>> JOE >> THIS TIME ON TENNESSEE CROSSROADS, KEN WILSHIRE TAKES US TO LITTLE ERIN, TENNESSEE HOME OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST SAINT PADDY'S CELEBRATIONS.

THEN IT'S OFF TO DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE WHERE TAMMI ARENDER EXPLORES THE STATE'S OLDEST SHOPPING MALL.

THEN WE'RE OFF TO HISTORIC ROGERSVILLE WITH ROB WILDS WHO EXPLORES THE HALE SPRING'S INN.

FINALLY TO CHATTANOOGA WHERE WE GET ABOARD THE RIVER GORGE EXPLORER.

WELL, WELCOME ABOARD TO THIS WEEK'S TENNESSEE CROSSROADS.

I'M JOE ELMORE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

♪ SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IS STILL MANY DAYS AWAY, BUT IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN HOW YOU'LL CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY ABOUT EVERYTHING IRISH.

WELL, HERE'S A TRUE TENNESSEE IDEA.

GO OVER TO THE LITTLE TOWN OF ERIN, OR, IR-IN AS THEY CALL IT.

YOU SEE, ONE OF THE SMALLEST COMMUNITIES BECOMES ONE OF THE LARGEST AS IT CELEBRATES ITS IRISH ROOTS, WITH A WEEK LONG EVENT.

>> KEN >> JUST SAY THE WORD PARADE AND THE MIND IMMEDIATELY PAINTS A PICTURE OF FUN HAPPY TIMES, WITH CHEERING CROWDS LINING CITY STREETS IN ANTICIPATION OF A GRAND CELEBRATION.

EVERYONE IS DRESSED IN BRIGHT COLORFUL COSTUMES AND SMARTLY TAILORED UNIFORMS.

THEY'RE ALMOST ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED BY MARCHING BANDS, FLOATS OF ALL KINDS, A RAINBOW OF BALLOONS, AND OF COURSE CLOWNS, AND SHOWERS OF CANDY.

AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT VISITORS HAVE FOUND FOR SOME 50 YEARS IN ERIN, TENNESSEE, AT THE ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK'S PARADE.

HOUSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT TERESA MITCHELL, SAYS THE PARADE DRAWS VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> TERESA >> THE CELEBRATIONS STARTED IN 1963.

WE ARE A SMALL COMMUNITY THAT STARTED IN THE 1850S BY IRISH IMMIGRANTS WHO WERE BUILDING THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND THEY THOUGHT IT REMINDED THEM OF IRELAND.

ERIN GO BRAGH IS WHAT THEY SAID, WHICH MEANS IRELAND FOREVER, SO THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE AT HOME AND WHEN THEY SAID THAT ERIN STUCK AND SO THAT'S HOW WE GOT OUR NAME, ERIN.

>> KEN >> THE PARADE CERTAINLY DOESN'T TOP ANYTHING LIKE THE MACY'S OR THE ROSE PARADES WITH ALL OF THEIR ELABORATE FLOATS, CELEBRITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT.

THE SAINT PATRICK'S PARADE IN ERIN IS SO MUCH MORE.

IT'S A HOMESPUN TRIBUTE TO A STRONG WORK ETHIC, COMMUNITY SPIRIT, AND FAMILY PRIDE THAT CAME FROM THEIR IRISH FOREFATHERS.

>> TERESA >> IF YOU GREW UP IN THIS COMMUNITY, IT'S MEMORIES YOU KNOW.

THERE WILL BE FAMILIES THAT ARE HAVING COOKOUTS, JUST RIGHT THERE IN THEIR YARDS AND THEN THEY'LL WATCH THE PARADE AS IT COMES THROUGH AND IT'S JUST CREATED MEMORIES FOR EVERYBODY THAT LIVES HERE, AND THOSE WHO COME TO VISIT.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY HAD PEOPLE FROM IRELAND COME AND PARTICIPATE, DO MUSIC ON THE SQUARE.

AS CAN YOU HEAR THE LIVE BANDS AND WE'LL HAVE LIVE BANDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

>> KEN >> AND MUSIC IS JUST A PART OF THE GALA EVENT.

IT'S TRULY LIKE A FAMILY HOMECOMING AND REUNION WHERE EVERYBODY IS INVITED.

