Loretta Lynn's Plantation!

We had a great Sunday visiting Loretta's plantation! I will admit that the reason I heard about this in the first place was thanks to the travel channel. They have a special on Hurricane Mills, TN titled "Loretta Lynn's Haunted Plantation" or something like that. Check it out, i'm sure it is running several times this month since it's October! We did not "see" or "encounter" anything, and unlike the people on tv I did not "feel there are spirits everywhere" on the ranch. However I did feel the love from touring Loretta's home and museum. I felt like a "wannabe" Loretta fan. Until this tour I knew very little about what a true living "legend" this lady is. She is the real thing as everyone will tell you, meaning she came from nothing...and now has what she has and truly appreciates it. Here are some things I learned about her that have made me a new Loretta "fan"!

*She truly is "proud to be a coal-miner's daughter". There is a re-creation of a coal mine on the tour in Hurricane Mills. I learned many things about mining coal thanks to the tour. side note--many of the people who work at the ranch have done so for a long time, or have known Loretta many years. She is apparently very friendly to them all and treat them as family. Our tour guide was very informative, funny, and you can tell these people are here because they love Loretta! I learned that the mines were about 48 inches high. This means the men working down there would have been hunched over doing hard labor all night. They made about 10 cents for every ton of coal they mined and were not paid cash but basically a credit slip that could only be spent at the company store. Loretta's daddy would farm all day, then go to the mine at night.

*Loretta slept in a small bed in her parents room because she was the oldest girl. She would get up with her momma every morning before everyone else and help her momma with preparing the three meals of the day. They did this so they would not be cooking in the heat of the day.

*Loretta's Butcher Holler home was lined with old newspaper and catalogs on the ceilings in the bedroom and kitchen. this was used as the insulation.

*the family had a radio in the corner of the living room that ran off of a battery. since batteries were expensive they would only turn it on on very special occasions. this would be saturday night for them because it is when the Grand Ole Opry would broadcast. Loretta would listen intently to memorize the songs she heard so she could then sing them while she did her chores. People from town would come hear her sing because many of them did not have a radio and this is the only way they heard the newest stuff coming out of Nashville!

*Loretta's husband, Mooney, bought her a guitar for about $13. She then was able to get a record pressed of a song she wrote called "honky tonk girl". they traveled across many states because of Mooney's job at the time, and in every city they would stop and give a copy of the record to the radio station. they asked them to play it and eventually Loretta met Earnest Tubb. The tour guide told us that by the time Loretta and Mooney got home that song was being played across the country.

*Loretta was the first woman ever to receive a Gold record for the song "don't come home a-drinkin" (with lovin on your mind). She was also the first woman to receive the "entertainer of the year" award!

*Loretta loves her fans and friends very much. You can feel her there through the personalization of many hand-written signs posted throughout the museum. A couple of them I remember were like "this is my favorite car. i may get it out and drive it again one day soon!" and "i really like to wear this sweater because it is so soft!". :O) sweet lady. There is a guest book at the end of the museum tour that we signed and left a note to Loretta. Jon wanted to ask her to tell Martina hi. :O)

*It truly IS a small world! The lady that runs the Loretta boutique and her husband have been friends with Loretta for 35 years. This lady's nephew owns and operates "hillbilly haven", which is a little rv place on the brazos river out off of 20. Jon and I have been there, and I think Jon has met her nephew. You know that 6 degrees thing? :O) We bought some neat things here in the boutique! Another way I know Loretta is a down-to-earth kind of gal is the fact that she does not ask for hundreds of dollars for an item just because she has autographed it. I bought a little green and yellow kitchen knick-knack with her signature on it, for $8. Got some Christmas shopping done while on our vacation as well!

*Loretta still lives at the plantation sometimes, and has a home in Nashville. She still tours!

*Loretta truly loved Mooney. He was her inspiration and support, always telling her she could "do it!". While in the museum there are videos playing at different areas. One played a song she wrote about him and showed photos while it played. Guess what? Misty cried. big surprise I know!

*Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle are sisters...I knew this but had forgotten until we got here!

that concludes my useless information for you today. If you would like to visit Hurricane Mills do NOT drive here!! lol! first FLY to Nashville, then drive the short hour out. :O)

I gotta get Jon up so we can get ready for our day trip to Lychburg TN to tour the JD distillery!