!" And I was there, a skinny eleven-year-old kid, traveling with his family to take in the cutting-edge concepts of a fair designed to explore the ways in which "Energy Turns the World." A brief look back underscores the fact that history always repeats itself, often in sad, pathetic ways. Just like today, people in 1982 were concerned that the world had become too reliant on fossil fuels, and there was a push to develop alternative energy sources. To that end, national pavilions across the fairgrounds displayed fancy new technology designed to harness the power of the sun, wind, water currents, biomass, and, yes, nuclear technology to provide the energy we'd surely need in the 21st century - even though it was a long way away. But as a Pac-Man-obsessed youngster I was mostly awed by the colorful displays and flashing lights of exhibits from the Philippines to France, and everywhere I turned it seemed like something very important was happening and that big changes were on the horizon.

Related Stories:
· World's Fair Park [Official Site]
· Flashback 1982: You've Got To Be There [gate21.net]
· World's Fair Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Victor Ozols]