JUST ASK LONG TIME PARADE GOERS LINDA PARKER AND DONNA RUMFIELD.

>> I THINK IT'S SUCH A NICE PARADE FOR A SMALL TOWN.

SO MANY PEOPLE COME.

IT'S AMAZING YOU KNOW.

>> TRADITION.

I WAS RAISED UP COMING AS A CHILD AND YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ONLY COME IN FOR IT.

>> KEN >> AND WHEN THEY DO COME IN THEY CROWD ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREETS FOR MILES AND FILL THE CITY SQUARE TO ENJOY FOOD, FUN, AND ALL KINDS OF FESTIVITIES.

>> TERESA >> SO, IT IS A VERY LARGE CELEBRATION, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BUT FOR SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IT IS, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, IN THE TOP FIVE IN THE COUNTRY.

FOR US, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW HOW SMALL WE ARE.

THE CITY OF ERIN ITSELF HAS ABOUT 1500.

OUR COUNTY HAS ABOUT 8800 SO FOR US TO DRAW 18, 000 TO 20,000 PEOPLE FOR A CELEBRATION IS JUST WONDERFUL.

>> ON ANY OTHER DAY OF THE YEAR, ERIN, TENNESSEE, IS A QUIET PEACEFUL LITTLE TOWN, NESTLED IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

BUT ON PARADE DAY, IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.

IT BECOMES ONE OF THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE STATE, AND IT'S IR-IN, TENNESSEE, NOT ERIN, AND THEY'RE PROUD OF IT.

AND IT'S IR-IN, NOT ERIN.

>> IT IS IR-IN.

I MEAN THAT'S HOW I SAY IT, I'VE GROWN UP HERE ALL MY LIFE AND I SAY ERIN.

IT'S IR-IN, TENNESSEE, BUT WE TRY TO SAY IT'S A CELEBRATION FOR HOUSTON COUNTY EVEN THOUGH ERIN IS THE COUNTY SEAT AND IT'S WHERE WE DO THE CELEBRATION BECAUSE OF THE IRISH HERITAGE.

>> KEN >> ERIN IS ALSO A TRADITIONAL STOP ON THE ROAD FOR THE MUSIC CITY MIATA CLUB.

ACCORDING TO CLUB PRESIDENT GREG BACOS.

HE SAID THIS YEAR IS THEIR 14TH VISIT TO THE PARADE AND MORE THAN 20 CARS ARE WEARING THE GREEN.

>> GREG >> IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS WE DO AS FAR AS TOTAL FOLKS THAT COME OUT FOR THIS.

IT ALWAYS HAS ONE OF THE BEST TURN OUTS.

IT'S A GREAT BIG SPECTACLE FOR US AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE COLORS AND SMILING FACES AND THROW CANDY AT THE KIDS AND IT'S JUST A GOOD TIME.

>> KEN >> SO MANY HOW MANY OF THE CLUB ARE IRISH?

>> GREG >> YOU KNOW I DON'T THINK WE HAVE DONE ANY OFFICIAL STATISTICS ON THAT OR ANYTHING, BUT I WOULD GUESS A GOOD 50 PERCENT, AND THE REST OF US ARE IRISH AT HEART.

>> KEN >> THIS YEAR'S THEME TOOK ON A REALITY TWIST.

THEY CALLED IT LUCK DYNASTY, WHICH WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE IRISH DAY'S OBSERVANCE.

>> TERESA >> I'M NOT SURE YOU WON'T SEE SINCE IT'S LUCK DYNASTY THIS YEAR YOU MIGHT SEE SOME DUCK DYNASTY CHARACTERS.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE IT ON SOME OF THE FLOATS, AND THAT WASN'T OUR INTENTION BUT ONCE WE STARTED PLAYING WITH IT, IT KIND OF WENT THAT WAY.

WE KIND OF WANT TO SAY OUR LUCK DYNASTY IS JUST LIVING HERE IN HOUSTON COUNTY.

>> KEN >> AS THE LUCK OF THE IRISH WOULD HAVE IT, THERE WAS NO RAIN ON THIS YEAR'S PARADE SO NO RAINBOWS AND NO HOPE OF FINDING THE LEPRECHAUN'S POT OF GOLD.

STILL, THE IRISH EYES WERE SMILING AND SO WERE THE FACES OF LITTLE LEPRECHAUNS.

