On the Road Again with Merle

[Nature Boy]

Awesome report! Great to see Merle getting socially lubricated!

My folks just spent the night in Lynchburg after attending a wedding in Nashville. Next time I’ll know where to send them for breakfast!

 

[beezwax]

I can't decide if I'm more jealous of Merle's street tacos or his bucket of fresh strawberries!

 

[Nature Boy]

Congrats on the Squire Anniversary, by the way! Pretty impressive!
Maybe Merle can score one of those coveted nominations while he’s there!

 

[btb01]

Merle and I went to Lynchburg this morning for Old Man Breakfast at Woodard's Grocery which also has a small cafe/diner inside where Lynchburg locals go for a good and cheap breakfast.

We were joined by one of the Jack Daniel tour guides -

Jason liked Merle -

I drove the mile or so up to the JD Visitor Center and took Merle for a stroll -

Lexi in the White Rabbit Bottle Shop got to meet Merle and vice versa -

And this gentleman and Squire, Martin, had won a trip from the UK to visit Lynchburg. Merle and I will be eating lunch with Martin tomorrow at Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House. Pictures will follow!

My old truck at the Squire Parking at the Motlow House

Merle inspecting the Squire wares displayed inside the Squire Room at the Motlow House -

And also reviewing part of the current product lineup. Detailed viewers will see the ugly mug of a 40 year Squire in this pic as well -

This Squire was talking to me, so I introduced him to Merle.

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Merle met Mr. Goose Baxter, who is an ambassador for the Tennessee Squire Association. When you visit as a Squire you can sit and have a nice chat with Goose. I often drive or ride over just to have a little relaxing chat with Goose and a cup of coffee. Goose really liked Merle and told me stories of Jack Daniel knives offered over the years.

View attachment 1804238

Miss Kathy keeps the show running, sending out orders and selling merchandise to walk-in traffic. She is a sweetie!

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This fellow is a friend of mine from Virgina who is down for the Wyooter Hunt tomorrow evening. Jimmy works at a beef jerky store, and he also is a professional Santa during the season.

Merle and I enjoyed some chicken street tacos later in the evening -

View attachment 1804239

Charlene my good friend had bought me this balloon display and made me a pineapple angel cake for my 40th Squire Anniversary bless her heart. Merle liked her.

That's about it for today - I see how much work my elders in this thread did to get so many great and interesting pictures!

I hope you all are enjoying your week as much as Merle and I!

best

mqqn

Fantastic post! Thanks for introducing Merle around. Looks like you’ve got a few characters there! Seriously though, seems like a good bunch of folks, and I’m glad they were all good sports posing with Merle. Sounds like you and Merle are in for a fun weekend… enjoy!

 

[Fodderwing]

mqqn - Really great post and I enjoyed the Jack Daniels visit. As for the Wyooters..... Does anyone besides Jimmy hunt em? What do they look like? Are they good to eat? Do they come out in daylight or are they nocturnal? Is there a limit on em? Do you use dogs? oh... and I want one.

 

[paulhilborn]

mqqn , that was AWESOME!!! thanks for that

 

[mqqn]

Thanks Gents -

We are back from the Wyooter, and unbelievably one of the hunters captured an albino female Wyooter!

I rode the Harley over to Lynchburg at 11:30 to pick up our hunting licenses and drink coupons. Was this Merle's first ride on a bike?

My friend Will was at the Motlow house in the back where barrel selections take place, but today it was for getting licensed for the Wyooter Hunt to come this evening. Will liked Merle. Will is the heir apparent for Goose's role as ambassador at the Squire House as Goose is slated to retire on Jan 1 - we will miss him!

After I picked up my credentials I rode the short ride over to Miss Mary Bobo's to prepare for a grand lunch.

I was able to get my good friend and fellow Squire, Dale to pose with Merle. Dale and his wife Char live about 6 miles from us.

We had 19 for lunch. The fellow in the yellow shirt is my friend Mike, and his wife is seated next to him. They live just two houses away from Bobo's and just a few houses from the Square in Lynchburg. We usually park at their house for the BBQ in October.

Getting closer to a great pile of Chicken, fried okra, sweet carrot slaw, tipsy apples, ham, white beans, macaroni and cheese, potatoes, gravy and choice of sweet or unsweet tea or water.

I didn't get many pictures of the food as I was hungry and just got busy!

Back over at the Motlow house I finally got Miss Karen to pose with Merle



Walking back over to the staging area to ride a bus up to the top of BBQ Hill. Merle inspected the brass sign at the Visitor Center.

This even was Squire only (and a guest). I am thinking there were about 800 people at the pavilion -

There was complimentary Jack Daniel products - Maggie was drinking Single Barrel, neat of course, and there was BBQ and the trimmings.

