[JeffsLowe]

Kinda of a rainy day stuck in the house topic..but here goes.

The wife and I like to combine eating out with fishing and/or hiking. Here are a few of our favorite spots we like to stop at before or after our trips.

Our favorite breakfast/brunch in middle TN is at the Old Mill at Readyville, Only open I think Fir - Sun and you will need a reservation Sat/Sun. Also, strictly for hiking days- parking lot is definitely not boat trailer friendly.

Rock Island market has great breakfasts and their pies are good too. Also a good place to get minnows and other local baits. I think they are closed Mondays though. Right up the road is The Landing (shell station) which has a great meat & 3 on weekdays. Both places boat trailer friendly -the Landing moreso as the Market can get kind of crowded.

The KFC in Sparta, for whatever reason, is a cut above your normal KFC and a great stopping place, especially if you are pulling a boat. Another good one in Sparta is the White Possum, which again for whatever reason, seems to have a lot better food than the White Possum in Smithville. (maybe its just me, but I have yet to find anywhere to eat in Smithville worth stopping at).

If are headed to Savage Gulf or Old Stone Fort for some hiking we generally combine it with a stop at The Smokehouse in Monteagle. This is probably my favorite restaurant of all. Have tried the Oaks and some other places in Manchester and found its much better to just make the run up the mountain to Monteagle.

If we are headed to Fall Creek Falls we used to like going to the restaurant there, but the idiots tore down the lodge and can't seem to get the new one built. So instead we head down the mountain to the Cookie Jar cafe in Dunlap. Their setting up on a knob on a working farm in the Sequatchie Valley is just amazing and their pies are to die for. Also, probably the best chicken & dumplings we have found anywhere. The decor is really cool too.

The Collins River BBQ in McMinnville is really good too, but if your pulling a boat your gonna have to park in the city lot and walk a block. The Captains Ds in McMinnville is boat trailer friendly and for whatever reason is about a zillion times better than your regular Captain Ds which is usually pretty awful. Also should mention Smooth Rapids outfitters in McMinnville offers an outstanding kayak/canoe trip down the Barren Fork to the Collins.

If we are on I 40 for Center Hill or lower Caney then the Timberloft restaurant at the Gordonsville exit is generally a must stop. BBQ is outstanding and reasonably priced, plus their lot is very boat trailer friendly. They have another location up the Wildwood Marina which I have not been to.

Another good hiking and eating spot is the lodge at Cumberland Mtn State Park. Their buffet is amazing, then you can stroll right out the lodge on a really nice paved hike around the lake with some huge hemlock trees.

If we are out on Priest for spring crappie we will generally run down to Fate Sanders marina and tie up right by restaurant. Food is ok and kinda neat eating in a booth looking out right by the boat.

A ton of other places around but these stick out in my mind as making the trips just a little more special.