River pearls - the phrase conjures up something so rare it's impossible, like water from the moon. But Tennessee's state gem is the pearl and the Caney Fork River near McMinnville was a prime source for these beauties.
The river was home to mussels, who, like oysters, can secrete pearls. Visitors from near and far would go pearling in the Caney Fork River.
Sadly, after World War I the Caney became too toxic for the mussels. Today, it's beautiful and sparkling again, though pearling is no longer a pastime. And it is located in one of McMinnville's many tranquil and lovely spots: Rock Island State Park.
A visit to the nearby town offers barbecues galore, free concerts, car shows, bike races, bluegrass music in underground caverns and a celebration for every national holiday.
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SPIRITUAL PEACE AND PHYSICAL FITNESSA huge red dome marks the spot for anyone seeking the Isha Institute of Inner Sciences at 951 Isha Lane, one of McMinnville’s most unusual and coolest reasons to visit the city. The dome houses the meeting rooms and classes that draw visitors from all over the globe. Naturally, there is a program of classes teaching Hatha Yoga, an exercise with the twin goals of a strong, healthy body plus mental and spiritual clarity. There are also programs focused on diet, massage, therapeutic baths and wraps and rejuvenating tonics with traditional Indian Siddha and Ayurvedic healing systems.>One of the most popular draws is a weeklong program called Inner Engineering that teaches adults guided meditation, a mental and physical cleansing of toxins which believers swear alleviates problems with asthma, allergies, obesity, hypertension, arthritis and diabetes.While parents are getting engineering themselves, kids can participate in Yoga for Children (ages 7-14), a 5-8 day program designed to improve concentration, memory, health and channel a child’s energy creatively.>Check out the website for upcoming celebrations that involve music, dancing and feats of skill, or call 931-668-1900.
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*A HOST OF REASONS TO VISITCumberland Caverns has been drawing tourists for decades with its underground waterfall, pools and the famous Volcano Chamber 333 feet underground where music lovers flock to Bluegrass Underground, concerts for which Mother Nature provides the acoustics and attendees perch on rocks and snuggle amid rock formations to hear their favorite bands.The 10,000-square-foot Falcon Rest Mansion is nicknamed Tennessee’s Biltmore, but its grandeur is purely Victorian American, not European castle. It was built in 1896 by a man who earned his wealth manufacturing Gorilla Pants — trousers so strong, an ape couldn’t ripe them apart. The mansion now hosts murder mystery dinner theater, a historically accurate Civil War ball and group tours.Check out the quirky and fascinating Monty Wanamaker’s Southern Museum and Galleries of Photography, Culture and History on Main Street. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call 931-507-8102.South Cumberland State Park offers breathtaking vistas when hiking in Savage Gulf plus Foster Falls and the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Note that the Raven’s Point campsite on Fiery Gizzard closed in 2015 due to it being on private property. Update yourself regarding trail rerouting and campsite closures via the Friends of South Cumberland’s website.Park Theater is a beautifully restored Art Deco gem that hosts concerts and plays. Call 931-506-2787 to see what’s showing.
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*WHERE TO STAYBest Western: 809 Sparta St.; 931-673-2159Holiday Inn Express: 520 SE Stratus Ave.; 503-472-1700Scottish Inn: 1105 Sparta St.; 931-473-2181The Inn at Fall Creek Falls State Park: 10821 Park Road, Spencer, Tenn.; 423-881-5298Falcon Rest Mansion: 2645 Faulkner Springs Road; 931-668-4444
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*EAT OUTGondola Restaurant: 305 Mullican St.; 931-473-5555Nana’s Kountry Kupboard: 532 Sunny Side Heights; 931-473-7769Chabelitas Mexican Restaurant: 1124 Sparta St.; 931-507-9500Depot Bottom Old Country Store: 215 Bridge St.; 931-507-3366