Benton, TN

Benton Shooters Supply a Candyland for gun enthusiasts! Located on Hwy. 411 in Benton, Tn. this place is a mecca for all those that enjoy firearms. They have pistols, long guns, revolvers and antique guns. Additionally they carry all types of ammunition, field clothes and of course targets, cases and tree stands. People come a long distance to shop here and their prices are quite good.

This one is not hard to figure out. Located right on Hwy. 411 in Benton. They sure have pretty views!

A wonderful place to live with views to die for. If you have an interest in visiting, call me! I'll show you around. Remember there are no income taxes here!

Today I had ocassion to visit River Ranch and I took a scenic drive and explored more parts of Polk County and the Delano and Benton areas. I thought that I would like to share more photos of this sleepy, growing community that I am slowly falling in love with.

This is County Road 163 or also known as Bowater Road. This happens to be the turn at the Chestuee Baptist Church sign to go to the River Ranch. Bowater is a big paper plant located on Highway 11 in Calhoun, Tn. You may remember reading about a rather large and devstating chain reaction crash on I-75 in Calhoun. This made national news and was blamed on poor visibility due to steam from the Bowter plant. It happened during commuter hour in the morning. Since then they have put up big fog warning signs with lights on I-75 in the Calhoun area. They are regulated to give different warnings depending on conditions. Calhoun is actually in McMinn Coutny, Tn., but, in this area many counties border each other and you frequently cross back and forth between counties. Bowater is a large paper plant and they owned huge amounts of land in the area at one time. They logged the land to process paper and then evetually sold it off to private individuals at dirt cheap prices. Many recreation areas and subdivisions are on former Bowater property.

Can you imagine getting any sleep in the corner bedroom? This old house is lived in and is situated precariously on McMinn County Rd. 750. I pass by it on the way to the River Ranch. Of course it was here long before the road was established and would not be allowed today.

This is the view to the Eaast on Athens Rd. Star Mountain is in the background. It is part of the Chilhowee mountains which connects to the Appalachians. North Carolina begins right on the other side of the mountain.

Cows graze at the side of Athens Rd. Much of the land is still farmlnd, yet a busy highway into "civiliztion" is only minutes away.

A quiet county road; McMinn County Rod 977. It was a gorgeous day for a ride out in this neck of the woods!

A quiet spot by the Hiwassee.