BY THE WAY, I DISCOVERED THEY DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO SAY.

WHAT DO Y'ALL LIKE ABOUT THE PARADE?

>> IT'S GOOD.

I LIKE IT.

>> WHY DO YOU LIKE IT?

>> BECAUSE IT'S FUN.

>> KEN >> AND THIS IS BETTER THAN ANY LEPRECHAUN'S POT OF GOLD BECAUSE THE RICHES YOU FIND DURING THIS SMALL TOWN'S GRAND CELEBRATION ARE FOUND ON PEOPLE'S FACES AND IN THEIR HEARTS.

AND YOU KNOW WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING, IT'S SURE TO STEAL YOUR HEART AWAY AND THIS IS WHY EVERYONE CONTINUES TO RETURN TO ERIN'S SAINT PATRICK PARADE YEAR AFTER YEAR, IN HONOR OF THIS COMMUNITY'S HERITAGE, BECAUSE THEY SAY IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IRISH, YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH.

♪ >> THANKS, KEN.

BY THE WAY, THE MAIN EVENT, THE GRAND PARADE, TAKES PLACE SATURDAY, MARCH 21ST.

HAVE YOU NOTICED HOW SHOPPING MALLS HAVE POPPED UP AROUND THE STATE LIKE WEEDS IN A FLOWER GARDEN?

CAN YOU NAME THOUGH THE FIRST AND OLDEST SHOPPING MALL IN TENNESSEE?

DON'T GOOGLE IT, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU.

IT'S THE ARCADE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE AND HERE'S TAMMI ARENDER TO TAKE US ON A TOUR.

>> TAMMIE >> THE GREEN AWNING ANNOUNCING THE ARCADE IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, ISN'T JUST A REMNANT OF WHAT USED TO BE.

IT'S A WELCOME MAT FOR WHAT STILL IS A WONDERFUL BUSINESS DISTRICT.

>> KATHY >> I THINK IT'S A MELTING POT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.

THERE'S TRAVELLERS AND THERE'S DOWNTOWN WORKERS AND THEN THERE'S ALL OF THE FAMILIES OF THE OWNERS AND ALL OF US THAT COME HERE EVERY DAY AND IT JUST SEEMS TO GET BUSIER AND BUSIER.

I MEAN, LOOK AT MY STORE, IT'S BUSY.

>> TAMMIE>> KATHY BLOODWORTH OWNS THE PEANUT SHOP.

ORIGINALLY THE PLANTER'S PEANUT STORE.

ONE OF THREE ORIGINAL ESTABLISHMENTS INSIDE OF THE ARCADE.

AND IF YOU MEASURE SUCCESS BY SALES AND THE ABILITY TO WEATHER ANY ECONOMIC STORM SINCE 1927, THEN BY ANY STANDARD, YOU MEASURE UP.

FOR BLOODWORTH IT'S KNOWING YOU MUST KEEP THE QUALITY BY ROASTING FINE ROASTED PEANUTS AND CASHEWS BUT ALSO BRANCHING OUT WITHOUT LOSING THAT NASTAKGIC NUANCE.

>> KATHY >> THE STORE NEVER SOLD CHOCOLATE, IN THE EARLY DAYS.

THEY COULDN'T; IT WAS JUST TOO HOT.

SO THAT'S ONE THING I THINK, CAUSE WE REALLY SEEMS LIKE WE ADD SOMETHING NEW EVERY COUPLE TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE TRY SOMETHING NEW.

WE DIP OUR OWN CHOCOLATES, STRAWBERRIES AND GRAHAM CRACKERS AND COOKIES.

ANYTHING PEOPLE WANT ME TO DIP I'LL DIP IT FOR THEM.

>> TAMMIE >> AND THE VERY GOOD MIX LEADS TO LOTS OF BIG EYED SMILES AND HAPPY RETURNS.

GLEN LITNER OF CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE, OFTEN COMES INTO THE STORE MORE THAN ONCE A DAY.

>> THERE'S A GOOD VIBE IN HERE.

IT'S LIKE YOUR HOME, YOU KNOW, YOU WALK IN AND EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU.

