GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, USA -- The little things that capture people's imaginations always fascinate me, in other words, what they are passionate enough about to accumulate, collect and display. Equally interesting is to contemplate is exactly where the line between passion and obsession lies. When you meet Andrea Ludden, you'll know you're not even close -- for Andrea crossed that line when her collection grew to the point where it needed its own museum.

You can find the world's only Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, a shrine to Ludden's love of condiment containers -- simple, practical little objects that most of us use every day of our lives -- right off Gatlinburg's River Road.

A stroll through the museum's meticulously organized display cases elicits joyful nostalgic memories from its visitors. We all can relate, we've seen (or sometimes even own) some of the very items in the display cases. You're bound to spot a pair or two just like your grandmother, or favorite aunt used when you were a kid.

The shakers come in an endless variety of forms - from elegant, to whimsical, to kitschy, and all are well represented in this museum which highlights over 17,000 salt and pepper shakers collected by Andrea Ludden over the past 22 years. There are salt and pepper shakers from all over the world. Big ones, small ones, cute ones, quirky ones, glass, plastic and wooden ones -- just about any type of salt and pepper shaker ever made is on display.

Not content to rest on her laurels, Andrea still regularly adds to the museum's inventory, as does her daughter, Andrea Jr. When I asked Andrea Jr. what started her mother on this path, she recalled a time during her childhood when the family lacked a peppermill that worked properly. Andrea Sr.'s overcompensating began one of the world's largest accumulations of salt and pepper shakers and mills.

Should you want to start (or add to) a collection of your own, you'll find a gift shop stocked with lots of whimsical choices, some new, some vintage. You can also put all your salt and pepper shakers to practical use as the only spice store in the Smokies, offering over 132 different spices and spice blends, is housed here,.

Admission to the museum is free, although donations are appreciated.

Practicalities

The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum is located in Winery Square on Highway 32 in Gatlinburg. Call 888-778-1802 or 865-430-5515 or visit their website at www.thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com.

For further information and reservations, contact the City of Gatlinburg Department of Tourism and Convention Center at 800-568-4748 or click to www.gatlinburg-tn.com .

If you plan on driving to Gatlinburg, be sure to check out the time saving article below. If you plan to fly, US Airways serves nearby Knoxville, for reservations call 1-800-428-4322 or visit www.usairways.com.

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Cheri Sicard, in addition to being the editor of FabulousTravel.com and its sister site, Fabulous Foods.com is the author of The Great American Handbook: What You Can Do For Your Country Today and Every Day. To learn more about Cheri, click here.