More Pictures ----- I Hope!!!!!

If this turns out:

First one is The Loveless Cafe sign

Jo at the Wildhorse Saloon

The barn at Belle Meade. You can certainly tell who or what was important.

The farm went into decline when Tennesse starting condemning gamble.

Thanks for being patient!

Larry and Jo

Pictures

These pictures are killing me.

On the previouse blog: the house is Belle Meade
the slave cabin
I have no idea what the stadium is doing in there. It is where the Titans play.

Loveless Restaurant / Belle Meade

ignore this picture

July 6, Sunday: Went out for breakfast at the famous Loveless Cafe. This cafe has been opened since 1951. There was only one problem everyone else decided to go to the same cafe. It was quite a drive from the campground so we decided to wait the 1 1/2 hours to eat. It definitely was worth the wait. Good food and good service.

In the same area was the Belle Meade Plantation. It was one of the first Thoroughbred horse farms in the area. Our guide made the tour of the house interesting because he gave us some insight of the families living there before, during, and after the Civil War. I am reading a book about a former slave, Dr. William Key, who trained a horse, named Jim Key, to read, spell, make change, and many more things. I know it sounds untrue but it is very true and based in the Nashville area. They even went to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition in 1897 where President McKinley saw him. Anyway, this man Dr. William Key went to Belle Meade to work with some of the trainers there. Many of the things we are seeing are mentioned in the book. Okay, okay maybe more than you wanted to know!!!!!!!!!!

One of the most famous horse from Belle Meade was Iroquois. Apparently, about 90% of the Thoroughbred horses racing today can be traced by DNA back to him. Very impressive!

After walking around the grounds and visiting more out buildings we headed home to walk and feed the dogs.

Tonight we decided to head to 2nd street and hit some nightlife. Went to the Wildhorse Saloon but couldn't get in because Ringo Starr was doing a concert. We did not have tickets but that's okay because really not a fan of his. So we sauntered down to BB King's joint to listen to some rhythm and blues. Got there just as the group was taking a break. Waited and listened to about 1/2 of the next set. Really enjoyed but very very loud. Don't you dare say it...........We are NOT getting too old.

We need to get out of this town too much to do during the day and too much to do at night.

Country Music Hall of Fame

July 6, Saturday: Good thing we rested yesterday because today it was off to the Country Music Hall of Fame. This also included a trip to the famous Studio "B". The Hall of Fame was everything and then some that we expected. It was nicely laid out. Besides things to look at and read about they had listening booths which you could go into to listen to music. Some of them also had comments from stars, musicians, and other people in the industry. At this time they had a special exhibit on Hank Williams, Sr. and Hank Williams, Jr. Not a big fan but it was interesting.

Studio "B" had about 45,000 records recorded during its heyday with 1,000 of them hitting the Top 10. The who's - who's is amazing. Unlike the recording done nowadays, in this studio musicians and singer were together. Today the people making records can be all over the world not even near each other. Our guide told us that several artist like Elvis preferred Studio "B" to the newer Studio "A" because of its intimacy. After they stopped recording in this hall, they started giving tours plus allowed a college here to use the facilities to learn about recording. Fun to walk through the studio which Jerry Reeves, Patsy Cline , Dolly Parton, Floyd Kramer, and Elvis( who always recorded late at night) and many many others have walked before us.
Well, we saw a first today when we returned to the campground a big tow truck pulled in with a Mountain Aire on the back. Apparently, it broke down and no one is opened to fix it over the week-end. Decided might as well be in a campground to wait.

4th of July/Nashville

July 4, Friday: Debated whether we would brave the 100,000 people going to the Riverfront for the fireworks. Neither one of us came up with a good argument. So we watched them on TV after we watched the Washington DC displays on PBS. This was probably good since Jo is slowing down with the busy days and late nights. Nashville is only second in 4th of July fireworks to DC.
Did get caught up on the everyday things that must be done even when you are on the road.
Talked to Aprille, DB's wife, and had some sad news. Her Mom was just diagnosed with colon cancer. She is going to be scheduled for surgery sometime next week. Please could you all keep her in your prayers. Thank you.

Still in Nashville

Ba

Back of the house

Tomb of Andrew and Rachel Jackson on property

July 3, Thursday: I forgot to mention that CRACKER BARREL is just down the street. We did have lunch there on the first day we arrived but want you to know have not been back. Good restraint. Today was a fun day. We went to the Hermitage which Andrew Jackson built. He was our 7th President. That info is for our grandkids. Hopefully the pictures turn out. There was a couple on our tour yesterday that warned us it would take a couple of hours because of the grounds. I think AAA said 1 to 2 hours. We did it in 4 1/2 hours. Which I am sure does not surprise very many people. Actually the house tour was guided so that helped push us through. We had the audio part and so listened to narration of slave quarters, crops, gardens, and the tomb. Very nice day.

Stopped by Super Wal-mart for groceries and things. Stayed home for dinner and nice evening at the park. Of course, we did not get home until 7pm. It is so nice in the evening we have not been going to bed until around 11pm. Too late to keep this up.

Nashville, Tennessee

Trace Adkins daughters selling lemonade in front of their house

Alan Jackson House/decked out for 4th of July

July 1, Tuesday: Arrived at campground. It is the Yogi Bear Jellystone Campground. While checking in Jo received a welcome hug from Yogi!!!! Did not have the camera readily available so was not able to capture it on film. After setting up went back to the office to find out some info. The lady, Kelly, who checked us in, gave us a two for one ticket to the Grand Ole Opry. We were able to get in for $40.00 instead of $80.00. Always nice to get a bargain and see a great show. We saw 8 acts. Pam Tellis, Terri Clark, and Little Jimmy Dickens were among them. It was really fun being in a place my grandparents and parents always talked about. This is a live radio show on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. After the show, we stopped at the Music City Bar and Grill for a late night snack, listen to a band, and even danced. Great way to start our visit in Nashville.

July 2, Wednesday: Made some phone calls to get caught up with family. A few housekeeping chores before we headed for our tour of downtown and surrounding countryside where we saw some of the stars homes. Decided to take a tour mostly so Larry could see and not have to try and drive at the same time. It was fun to see some beautiful homes and hear some of the stories about the stars. Of course, couldn't help but think they could point at any house a say it was a stars. Cynic!!??!! We did stop and buy some cookies and lemonade from Trace Adkins girls. Just helping pay for their college tuition!!!!!!!! Alan Jackson has a beautiful home. Hopefully I can get them on the blog.

Tonight went to a restaurant called John A"s for dinner and more nice music.

Our campground is on Music City Valley Rd. just down from the Grand Ole Opry and the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. The first Opry was in the Ryman Auditorium which downtown. On 2nd Ave.is where most of the music joints are located. Plan to head to them some night.

Weather has been very good. The locals say the humidity is holding off. Yeah!!!!! Even so it is in the high 80's low 90's.