A view while out walking. Many great views also have a bench or two!

We really liked Land Between the Lakes (LBL) the first time we camped at its Hillman Ferry Campground (HFC). When we left, we said we wouldn’t go out of our way to return….Who knew we’d be back within a month!

It was wonderful when our friends, Betty and Bob, recommended a stay in a hidden gem, Canal Campground, just at the northern tip of LBL. We loved it and extended our stay to eight days! Two things made this a better experience for us: the fact that it is an US Army Corps of Engineers campground (so we paid 1/2 price), and we had excellent cell phone and Mifi signal to research where we were going next and beyond.  We heard other people say they used to go to HFC, but, also discovered this campground and preferred it. Some turned 62 and some said there were fewer children here. 😞

There is so much to do in the LBL area, besides hiking, which is what we did the first time in this area. Here were the few things we finally were able to do and really enjoy, which we missed during previous time.  But first a few more pictures of this lovely campground. And you’ll see why it was hard to leave ….

The dock, which was below our site 90.

From a dock, looking at the beach

I asked for a trail map but was told no trails. Every forest had trails!

We had a “time travel” theme going on! I think for fun, let’s look at it from the oldest to the newest! Double click on a picture to enlarge and view these few pictures as a slide show.

There was a Classic Car Club visiting the 1850 Homeplace at the same time.

You can see the times and cost. Interesting way to build a museum.

Yep, it’s a double with an attic

A visitor is learning while watching quilting by the ladies.

The oxen work the farm.

They have a small flock of Border Leicester Sheep. This one nearly ran me over, heading to the garden to graze. Bill warned me, so I turned and snapped this picture

These two men work the gardens

1850 – Homeplace Working Farm and Living History Museum. This is one of our favorite experiences on the southeastern part of the US because of its uniqueness. See the more pictures with captions on the website I’ve hyper-linked.  And to think we missed it the first time we were here.

Bill has done a lot of wood working in his day. And for 10 years, he not only rebuilt one of our rental homes (arsonist), but he remodeled many others. He is really “tool man” at heart, so he was just amazed at the way the home and out buildings were built, using Mortise and Tenon Joints and Dovetailed Joints. And the fact they are still standing today proves it was quality craftsmanship, and all made from scratch! I’ve copied a few excerpts with more details from their website:

Homeplace 1850s Working Farm and Living History Museum represents a two-generation farm. When you visit the Homeplace, you will see interpreters in period clothing going about their daily chores (and they love to share their experiences). You’ll find the perfect blend of artifacts, restored historic structures, and traditional seasonal activities to step you back in time to relive history before the Civil War. Even our livestock includes rare and endangered breeds. We cultivate many varieties of garden plants and field crops; most from heirloom seeds dating back before the Civil War. These heirloom seeds can be purchased in our gift shop.

Walk into the Tool Barn where tools and farm implements are stored and also doubles as the farmer’s woodworking shop. You may see men splitting rails for fences or busy at the spring pole lathe turning a chair leg. You may even be invited to help with the task at hand. Be sure to stop by the kitchen to experience the heat from the wood burning stove and enjoy tempting smells of hardy country cooking. If you are wondering what something is don’t be shy, ask us questions.

Looked inside the tool barn.

Dove tailed joints

We left the 1850s with a new sense of appreciation for our modern conveniences, but then, we also thought they had it better than than we do now. There is something about being self-sufficient. As we pulled out of the Homeplace, a Bison Range was across the road. We pulled over as it looked like three bison were grazing. Yep, as we squinted our eyes, we could see these majestic creatures. We didn’t carry our better camera, nor have binoculars. But we were still in awe….

Bison Range sign pointing across the street.

Bison on the range. You have to squint to see three of them.

Next up, let’s go to the 1880s, 1907 and to outer space!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6