Nashville Again

Ryman Auditorium
Inside the Ryman /the staircase is behind us


July 8, Tuesday: Okay, decided to stay another day to see a few more things. One of them was the Ryman Auditorium. This was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. In 1974 they built the new theatre. Several of the artist still prefer the acoustics in the Ryman Auditorium to the acoustics in the new theatre. It was built in 1892 as a church. Than became an entertainment auditorium. You can almost hear Minnie Pearl,who was educated in Europe and one of the wealthest people in Nashville, saying "Howdeeeeeeeee....so glad to be here." If you are a country fan this is a place to see. They have a backstage tour but we could not take it because they were getting ready for a performance that night. Yes, they still have concerts.


After the tour we went to the Wildhorse to have lunch and see if they had entertainment. Yep! they were open for lunch only. They also were having another big party tonight. Some private shindig. So nope! no entertainment but we did get some fried dill pickles(Pat and Chuck remember New Orleans) and sandwiches. They have five bars, 3 dance floors, and on the third floor a billiard room. Really wanted to see some dancing but can't have everything. We did walk down Broadway Street which has alot of Honky Tonks that have entertainment day and night. Stepped in a few just to listen to some of the singers. This town has a lot of talent waiting to be discovered.


Back to campground to walk and feed dogs. No nightlife tonight time to pack up and move on tomorrow.


Larry and Jo

Last day in Nashville

Tina Turner / Elvis Presley

July 7, Monday: Larry went to get his blood test and also run some errands. I got to stay home and do a few things that I need to do. Good News........ Bad News........ Bad news after going to 3 clinics and finally a hospital they will not do Larry's blood test without an order from a Tennessee doctor. Although he has a standing order from Kaiser, California, it is against the law here in Tennessee. He has never had any problem but there is always a first. He said he will try in Kentucky since we will be there tomorrow. Good news he went looking at RVs and didn't like any. Last time he is allowed out on his own! Just relaxed this afternoon as we have a dinner cruise this evening.

The cruise was on The General Jackson steamboat. The weather was very nice and the riverway was pretty. Larry tried to buy us a mixed drink but you had to buy the glass first. Interesting!!!!! So he bought a bottle of beer and a bottle of wine cooler. After cruising for awhile went down below for dinner and entertainment. The dinner was surprisingly good. We had salad, chicken in a Djon sauce, short ribs, garlic mashed potatoes, and mixed green beans. Dessert was was strawberry/peach cobbler. Yummy!

For the entertainment we had 3 impersonators. Tina Turner, Elton John, and of course, Elvis.

They all did a good job but my favorite was Tina Turner.

Our dinner partners were interesting. One family of four were from New Jersey the other family of three were from Texas. They both had daughters who were thinking about colleges. Both of the older girls want to go to California. One to Stanford and the other to USC or UCLA.

Good conversation about pros and cons. Actually neither of them said anything about the academics in the colleges they just want to go to California.

You know, while Larry and I were on the steamboat, we were saying how fortunate we are to be able to take this trip. It will be something we will never forget. Nor will we forget some of the people we have met. Or some of the weather.

Oh by the way, Another big tow truck came and towed the Mountain Aire away this morning.

Larry and Jo

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.