While visiting Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough, we discovered the International Storytelling Center, Crockett State Park, and a Country Market with a wonderful deli. First up is the Market.
Yoders Country Market
Front entrance of Yoders Country Market
We have stopped in at Yoders Country Market in Bull Gap a few times now while traveling along I-81. They are located a couple of miles west of the interstate, on US 11E, at exit 23. Yoders has a wide selection of food items including various flours and grains, produce, cured and fresh meats, and home style breads. In the back is a deli with many options for sandwiches and sides.
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Cured meats
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deli area
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ordering area
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Cajun turkey on sourdough
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chicken salad on white bread
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scrapple
While I passed on scrapple this time, I did pick up a block of corn meal mush. I remember eating this as a kid. The next morning I cut a couple of quarter-inch thick slices and fried them with a bit of butter. Yum!
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A block of cornmeal mush
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fried cornmeal mush and eggs
David Crockett Birthplace State Park
The David Crockett Birthplace State Park is about 25 miles east of Interstate 81. David was born in 1786 near Limestone, TN, and over the following years gradually moved further west towards Memphis. He served several terms in congress, however following a defeat in the elections of 1835, he moved to Texas, joined with the army, and perished along with the entire garrison at The Alamo in 1836.
The Park features 88 sites for camping, with 54 featuring full hook-ups, 17 with water and electric, and 17 tent sites with no utilities. There is a group camp site on the opposite side, with several pavilions and many picnic tables. We brought our haul from Yoders with us and picked a place in the sun near the banks of the Nolichucky river to eat.
Following lunch we wandered about the park checking out the historic structures and reading about the site’s history. The Park hosts numerous events throughout the year.
Jonesborough, Tennessee
We continued on Highway 11E/321 another 12 miles to downtown Jonesborough. Established in 1779, seventeen years before Tennessee is granted statehood, was originally part of North Carolina. John Sevier was part of the group that founded the town. We visited the historic downtown area.
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Main Street
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Alleyway
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Entrance to an old house
A pleasant discovery was learning about the International Storytelling Center located at 100 West Main. The Center is celebrating its twentieth year with a series of events from May through October. A full schedule of afternoon matinees, evening concerts, and holiday specials is online. I am looking forward to a return visit for one of these performances.
We continued exploring the area along Main street.
All in all a great day of learning and fun! Come stay with us at The Sidecar Inn and we can help plan your perfect day trip!