>> TAMMIE >> EVERYBODY IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE, KNOWS THEY CAN COME HERE AND GET NOT ONLY THE SWEET AND SALTY TREATS, BUT THEY CAN WALK THIS 340 FOOT LONG MARKETPLACE AND FIND ALL TYPES OF MEALS, MERCHANDISE AND MANY SERVICES.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE ARCADE SAID AT THE TIME OF THE GRAND OPENING IN 1903, YOU COULD GET ANYTHING, FROM A SHAVE TO A PIANO AT THE ARCADE.

>> BUDDY >> JUST THE FEEL IS REALLY HOMEY.

THE BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN HERE, LIKE OUR FRIEND BILL AT THE GREEK TOUCH, HAS BEEN HERE LIKE 20 SOMETHING YEARS AND OF COURSE THE PEANUT MAN HAS BEEN HERE FOR 80 SOMETHING YEARS AND SO JUST HAVING GREAT ANCHOR STORES LIKE THAT HAS REALLY BEEN A BLESSING FOR US.

>> TAMMIE >> BUDDY JEWEL IS ONE OF THE NEWEST TENANTS.

HE'S CO-OWNER OF PEACE, LOVE AND LITTLE DOUGHNUTS.

>> WHAT CAN I GET FOR YOU?

>> I WANT TO GET ONE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE, JUST LIKE IT IS, AND ONE OF THE APPLE PIES.

>> OKAY, BROTHER.

>> TAMMIE >> HIS HIPPIE STYLE, GOURMET DOUGHNUT DIVE IS FITTING IN QUITE NICELY WITH THE THROW BACK THEME OF THE OLD FASHIONED SHOPPING CENTER, COMPLETE WITH ALBUM COVERS AND HALF OF A BEETLE BUG IN THE WINDOW.

>> BUDDY >> WE PLAYED IN THE, PLAY 60S AND 70S MUSIC IN THE SHOP.

IT'S MORE OF AN EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE.

YOU DON'T JUST WALK IN AND BUY A DOUGHNUT.

WE TRY TO GREET YOU AND CHAT WITH YOU AND IT'S A GREAT FORMULA FOR US SO FAR.

>> TAMMIE >> IF YOU THINK YOU RECOGNIZE BUDDY YOU'RE RIGHT.

YES, HE'S A COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER WHO'S HAD SOME HIT SINGLES ON THE CHARTS AND STILL PLAYS MUSIC AND TOURS BUT HIS FAVORITE CHARTS NOW LIST THE FLAVORS OF THE DAY.

BUDDY'S ENTIRE FAMILY POURS THEMSELVES INTO THE BUSINESS.

HIS WIFE DANEA AND THEIR TWO KIDS DO EVERYTHING FROM MAKING THE BATTER TO DECORATING THE FANCY AND FUNKADELIC DOUGHNUTS WITH EMPHASIS ON FUNKADELIC.

>> BUDDY >> PROBABLY THE BIGGEST SELLER IS A THING CALLED MAPLE BACON.

IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT'S LIKE PANCAKES AND BACON WITHOUT THE FORK AND THE KNIFE.

WE DO THINGS LIKE SAMOA, THE GIRL SCOUT COOKIE.

THE GIRL SCOUTS SAY THEY TASTE AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN THE COOKIES.

SOME GREAT THINGS LIKE BANANA SPLIT, STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE, STRAWBERRY SHORT CAKE.

BOSTON CREME PIE IS ANOTHER BIG SELLER FOR US.

SO THAT'S A FEW OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FUNKADELICS.

WE HAVE MORE BASIC DOUGHNUTS JUST CHOCOLATE FROSTED, BANANA OR STRAWBERRY OR WHATEVER BUT THE FUNKADELIC IS WHAT WE'RE REALLY KNOWN FOR.

>> I'M TRYING TO NARROW IT DOWN BECAUSE I'M REALLY GOING TO JUST EAT ONE.

OKAY?

BUT I WANT FOUR: (LAUGHTER) SO THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS.

I'M GOING TO PICK --.

>> MAPLE --.

>> I HAVE GOT TO DO MAPLE BACON AND BOSTON CREME.

>> THAT'S MY FAVORITE.

>> THE NEXT ONE, I'M AN APPLE PIE FREAK, SO LET ME HAVE --.

>> OH, YOU'LL LIKE THAT.

>> YES.

>> AND THIS IS HEATH BAR.

THAT'S MY OTHER WEAKNESS SO NOW, QUARTER THOSE AND I WILL SHARE WITH MY COWORKERS.

