7 (More) Stops not to miss on the Route 127 Yard Sale – Kentucky and Tennessee Day 2
We are on the road shopping the Route 127 Yard Sale. This week-long collection of yard sales stretched nearly 1,000 miles from Michigan to Alabama. Check out my earlier post here for more tips for getting the most out of the Route 127 Sale.
Each year I shop the sale for two days covering most of Kentucky and Tennessee. For more on how the first day went this year, check out Day 1 here. Here are some of my favorite stops from Day 2. I’ve been visiting these for years and they haven’t let me down.
So, at the end of Day 1 we pulled into Baymont Inn & Suites in Albany, KY. When you’re in Albany, you have crossed over to Central Time. This means that you have an extra hour at the end of the day to shop a little longer (if you have the energy). It also means that you need to get an early start the next day because you will lose that hour at some point. Because of the time change, you will see the sales around the hotel open up a little earlier than most – around 7:30am or so.
Terri and I were really tired when we got in and we repacked the entire truck because the forecast had a pretty good chance of rain for Saturday. Because of this, we didn’t even look at any of the sales around the hotel – and there is a lot!
Day 2 Stop 1 – Baymont Inn & Suites (0 miles)
You can walk to any of these sales, but we drove just in case we found something we liked. Right across the street from the hotel is a pretty big area with several vendors with lots of treasures. I’ve bought glassware here over the years. They always have great furniture. If you turn left out of the hotel, almost immediately you’ll see a good size group of vendors on the left and right side of the road. Parking is available along the street on either side.
I found a galvanized, vintage coal bucket ($10) here this year. It had the coal scoop with it (which I didn’t need). When I let the seller know that they gave me a better deal on just the bucket as they had others at home that they could pair the scoop with. Terri bought a really cool vintage fireman’s bucket made out of thick canvas a few years ago. Across the street I found a cute mid-century modern stool a couple of years ago. I think I paid $15 for it.
From here, make a right. We took the Albany business route. There are lots of random stops as you go through town. Parking is a challenge, so we just drove slowly and scouted from the car. We did make one random stop because I saw a vintage bike I liked. It didn’t pan out, but we did find a 3D tiger poster for $1 that I picked up for Chris and a basket that I am determined to try and paint (check out Confessions of a Serial DIYer at https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/thrifty-basket-makeovers/ — I want to try the stripes!) for $2.
Day 2 Stop 2 – Barn Sale (on right) – 12.7 miles
There are a couple of sales in the few miles before you hit this one. I haven’t stopped at them yet, but they are on my list of random stops to get to next time. You’ll see the barn on your right and then a field where there is parking and another row of vendors. Last year I picked up several crystal Star of David platters for $7 each. This year I found a funky chair ($12) that I want to paint white and add some orange and white fabric.
If you’re already hungry, 3.6 miles up the road is a country store. There are some vendors (I’ve never had much luck) but the banana bread they sometimes sell outside and the fudge they make in the store are yummy.
Day 2 Stop 3 – Alvin York State Park (parking on right, vendors on left) – 3.6 miles past the country store
You will see the vendors on your left. The park is on your right and there is a good-sized parking lot. In years past, there were a number of vendors in the park itself. They seem to be the more professional vendors. The quality of their stuff is great, but you aren’t necessarily going to find the deals you may be searching for. Terri and I had already decided to skip them in the interest of time only to find that they had all moved to the other side of the street.
There are several vendors worth visiting here. I bought more than half of the Hardy Boys book series ($40) here a few years ago and this year found a cute vintage chair that I picked up for $12. Terri found a pink depression glass salt and pepper shaker set with tray in perfect condition here, too.
Day 2 Stop 4 – Divided Highway (both sides of the road) – 12.1 to 12.3 miles
I’m sorry there isn’t a better description for this stop. I bought some really cool carved screen dividers ($90) here on one of my first trips on the sale. This year I found some oil cans ($3 each) that I have an idea for how to use for Christmas. These vendors are mostly in the shade, so it was a welcome stop even if we didn’t find a lot.
Day 2 Stop 5 – South Fentress Park (on left) – 10.7 miles
This is one of my favorite stops. There are over a hundred vendors with something for everyone. You will know you’re getting close because the traffic will slow down. There are a couple of entrances for parking. Be patient, you’ll find a space. There were actually several spaces in the paved section this year. Warning: It is narrow, drive slowly. This stop also has food and restrooms (bonus!).
I have bought so many things here over the years. My 70s globe light ($25) was one of my very first purchases. We’ve finally set up the outdoor art piece ($90) I picked up five years ago. It is mesmerizing. Chris loved the tools and gadgets available from a few of the vendors here. I bought a mid-century modern wooden salad bowl set ($8) that I’m going to revitalize. I found the bowls for sale online for $30+ a set!!!
Day 2 Stop 6 – Grilled Corn (on left) – 2.4 miles
Again, you’ll know you’re getting close when the traffic starts to slow down. There is parking in a lot on the left right across from the biggest concentration of vendors. If there’s nothing available there, try the funeral home just past them on the left. Be patient, there are always people coming and going. You’ll find a spot. If the restaurant is open, do NOT park in their lot.
This stop is another favorite both for the vendors and the shade! Last year I found a German mid-century sunburst clock for $7.50! I found them online for nearly $200! There are definitely deals to be had on Saturday. Vendors don’t want to carry stuff home so don’t be afraid to bargain. Two years ago I found an amazing four piece Homecrest (mid-century, of course) outdoor furniture in great condition. The asking price was $325 and I was able to get it for $200!
This year, I found a bunch of little stuff – marbles, drawer pulls, candlestick holders, etc. I also found a 30-year-old Santa’s Band in its original box. Imagine seven marching band members and Santa each holding a drumstick with bells on either side of them. When you turn it on, the “band” proceeds to play thirty-four (yes 34!) different Christmas songs, in harmony, by hitting the bells. When we got home and plugged it in, there were four adults sitting on the floor mesmerized by the whole production. The only downside is there’s no volume control – they are hitting the bells – it is what it is. I think I’m going to set it up outside by the bar for our party this year if the weather’s nice.
Day 2 Stop 7 – Bonus Stop (on right) – 12.1 miles
Most years, I go all the way down to Chattanooga before getting off the sale route. This year, Terri and I got off at I40 to head east towards home. Right before I40 there’s a good-sized group of vendors on the right so we stopped for one last hoorah. Terri found a piece of pottery her mom collects for a great price, but the showstopper here is the ice cream. Served by a group of Amish ladies, it is homemade and scrumptious! The peach ice cream looked good, but I went with my old standby – cookies and cream. Yummy!
That wraps up this year’s sale! We had a blast and found some great bargains. I hope this post helps you on your next (or first) trip on the Route 127 Sale. Maybe I’ll see you next year!