Too many pictures - cutting post into two -

best

mqqn

 

[mqqn]

Part two -

We each were gifted a Wyooter Bung, and a nice Wyooter shot glass (I'll post a pic of the shot later, looks like I failed to get a shot of a shot....

Later in the evening the story of the Albino Wyooter was read, and then there was a Wyooter Hunter costume contest where one contestant actually had a captive Wyooter for the very first time!

I apologize for the lack of quality here, it was low light and fast moving.

I was able to corner the Wyooter and get a shot of it with Merle -

Here is Ron reading the Tale - Ron is retiring from being a tour guide next Tuesday. It will be sad to see him go!

The Jack folks were giving away a lot of nice goods made from barrel wood - including coffee tables, stools and barrel heads - just as we were leaving, they called Maggie's (my wife) number and she had won a barrel head! Merle inspected it -

That was about it for today - a fun filled day for sure! Merle got about 50 miles on the Harley and met a lot more of my friends.

Next up - tomorrow we will visit the "Spring in the Hollow" festival in the town square, and then do some partying at Dale and Chars for some tri-tips and Merle will help me make a lemon pie.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[RLB0414]

Thanks Gents -

We are back from the Wyooter, and unbelievably one of the hunters captured an albino female Wyooter!

I rode the Harley over to Lynchburg at 11:30 to pick up our hunting licenses and drink coupons. Was this Merle's first ride on a bike?

Getting closer to a great pile of Chicken, fried okra, sweet carrot slaw, tipsy apples, ham, white beans, macaroni and cheese, potatoes, gravy and choice of sweet or unsweet tea or water.

Nice Harley.
What is sweet carrot slaw? I grew up in the south and this is the first time I have heard of this.
The rest of the meal sounded awesome.
Thanks

 

[mbkr]

Part two -

We each were gifted a Wyooter Bung, and a nice Wyooter shot glass (I'll post a pic of the shot later, looks like I failed to get a shot of a shot....

Later in the evening the story of the Albino Wyooter was read, and then there was a Wyooter Hunter costume contest where one contestant actually had a captive Wyooter for the very first time!

I apologize for the lack of quality here, it was low light and fast moving.

I was able to corner the Wyooter and get a shot of it with Merle -

Here is Ron reading the Tale - Ron is retiring from being a tour guide next Tuesday. It will be sad to see him go!

The Jack folks were giving away a lot of nice goods made from barrel wood - including coffee tables, stools and barrel heads - just as we were leaving, they called Maggie's (my wife) number and she had won a barrel head! Merle inspected it -

That was about it for today - a fun filled day for sure! Merle got about 50 miles on the Harley and met a lot more of my friends.

Next up - tomorrow we will visit the "Spring in the Hollow" festival in the town square, and then do some partying at Dale and Chars for some tri-tips and Merle will help me make a lemon pie.

best regards -

mqqn

Great pics Looks like fun!
Glad Merle's getting some scooter time

 

[Nature Boy]

Another amazing posts! Thanks for a peek behind the curtain, and for a glimpse at the Wyooter! Looks like Merle is having a blast in TN!

 

[mqqn]

Nice Harley.
What is sweet carrot slaw? I grew up in the south and this is the first time I have heard of this.
The rest of the meal sounded awesome.
Thanks

It is finely shredded carrots with raisins in a sweet syrup. It might be known as a different name.
One issue with living down here is all of the fattening but delicious food!!
best
mqqn

 

[btb01]

mqqn I’m thoroughly enjoying your posts! Looks like y’all are having a lot of fun! It’s been interesting learning about the Tennessee Squire Association and all the goings-on there in Lynchburg.

Here is Ron reading the Tale - Ron is retiring from being a tour guide next Tuesday. It will be sad to see him go!

I feel like I recognize Ron from a Jack Daniel’s commercial, but maybe it was another white-bearded gentleman in overalls and a top hat. Or maybe he just looks like he should be in a Jack Daniel’s commercial.

 

[mqqn]

Thank you, I am enjoying my time with Merle!

Here is what he is up to at the moment...
We are enjoying a Black Label from 1977.
I did have to a small sip of that...
I will get better pictures of the food tonight.

Best
mqqn

 

[mqqn]

Good Sunday Morning, Porch Dwellers!

As promised, I did get better pictures of the food from last evening. We ate and that sat around an commiserated with some of our friends that stayed an extra day after the Wyooter.

We had a tri-tip that was prepared amazingly well - it was tender, juicy and had great flavor -

Our friend, Mark, who came down from upper Michigan, prepared the meat. He really does a great job cooking and enjoys doing it. Here is Mark with Merle. As the saying goes, there is one in every crowd. ;P

Charlene made roasted taters, green beans and bacon, candied baby carrots and a couple of folks brought potato salad and white pimento cheese. We finished the meal with Pineapple cake, banana pudding and lemon pie (I made the pie). There is no dearth of good food to be had down here.

