World's Longest Yard Sale

Read the Happenings on details for World's Longest Yard Sale, but here's a quick summary. My dad, Ken Coffman, found out about the "World's Longest Yard Sale" and decided to combine an adventure there with a trip to visit us. Claire, Rachel, my mom and I came along and had a great time (Paul passed up the yard sale fun.) The sale extends from somewhere in Alabama through Tennessee and Kentucky up into Ohio. We just covered a small portion in Tennessee and Kentucky (the "best part" anyway according to long time shoppers) but it was interesting. We took a few detours along the way along back roads and on one, mom swore she heard dueling banjos and was afraid for our lives ("Deliverance" flashbacks). Here are just a few snapshots of their visit.

There were areas where many people gathered together and it was like a flea market and other spots were just people having a regular yard sale in their front yard or anywhere along the road.

In case you were hungry, there were plenty of places to eat and snack. Pork rinds anyone? All different kinds of flavors available.
Dad was looking for fishing poles, but just didn't know where to look.
Poppa Ken knew the way to Rachel's heart. Give her a little Dr. Pepper and it will knock her right out. (Poppa Ken did the actual drinking and Rachel did the playing with the bottle.)

Everywhere you go in Kentucky there are cemeteries. We were in the middle of nowhere and this one appeared up on a hill.

Grammy Judy found an efficient way to carry Rachel. She loves the football hold.
There were so many things to look at. Claire enjoyed every minute and wanted to look at everything. She would get upset if we drove past any of the sales, but if we stopped at everyone, we would have covered about 30 miles in 3 days.


We figured we'd have to save the U'haul for next time.
This was what traffic on the highway was like on the route.
There were some pretty interesting, humorous signs. This one is difficult to see, but it was advertising "Chikin' legs"
And you have got to love the south and the southern drawl.
Rachel was not quite as excited as Claire, but got in some pretty good snoozes along the way.
We also stopped at a Shaker Village and it was very interesting. We decided to take a ride in a wagon pulled by some horses. Rachel was having none of it though. She did not like the horses at all. So Grammy Judy, being the good grammy she is, got off the wagon and took Rachel for a stroll instead and missed out on her wagon ride.
Claire got to drive the wagon ride with the help of Bob (the man next to her) and the horses Ivy and Blue.

Claire and mommy with Blue and Ivy.
This is one of the main houses of the Shakers. The men entered on the left and the women on the right. They walked on opposite sides of the hallways and didn't interact much in anyway. They were all in "families'. Part of the religion is practicing celibacy, so needless to say, the religion pretty much died out. (There are I believe 4 living in Maine now). The whole history is really interesting.
Me, Grammy Judy and a tired Rachel.
These adventures can really wipe a girl out.
Claire and Rachel loved the hotel rooms, though they were not very tired each night when we got there.
This was a yard sale find. Claire was so excited with her new princess outfit, she wore it to go exploring the next day.



We also hit some historical sites in mid-Kentucky on our way back to Murray including Abraham Lincoln's birthplace and childhood home. Claire once again loved these sights. She would go into the houses, check things out and then give all of us the tour.

Rachel just loved being able to roam around.
Rachel and Grammy Judy.
Claire in one of Abraham Lincoln's homes.
Rachel, Mommy and Claire.
The Walker girls and "yellow bear" and baby.
The Coffman and Walker Girls.
There was a golf course that had a hole that teed off right next one of the old homes. It was pretty dangerous if you were going out to look at an old storage area.
A little covered walking bridge leading to more houses on the site. Poppa Ken, Me, Rachel and Claire.

Flat Stanley came along for the ride too.
This was a memorial at the site of Lincoln's boyhood home.
Poppa Ken, Grammy Judy and Rachel.
Claire in front of Abraham Lincoln's cabin.
Me, Grammy Judy, Claire and Rachel in front of the memorial.

We checked out a well next to Abe's boyhood home (story is, he almost drowned here)
Poppa Ken enjoyed taking Rachel for walks.


Claire had to check our the rockers at an old general store.
This was one of Abe's cabins (as an infant or child, I don't remember)
Poppa Ken has become quite a photographer. There was a patch of sunflowers and he took these great pics. I love them. They just make me smile.

Poppa Ken and Rachel.

Grammy Judy and her Walker girls. Claire, Grammy Judy and Rachel.

Poppa Ken and Grammy Judy and a little Rachel who snuck into the picture.
These trips wear a girl out.
The grandgirls always love to try on Poppa Ken's glasses and since he usually picks up a few pair at the dollar store, it is pretty safe.



Bye Bye Grammy and Poppa, we had fun!!!