(LAUGHTER) I SAID I WAS ONLY GOING TO EAT ONE DOUGHNUT.

OKAY?

BUT THERE ARE FOUR ON THAT PLATE.

BUT DANEA'S HELPED ME OUT BY SPLITTING THEM, QUARTERING THEM, SO NOW I'M JUST GOING TO EAT ONE PIECE OF EACH.

OKAY?

AND THAT WAY IT'S ONLY ONE.

I'M GOING TO START WITH, WELL LET'S.BACON FIRST.

WHILE MY LUNCH OF DECADENT DOUGHNUTS DIGEST, I ENJOY THE AMBIENCE OF THE ARCADE, THE MOM AND POP EATERIES MIXED WITH THE RETAIL BUSINESSES WHO CATER TO THOSE WHO WORK AND LIVE DOWNTOWN, ALL PROVIDING THAT LITTLE ESCAPE FROM THE OFFICE AND A TASTE OF WAY BACK WHEN.

>> THIS STORE CAME IN 1927.

WE'RE BOTH STILL HERE.

YOU KNOW?

SO THAT'S PRETTY POWERFUL.

♪ >> LONG LIVE THE ARCADE.

THANKS, TAMMI.

YOU CAN EXPLORE THE GRAND CANYON OUT WEST ABOARD A SLOW MOVING DONKEY BUT YOU CAN SEE TENNESSEE'S VERSION OF THE GRAND CANYON MUCH FASTER, CHEAPER AS WELL, WITHOUT GETTING SADDLE SORES.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE TENNESSEE RIVER GORGE THAT ROB WILDS EXPERIENCED ABOARD ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED BOATS AFLOAT.

♪ >> ROB >> THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM IS WELL-KNOWN AS A GREAT SPOT TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT THE CREATURES WHO CALL THE DEPTHS OF THE WATERS OF THE TENNESSEE RIVER HOME.

♪ THE AQUARIUM DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB SHOWING US THESE CREATURES AND RECREATING THEIR HOMES.

STILL, THERE'S NOTHING QUITE LIKE THE REAL THING, IS THERE?

NOT TO WORRY, THE FOLKS AT THE AQUARIUM CAN HELP US WITH THAT, TOO.

>> WELCOME ABOARD THE RIVER GORGE.

>> ROB >> WE'RE HEADED DOWNSTREAM FROM CHATTANOOGA TO ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR SIGHTS IN THE STATE.

THE TENNESSEE RIVER GORGE.

16,000 ACRES, BEAUTIFUL ANY TIME, PARTICULARLY STRIKING IN THE FALL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT FROM QUITE A STRIKING SIGHT ITSELF, THE RIVER GORGE EXPLORER, A SPECIAL BOAT THAT IS DESIGNED TO GET TO THE GORGE AND AS CAPTAIN MIKE HOSEMAN TELLS US, GET THERE IN A HURRY.

>> MIKE >> WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY IN A TWO HOUR PERIOD WOULD TAKE A CONVENTIONAL BOAT OVER FOUR HOURS TO COVER THE SAME AMOUNT OF GROUND.

>> ROB >> THE FOLKS AT THE AQUARIUM DECIDED THEY NEEDED A WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO THE RIVER GORGE AND BACK, AND SO THE EXPLORER WAS BUILT JUST FOR THAT.

>> MIKE >> THIS BOAT WAS CUSTOM BUILT FOR THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM FROM THE DRAWING BOARD UP.

THE ARCHITECT FROM NEW ZEALAND CAME HERE, THE ENGINEER IS FROM BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON CAME HERE.

WE SAT DOWN WITH THE COAST GUARD, WE WENT ALL UP AND DOWN OUR ROUTE AND WE EXTRAPOLATED THE VARIOUS PARAMETERS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THE KIND OF PERFORMANCE WE FELT WOULD BE NECESSARY AND THAT WOULD STILL BE IN GOOD KEEPING WITH WHAT THE AQUARIUM STANDS FOR, SO THE RESULT IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE WATER CRAFT IN THE WORLD.

>> ROB >> DID I MENTION, THIS BOAT IS FAST?

>> MIKE >> WE CAN DO ABOUT 56 MILES AN HOUR UNDER PERFECT CONDITIONS HERE ON THE WATERWAY.

>> ROB >> BUT HOW FAST WOULD IT GO?

