David Epstein and his mom, Barbara at Whale Harbor in Islamorada.So we all enjoyed barbeque Florida Lobster Tails. Dave & Captain Key Largo, his brother Brian know where they live!!Enjoying the Red Bone Gallery in Islamorada.Giving back. The giant aviary that is also a part of the Keys natural region!Since today, a million more divers and fishing boats with anchors descend on the only living reefs in the USA, its become a priority to protect these reefs more than ever for their future. The Keys waters have been invaded by many new species and one of them is the destructive Lion Fish. They are here, they taste good and are being harvested for control issues.The new Holiday Isle Tiki Bar. Today it’s owned by the Postcard Inn. Millions are spent on colored sugar-water, ice and a bit of rum: The Rum Runner!!!
American Press Travel News–September 17th,-Islamorada, Florida Keys–Bob and Barb Epstein at home with David and lovin’ every minute! The Florida Keys is the true American Caribbean with out needing access by boat and plane. The drive alone through a section of the Everglades is worth the adventure drive from anywhere, USA. What is particularly special about the Keys is so many islands drivable over 43-different bridges with the direct Atlantic Ocean being on your left side and Florida Bay, the beginning of the Gulf of Mexico on your right. Hundreds of varieties of fish, shellfish and crustaceans’ are the main inhabitants and from shore to the deep fishing and diving is the primary reason for attending natures academy of Mother’s apron of life. Our family moved to the Keys in the 1970’s. My sons went to Upper Keys schools, fished the waters with friends and their dad and mom and snorkeled for Florida Lobster. The Keys got in the blood of our boys David Epstein, now the Director of Emergency Management for the Homestead Air Force Base and Brian is today a licensed Captain. He is known as “Captain Key Largo” and can be chartered for all manner of boating experiences in the Fabulous Florida Keys!
American Press Travel News-New Products—-July 21st,–Goose Holler’ Farm and Ranch-just received my new knife set from Outdoor Edge Knives/Tools. Always wanted a knife for all reasons and seasons, and got it now! Serious near instant blade changing for hunting and fishing game of all sizes. Hit the button, slide one of the 4 to 5.5-inch blades into knife handle as it automatically snaps into place (6-blades included) and voila, your ready to slice and dice, filet and gut a rabbit too! Comes with piggyback (see below) holder, great sheath, a box for all blades and as I mentioned a total of six blades. This Razormax Orange model knife, was designed in Denver Colorado www.OutdoorEdge.com IT CAN CUT!!!!!! Check their hihg quality, lifetime products on their website!!!
Fishing in jet propelled shallow water river boats with the Mayor Wess Ward, and Sheriff Nick Weems of Linden, and Perry County, two men that knew where the lum-lunkers lurked, was a blast!!Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems, took time to show me the action on the Buffalo River!!
American Press Travel News-July 4th, Eastern, TN.– “Bob and Barb On the Road Again.” Part 2 of our adventure in Linden, TN.–when we met Michael Dumont and his wife, Kathy, we knew were in a special place. Not to over dramatize our visit, but we felt more confident that in Linden, we could relax and experience a bit of the historical aspects of this region, east of Memphis and about two hours west of Nashville.
Michael took us for a tour of Perry County area. A fabulous rural area, rife with fabulous water, valley and mountain vistas as well as all manner of wildlife! We visited and drove along the Tennessee River, to the Mousetail Landing state Park, with RV facilities including 5 different levels of fitness trails, and views that are sensational. We toured the Lindens riverside nature of the Buffalo River, and Michael introduced us to a new Bed and Breakfast, he had completely rehabbed close to the TN. River, in a nearby, small hamlet of Clifton, “Tennessee’s best preserved river landing town.”
Yours truly, enjoyed the bassin’ on the Buffalo River.
In Clifton, we visited the T.S. Stribling Home & Museum. Thomas Sigismund Stribling was the first Pulitzer prize winning author of 14-novels, plays and short stories in Tennessee. A great stopover and visit during our stay, and well worth visiting. The museum is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Go: www.cityofclifton.com or call (931) 676-3370 for tours information. Lots to marvel at.
Great country cooking in Linden! Real Southern cooking at 1991 prices.The Commodore Hotel is framed from the past into the future!Next door to the Hotel Commodore, you can find Buffalo River Artisans. Mellissa Goodwin teaches Barb how to create a neat piece of art. Great hands-on for young and old!!!
