FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD

TO THE WORLD'S LONGEST YARD SALE

U.S. Highway 127 is the site of the World's Longest Yard Sale.It runs from Gadsden, AL. to Defiance, Ohio, a distance of 635 miles through northern Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and parts of Ohio.It is part of an annual HGTV upcoming special.Between August 7 and 10, 2008, thousands of people are on the road in this little corner of the world to see just what bargains and unique gifts they can find.

It truly is following the yellow brick road and Yes, we're not in Kansas anymore.

The license plates have shown visitors from Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon and of course, Florida.The vendors are also from a variety of places, leasing spaces in front yards and parking lots, in community parks and on lawns for treasure hunters to search their wares.It is truly an example of the adage that one man's junk is another man's treasure.But evidenced by the packages brought back to cars, the furniture piled high in the back of pickup trucks and the buses bringing tourists to the area, many people were successful in their hunt.

Picture a narrow two lane road, like the yellow brick road, winding its way up and down the Blue Ridge Mountains and lined with table after table of household items, art, children's games and toys, clothing for all ages and even farm equipment.

You could compare this site to traveling the yellow brick road, but instead of meeting the Man Behind the Curtain, the Wizard of Oz, you meet everyday people selling everyday items, some historical items, some vintage items and many items that remind you of what Mom and Dad or Grandmom and Granddad had in their homes in the '60s, the '40s or earlier.It's a great source of memories, even if you don't spend a dime.

The sale was organized in 1987 by the Fentress (TN) Chamber of Commerce, trying to attract drivers away from the interstate and onto the back roads of America.That's exactly what has happened each year, with the vedors and crowds growing since the World's Longest Yard Sale since it began.

My friend, Elizabeth Robinson, and I wanted to see what it was all about.So we packed bag and baggage into the gas guzzler, leaving some room for whatever treasures we might find during our adventure.We joined the hunt on the second day between Gadsden, AL. and Jamestown, TN. and in the back of the vehicle are two circus posters, a 1950s lawn chair and a few smaller items that may turn out to be gifts for some friends.We like to share!!

We had been warned that traffic would be difficult, food stops and bathroom breaks would be limited and we wouldn't find any place to stay.So far, none of that has occurred.

While vendors have indicated they have had good sales, they also admitted that the traffic has not been backed up as in previous years.Being the last-minute organizers for this trip, we were able to find two cottages for our overnight stays.

So while Dorothy and Toto wanted to return to Kansas, the scarecrow wanted a brain, the tin man wanted a heart and the lion wanted courage, they could probably have found it all at the World's Longest Yard Sale.

More to follow tomorrow.