>> MIKE >> THAT'S ABOUT IT.

>> GUIDE >> THREE FEET OF WATER --.

>> ROB >> WHICH CAN MAKE FOR MIGHTY FUN STOPS WHEN THE EXPLORER SLOWS DOWN FOR OTHER RIVER TRAFFIC.

>> GUIDE >> WE'LL BE SLOWING DOWN FOR THIS BARGE RIGHT HERE BY THE CEMENT PLANT.

MAKE SURE YOU HANG ON TIGHT BECAUSE WE'LL BE SLOWING DOWN HERE IN JUST A SECOND.

>> ROB >> AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, BEING IN CHARGE OF THE EXPLORER, IS A DREAM GIG FOR CAPTAIN MIKE.

>> MIKE >> THIS IS AN AWESOME BOAT TO RIDE.

IT HANDLES BETTER THAN ANY BOAT I HAVE EVER RUN.

>> ROB >> MIKE LOVES PUTTING HIS CRAFT THROUGH HER PACES, BUT YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T GO PEDAL TO THE METAL ALL THE TIME.

AFTER ALL, THE PASSENGERS, AND THE EXPLORER WILL CARRY 70 OF THEM, WANT TO GET OUT ON DECK AND SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE GORGE.

SO, WHILE THE EXPLORER IS CRUISING, CAPTAIN MIKE IS HAPPY TO LET A LANDLUBBER TAKE THE WHEEL, EXCEPT THERE IS NONE ON THE BOAT.

IT'S MORE LIKE A VIDEO GAME, OR A JETLINER.

>> MIKE >> BRING IT ALL THE WAY, WAY TO THE RIGHT.

THAT'S YOUR ENTIRE RANGE.

NOW PUT IT STRAIGHT BACK UP.

THAT'S AN EASY MOVE, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> NOW PUSH THE ORANGE BUTTON THAT SAYS TAKE CONTROL.

>> OHH!

ARE YOU SURE?

>> YES, THAT'S IT.

>> OH MY GOSH.

>> NOW YOU'RE IN CHARGE.

>> WHAT SHOULD I DO?

>> AVOID THE RIVER BANK.

KEEP IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DITCH.

TENNESSEE RIVER, PARTICULARLY THIS SECTION OF THE WATERWAY THAT WE'RE RUNNING IN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, ISN'T VERY DEEP BANK TO BANK SO AS LONG AS YOU DON'T RUN NOT BANK WE'RE IN DEEP ENOUGH WATER.

>> ROB >> SADLY FOR ME BUT LUCKLY FOR THE PASSENGERS I DIDN'T GET TO GO FULL THROTTLE AND SLAM ON THE EXPLORER AND SLAM ON THE BRAKES FOR ONE OF THOSE AWESOME STOPS.

>> GUIDE >> YOU READY FOR ONE MORE STOP?

THERE WE GO.

THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD ONE.

GOOD JOB.

>> ROB >> WHILE THE PASSENGERS LOVE TO LOOK AT THE SPECTACULAR GORGE, AND THE AMAZING WILDLIFE THAT INHABITS IT, AN EQUAL NUMBER WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY ADMIT HALF OF THE FUN WAS GETTING THERE.

>> PASSENGER >> I LIKE THE SPLASH WHEN WE WENT FORWARD AND YOU KNOW LIKE GOING BACK, YOU KNOW THEY DID A REALLY HARD STOP AND EVERYTHING.

THE THRILL.

>> ROB >> GOOD THING BECAUSE THE THRILLS DON'T STOP UNTIL THE EXPLORER IS BACK AT THE DOCK.

CAPTAIN MIKE KEEPS THE GOOD TIMES COMING.

WHY DO WE DO THIS?

BECAUSE WE CAN.

>> ROB >> YOU BET IT IS CHATTANOOGA CAPTAIN MIKE, HOME OF THE TENNESSEE AQUARIUM AND HOME OF THE RIVER GORGE EXPLORER, AN EXCITING RIDE TO ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR SIGHTS ANYWHERE, THE TENNESSEE RIVER GORGE.

♪ >> WELL, ROB DID SUCH A GREAT JOB WE'RE GOING TO BRING HIM BACK FOR OUR FINAL STORY.

