End of the Visit…Prudent Activities Continued

As Laurie’s sisters Bonnie and Karole along with Bonnie’s husband Bill neared the end of their short visit, we were still out and about…still exercising sensible Covid-19 precautions.  The goal was to avoid crowded venues or places where staff wasn’t wearing masks and maintain social distancing.  Of course, we wore our masks except when eating.     

We stopped for an adult beverage and appetizers at the Tanasi golf course clubhouse in Tellico Village.  The clubhouse includes a popular local restaurant serving decent food at reasonable prices.  The staff was totally masked up and the tables were well spaced out. 

We tried for outdoor seating but it was a beautiful fall day and the tables along the patio area were all taken.  But, in any case, it wasn't just the restaurant or the food per se that drew us in on this beautiful fall day.

These 3 photos above illustrate yet another reason that the restaurant at the Tanasi Clubhouse is so popular.  The views are hard to beat!  The golf course and the marina along with Tellico Lake, the attractive homes and the local scenery all add up to a relaxing atmosphere.

To learn more about the Tanasi Clubhouse and Restaurant and to see more photos, go to Tanasi Bar and Grill - Loudon, Tennessee - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews | Facebook.

Another popular local destination is Sweetwater Valley Farm.  This farm near Philadelphia Tennessee was part of a Revolutionary War Land Grant awarded to General William Ballard Lenoir.  The area was settled in the early 1800’s.

Sweetwater Valley Farm is a large dairy farm with over 1,500 dairy cows.  In addition to milk, a wide variety of cheeses are produced.  The building shown above is their cheese store…although you can find their products in many East Tennessee grocery stores.  The farm produces over 25 different varieties of cheese ranging from many different styles of cheddar to jack, Colby and Gouda.  

However, we weren’t at Sweetwater Farm just to buy cheese.  We wanted to eat some cheese too!  This barn like structure houses a restaurant and gift shop.  What does the restaurant serve…?  Grilled Cheese Sandwiches of course!  The restaurant, (Tuesday – Saturday, breakfast and lunch only, 9 AM to 3 PM), has become another popular attraction for the Farm.

Love the focal point with the old Chevrolet pick-up truck loaded with pumpkins!  While we were there, visitors were posing their families with the truck for photos.  The Chevrolet 3600 series were produced in the late 1940s.

Of course, as befitting a successful and growing venture like Sweetwater Farms, they boast newer trucks as well.  I’m guessing that this van is used to deliver product to the more than 200 East Tennessee stores, breweries, wineries and restaurants that feature and sell their cheeses.  How about that promotional phrasing!  "Cheese. Cows. Wows!"

This is the service counter and kitchen area where the grilled cheese sandwiches and milk shakes happen!  Prices are quite reasonable with The Classic priced at $5.00, while the most expensive creation, The Club XL costs $9.00.  They do make a good grilled cheese sandwich…but I much prefer Laurie’s homemade version. 

Here is our little group at a table located far away from other customers.  From the left, Karole, Bill, Bonnie and Laurie.  Actually all of the tables in the restaurant are well spaced out but this one was really on its own.  All of the outdoor seating was occupied.  Note the gift shop in the back…

I like old autos and trucks… Someone who was visiting Sweetwater Farms arrived in this shiny Studebaker Lark VIII Wagonaire.  This style station wagon was built by the Studebaker Corporation in South Bend Indiana.  I’m not sure when this model was built but I found a ‘rare’ 1960 2-door Studebaker Lark VIII with a V8 engine for sale on-line.  Price $12,500 and it only has 31,500 miles on the odometer!

Back to Sweetwater Valley Farm.  The farm has become a significant regional tourist attraction.  In non covid-19 times, in addition to the cheese store, restaurant and gift shop, tours of the dairy operation are also offered.  As per TripAdvisor there have been 170 reviews of Sweetwater farm and 93% of them gave either 4 or 5 stars.  To learn more, just go to https://sweetwatervalley.com.  

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!  

Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave