The Road Home from Kentucky

Following our October 2021 exploration of attractions around Lexington Kentucky as well as the State Capital in Frankfort and the many craft and artists shops in Berea, Laurie and I headed home.

As is our nature, when there is no hurry to get somewhere we take the roads less traveled.  Instead of taking I-75 south toward Knoxville, I followed US 25, which runs roughly parallel to the Interstate.  We drove through the town of Mt. Vernon and then along a scenic stretch along the way…the next town we would come to was London Kentucky.  However, before we got there, I had to hit the brakes and make a hard left turn!

Who could resist one more opportunity to shop…especially at a truly out of the way location in the middle of nowhere.  The Rockcastle River Trading Company and Riverside Gardens is located on a 50 acre parcel of land that is the actual homestead for the Carloftis family.  Southern Living Magazine stated that “The Rockcastle River Trading Company is definitely worth the stop.”  We agreed that it’s not just a shop but the grounds are a touch of Eden…

This historical plaque is close to the sign for the Rockcastle River Trading Company.  This ‘trace’ or ‘trail’ stretched north to the “Falls of the Ohio”…aka Louisville Kentucky.  This was a widely used route through Kentucky and it became part of the Wilderness Road.  This trail was named for a “Long Hunter” named Henry Skaggs.  On 10/21/1861, the first Civil War Battle in Kentucky occurred near here…

I did have to find out what was meant by the term ‘long hunter’.  It refers to an explorer and hunter from the 1700s who made expeditions into the American frontier for as long as 6 months at a time.

We parked off to the left side of the Trading Company…and the first thing that I noted was this old Packard automobile… I don’t recall what the owner told me regarding the model or year, but it appears to be a 1940 or 1941 Packard Special Super-Eight Special Sedan.  It is still being driven regularly… Laurie and I both love old Packard automobiles!  This automobile shelter is adjacent to an old blacksmith shop.  A potting shed, once the centerpiece of the Southeastern Flower Show in Atlanta Georgia…is situated at the right of the store.

The Trading Company and adjoining gardens are located along the banks of the Rockcastle River and the property is surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest.  Of course, being as we were visiting this site in October, it was well past the peak season for any garden in this climate.  However, it was still very calming, colorful and eye catching.  The barn-red store faces the Old Dixie Highway and has its back to the river.  Note the small and beautiful ‘allee’ of trees and color that invites visitors to enter the store…

As anyone who follows my blog site or who knows me is aware, I am not a shopper.  However I do appreciate any retail establishment that separates itself from the pack with a quality selection of products and/or has a special setting/ambiance for its customers.  The Rockcastle River Trading Company has both products and ambiance going for it!

Featured items include candles, luxury items for the home such as fine sheets and bedding, Italian pewter tableware, frames, bathroom accessories, cookware, table and floor lamps, perfumes, glass bell jars, as well as French milled soaps and lotions.  In addition, the store offers one of a kind antiques and artisan wares.

This cat helped us shop… He helped wrap our purchases by lying on the counter on the bags and tissue paper.  He was a stray who decided that this was his domain.  Advantage: No mouse issues anymore!  Our furry friend was very entertaining and he made it clear that this was his store! 

The real owner of the Rockcastle River Trading Company is Jon Carloftis, a well-known rooftop garden creator who has enhanced many penthouses and rooftops in New York City.     

Jon and his mother were the one’s responsible for creating this little Eden near Livingston Kentucky.  Jon has final say over the products offered at the Trading Post.  The photos shown above were taken from the back of the store.  Spectacular gardens…even as late as it was in the season.  We’ll have to drive up for a visit this spring, about mid-April.

We were told that this dog is also a stray who has decided that the Rockcastle River Trading Company and its gardens are his new home.  At some point in his life he has apparently been abused.  He is very curious about people but won’t come close to them or let them approach him.  Our host told us that just recently this handsome pup had come close enough to sniff his hand…and he’s the person who feeds the dog.

The Rockcastle River Trading Company is open from April through December, Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM.  Our host, a family member, was most gracious… The Trading Post is located at 13855 South Wilderness Road near Livingston Kentucky.  It is just off of I-75 at Exit 49.  Phone: 606-843-0854. 

FYI, Jon Carloftis’s garden creations have been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Garden and Gun, Kentucky Monthly, Traditional Home, Country Home and other publications.  To learn more about the Rockcastle River Trading Company and Jon Carloftis, check out the following websites: Rockcastle River Trading Company | Livingston, Kentucky - Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens | What's New What's Next and Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens - Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens | What's New What's Next.

As we continued south on US Hwy. 25, we passed through London Kentucky where I took this photo of the Federal Building and United States Courthouse.  This Italian Renaissance style building was constructed in 1911 and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  When it was built, it was designed to house the U.S. Post Office, U.S. District Court facilities and other Federal offices for the district.  The post office moved to a new facility in 1961.

The U.S. District Court for Eastern Kentucky was established by Congressional Act in February of 1901.  The Eastern Kentucky District is comprised of 67 counties.  The court first convened in London Kentucky in November of 1901.  Based on expanding postal business and burgeoning court activity, (the latter mostly centered on illicit distilling/moonshining cases), it became readily apparent that expanded federal facilities were needed.

As we neared Knoxville’s northern environs, it was time to find somewhere to grab a quick dinner.  We settled on one of the few restaurants we saw along this part of US 25, Charley’s Pizza.  I liked the fact that they had been in business since 1976.

The dining area was large and as it was a bit early, the restaurant wasn’t very busy.  We studied the menu, placed our order with an indifferent waitress, and then read all the ads imbedded in the table top.  In addition to pizza, Charley’s offers hot and cold sandwiches, spaghetti and lasagna with garlic toast and a couple of chicken dishes along with some sides.

The pepperoni and Italian sausage pizza was OK but certainly nothing to write home about…just about average for the Knoxville area.  The sausage was bland and the pepperoni was passable.  However, having been in business for 46 years as of this year, it must have many loyal patrons.  To learn more about Charley’s Pizza, go to Charley's Pizza Parlor - Jacksboro, TN - Pizza place | Facebook.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave