Last weekend Courtney and I drove down to Nashville where we met up with Whitney for a girl's weekend. We had a great time. The drive down went right past the "famous" Natural Bridge that we had been wanting to see. So we decided to stop. And then they charged us $18. We debated paying but figured we were there, it had been on the to do list, and so we paid. And it was NOT worth it. It was very commercialized and marginally impressive. Oh well.
So to cheer ourselves up we stopped for some BBQ and Courtney got lucky and got to sit in this chair:
We descended further South and there were clear signs that we were in Dixie:
We got in late and Whit didn't arrive until the next moring. So we picked her up from the airport and headed to Rachel and Andrew Jackson's home; The Hermitage. It was so hot that I had to repeatedly repeat, "We're going to die." No seriously, it was really hot.
We stopped for a quick bite to eat and LOTS of chips (we didn't actually eat all of them) at Baja Fresh and then we headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I know you may think that sounds lame. I was blown away at how incredibly awesome it was. I feel like I got myself a real education when it comes to Country. Ask me about Hank William's and I can tell you all about him:
Speaking of Hank William's he had this made. He shot the squirrels himself:
I can't emphasize how very awesome that place was. Anyway after the Hall of Fame we had time for dinner and then it was off to the Grand Ole Opry. We ate at a fancy schmancy place called 1808. Delicious. Who knew that Nahsville had such delicious food?
We got lost getting to the Grand Ole Opry (and it wasn't downtown like we thought) so we were a tad late. So we were flustered and forgot the camera. But man, it was so very cool. Loved it, loved it, loved it. The best was possibly when Billy Dean and his super nervous cute daughter Hannah sang a duet of I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. She was amazing. It was fantastic. And I became a convert to country music then and there.
Apparently the Grand Ole Opry is famous for Goo Goo clusters. Delish:
The next morning, because I am an insomniac, I got up early and went for a walk around Vanderbilt University, which was across from our hotel. It is a beautiful campus with big Oaks and Magnolia's and red brick buildings. I was surprised at how big it was and there were so many industrial AC's running that it was incredibly loud, which sort of ruined some of the ambiance.
After that we headed out for breakfast at the famous Pancake Pantry. But the line was super long so we opted to get up earlier the following morning and instead at a great little local eatery called Fido's. Did I mention how well we ate?
We then drove over to the fake Parthenon, which is cool, but still fake. I mean, I guess, when all is said and done I still want to go to Athen's even though I've now seen the "only exact copy of the Parthenon in the world."
We then headed back downtown. This is broadway where all the honky tonk bars are. They all have live music and are a lot of fun. A lot of famous people have played in some of them over the years.
We took a tour of the original Grand Ole Opry house, the Ryman auditorium. This was also amazing. This is where Johnny Cash first met June Carter, and is called the mother church of country music. Anyone who is anyone, country or not, seems to have played here. We had an incredible tour guide, Wanda who had a fantastic accent and a great knowledge of the history of this place and all the people who performed here.
June and Johnny's goods. Johnny Cash broadcast his TV show from the Ryman and his memorial service was held here:
We then headed back to the Hall of Fame because we had tickets to tour RCA's Studio B (note how the museum looks like a piano). Studio B is famous because many many music legends recorded here. Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton.....too many to name. We had a tour guide that was like a music history encylopedia and the tour was very interesting.
This piano, in the studio, was Elvis' favorite:
Next, we tried to brave the rain, at the National Folk Music Festival. We heard one act, and they were amazing. Sadly it was pretty rainy and the crowds had run for cover. So sad about the rain:
These two cheered themselves up with a little Italian Ice (with the state Capitol in the background):
We headed back to Broadway (honky-tonk row) for dinner at Jack's BBQ and then some honky tonk bar time.
So this place, Tootsies is a famous hang-out. A lot of performers would slip over here for a drink or two when they were performing at the Ryman which is just across the alley. Willie Nelson said something along the lines of Tootsies being 30 steps going and about 60 going back. Anyway there was a great band playing and it was rowdy and fun.
Next we headed to the Legends bar where it was a bit more mellow and we enjoyed some great music. Whitney even called out a request for Sweet Home Alabama and they obliged. It was really fun and made me fall for Country music even more.
After we hit up a great local restaurant called Bosco for some late night snacking. Delish. I'm on a diet and I totally resisted a bite of this cheesecake. How is it possible?
The next morning we got up early (and sorry I'm in my ugly work out clothes) for the Pancake Pantry. It was raining and FREEZING. Whitney got the best breakfast. Sweet Potato Pancakes. They were amazing! I was boring and ordered a veggie omelet. It's called Pancake Pantry for a reason:
Next it was pouring rain so we drove around and looked at neighborhoods. I think I could be happy in Nashville. We also drove by the famous Bluebird Cafe where songwriters perform. It was closed since it was labor day but we had fantasies of going and hearing Taylor Swift:
We then drove out to Carnton Plantation which, if anyone has read, The Widow of the South (which Courtney and I both had) is where the Battle of Franklin was. And of course like all plantation houses it served as a field hospital and you can still see the blood stains on the floors. It was a cool house and I mean that it was nifty and FREEZING.
Next we drove back to the Grand Ole Opry for some photo's since we didn't get a chance the night of the performance. And just in case you don't know, if you become a member of the Grand Ole Opry you have to perform there a certain number of times a year. The show is the longest running radio program and most Country legends are members. Like I mentioned, it is called the mother church of Country music (and it even has pews for the seating):
Next up, delicious delicious Southern cuisine at Puckets. I am enjoying the Fried Green Tomatoes:
And Court is enjoying a large piece of fried chicken:
Next we drove out to catch a glimpse of the Nashville temple.
We wrapped up our weekend with some dessert and a Pay-Per-View movie. It was so much fun, even though the rain got in the way. The drive home was SUPER rainy. There were times it was so intense I couldn't see a thing. But we made it home safe and sound.
Thanks for such a fun weekend Whitcourt/Courtwhit!