My friend Dale has a JD Barrel which everyone that comes to a party there is to sign their first time. Merle couldn't sign, but he did inspect the barrel.

Maggie and I wrapped up early as she is pulling usher duty at church this morning. It is overcast and mid 70s here today with thunderstorms so it will truly be a day of rest.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

best

mqqn

 

[bigfish64]

Good Sunday Morning, Porch Dwellers!

As promised, I did get better pictures of the food from last evening. We ate and that sat around an commiserated with some of our friends that stayed an extra day after the Wyooter.

We had a tri-tip that was prepared amazingly well - it was tender, juicy and had great flavor -

Our friend, Mark, who came down from upper Michigan, prepared the meat. He really does a great job cooking and enjoys doing it. Here is Mark with Merle. As the saying goes, there is one in every crowd. ;P

Charlene made roasted taters, green beans and bacon, candied baby carrots and a couple of folks brought potato salad and white pimento cheese. We finished the meal with Pineapple cake, banana pudding and lemon pie (I made the pie). There is no dearth of good food to be had down here.

My friend Dale has a JD Barrel which everyone that comes to a party there is to sign their first time. Merle couldn't sign, but he did inspect the barrel.

Maggie and I wrapped up early as she is pulling usher duty at church this morning. It is overcast and mid 70s here today with thunderstorms so it will truly be a day of rest.

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

best

mqqn

Great post, fantastic food and drink. Looks like Merle is having a great time.

 

[mbkr]

 

[mqqn]

Well an interesting thing happend yesterday afternoon - I had done some yard maint (discussed in a bit) and had gotten cleaned up and Maggie and I were watching a little tv unwinding as she had to go to church early since it was her turn to usher.
I got a text at 1:45pm from an old workmate that had been promising to visit us "someday". The text, and I quote exactly, said "What's for dinner?".
Yes, that is right - haven't seen him or his wife for three years and they are an hour and a half out.
We had just gotten our friend Jimmy on his way after he stayed the weekend with us for the Wyooter, so we went into operation scramble to clean the sheets and blankets on the guest bed, and I cleaned up the guest bath and changed the shower curtain while Maggie went to the store for food to cook. Whew. It is good to see old friends though, it was just quite a surprise!!

Anyway, yesterday morning began with getting Jimmy on his way back to Virginia, and then I went out to the yard and started pulling out old bushes along the property line that make it hard to mow. Merle helped out where he could -

The bushes went back about halfway to the woodls - I have already raked and mowed around the remaining holes -

The bushes we pulled out

Down here, the city comes around with a large chipper and picks up anything you put out front in the ditch. Pretty handy!

Dinner consisted of filet mignon and yukon gold potatoes with a brandy pepper cream sauce.

This morning Merle helped me check the lemon and key lime trees to see if they needed watered.

I think today will call or a trip up the mountain to the University of the South and some sightseeing with our friends.

I will report back with pictures when the ladies figure out what we are doing; it is best to leave the planning to them so as to prevent anything being MY fault lol -

best

mqqn

 

[mbkr]

Well an interesting thing happend yesterday afternoon - I had done some yard maint (discussed in a bit) and had gotten cleaned up and Maggie and I were watching a little tv unwinding as she had to go to church early since it was her turn to usher.
I got a text at 1:45pm from an old workmate that had been promising to visit us "someday". The text, and I quote exactly, said "What's for dinner?".
Yes, that is right - haven't seen him or his wife for three years and they are an hour and a half out.
We had just gotten our friend Jimmy on his way after he stayed the weekend with us for the Wyooter, so we went into operation scramble to clean the sheets and blankets on the guest bed, and I cleaned up the guest bath and changed the shower curtain while Maggie went to the store for food to cook. Whew. It is good to see old friends though, it was just quite a surprise!!

You are good people. My response would likely to have been, "Great! What hotel y'all staying at?"

I will report back with pictures when the ladies figure out what we are doing; it is best to leave the planning to them so as to prevent anything being MY fault lol -

Good luck with that

Your pics make me hungry

 

[Fodderwing]

Well an interesting thing happend yesterday afternoon - I had done some yard maint (discussed in a bit) and had gotten cleaned up and Maggie and I were watching a little tv unwinding as she had to go to church early since it was her turn to usher.
I got a text at 1:45pm from an old workmate that had been promising to visit us "someday". The text, and I quote exactly, said "What's for dinner?".
Yes, that is right - haven't seen him or his wife for three years and they are an hour and a half out.
We had just gotten our friend Jimmy on his way after he stayed the weekend with us for the Wyooter, so we went into operation scramble to clean the sheets and blankets on the guest bed, and I cleaned up the guest bath and changed the shower curtain while Maggie went to the store for food to cook. Whew. It is good to see old friends though, it was just quite a surprise!!

I like this very much. Those visitors have some mighty fine friends. Have thoroughly enjoyed Merle's visit with y'all.