Kind of a big deal.

Here is the sign coming into Tullahoma from the Lynchburg Hwy. As you can see, churches are kind of a big deal here.

Grandaddy's Farm

http://www.grandaddysfarm.com/
We went to Grandaddy's Farm with my son's preschool, and we had a blast! Some of the things they have there are: tractor rides, a huge trampoline, pig races, a really big bench swing, two tube slides (one is extra long and goes down a hill), three big tire swings, and some animals to check out. There is a lot more, and you can see a complete description at their website, listed above.

The Farm is located in Winchester. It's a little off the beaten path, but isn't everything around here? So, when you get to the farm, you pay, and walk through a small gift shop featuring some really cool gourds. The tractor ride pulls a large wagon around the farm. We went down a big hill, and back up again, then under a tunnel, which had gourds hanging from it.

The Farm also has a large area to eat, with picnic tables and a snack bar. A word of caution: during the time we went, in the fall, there were many yellow jackets flying around the trashcans. If you do choose to bring food when these bees are present, I would suggest eating far away from the trash cans. And if you or your kids are allergic to bees, certainly bring your epi pen, or use other precautions.

Cowan Railroad Museum

The Cowan Railroad Museum was a lot of fun! It is a small museum, but has lots of artifacts that you can touch and a really cool model train where you can go underneath and look up into a plastic bubble. There are also a lot of old pictures of the train station, and everything that went with it like old maps, records books and supplies. The pictures were well maintained and it was pretty cool to look at pictures of the very building you are standing in.

The town of Cowan is also very nice. It was especially beautiful as we visited in the fall, and the colors of the leaves and the rolling hills made a great back drop to the museum. There were several restaurants near the museum, which is located in the heart of the main street running through town.

 

Of course, the best part was being able to get on the old train outside. There is a steam engine, platform, box car and caboose.

I could definitely see this becoming something we do again. Next time, I'd like to walk downtown and visit the various souvenir shops, restaurants and shops.

Short Springs- Machine Falls

I've wanted to visit this place since before we moved here, and we finally did last Saturday. No where did we find online that warned us of what we would actually be experiencing, so I hope this will be helpful to some of you out there! The Short Springs Natural Area is a short drive from downtown Tullahoma. It's actually in the city limits. When you arrive at the water tower that bears the name of Short Springs, you will park you car and walk across the street to the trail head. The trail is about 1/2 a mile long and most of it is on a steep decline into the stream and falls.

Part of the decline has man-made steps on it, but it is still very rocky and steep. I was wearing flip flops and my husband, slip ons, so needless to say, we were not prepared. My son was a trooper. He was so determined to get to the bottom to see the falls. So down we went, and when we got to the bottom, we had to scale slippery, moss covered rocks, so be careful!
Anyway, you will trek through the actual stream, so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. We turned a bend, and there it was! Machine falls is really pretty. It's tucked under trees and is kind of in a canyon. There is a shallow, and very clear, pool at the bottom of the falls that is very refreshing after the long hike down the hill. Even though it was not what we expected, we are really happy we decided to go ahead and make the hike. You won't be dissapointed if you decide to do the same. Short springs is a must-visit for anyone passing through or moving to Tullahoma!



 

The Exchange

https://exchange931.com/

I began my search for all things Tullahoma in June when we found out we would be moving here. After almost four months, and having already lived here for two, I have finally found the website that would have been so helpful to me months back. It is the website that goes with the Exchange newspaper. It's like craigslist for Tullahoma. The link is above. Enjoy!

Hands On Science Center

This is such a cool place! You can get a year membership for only $50. It's great for hot days and cold ones too. They have so many exhibits and centers for kids. My four year old is over the world in love with this place! There is a play area with a little house, stove, and tables for pretend play and puppets and stage for a puppet show. What usually ends up happening for us is I play in the pretend play area with my daughter while my son explores. It's a very laid back environment. There is also a small gift shop where they have many small toys of $1!

Coffee County Lannom Library

The library is very nice. It's small...but nice. Through your library card, you can borrow books on your e-book, such as the Kindle, Nook and Ipad. They offer a story time on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00am. There is singing, activities and, of course, a story or two. The library is across from Imagination Station (see Playgrounds post), so it makes for a fun morning if you combine the two. Also close by is the community center.

http://lannom.org/

Playgrounds

So here's the deal with playgrounds...they are difficult to find if you're just out on your own. Luckily, you have this blog!

Imagination Station

Imagination Station is on Hogan St. in Tullahoma. This is awesome. I was told it's in the "poor" part of town, but I didn't notice anything off about it.

Imagination Station

The Space Shuttle Park is on Big Springs Ave. in Tullahoma. It's actually called Big Springs Park, but it has two space shuttle like climbing structures. There is also a walking trail next to a stream behind the park.

Big Springs Park

There is a park in Manchester called Fred Deadman park. In it is a playground called Hunter J. Grattis playground. Search in google maps for Wilson St. Manchester, TN and it will take you to the park. Wilson St. is the park. Near the park is a river and walkway.

Hunter J. Grattis Playground

Hunter J. Grattis Playground

Within the Winchester Park is Adventure Mountain, the playground. There is a playground, batting cages, and a minature golf course. There are three separate parks here. And a walking trail, as well as a great view of the lake. 

Winchester City Park, Adventure Mountain

Winchester City Park, Adventure Mountain

The Caboose park is simply a caboose by a patch of grass and benches.

Caboose Park

First Baptist Church in Tullahoma has an enclosed playground that is open to the public. This is a great playground. It is clean, and has equipment for kids from toddler to school age. There are a few picnic tables as well, which we enjoyed eating our lunch at. And the fact that it is fenced in is great to keep the kids safe! 

First Baptist Church Playground

First Baptist Church Playground

New in Tullahoma

I just moved to Tullahoma, Tennessee two weeks ago. Before arriving I spent about a month looking things up online that would help me once I moved here. I had a difficult time finding much of anything. As a mom, I wanted information on parks, moms groups, schools, and library story times, but I didn't find what I was looking for. I also wanted to know about areas of the town and where would be the best place to live, but again, I was left guessing. So I've decided to start this blog to help others new to Tullahoma. I doubt this page will be viewed by many, but if I can help someone with some information that I was unable to acquire before moving here, I will be happy.