Cinco Amigos – Loudon Tennessee

It was dinner time following a late afternoon doctor’s appointment.  We were in the mood for some Mexican cuisine.  A new Mexican restaurant had recently opened in Loudon Tennessee and since it’s relatively close to home, off we went!

This is Cinco Amigos on US Hwy. 11 in Loudon Tennessee.  The original Cinco Amigos Restaurant in this area is located in nearby Lenoir City close to the intersection of US Hwy. 321 and I-75.  We’d always regarded that restaurant as one of the best Mexican Restaurants in the area and we hoped that this location would carry on that tradition.

Several restaurants have occupied this building since we’ve lived in the area.  Cinco Amigos spent a lot of time and money upgrading and redecorating the building as well as in refinishing the parking lot. 

The inside of the restaurant is simply decorated with tile floors, arches enclosing the booths, a little decorative art work and a few flat screen televisions.  The dining room was clean and orderly.  The only issue we noted was that when the dining room filled up, the high ceilings amplified the noise in the room…

Of course the meal started out with a basket of tortilla chips and some salsa.  We’d been told that it was too spicy but we had to ask for some hot sauce to perk it up.  The waitress didn’t have to be asked to refill the basket of chips.

For an appetizer we decided to order one of our favorites…when it’s done right… This is Queso Fundido, basically a bowl of melted Mexican cheese laced with spicy grilled chorizo sausage. ($6.50)  It came with a couple of soft tortillas but we ate most of this appetizer with more chips.  It was very good indeed!

I ordered the Chili Colorado for dinner. ($10.25) As per the menu this entrée includes beef chunks (really strips) in a red chili sauce served with rice, refried beans with cheese and warm flour/soft tortillas.  I really enjoyed my meal!

Laurie went for the Tacos De Carne. ($10.25) This dish consisted of 2 flour tortillas stuffed with sliced steak and served with Pico de Gallo, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, rice and beans.  Laurie said that she’d definitely order this entrée again!  Did I mention that we both really liked the refried beans?

 

Laurie asked for more sour cream and I’d asked for hot sauce to ‘amp up’ the salsa.  We were a little surprised that we were charged 99 cents for each of those ‘extras’…especially the hot sauce.  In most Mexican restaurants a hotter sauce is provided gratis... 

We will return to Cinco Amigos in Loudon.  It’s a bit more convenient for us and the food is comparable with the original location.  The Loudon location for Cinco Amigos is at 934 Mulberry Street (US Hwy. 11).  Phone: 865-458-2304.  The website is at http://mexicanrestaurantlenoircitytn.com/.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for dinner!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Virginia Museum of Transportation – Part I (Autos)

After our interesting and fun visit to Black Dog Salvage, our next stop was the Virginia Museum of Transportation.  It’s located in an historic old railroad structure next to the tracks not too far from the center of the city.

The cost of admission was very reasonable…$8.00 for seniors (60+) and $10.00 for younger ‘adults’.  We started out with the automotive portion of the museum…

The first car that greeted us in this part of the museum was this 1918 Kline Kar.  This 7 passenger touring version is one of only 2 known surviving vehicles produced by the Kline Motor Car Company.  It is about 75% restored.

The company began operations in York Pennsylvania but later moved to Richmond Virginia.  As such, the “Kline” was one of only a handful of cars produced by Virginian companies.  The others were the ‘Virginian’, ‘Dawson’ and the ‘Piedmont’.   

The Kline had a 6 cylinder engine that delivered 25 horsepower.  About 800 of them were built.  They were hand-built and therefore, as other automobiles began coming off assembly lines, the Klines were expensive.  By way of comparison, a Model-T could be purchased for $600.00 while a Kline cost came in at $1,495.00!

Fittingly enough, the next automobile in line was this 1923 Piedmont Touring Car Model 4-30.  Piedmont was the only auto company that was ever chartered in Virginia.  This auto was powered by a Lycoming 4-cylinder engine and it could reach a top speed of 45 mph! 

The body was assembled in Lynchburg Virginia.  The company also produced cars for Bush (Chicago), Lone Star (Texas) and Alsace (Europe). Piedmont only produced a total of 3,000 Piedmont autos and the company went out of business primarily due to the cost of their vehicles.  This is 1 of only 3 known Piedmonts in existence.  

This model of the automobile spelled the demise of so many auto makers… It’s a 1914 Model-T Touring Car.  Ford’s assembly line production process enabled the company to produce a relatively affordable automobile for the masses.  This version originally cost $550.00.  The Ford Model-T was built from 1908 – 1927, with a total of 15,000,000 versions produced!

