memory lane.....

A couple of weeks ago, one of my uncles called Mom and asked if we'd like to go to a place called "Memory Lane" while we were in East Tennessee for the Memorial Day weekend. We thought it would be fun, but we had no idea we'd enjoy it as much as we did.

Memory Lane is in Rogersville, TN. Otis Eldridge, owner of the property, is a big collector of 50's memorabilia, and he decided to turn his collection into a unique showcase. There's a country store stocked with all kinds of '50's-era goods; the stainless steel Studebaker diner (an actual diner from Virginia that was moved on-site and restored a couple of years ago); an actual Texaco station and Ford dealership; a 1949 pre-fab home from Rogersville; and many other buildings.

The buildings were great, but for me it was all about the cars. Oh, the cars, the beautiful American cars from the '40's to the '70's that were on display for the car show. That was when America knew how to build cars. Frankly, I don't think I'll ever buy another American made car because they're just not built to last any more. The only time I'd ever go back on my word would be to buy a classic. Something like a '60's Mustang, or a late-'50's Corvette. Oh, the Corvette. Mr. Eldridge owns a 1956 Corvette that's been completely restored. Someone there told me that it's worth around $100,000.

There were other cars there, cars that just made you smile when you looked at them. There was a 1942 Ford convertible that was unbelievable. There were Camaros, more Mustangs and Corvettes, trucks of all kinds. Meg picked out a late-70's model Corvette with t-tops as her favorite, and Sara went with a classic late-70's convertible Beetle. Neither daughter is holding her breath for either car. They both know that if anyone gets a classic car, it's gonna' be ol' Dad. And ol' Dad isn't holding his breath for one, either.

Here are some pictures from Memory Lane.....