Sunday, October 12, 2014

Airstream Acres

Hey Folks,

Since we started this full-time RV journey over a year ago we've stayed exclusively at RV parks or state parks with the exception of Mom's driveway a few times.  Even though we can and have gone off the grid for a few days to a week, it makes more sense on a day to day basis to stay where we can be hooked up to electric, water and sewer.  That means an RV park.  Well, not any more.  Come and listen to a story 'bout a place named "Airstream Acres".

Airstream Acres

 My current assignment is in Middle Tennessee, about 40 miles or so southeast of Nashville.  It's all rural, encompassing a few small towns but mostly out in the boonies.  The gas lines run here too, down the side of the country roads, through the woods, and up the driveways to the houses spaced from many yards apart to many miles apart.  Some of the driveways are 1/4 to 1/2 mile long.  The cows and goats far outnumber the people.  It's COUNTRY out here to say the least.

Since cows and goats don't camp, there are no RV parks in the vicinity so we faced a dilemma.  An 80 mile daily commute from Nashville was not feasible. Nearby state parks DO have water/electricity hookups but also a 14 day stay limit.  State parks DON'T have sewer hookups as a rule, so not an option either.  Where were we going to park LuLu?  Luckily, help came in the form of the gas company client.  As I've said before - always check with the locals.  Our gas company guide on this job has worked here for 25+ years and knows everyone.  He came through with an introduction to a local landowner who had a spot with full hookups available on his property.  He had rented the spot out to co-workers from my company before and after just a handshake we towed LuLu over from the KOA the second week we were here.  Margo (who names EVERYTHING) christened it "Airstream Acres."

We're two country blocks outside the little town of Watertown (pop. 1477).   If you're a fan of Kellie Pickler,  you've seen it in her video "Red High Heels".   If you're a fan of Darius Rucker you've seen it.  The video for his rendition of "Wagon Wheel" was filmed here.  The rock wall Darius is walking next to in the video is in our front yard.  Justin Bieber filmed his video "One Less Lonely Girl" in the local laundromat. It's one of those places video directors and film producers love because it truly is a genuine small town that time has left behind.

Main Street USA - Watertown, TN

No Walgreens or CVS here

Made famous by Justin and Darius



There's only one flashing light.  Not a traffic light mind you, just a flashing light (you'll see it in Darius Rucker's video).  There are only two chain stores here-Dollar General and a Subway.  That's it. But you can't BEAT the local Mom & Pop establishments here- The Depot Junction Restaurant, Nona Lisa's Pizzeria or Lulu's Cafe and Coffee Shop (no relation to our LuLu).

One of the many iconic rock walls around town

Locals passing by Airstream Acres wave hello and mean it.  And if you need some help with an underground water line problem or your grass needs mowing, like I did, folks are happy to lend a hand.  No payment is accepted but a home cooked meal settles the tab.

Home cookin' for water pipe fixin'

Coming from the big city of the Great Salt Lake to being beside the banks of Round Lick Creek here at Airstream Acres in Watertown is quite a contrast, but both have their appeal.

We look forward to returning to SLC come Spring, but for now we're gonna "set a spell".


We even have our own mail box.

Here are the links to the YouTube videos. Go ahead, check 'em out.

Darius Rucker -  "Wagon Wheel"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvKyBcCDOB4

Justin Bieber - "One Less Lonely Girl"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXUSaVw3Mvk

Kellie Pickler - "Red High Heels"  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Ri8GY57SI