BACK IN THE EARLY, EARLY DAYS OF TENNESSEE CROSSROADS, WE TOOK YOU TO A LANDMARK INN IN ROGERSVILLE IN THE HEART OF TOWN SINCE THE EARLY 1800S.

WELL, WHEN THE INN FELL ON HARD TIMES THE FOLKS OF ROGERSVILLE BANDED TOGETHER TO SAVE IT.

HERE'S ROB AT THE REFURBISHED, REVIVED AND BETTER THAN EVER HAIL SPRINGS INN.

♪ >> ROB >> ON ONE OF THE MAIN STREETS THROUGH ROGERSVILLE SITS THE HAIL SPRINGS INN, JUST AS IT HAS SINCE THE ROAD WAS PART OF THE STAGECOACH ROUTE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ATLANTA, WAY BACK IN THE EARLY 1800S.

AND, A SCOTTISH IMMIGRANT DECIDED THAT ROGERSVILLE NEEDED A PLACE FOR TRAVELLERS LIKE HIM TO STOP, A SPECIAL PLACE.

THAT, ACCORDING TO PAT WILBISH WHO WORKS HERE, RESULTED IN WHAT IS TODAY THE HAIL SPRINGS INN.

>> PAT >> IT WAS JOHN MCKINNEY'S IDEA TO BUILD THE PLACE LARGE ENOUGH AND OSTENTATIOUS ENOUGH TO DRAW THE PEOPLE COMING IN BY COACH OR TRAIN TO STAY HERE AT THE INN.

HE WAS EDUCATED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBORO, SCOTLAND, SO I THINK HIS IDEAS FOR THE INN ARE A LOT OF EUROPEAN TYPE IDEAS.

IN EARLY AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE YOU WOULDN'T SEE THESE BIG WIDE OPEN HALLWAYS, YOU WOULDN'T SEE THE HEIGHT IN THE CEILINGS.

YOU DON'T SEE JUST THE WIDE PLACE SPACES.

IT'S JUST COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU WOULD FIND IN A TYPICAL BUILDING THAT WAS BUILT IN 1824.

>> ROB >> IT WASN'T LONG UNTIL MCKINNEY'S TAVERN WAS A STOP FOR WEARY TRAVELLERS.

AND OTHER PEOPLE LOOKING TO DRAW A CROWD.

>> PAT >> THERE'S A LOT OF DOCUMENTATION THAT ALL THREE OF THEM HAD GIVEN SPEECHES OUT ON THE BALCONY THAT WAS OUT HERE AT THE TIME AND THAT WAS ONE OF JOHN MCKINNEY'S BASIC IDEAS.

HE WANTED TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE ALL OF THESE POLITICIANS THAT WERE COMING THROUGH, WOULD HAVE A PLACE TO GIVE A SPEECH BECAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR SOMEPLACE.

WE WERE ON A DIRECT ROUTE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ATLANTA, SO THERE WAS A LOT OF POLITICIANS PASSING THROUGH HERE.

>> ROB >> OVER THE YEARS MCKINNEY'S TAVERN BECAME THE HAIL SPRINGS INN AND EVENTUALLY FELL ON HARD TIMES, UNTIL THE PEOPLE OF ROGERSVILLE STEPPED IN.

>> PAT >> IN 2001, THE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION PURCHASED THE INN.

AND THEN THEY HAD IT OPEN FOR JUST SPECIAL OCCASIONS, THEY WOULD DO WEDDINGS AND STUFF HERE, AND THEN THEY REALIZED THAT IT WAS JUST GOING DOWNHILL TOO FAST AND THEY HAD TO DO SOMETHING, SO THEY STARTED THE BIG RENOVATION PROJECT WITH THE CITY, AND IT TOOK THEM ALMOST 10 YEARS TO GET IT TO WHERE WE SEE IT NOW.

BEING ALMOST ON THE TOWN SQUARE IT MEANS A LOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE AREA.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS, THIS IS THEIR HISTORY.

EVERYBODY IN ROGERSVILLE FEELS LIKE THIS IS PART OF THEIR HISTORY.

>> ROB >> SO MUCH A PART OF THEIR PAST, PEOPLE OF THE AREA, EVEN PITCHED IN TO HELP FURNISH THE PLACE.

