Our final stop on the road trip was Nashville - a place I have always wanted to go. My dad was a hard-core country fan and I grew up listening to Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride, Barbara Mandrell, The Statler Brothers and more. As I kid, I didn't like it. But as I grew up, I became a country music fan for myself. I love Brad Paisley, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood and more. Nashville did not disappoint and was a great way to end our trip.
We hit our 20th state on the way.
We decided to splurge and stay at the Opryland Hotel. What a great decision!
From the time we entered the lobby, the hotel made a great impression.
This place is AMAZING! It's hard to describe and pictures don't do it justice. There are waterways
with restaurants right on the water.
The lobby ceiling is a work of art.
There are waterfalls,
canals with boatrides,
walkways, shops, and restaurants,
balconies,
and even a dancing water show!
Everywhere we looked, there was something new to see - like this gazebo.
There were sky walkways.
We could even see the back of the waterfalls!
The evening we got there, we just spent time exploring the hotel. The kids and David went swimming, but I had rolled my ankle on the side of David's foot so I stayed in the room.
The next day we took a walking tour of Nashville and of course we had to start at the Ryman Auditorium - original home of The Grand Ole Opry. It was originally a church and looks like it.
They had a great multi-media movie to introduce the tour and then we were free to explore.
Floor in the balcony.
View from the balcony.
Inside view of the windows.
We got to tour a couple of the dressing rooms. It was fun to think who may have prepared to perform there.
Loretta Lynn was on this playlist.
The recording studio. Usually you can have a recording session here, but because of COVID it wasn't avaialable.
Original tulips from the balcony.
Tulips today.
Front row seat. The auditorium is very intimate and everything feels close. They are church pews!
We all got a free picture with the tour.
I got a major bargain on a hat - 90% off so it only cost $5.50.
No real cowboy would be caught dead in it, but I love it.
Tootsies where many stars got their start and where some Ryman performers warmed up.
Legends Corner - Baylie is already planning to have her portrait added here.
Streets of Nashville
Home of GooGoo Clusters - a small candy company that never sold out to the big guys.
They are soooo yummy! (And I don't even like marshmallows!)
We then crossed the street to the Johnny Cash Kitchen and Saloon. It was a great atmosphere, but shockingly expensive.
Most of the restaurants in Nashville have live music. It's great.
We walked halfway across the pedestrian bridge to check out the Cumberland River and the Tennessee Titan stadium.
Nashville skyline
We then checked out the Country Music Walk of Fame. We were surprised by some names that were included (Kid Rock) and some that were left out (Brad Paisley).
LOTS of boots!
Side streets
Printers Alley
Downtown Presbyterian Church - Egyptian revival architecture
Street graffiti
Lyrics to a Johnny Cash song.
We absolutely loved our time in Nashville. After our day walking Nashville (we tried to download the mobile scooter app, but it never downloaded), we headed home and planned to be home by 10 p.m.
Then this happened. There was a major accident, including a fatality just a mile ahead of us. We were sorry for those involved, but so grateful that we were not involved in the accident.
The wait was so long that they started having cars flip around on the interstate and go the other way.
About three hours later, we did the same.
We took a detour until we were on the other side of the accident.
We hit state #21 and were in the home stretch.
We were so happy to make it back to South Carolina. It truly feels like home.
We got home at about 2:30 in the morning and were so happy to be home. We realized how much we love our little house. And we were all so excited to see Tashi.
The next day, Jalen noticed a problem with the living room ceiling.
Turns out a stick had been impaled in our roof and all the rain had leaked through. Fortunately, we were able to get it fixed before the next major rainstorm hit.
We have felt so blessed this summer. We loved spending so much quality time with family. We love our family so much. And we were grateful to come home and feel so much love here as well.
We are gearing up for school to start and even with all the uncertainty that brings, we know we are in the right place and we are grateful for that.