This particular Model-T was driven until the late 1930’s when it was permanently parked in an open garage on a farm.  A hen even nested in it!  It was purchased by an auto buff in 1971 and it took him 7 years to complete the restoration…

This classy restoration is a 1930 Ford Model AA.  It’s a heavy duty commercial truck version of the Ford Model A that spent its working years in Salt Lake City Utah.  Ford didn’t like to waste materials or parts and this truck used the cab and sheet metal left over from a 1929 model.  This vehicle was probably the first to use Budd wheels and lug nuts…which are still being built and used today.

I ‘borrowed’ this photo from Wikipedia.  This Model AA is still in service in Uruguay.  Cuba still has some on the road as well…80 years after their introduction.  The enthusiasm continues for these trucks here in the USA as well.  There are 2 national clubs for the Ford Model AA.

Many of you will recognize this as a DeLorean.  This 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 was built in Dunmurry Northern Ireland…which is where the company’s plant was located.  This short lived business produced a total of 9,967 cars.  The current DeLorean operation in Houston Texas is not related to the original company. 

The iconic DeLorean was known for its distinctive gull-wing doors.  Fast enough for its day, the car could accelerate from 0 – 60 mph in 10.5 seconds.  By comparison, a current Chevrolet Corvette Model Z07 can hit 60 mph in only 2.95 seconds!  Of course, the DeLorean is best known and loved for its role in the movie classic, “Back to the Future”.

Now this little car brings back memories…scary ones at that!  This is a 1953 MG TD Midget.  Around 30,000 of these cars were produced in England by Morris Garages.   They weren’t particularly fast off the line but like many sports cars they encourage the feeling of speed.

I will never forget riding with my grandmother… She had purchased one of these (painted burgundy).  She was a very prim and proper woman, quite conservative.  That is until she got behind the wheel of her MG Midget!  After one ride with her past Ella Sharp Park in Jackson Michigan at about 60 miles an hour, (40 mph zone), I refused to ride with her any more.  My brother quickly followed in my footsteps!

Speaking of my old home town… This is a 1922 Earl Model M.  It was built in Jackson Michigan by Clarence A. Earl, the former President of the Briscoe Automobile Company.  It’s basically a modified version of the Briscoe.  This auto cost $1,184.00 when it was purchased.  It had a 37.5 horsepower motor. 

The company failed because its low volume production philosophy just wasn’t the route to success vs. high volume production lines.  The company operated from 1921 to 1923.  Only about 2,000 of these cars were ever built and as a consequence, they are quite rare today.

This is a 1928 Willys Overland Whippet.  This 6-cylinder 72 horsepower automobile was originally introduced in 1926 by Willys-Overland as a new brand of smaller car.  During the roaring twenties, it was known as one of the fastest cars around.   Following the market crash of 1929 and the resulting Great Depression, production was of the Whippet ceased 1931.

Notes:

·       During World War II, Willys-Overland was contracted to build military jeeps, which launched its reputation as a jeep manufacturer.

·       In 1949, Willys Wagons created the first sport utility vehicle by offering four-wheel drive.

This is a 1930 Durant Model 6-14.  It was built in Muncie Indiana and it had a 6-cylinder 58 horsepower engine.  It sold for $845.00 or about $36,000 in 2015 dollar equivalents.  Although it is popular enough to have its own collector’s club, I think that the most interesting thing about the Durant was the man who was responsible for starting the company…

William Crapo "Billy" Durant (1861 – 1947) was a leading pioneer of the United States automobile industry.  After creating the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, which ultimately became number one in the world in the manufacturer of horse drawn carriages, he went on to conceive the modern system of automobile dealer franchises.  He also created the system of multi-brand holding companies with different lines of cars, co-founded General Motors as well as Chevrolet in conjunction with Louis Chevrolet.  Just for good measure, Durant also founded Frigidaire.  When he died, he was almost broke…

This sleek beauty is a 1936 Cadillac Fleetwood Coupe.  It has a 346 cubic inch V-8 flathead engine that delivers 135 horsepower.  

This model included the first hydraulic brakes on a Cadillac.  To accommodate additional passengers, there was a rumble seat behind the interior passenger compartment.  That concept was adapted from the seating for servants on some horse-drawn carriages.  It was also referred to as a "mother-in-law seat."  

I took this photo because it was an interesting and useful adaptation of a Hummer H1.  This was 1 of 6 former military Hummers that was converted to a wild fire fighting vehicle in Virginia.  It provided fire crews with access to remote areas and rough terrain.  Equipped with a 250 gallon water tank as well as a built in foam system, it could pump water on a fire or hot spot at a rate of 120 gallons per minute. 