>> PAT >> SOME OF THE FURNITURE, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IS BASICALLY KIND OF ON LOAN TO US.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CITIZENS IN ROGERSVILLE THAT HAD FURNITURE FROM THAT TIME PERIOD, YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SELL THEM BUT LOANED THEM TO THE INN SO IT'S REALLY ADDED TO THE ATMOSPHERE.

>> ROB >> SO IT SORT OF ADDS TO THE MUNICIPAL FEEL OF THE THING.

>> PAT >> OH, YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN ROGERSVILLE THAT FEEL LIKE THIS IS, THEY OWN PART OF IT.

THIS IS PART OF THEM.

>> AS I STAND HERE ON THE BALCONY OF THE HISTORIC HALE SPRINGS INN IN ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE, MY FELLOW CITIZENS, WHERE THE GREATS SUCH AS ANDREW JACKSON AND ANDREW JOHNSON AND OTHER GREAT TENNESSEE POLITICIANS HAVE STOOD, AND MADE THEIR POLITICAL FEELINGS KNOWN, I AM MOVED MYSELF TODAY TO MAKE MY FEELINGS KNOWN, MY AMBITIONS KNOWN, IN THIS POLITICAL YEAR, AND MY AMBITIONS ARE TO GO INTO DINNER.

>> ROB >> THE INN HAS AN UP-SCALE RESTAURANT WHERE CAN YOU TRY DISHES YOU MIGHT NOT GET IN MOST PLACES.

>> THIS IS A GAZPACHO ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS FROM LOCAL FARMS IN ROGERSVILLE.

THE TOMATOES, CUCUMBERS, PEPPERS.

IT ALSO HAS SOME LUMP CRAB MEAT, SOME DICED WATERMELON, THAT'S LOCAL TOO.

AVACADO AND SOME LOCAL CHERRY TOMATOES ON TOP WITH A LITTLE BIT OF OLIVE OIL AND A NICE LIGHT REFRESHING CHILLED SUMMER SOUP.

>> ROB >> EXECUTIVE CHEF JIMMY ELLIS DOSE HAVE BEEN TO LOOK VERY FAR TO FIND INGREDIENTS FOR HIS DISHES.

>> IN TENNESSEE, PEOPLE REALLY SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL FARMERS AND THEY GO OUT AND YOU KNOW, I DEAL WITH PROBABLY FIVE OR SIX FARMS IN THE AREA, AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN REALLY GREAT AND I HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW THEM REALLY WELL.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT I'M PROUD OF, WHAT I'M MOSTLY PROUD OF.

>> ROB >> TRUE TO ITS BEGINNINGS AS A TAVERN YOU CAN STILL GET A DRINK AT THE INN, WITH OLD FRIENDS OR WITH FRIENDS YOU HAVE JUST MET.

IT'S SORT OF LIKE BEING AT HOME WITH FRIENDS, AT LEAST THAT'S WHAT VISITORS TO THE INN TELL PAT WILBISH.

>> PAT >> THEY TELL US THAT THEY REALLY LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE.

IT FEELS WARM, IT FEELS COMFORTABLE AND THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE AT HOME, THAT IT'S YOU KNOW, IT'S AN ATMOSPHERE THAT YOU DON'T GET IN A STERILE ROOM WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PLACE TO SIT.

ALL OF OUR ROOMS HAVE CHAIRS, AND A COMFORTABLE PLACE TO SIT AND RELAX, WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO SIT ON THE BED, TO WATCH TV OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, SO IT'S JUST A NICE, NICE COMFORTABLE FEEL.

AND WE TREAT OUR GUESTS LIKE THEY WERE OUR GUESTS IN OUR OWN HOMES.

>> ROB >> WHICH MAKES SENSE, SINCE THE PEOPLE WHO CALL ROGERSVILLE HOME, HAVE MADE CERTAIN THIS HISTORIC PLACE, THE HAIL SPRINGS INN, CONTINUES TO BE A VERY VIBRANT PART OF THEIR HOME TOWN.

>> WELL, I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PAST 30 MINUTES AS MUCH AS WE ENJOYED BRINGING IT TO YOU.

NOW, FOR YOU FOLKS IN THE NASHVILLE AREA, WE'RE GOING TO BE GONE FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO MAKE WAY FOR SOME SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE PROGRAMMING, WHICH IS MY CUE TO REMIND YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION, AND LOOK FOR US WHEN WE COME AROUND NEXT TIME.

SEE YOU THEN.

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