Oct 25-28/ 2012

We left Memphis at 10:00 under overcast skies and 69F. There was lots of heavy truck traffic on I-40. Many acres of cotton fields -some white with cotton and others already baled and disced. We took alternate route 412 from Jackson to get onto the Natchez Trace Pkwy which commemorates the most significant highway of the Old Southwest, established as a unit of the National Park System in 1938. It is a beautiful drive, no commercial traffic, rather narrow road but wonderful colours in the trees at this time of year. We checked into Nashville Country RV park at 4:30 and were immediately invited to join in on a Southern BBQ Dinner and evening of live entertainment in the courtyard. We were served pulled pork, fried catfish, summer squash, cole slaw, potato salad, a roll, pumpkin pie and sweet tea -all for $9.00. Of course , the entertainer was a country singer with backup, and manager of a hardware store by day. An enjoyable evening all around.

Oct 26/ 2012
Took a Grayline Nashville city tour at 12:45. Firstly, we did the historic downtown, Honky Tonk Row, Riverfront Park, Ft Nashborough, the State Capitol, Bi-centennial Mall, The Parthenon (art gallery), Vanderbilt University, Music Row and historic Studio B (where Elvis cut several albums). We spent time at the Ryman Auditorium, which has acoustics second only to the Salt Lake City Mormon Tabernacle, a beautiful performance theatre, and extensive museums. It was the original Grand Ole Opry until they became too big for the facility, but still hosts great music shows. Next stop was the Country Music Hall of Fame. It is a huge building with very well presented audio/visual displays but needed several hours to do it properly. Back to the park at 6:00 more than full of information.

Oct 27/ 2012
Had a bit of a day off (did laundry) before boarding the Grayline bus at 5:15 to go to the Grand Ole Opry. What a beautiful venue. Had time to walk around the grounds and the gift shop before getting in for our 7:00 show. It is done as a live radio show which has been on the air continually for 85 years on weekends. It was done in four quarters hosted by 1) Little Jimmy Dickens (now 92 and still has it) 2) Jean Shephard 3) Riders in the Sky 4) Vince Gill. Also performing were Caanan Smith, Jimmy C. Newman, Jimmy Wayne, Alison Krauss, Opry Square Dancers, Connie Smith (just inducted into the Hall of Fame), and the Charlie Daniels Band. Great evening all around.

Oct 28/ 2012
Caught a Grayline bus tour of the Nashville Stars Homes at 12:30. We covered quite an area and had an excellent informative driver/guide. Between homes, he showed all kinds of trivia of the stars on a big screen TV. One cannot imagine the money in this city. So many huge estates and plantation homes. We didn't realize how many stars actually live here. We got back to the park at 6:00, again with a headfull of information.