NASHVILLE - MUSIC CITY

With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast, it was hard not to have home on our minds as we drove into Nashville Monday morning.  Choosing Greyline's Hop On/Off Trolley Tour worked out well for us.  Our first stop was the Ryman Auditorium.  Originally built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892, it was later used as the venue for a wide variety of events: from religious revivals to boxing matches.  From 1943 to 1974, it became home to the Grand Ole Opry, a popular live radio show, and became known as the "Mother Church of Country Music."  It's amazing that the original church pews are still used as seating.

After lunch at Tootsies Orchard Lounge located in "The District" area, we hopped off next at American Pickers Mike Wolfe's "Antique Archeology" shop.  We were surprised that this stop was on the tour since Keith often watches the TV show on the History Channel.  More exciting, people leaving the store said that Mike was there and talking with them.  The sales staff said that he was 'in and out' but, unfortunately, we didn't see him.

Our last stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame, two floors of Country memorabilia and exhibits.  What really amazed me was how THIN most of the female singer's dresses were.  (They looked like about a size 2.)  It was a nice day and interesting, but my foot still hurts a lot so I was glad to get back and sit down.

We were planning to travel from Nashville to Memphis on Tuesday but the weather report was calling for residual winds from Sandy so we decided to stay here another day.  Although it was windy, it was sunny so we chose to visit the nearby historic town of Franklin, established in 1799.  The town suffered years of economic devastation from the Civil War, Union occupation, and the Battle of Franklin.  Then in the late 60's, there was a successful effort to preserve the history of the original square and surrounding Victorian architecture.  Again because of my foot, we took an abbreviated walking tour of the Main Street area, we drove around to see the large Victorian homes, and then we ate dinner at Puckett's Gro. & Restaurant (included in the "Top 100 Restaurants to Eat at While Traveling" by Rand McNally.)  I had a 'Redneck Burrito' and it was delicious!

A funny thing happened today.  As we were walking down Main Street, a few blocks from the square, we walked into a small antique shop called William Powell Co.  I mentioned to Keith that I thought it had the same flair as Antique Archeology, but I actually liked this store better.  On the way out, I asked the proprietor if there was a connection between the stores.  She said that it was interesting that I asked because although this store was owned by her husband, Mike stops in frequently and had just been there this morning.  What are the odds?? 

 

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

What a scenic drive...through the Shenandoah Valley and along the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It's been years since we drove into southern Virginia and I think that was in the summer.  The fall foliage is absolutely beautiful.  And the rolling hills and mountains are a pleasant change from the path we took last fall.

Every leaf color on one tree!
 

After three one-nighters, we arrived in the Nashville area yesterday afternoon.  It was a cool 49 degrees, cloudy and damp.  After setting up, we drove to the Gaylord Opryland Resort for dinner.  This hotel is amazing:  over 2800 rooms, a banquet room that seats 4000 for dinner and 7000 theater-style.  It is the largest hotel without a casino in the world.  The hotel is divided into three areas:  Cascades - the original, Magnolia, and Delta - the last and largest addition.   Pictures do not do justice to the beautiful atrium.



The Delta - decorated for Christmas
 

Cascades
 

We walked around for about 2 hrs before deciding on Mexican for dinner...and I'm pretty sure that I was walking with a broken toe.  Yesterday morning, I walked into the base of Calvin's scratching post.  In my defense, it sits in an inconvenient spot, however, if I move it, he uses the sofa...not good!  So, I taped it and off we went.  This morning, it's purple and swollen...broken??

Today is Sunday - race day - so while Keith watches the Martinsville Nascar race, I'm ice-ing and elevating my foot because our plan is to spend tomorrow touring Nashville.


HEADING WEST - 2012

It's Wednesday, October 24 and we're "On the Road Again."  Last Thursday, if you had asked me why we were still in Bowmansville, I'd have said, "deja vous!" (without the snowstorm of 2011)  Our plan, as most of you know, was to leave last Wed, the 17th.  We brought our travel trailer over to Sun Valley to load our supplies, and planned to stay in it on Tue. and leave Wed. morning. 

We had taken the trailer to French Creek SP for a few days last month to make sure that everything was working okay.  It was warm so I guess we didn't think to turn on the heater.   Unfortunately, when we turned it on Tue. evening, it didn't work. 

We called Stoltzfus RV, our dealer, and they sent a serviceman to check it.  He determined that we needed to 'take it in to the shop' for them to look for the problem.  Needless to say, I was a little distraught! (maybe a lot)  I had already transferred all the food from the cupboards and frig, stripped the bedding, packed our clothes :(

Thankfully, Keith's cup is always HALF FULL.  He said the good news was that we hadn't 'winterized' our summer trailer yet.  And, better to have it happen here than on the road where we'd have to find a dealer and a place to stay.  He was right.

"Locked and Loaded"

It was a beautiful sunny day and the foliage was outstanding.  We pulled into Endless Caverns RV Park in New Market, VA around 2 this afternoon.  The park is located at the foot of the Massanutten Mountain range.

View of the mountains from nearby golf course
 

 We'll drive about the same distance tomorrow and stay at Fort Chiswell RV Park in Meadows VA for one night.  We've decided to make up our agenda as we go so I'm not sure how many days we'll spend in Tennessee.  I think we'll skip Knoxville area and stay longer in Nashville and Memphis.