I wrote a bit about our trip to Nashville in an earlier post. Here’s more of a tourist’s guide… akin to sitting with Great Uncle So and So while he projects his pictures of his latest vacation onto the wall.
Reminds me of the one time when, at 12 years old, I walked in on my great uncle scrolling through pictures of his kids, who were all grown up and gone. I scarce wanted to disrupt… it was such a sentimental moment. I finally got brave enough to quietly ask, “which one of your children is that?” as he scrolled through a roll of pictures featuring an adorable newborn.
“Hell if I know, they all look the same…” he said and kept scrolling. It was a defining moment in my life. I think Uncle Floyd taught me more about men in that moment than I’d learned my entire life up to that point.
ANYway.
Nashville was a truly memorable city. It’s really growing rapidly right now, and I can see why. The city is so friendly and welcoming. San Francisco had a beauty and charm all it’s own, but it really lacked the friendly atmosphere Nashville had. I guess you could say that we felt right at home in Nashville -I think everyone there did.
The resort and convention center we stayed at was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it! There were gardens, restaurants, rooms, shops, a spa, a car rental! There was even a Dr’s office a stone’s throw from the motel rooms. Across the street was a restaurant serving all kinds of wildlife and we could make a 5 minute brisk walk to The Grand Ole Opry (and nearby mall). It was really fun! It was a bit cut off from the heart of Nashville, but I rented a car one day and we made great use of it. I went to Loretta Lynn’s Ranch while Danny was in training (which means I can die and feel okay about it) and then we ate dinner at The Loveless Cafe… the best southern food I’ve ever had! Even the catfish tasted like dessert.
Danny enjoyed his training, and I enjoyed curling my hair everyday. I felt like a normal person! Visiting The Country Music Hall of Fame was interesting, but not as much fun solo. I love music, and Danny does as well -I only wish he could have been there with me. That said, I was more than okay flying solo at Loretta’s Ranch… because I nerded out big time, and I didn’t really want anyone I knew in my personal life seeing it.
*ahem*
The gardens inside the resort are breathtaking. The resort has it’s own map because you get so lost!
Can you believe this is all indoors? I just kept taking pictures! I couldn’t stop. The picture below really looks like it is outside, but it isn’t. Incredible!
Monday night, we took an Uber downtown to check out the Johnny Cash museum. It was a real highlight of our trip. It was so well organized and presented -it was inspiring! It wasn’t too big or overwhelming.
There’s garden pictures thrown in the middle of all of my pictures. I make no apologies.
Here’s Danny with some fried pickles. We were on the second floor of a bar downtown. They had one band playing downstairs and one upstairs. It was less crowded upstairs, and the balcony opened up so we could see the lights of downtown. We could even see the CMT building, and I was pretty excited about that. I used to watch that channel for hours as a kid. Crystal Gayle was my idol. 
Here’s a few shops -some of my favorites! Below them is a beautiful river with tour boats.
Tuesday night, I fulfilled a dream! We went to The Grand Ole Opry! Josh Turner, Scotty McCreery, Craig Morgan, Dustin Lynch, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels! It was a stellar line up!
Before the concert started, they honored all military and law enforcement. Danny stood up and I was so proud of him.
I cried while Scotty Mcreery sang, “Five More Minutes.” And I sang along with all of Craig Morgan’s songs and wondered how his wife was doing since they lost their son. Danny has been itching to see Josh Turner in concert for years, so it was really amazing how it all played out for us. For the last song, Charlie Daniels brought out, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and the entire crowd was on their feet! It was the best -just the best! We really lucked out with a great line-up on a Tuesday night.
Danny and I walked back to the resort with an extra bounce in our step and grabbed a root beer float on our way back to bed. This root beer is the best I’ve ever had!
We wanted to tour backstage, but tickets were sold out for Tuesday night. I’m glad they were! We were able to tour backstage the next day and we had the place almost to ourselves (we had to share with one other couple). Those pictures are really fun to revisit, so I’ll save them for my next post save two:
Wednesday morning, I took another Uber downtown and spent a few hours in The Country Music Hall of Fame. Like I said, it wasn’t the most fun place to be alone. I really wanted to share it with someone who would appreciate it like I did: the history, the quotes, the walls covered in records!
Elvis’ Caddy came with a tiny (but also huge and boxy) television.
They also have Elvis’ gold piano.
All of the outfits from the different artists were fun to see. Most of them were fancy and decked out -or gaudy (I’m lookin’ at you, Shania), but King George kept it classy and casual.
And putting them all to shame, Patsy made her own!
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