I clearly remember this car… It’s the 1962 Studebaker Lark.  This of course was the taxicab version.  This version of the Lark, originally called the "Econ-O-Miler," was built on the station wagon's longer 113 inch wheelbase.  The extra 4.5 inches of wheelbase translated into extra rear seat legroom and space for luggage, both of which of course were important in the taxi trade.

Continuing with the theme, this is a 1955 Studebaker President "Speedster".  The 8 cylinder engine accompanied by a 4-barrel carburetor that powered this top-end Studebaker developed 185 horsepower.  The speedometer showed a ‘top end’ speed at 160 mph!  

 

Only 2,215 Speedsters were manufactured.  It was the predecessor of the famous Studebaker ‘Hawk’ series.  As Studebaker’s top end model, the Speedster featured special 2-tone paint, leather upholstery, wire wheel covers, power steering and power brakes.

Much to Laurie’s mother’s dismay, her dad brought home a Studebaker Golden Hawk one day… It was beautiful but it wasn’t too practical for a large family!  Unfortunately, the museum didn't have a Golden Hawk on display... 

This is a 1950 Studebaker Land Cruiser… (At this point in my youth our family car was the more ‘tank like’ Hudson Hornet)  Starting at roughly $2,000, this car had a 6-cylinder engine that delivered 102 horsepower.  It also had a braking system that prevented the car from rolling backwards on a hill when using the clutch to shift the manual transmission.  Another improvement was the ‘pneumatic’ antenna that significantly improved radio reception! 

After World War II, most automakers offered vehicles that resembled the boxy pre-war designs.  However, Studebaker’s engineers developed this new, modern look.  It was based on airplane profiles that were so popular in post-war America.

Continuing with the theme, this is a 1912 Studebaker.  Although they started out as horse drawn carriage and wagon builders, the Studebaker brothers entered the auto business by building auto bodies for electric car maker the E-M-F Company in Detroit.

 

At first E-M-F built the cars and Studebaker distributed them through their wagon distributors…accumulating a small fortune along the way.    Eventually, the brothers took control of E-M-F and after building some electric vehicles themselves, they shut down that operation and moved to internal combustion power automobiles.  The company closed its last auto manufacturing facility in Hamilton Ontario Canada in 1966.

The reverse cycle is completed!  This is an 1870 Studebaker Half-Platform Wagon…minus the necessary horse!  It was manufactured by Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company in South Bend Indiana.  "Half-platform" refers to the spring arrangement.  This wagon had platform springs on the rear and elliptic springs on the front.

 

Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the military.  During the height of westward migration and wagon train pioneering, half of all the wagons used were Studebakers.  They made about a quarter of them, and manufactured the metal fittings for many other builders in Missouri for another quarter-century.

Abraham Lincoln as well as Presidents Harrison and Grant owned Studebaker carriages and as a matter of fact, Lincoln rode in one on the night he was assassinated.  As you can see in the photo above, the Budweiser Clydesdales still pull at least one Studebaker built wagon… 

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for coming along on the tour!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Black Dog Salvage – Our Primary Goal in Roanoke VA

Now on to the real goal or purpose of our trip to Roanoke!  “ Salvage Dawgs” is one of Laurie’s favorite shows on HGTV and she’s wanted to tour and/or shop in their store in Roanoke for some time now. 

Combining a visit to Black Dog Salvage with a little 3-day 37^th anniversary celebration road trip was a perfect idea… 

This is the headquarters, workshop, warehouse and retail outlet for Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke Virginia.  Also note the sign to the left of their logo at the top of the building…Memorial Bridge Marketplace.

This photo from the parking area at Black Dog Salvage gives you a better idea about the size of this operation!  It is enormous.  Even the outdoor area around the parking lot and the outside of the building is stacked with recovered or salvaged architectural items from various structures.

Their show on HGTV is called “Salvage Dawgs”.  Viewers watch as Robert and Mike guide their team through the careful recovery of architectural artifacts from homes, hospitals, factories and other historical properties…with the purpose of reclaiming, renewing and redefining these salvaged items for use into the foreseeable future.  “Salvage Dawgs” has been on the air since 2012.  In addition to HGTV, the show is also aired on DYI, and most recently the Great American Country channel.

Now for a few photos in an attempt to convey the scope and variety of the items recovered or salvaged from distressed properties.  How about a few doors?  The selection is enormous!

FYI…Black Dog Salvage was founded in 1999 in an effort to preserve and reuse elements of Southwestern Virginia’s architectural past.  The company was founded by Mike Whiteside and Robert Kulp and the company was named after a big black dog named Molly, the first 'black dog'. 

Then there are a plethora of bathroom fixtures…sinks, toilets, urinals, medicine cabinets and other items.

