The state of Tennessee, for all practical purposes is like 3 separate states:
West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee
West Tennessee is the least interesting and least attractive as far as the lay of the land. The famous bluffs of the Mississippi River in Memphis are wonderful. Memphis is a beautiful city, but (excuse me if I offend anyone) I would describe the city as being manic/depressive. It is too polarized; too drastic in both directions. I don’t enjoy Memphis and I lived there 10 years.
Memphis has great (and usually free) musical events. Beale Street, the Peabody ducks, and the BBQ (Corky’s is my favorite).
We enjoyed weekends at Chickasaw State Park.
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/Chickasaw/index.shtml
Middle Tennessee consists of rolling hills and fertile valleys. Very beautiful, as if a fine-art painting. Nashville is a typical big city; lots of Country Music atmosphere.
East Tennessee is fantastic. Fantastic driving routes through the mountains. Great vistas of placid lakes. It has huge waterfalls (Rock Island), great system of dams and national parks.
http://state.tn.us/environment/parks/RockIsland/
Smoky Mountain National Park (on the Tennessee/North Carolina border) is not to be missed. Gatlinburg is a delight.
Maybe not the best time for an auto trip — but maybe it is — fewer people on the highway.
Have a great time.
Corky’s - is that the one that has the BBQ pulled pork sandwiches that are to die for?? :~P
Thanks for the links and the good suggestions. I think we may travel across to the Shiloh battlefield and then come back for Graceland.