The morning weather forecast issued an advisory for patchy dense fog, burning off with the morning sunrise.
The morning fog was lifting as we left Fayetteville, and headed to the small town of Lynchburg through picturesque countryside.
Despite the operational distillery, which is a major tourist attraction, Lynchburg in Moore County has remained dry since prohibition – thus no alcohol can be sold – unless you’re buying an expensive commemorative bottle after the tour – that just happens to have Tennessee Whiskey in it. Who would want an empty bottle. Right?
Jasper Newton Daniel, more commonly known as Jack, introduces the world to Old No. 7, his signature charcoal-mellowed Tennessee Whiskey. The Jack Daniel Distillery was registered with the federal government in 1866, making it the oldest in the U.S.
After an amazing tour of the distillery, we headed into the town of Lynchburg for lunch at Barrelhouse BBQ.
What an awesome hole in the wall. Every square inch of writeable surface was used by previous visitors, each leaving their marks of patronage behind – from signatures and paper currency from all over the world, to embroiled badges of first responders.
We left Lynchburg and heading south down the freeway. I noticed space rockets standing tall above the surrounding landscape – no, I wasn’t hallucinating after sampling copious quantities of JD.
I had to pull off the highway and check it out. Unfortunately my timing sucked because the Space Center closed in 30 minutes. No way I could enjoy a museum of that magnitude with limited time.
We returned to the highway and continued south, and with permission from Walmart Management, we boondocked at Prattville.
For my UK friends, I can confirm it’s NOT a village of prats – aka incompetent, stupid, or foolish people. They were friendly, all had strong southern Alabama accents, and couldn’t understand a single word I said with my mixed South African/Canadian accent.
“There are road trips, and then there are pilgrimages“
Russel (Rascal) Robertson
My pilgrimage has included a visit to:
- Buffalo Trace Kentucky Bourbon Distillery – CHECK
- Makers Mark Kentucky Bourbon Distillery – CHECK
- Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey Distillery – CHECK
Life is good!!