Llamas & Sanders Cafe (the original KFC)

I realize the last post has kept you in great suspense, but you'll have to wait a bit longer until you find out our surprise birthday destination. For now let's just see how our day pleasantly progressed. 

I chose the Hampton Inn in Caryville, TN for one reason in particular: LLAMAS! They have llamas that roam the hotel grounds and in the morning the kids got their first view of them. 

 

As we headed downstairs for breakfast Delaney stopped to point out an old newspaper article she found. I was curious to see what peaked her interest especially since she doesn't read well yet. She recognized a photo of the Titanic and had to remind me how sad it was. 

 

I loved our hotel! The current owner, Hack Ayers, comes from three generations of moonshiners. (Hack alone is reason enough to stay at this hotel. His charm and southern hospitality is truly memorable.) He boasted about being the only Hampton Inn that serves as both hotel and museum. It has a rich history of bootlegging moonshine. Unfortunately, his own father was killed in a shoot out with police when he was 7 years old. The actual guns his father used are displayed prominently above the fireplace.

The hotel was very kitschy and completely charming! There were lots of antiques, framed artifacts all over the hallway walls. The kids especially loved the old vehicles outside. The day really couldn't start until the little ones put their fingers up a horse's nose.

Before we left we had to check out the llamas more closely. There were five llamas with varying colors of wool. We were lucky to get up close to them since they were chillin on the grounds in the back of the hotel. The kids loved them!

The second reason I chose this hotel was the amazing view over Cove Lake. Thanks to the older gentleman who took our photo. It turned out pretty well and now we have one with the whole family.

Had to take a photo of the cool sign boasting an Alex Haley and Roots connection. Can you find the spelling error?  

Here is another clue for our surprise birthday trip for Alyssa.

Kentucky we love you!

First stop was to Sanders Cafe (the original Kentucky Fried Chicken) in Corbin, KY. Harland Sanders started his restaurant in 1932 and was given the title of Kentucky Colonel in 1935 in honor of his contributions to the Kentucky cuisine. 

Inside is a very small museum with quite a treasure of memorabilia (original menus, dishes, photos, kitchen gadgets, etc.) and the original kitchen where Colonel Harland Sanders created his KFC original recipe. At first the Colonel also had a few motel rooms connected to his cafe for weary travelers.  

We love the Colonel!

Had to get some classic KFC photos in before we left. Me want a biscuit! Biscuits make my heart go pitter patter. When I say biscuit, you say YUM! Biscuit, YUM! Biscuit, YUM!

Next time you are driving down I-75 in KY take exit 25 and stop on by Sanders Cafe. Enjoy some chicken and biscuits where it all began!