Loretta Lynn's Ranch, Hurricane Mills, Tennessee

Stone and I took the long way to my parents house yesterday. The fastest way from Murfreesboro to the Missouri Ozarks is through Paducah, Kentucky. For some reason, our GPS and Nashville traffic conspired to make the Paducah route very unappealing, so we chose the longer way through Jackson, Tennessee.

Just outside of Jackson is a sign advertising Loretta Lynn's Ranch. My husband has always talked about visiting the Ranch. Stone has been a fan of Loretta Lynn since he was a little boy listening to her sing on his mom's LP's. So, when I saw that we were about to pass the Hurricane Mill's exit, and I happened to be driving, I decided to take a side trip.

Now, if at this point you are thinking, "Who is Loretta Lynn?" here is a video of one of her songs. This happens to be my husband's favorite - a newer song, produced by Jack White.

After meeting Loretta's daughter in the gift shop, we took a tour of the Ranch. We started out at a replica of Loretta's childhood home in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky.

After the house, we toured a model of a coal mine. Loretta Lynn's father farmed during the day and worked in the mines at night to support his family. He was in charge of blasting; one of the most dangerous jobs. Loretta Lynn paid tribute to him in her famous song.

Next was a tour of Loretta's house. She has since moved to another house behind this one, but it was here that her children grew up.

It is a beautiful house. It is also one of the most famous haunted houses in Tennessee, if you believe in that kind of thing. Apparently, the Travel Channel does.

We ended by walking around and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Hurricane Mills. Loretta Lynn bought not just the house but the whole town. It is a very lovely place.

We look forward to going back again when we have time to explore the museum.