Hello from Tennessee!

Some places just stay with you. Not because they have the fanciest hotels, the most spectacular restaurants, or enough attractions to keep you busy from sunrise to sunset. Sometimes it's something much simpler. The people.

Jim and I have been traveling through Tennessee and Kentucky for years. His family lives in both states, so making this trip isn't exactly a new adventure for us. But this particular trip has been different. For the first time in a long time, we're getting to explore the places we've wanted to explore. We're taking day trips, wandering through little towns, finding interesting restaurants, and following our curiosity. And if you know me, you know I have plenty of curiosity!

I've always loved Tennessee. There's something about these mountains, the winding roads, the small towns, and the sense of history tucked into practically every corner that calls to me. But Erwin? Well, Erwin caught me by surprise.

A town with a story to tell

Tucked into the mountains of Northeast Tennessee, Erwin is the kind of place you might pass through on your way to somewhere else. And that would be a shame. Because what I found here was something I wish more people understood about small-town America.

There is a difference between a town that simply exists and a town whose people are deeply connected to one another. Erwin is the latter. When Hurricane Helene swept through this part of the country in September 2024, it brought unimaginable destruction. Homes, businesses, roads, and lives were changed forever. You cannot tell Erwin's recent story without acknowledging that devastation.

But here's what struck me. Erwin isn't simply a story about what a storm destroyed. It's a story about the people who remain, the pride they take in their community, and the determination to keep moving forward. That's the story I found myself thinking about long after we left.

A little exploring, a little wine, and one unforgettable hand pie

Now, you didn't think I was going to visit a Tennessee town without finding something wonderful to eat, did you? You know me better than that! Erwin has a restaurant that I will travel 45 minutes to dine in - Red Fork. First, there was the wine. A Bulgarian Cabernet Sauvignon called Rough Day. I have a love of red wine, and when presented with a nice Cab Sauv? I could not pass up the chance to taste a wine from a region that I had not tasted before. Yes, Bulgarian wine! Now, I've enjoyed wines from all over the world, but discovering a Bulgarian Cabernet in a little East Tennessee town? That was a delightful surprise.

And then there was the hand pie. Oh. My. Goodness. Imagine Tennessee Hills bourbon-glazed apples tucked into a pastry made with bacon fat, with bacon and miso caramel bringing that wonderful combination of sweet and savory flavors. One bite, and I was in heaven.

That first bite was one of those moments when you put down your fork and think, Well, now. Where have you been all my life?

I love good food, but what I love even more is discovering people who take familiar ingredients and turn them into something unexpected. That little hand pie accomplished exactly that.

I have eaten in wonderful restaurants around the world, from elegant dining rooms to tiny neighborhood establishments where the owner is also the chef. And you know something?

A memorable meal doesn't require white tablecloths or an impressive price tag. Sometimes all it takes is somebody who knows exactly what they're doing with a little pastry, some bourbon, and a generous helping of imagination.

The part of Erwin I didn't expect

As much as I enjoyed our discoveries, the food wasn't what stayed with me. It was the sense of community. After our visit, I shared my impressions of Erwin on Facebook. Now, my Facebook page has never been one of those accounts where every post attracts thousands of views. For years, I've had roughly the same number of followers.

So imagine my surprise when people began responding to that little story about Erwin. And they kept responding. Some had grown up there. Others had family ties to the town. Some remembered places and people from years gone by. The comments weren't simply about whether someone should visit. They were personal. People were sharing pieces of their lives, their histories, and the memories that connected them to Erwin.

And that, to me, was far more interesting than a big number on a social media post. I realized that I hadn't simply written about a destination. I had touched on something that belonged to the people who call it home.

Why I keep coming back to small towns

I've spent years writing about travel, hotels, restaurants, and destinations. I've visited beautiful resorts, enjoyed extraordinary meals, sailed through the Caribbean, and explored places steeped in centuries of history. And I've loved those experiences.

But over the years I've come to appreciate something that doesn't always show up in a glossy travel brochure. The personality of a place. You can renovate buildings. You can open restaurants and hotels. You can create attractive downtown shopping districts.

Those things matter. They bring visitors, create jobs, and help communities grow. But you cannot manufacture the sense of belonging that comes from generations of people caring about a place and one another. That has to be lived.

And when a community has endured something as devastating as Hurricane Helene, those relationships become even more meaningful. Erwin reminded me of that. It also reminded me why I became a travel writer in the first place.

I'm curious about what makes places different. I want to know the stories behind the buildings, the restaurants, the traditions, and the people. I want to understand why someone chooses to stay in a particular town, why a family business survives for generations, or why a community comes together when the unthinkable happens. Those are the stories that interest me. Not simply where to go. But why a place matters.

There's more Tennessee ahead

Jim and I aren't finished exploring this part of the country. Not by a long shot. We've already discovered some marvelous places, and there are plenty more on my list. There will be more winding roads, more small towns, more history, and I certainly hope for a few more memorable meals. And yes, probably another good glass of wine or two.

But Erwin has earned a special place in my memories. Not because it tried to impress me. Because it didn't have to. Its people and their stories did that beautifully. A town's heart isn't found in its buildings. It's found in its people. And Erwin, Tennessee, has one mighty big heart.

Until next time,

Betsi

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