The town of Linden in Perry County, Tennessee 1819-2019 had this nice hotel building, but according to Michael Dumont, “the town had seen better days.” The hotel was basically shuttered and needed everything! But getting to know him and his wife Kathy, I saw what they saw, and felt that with their drive and entrepreneurship, that they certainly made a huge difference in bringing a large spurt for economic revival to this town and county. They went to work with enthusiastic support from several towns folk in bringing back a huge measure of curbside appeal to Linden. They pushed getting rid of all the crisscrossing powerlines, that opened up the towns look, and feel that it wasn’t a hodge-podge anymore, of neglect. Like many towns, the rural roads were once the main roads, but as in this case for Linden, when I-40, the east-west interstate cutting through the state, was completed, traffic on the once, main route, 100 decreased to mainly local traffic and businesses soon to be gone, on Main Street. So the businesses, and well-kept stately buildings became just old, non maintained, and almost all abandoned. from the car dealership, vehicle repair shops and retail stores, and the bus stations that once serviced travelers from Memphis to Nashville, virtually ended. Sufficient to say when the Dumonts came to Linden in 2007, the little town showed 14 vacant storefronts. Michael says now there are no vacant stores. Perry Chamber of Commerce lists that in 2009, unemployment was 28.9-percent. Today, its between 2-3-percent. and now Linden is not a pass-through, according to Mitchell Rhodes, Chairman of the Perry County Chamber of Commerce, Linden is a destination with a proper hotel again, restaurants and the “Bloomin Arts Festival along with music, music, music! Go: Commodorehotellinden.com and call (931) 589-3224 for a visit. Note* next post will detail many more amenities and businesses in and around the town of Linden!!
Lunch and music at the Commodore Music Café was a treat. Few restaurants offer live music with lunch.
American Press Travel News-June 19, Linden, TN.–Bob and Barb “On The Road Again.” When we arrived in the small town of Linden, Tennessee we almost immediately felt at home. We had been invited to stay at the newly remodeled, and upgraded Commodore Hotel. We met Kathy and later Michael Dumont, and realized they were on a mission. However, they were incredibly friendly and accommodating. Michael took us on a delightful trip through the county, and also showed us his remodeled B&B outside of town, and close to the Tennessee River (we’ll be back) that has more species of fish in its depth than any other American river (according to Mr. Benson of the Chattanooga Aquarium) and I plan to get close and personal with some of them as soon as possible. The Commodore held 22-rooms at the hotel and next door annex, and all done-up first rate, but with very reasonable cost. www.commodorehotellinden.com (931) 589-3224–114 East Main St. Linden TN. 37096
We were invited to fish with the Mayor, Wess Ward, and Perry Counties Sherriff, Nick Weems, who also brought his boat, and fished with us on the Buffalo River for smallmouth and largemouth bass (more on fishing in part-2 of our Linden experience later). Travel writers do travel on their stomachs, and we knew we would be in for a treat with the live music, as we chowed on terrific fare at the corner Music Café in the hotel.
While I fished, Barb went next door on main St., and just after I arrived back at the hotel, we availed ourselves of the opportunity to do “Wave- Painting” at the Buffalo River Co-Op Craft Immersion project. Lots of fun, met great folks doing their crafts “thing” in wood and textiles. We were sent our little paintings to our home after they finally dried. We walked main street and met proprietors of Sparky and Ringos, Dimples Shop & Restaurant, Custom Creations Jewelry and also ate at Tims Video Corner Café our second evening in town. We also met Allyson Hinson Dickey, the new Chamber Director who offered us the Keys to the town (so-to-speak) for us to visit and experience. The Dumont’s invited us to have dinner with them, even though their restaurant was closed that evening. Before I forget; we also visited Mouse tail Landing State Park with Michael Dumont ,and everyone that enjoys camping would love the facilities and hiking ops.
When Michael and Kathy Dumont decided to change their life from Rhode Island to a little town between Nashville and Memphis, TN., they moved to Linden, a town that had seen better days before the Interstate way-laid most of its business and tourist traffic, as new interstates have done so, all over America (remember route 66) they chose the gorgeous rural area between Memphis and Nashville, and purchased land for their home, and acquired several building in the town of Linden. Linden has a backyard of the Buffalo River and the Tennessee River, rife with fabulous landscapes and wildlife.* Stay tuned for part-2 our visit to Perry County, fishing, The Buffalo River Resort, and an unusual museum on the Tennessee River.
We were strolling the neat little town of Linden!!Larger than life, Minnie Pearl statue. A well known figure from Linden. She is in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel.Barb heading for the hotel. The red car is a 1949 perfect condition, Dodge that belongs to the Dumont’s.
One of the small mouth bass while fishing with the Mayor and Sheriff of Linden and Perry County,Newspaper article reminiscent of how folks in a small town (Similar to Mayberry RFD) takes time out for just having fun! Article was on the wall of the hotel lobby.Sheriff of Perry County took a time-out to take me fishing!!Mayor of Linden also took me fishing!!!Sheriff and mayor were a “hoot” to fish with and get to know!!While I went fishing, Barb took a class in art at the Buffalo River Artisans Cooperative, next door to the Commodore Hotel.
