We "accidentally" discovered Loretta Lynn's Kitchen Restaurant/Gift Shop and Dude Ranch while on a short road trip from Florida to Tennessee. Our plans were to stay two nights in Chattanooga, two nights in Nashville, and two nights in Memphis -- and this was not part of our itinerary, so we did not have enough time to thoroughly explore or tour all the interesting historical buildings and museums. Hopefully we will be able to return to this unique place full of history, tucked in the rolling hills of Tennessee about 75 miles west of Nashville. And it was truly an honor to recently attend a Loretta Lynn concert at Peabody Auditorium (9/13/13), but unfortunately Loretta had been involved in a mishap in her home and was suffering from broken ribs, so she was not quite up to par -- however, at age 81, she did a FANTASTIC job entertaining a full auditorium of fans! The down-to-earth star is only the second country artist to be named as a recipient of the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Tennessee Ernie Ford was the first. Loretta is also known as "The Coal Miner's Daughter," "The First Lady of Country Music," "The Decca Doll," and "The Queen of Country Music." Loretta Lynn, born 4/14/32, married Oliver Lynn, commonly known as "Doolittle" or "Mooney" (for running moonshine), on 1/10/48 after meeting and courting for a month. Mooney was 21 and Loretta was 15. In an effort to break free of the coal mining industry, the couple moved to the logging community of Custer, Washington. The Lynns had three children by the time Loretta was 19 and gave birth to their fourth child, Cissie by age 20. The Lynns had 6 children altogether. Loretta became a grandmother at age 29 (1961), three years before her twins were born. Loretta has 21 grandchildren and their ages range from 52 to 11, born between 1961 to 2002. She is now a great-great grandmother. Loretta has survived two of her six children. Jack Benny who was Loretta's second child and eldest son, died at age 34 on July 22, 1984 while trying to ford the Duck River at the family's ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. Loretta's eldest child, daughter Betty Sue, died at age 64 from emphysema on July 29, 2013 near Loretta's ranch in Hurricane Mills. The 6500 acre Dude Ranch offers not only a playground, swimming pool, paddle boats and canoeing, but also cabin rentals and a fully equipped RV Park. According to Loretta's daughter Peggy Lynn, "Hurricane Mills is a real Mayberry. Picture this historic little town with a Grist Mill built in the 1800's, the site of Civil War battles and Indians and a beautiful antebellum home. You can bring your family and camp beside a freezing cold spring-fed creek, where you can swim or catch rainbow trout. You can follow miles of trails on mountain bikes, motorcycles or horseback, or go canoeing and kayaking in the river. During the day you can get homemade biscuits and sausage. In the evenings on weekends it's a concert venue with the likes of Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, and Johnny Lee." Loretta Lynn still lives in a house right behind the plantation home, and you may catch a glimpse of her if you're fortunate. There are several museums, and historical tours, and also rodeos and the annual Grand National Motorcross. Loretta performs on Memorial weekend, 4th of July weekend, and Labor Day, and she is scheduled to host a Gospel Music Festival in late September.

• published: 17 Sep 2013
• views: 13