Monthly Archives: January 2017

Nashville – Travel Journal USA 2012

Posted in Journalling, Travel, Writing by

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; URL=/editnote.php?draft&note_id=10150970607739342&id=595753040&_fb_noscript=1" /Nashville 11.7.12 – 12.7.12

Well today we headed out to see the sites of Nashville. First stop being the Grand Ole Opry. We put the address into the GPS and everything was fine, until we got to the address. Dave and I followed the signs to park the car. Well we should of looked further down the street, as we parked in the hotel parking lot @ a cost of $20 mind you, only to find that the Grand Ole Opry was then another 20mins walk from the parking lot…boy did we get our exercise that day. Probably a good thing in hind sight, as we sit on our backsides most of the day, stopping to eat and then back in the car. We haven’t really found any attractions etc that have been strenuous activity. Didn’t help that I needed a pit stop…the bladder was working overtime that day. We finally made it to the Opry and had an hour spare to just sit and get the breath back…so unfit …hehehe.
Once we went inside it was a great tour backstage. Seeing where the stars play and their dressing rooms, entrances etc. I found it interesting to know that you can write to the stars at the Opry and they have post boxes there for the them. They are their for the stars to collect when they arrive to play there. So cool. It was also interesting to learn that the Opry went through a flood and 4 feet of the Opry was under water.  They never cancelled any of their shows, just moved them elsewhere and they had the place back up and running 2 months later. They managed to save the original circle from the stage and it has been placed back there. People like Elvis Presley, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Trace Atkins have all stood upon this circle and today I got to stand in their shoes. That was super cool. We had our picture taken with the mike stand and our tour guide was a crack up. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it if ever in the area.
Fan Mail Wall
Dressing Room for the Stars
The Opry Stage

We then walked across to the Opry Mills shopping centre for some lunch. We saw a sign that said Underwater dining attraction. We had to check it out. I am so glad we did as it was awesome. They have built a restaurant that has huge aquariums in it, full of sharks and rays and all kinds of fish. You walk in there and you truly do feel like you are under the ocean, except you don’t need an oxygen tank to survive!!!! We decided that we have to order fish and chips..how could we not?? Well so glad we did, it was the BEST FISH AND CHIPS I HAVE EVER EATEN. So good and worth the 20mins walk from the car park. LOL. So after our fine dining experience, we ventured back out to walk back to the car.

20mins later we were back on our way into town to check out the main st.

We took a walk up the main drag and I had mentioned to Dave that I would like to get some real cowgirl boots. So we walked into one of the many stores and I tried some on, not expecting any of them to fit, as I have trouble getting boots to fit my calves. Well much to my surprise the ones I looked at fit me perfectly. Dave by this stage was running for the door with the credit card. So with my new boots on, we went walking. Stopped for a bite to eat and low and behold we walked past a store that said, buy 1 boot get 2 free…at first I thought they meant buy one get one free but no they actually meant…buy 1 pair and get 2 pairs free…I couldn’t believe it. Dave was frothing at the mouth. Just our bloody luck. So while I went to find 1 pair of boots , I now have 4 pairs of cowgirl boots 🙂 Dave took my hand and we were out of that place like a whirl wind.

So now its back to the hotel, to find somewhere to put the new purchases and get ready to head out tomorrow. We are off to see the stars homes in Nashville and then continue on our way to Pigeon Forge – Dollywood.

Road to Tupelo 9.7.12 – USA Journal 2012

Posted in Journalling, Travel, Writing by
Today we headed out to Tupelo. This is the birthplace of Elvis Presley. They have a museum and a story wall , along with his original home that he lived in with his parents. They also have the church that he attended when he was a child with his parents. It was certainly worth the visit. They have done a wonderful job to preserve it all. They have a museum that houses personal items of his as well and those that have been donated to them from people who knew Elvis. It was very interesting to read the stories and see the items. Definitely a must do if visiting Memphis.

After leaving there, it was time to hit the road again and head to Nashville. We certainly drove around in a huge circle today, and felt like we didn’t get very far. We did stop at a great little cafe called Water Creek Cafe. It was run by the cutest lady. She has only been there for about 6 weeks, but it was going well. Her food was amazing. She got to talking to us and was fascinated with the accent. I actually left there giving her a recipe for a new sweet. I sure do hope she gives it a go. I think it would be a great hit.

We have decided to stop for the night in a place called Florence. Dave found a store he wants to go into in the morning. Oh what fun!!!

Anyway best be going.

Much love

JD

xx