(Photo) Old Stone Fort Archeological Park.

Piece 1: Old Stone Fort Archeological Park. Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park is located in Coffee County TN, just west of Manchester TN. The earthen mounds and stone formations on the property, constructed by the Woodlands peoples over 1,500 years ago, flanked the convergence of the Duck and Little Duck Rivers. This formed a unique enclosure, which served as ceremonial grounds and a place for community gatherings (often aligned with celestial events and seasonal changes), rather than a traditional fortification.

In 1966, the state of Tennessee purchased 400 acres that encompassed the historic Old Stone Fort landscape. The area is now actively managed as an “archeological park” for preservation, education, recreation, and research purposes. A small museum at the park entrance features artifacts from excavations at the Old Stone Fort site and exhibits about Native American culture.

Old Stone Fort’s landscape is a rich tapestry of hardwood forests, grassy fields, and wetland areas; each supporting a diverse assortment of plant and animal life. Dominant tree species include towering oaks, hickories, and maples; which provide a dense canopy and create a lush environment for numerous understory plants. The forest floor is teeming with ferns, wildflowers, and shrubs; which burst into color during the spring and summer months.

The park features a network of trails that are thoughtfully designed to guide visitors through the heart of the property’s ancient mounds and earthworks. Hikers and casual walkers alike will appreciate the well-maintained paths that meander through lush woodlands, offering glimpses of the picturesque Duck River.

View inside the Caverns

Piece 2: The Caverns. The Caverns is a subterranean music venue in Grundy County TN near the base of the Cumberland Plateau. It was established in 2018 by Todd Mayo, who had previously created Bluegrass Underground at Cumberland Caverns in nearby McMinnville TN.

The Grundy County property features two main caves, Big Mouth Cave and Big Room Cave; with the underground concerts presented in Big Mouth. The seating capacity for shows inside the Caverns is around 850, but up to 1,200 patrons can be accommodated with some “standing room only” areas. Big Mouth Cave features restrooms, a full bar, and a merchandise stand within the performance space.

The Caverns is a wonderful setting for music shows. Beautiful lighting is projected against the limestone walls and ceiling, and the subterranean environment provides great acoustics. The one thing to remember is that, despite the amenities and infrastructure within Big Mouth Cave, it’s still a natural cave environment. Ground water filters through the rock and (sometimes) drips on event patrons. We got a few drips on us during a Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder bluegrass show, but considered it just “another unique part” of a very unique concert experience.

Lastly, visitors to the Grundy County property can also explore the caves on guided tours; and stay overnight at the campground which includes tent sites, RV sites with electric hookups, and yurt accommodations. For those interested in more traditional motel lodging, there are affordable options in nearby Monteagle TN.

View inside Aretha Frankensteins

Piece 3: Aretha Frankensteins.  Aretha Frankensteins is a quirky breakfast food café established in the 1990’s by Jeff Brakebill in the historic North Shore district of Chattanooga TN (518 Tremont Street). The name is a mashup that pays homage to soul music legend Aretha Franklin and the restaurant’s Frankenstein-like culinary creations that are “stitched together” from many hearty components.

The interior of Aretha Frankensteins features a kind of vintage horror movie-inspired decor. The walls are almost completely covered with music and cinematic posters, pieces of pop culture, old photos, flyers, stickers, and local art. We particularly enjoyed looking at the large display of retro cereal boxes; especially those with monster imagery such as Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry.

While the Aretha Frankensteins menu includes a wide range of traditional breakfast items, their pancakes are what the restaurant is famous for. The (pancake) batter they use is a thick and slightly lumpy mixture with a leavening agent. The “cakes” are freshly cooked within ring molds positioned on a well-heated griddle, which gives the finished product a somewhat tall and puffy appearance. Aretha Frankensteins pancakes are remarkably good; unlike any other pancakes we have had.

Finally, the inside dining space at Aretha Frankensteins is intentionally intimate, creating a friendly and communal atmosphere…another part of what makes this experience special (and memorable). This small size, however, can also mean a wait time for inside seating during peak times; although the restaurant does offer some additional seating capacity outside during milder weather months.

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