Trying to match up some antique molding in an effort to refurbish an old home or just to provide eye catching accents in your remodeling project?  Off and on as I wandered through the building, I watched one customer who spent more than a half hour digging through his molding options looking for the right items.

Fireplace mantels are ‘in’ as an accent piece even if you don’t own a fireplace.  There were an impressive number of choices even in this area of the store…

Lighting, lighting globes, glass shades, etc.!  This place is an interior decorator’s gold mine…

I couldn’t include all of the categories of recovered items in this blog… Add garden statues, decorative iron work, sections of stairs, stacks and stacks of windows, boats and boat related items, millstones, old time radiators, religious artifacts, signs, industrial equipment, etc., etc.

Perhaps you need columns for your front porch or as an interior point of interest?

Or you really need that ‘special door’ to highlight your project, headboard or design?

How about some period kitchen or pantry cabinets?  We had some like these in one of our homes when I was growing up.  Note all of the light fixtures hanging from the ceiling in the background…

Would you like to create a piece of furniture and you need that special piece of wood for the project.  Most of these huge wide slabs of wood can’t be duplicated today.  I personally love that dark slab just to the left of the middle of the photo!

The creative staff at Black Dog Salvage also repurposes the items that the crew salvages… In this case, they created a quirky couch from an old claw foot bathtub.  Note the decorative door chimes on the left and all of the garden statuary and decorative items at the right.  And yes…they do sell Black Dog Salvage t-shirts. (Laurie bought one!)

The back portion of the Black Dog Salvage retail operation as well as areas outside the building are packed with salvage materials waiting for designers or DYI homeowners to repurpose them.  Part of the front of the store is loaded with the salvaged items that Black Dog’s team has already imaginatively redesigned/repurposed and has priced for sale. 

This whole area of the store was fun and quirky…as the designers and Laurie’s imagination ran wild.  This is a good representation of the variety available for the shopper!  (Note and remember that iron wheel behind the stool on the left of the photo)

Even I, who doesn’t like to spend money on furnishings we don’t need, came across temptation from time to time.  I have no idea what this leather covered chair was created from but both of us really liked it.  There were a number of them for sale…at only$149.00 each. 

The fact that we have more chairs than we can use already plus the fact that our Hyundai Sonata has a limited cargo capacity…saved us some money as well the effort of trying to decide what to do with way too many chairs!

How about some big pieces of salvaged stained glass for your upcoming remodeling project?  I can’t even imagine what it would cost to have new copies of these windows created!

Laurie was a happy camper!  Here she is in the middle of Black Dog’s creative re-creations and adaptations… There were many, many beautiful tables made from ship lap, doors and slabs of wood…even windows.

Note all of the signs on top of dividers in the background…

Black Dog's Memorial Bridge Marketplace is also home to a large number of vendors who compliment the Black Dog Style.  This particular booth or shop is Phoenix Hardwoods.  As you can see, this vendor creates beautiful pieces of furniture, many approach the status of art. 

Industrial art is featured in at least one of the vendor’s booths as well as by Black Dog’s creative staff.  This amazing metal horse head was created by a truly imaginative artist.  It is extremely detailed!  There was another sculpture similar to this one…and it was of Molly the Black Dog herself.

All around the vendor’s booths, more Black Dog offerings are readily visible.  In the middle of the photo, there is a stairway up to the mezzanine which is loaded with even more salvage items.

  

Many of the vendor’s booths feature top quality antiques, decorative items and artifacts.  This was a clever use of space as these vendors offer items that designers and DYI folks can mix in with the practical and quirky items offered by Black Dog Salvage.

This photo was taken from the aforementioned balcony or mezzanine.  It shows a portion of the extensive vendor shopping area of the Memorial Bridge Marketplace. 

Unfortunately, we lost some photos when downloading our camera and Laurie’s smart phone.  We had photos of the current black dog, Sally, Mike, Grayson, Ty and others from the show as well as specific items that Laurie wanted to record for her sister’s benefit.

Well…the question is this.  Other than Laurie’s t-shirt, what did we purchase?

This was our major purchase…a quirky piece of industrial art that was created by the staff at Black Dog Salvage.  It now adorns our fireplace hearth, and its part of Laurie’s effort to change out and update the look of our family area. 

We had a great time at Black Dog Salvage.  Nice folks, interesting salvage items, beautiful creative pieces…a great combination.  Black Dog Salvage and Memorial Bridge Marketplace are located at 902 13^th Street Southwest in Roanoke Virginia.  Phone: 540-343-6200.  Their website with on-line shopping is available at http://www.blackdogsalvage.com/.

I'm guessing that a trip to Waco Texas and the Magnolia Market can't be too far in the future...

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by to see what we’ve been up to!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave