Nashville drive through

So I mentioned on our trip to Kentucky for the wedding that we drove all the way up there in one day--because we're insane.  The wedding was late Saturday night and there was just no way we were going to be able to get up early enough to make it home the whole way on Sunday after staying up late and a busy weekend.  So during the reception, I had to start making new arrangements for our daughter and figuring out all of the details that went along with that... But it was definitely the only option.

So we decided to sleep in a bit and rest up, drive to Nashville and crash with some friends (free boarding!), and hit the road super early Monday to finish off the trip home.  This worked pretty well--although Monday was another travel day that felt like it would never end; the miles and hours seemed to grow at each pit stop...  Anyway, we got to squeeze in a somewhat quick but great visit with some of our dearest friends!  And we all got to take some time touring Nashville--a new experience for all of us!

Here are some highlights of our little 15 hour visit:

First off we hit the road again to go see the homes of some stars.  First up was the late George Jones' ranch.  It was in the back of a small "neighborhood" (a street with several really large homes on it) and it was gorgeous.  The following pictures are all of his property.  We also saw Martina McBride's and Little Jimmy Dickens' homes but the pictures didn't come out well.

3 in the front, 3 in the back to tour Nash-town.  I got to sit and giggle between two of my favorite boys.

Next up we drove up and down Music Row to see where all the magic happens...

And then we spent the rest of the evening walking around down town...

Country Music Hall of Fame.  Notice that the windows mimic the black keys on a piano.  We didn't get to go in because they were closed, but it's a place I hope I get to tour someday!

This is the new fancy conference center they're finishing up to open this fall.  I don't remember the name of it, but it was snazzy and will probably house the country awards ceremonies in the future.

Sonny making friends with Reba's star

Downtown at sunset from the pedestrian bridge that crosses the Cumberland River

The Titans' football arena just on the other side

I liked this shot because it caught the CMT building all the way to the word Nashville painted on a building...

Photobomber...  but I love him, so it's all good.

There we all are!

We of course had to stop by the Ryman Auditorium.  The Grand Ole Opry was too far off for us to visit.

Such a pretty piece of history...

We ended the night at Puckett's Grocery and Restaurant for dinner--DELICIOUS!  Plus they had a live band playing (actually a collective, not a band--I just learned a little bit about this movement during an SXM interview with the Rend Collective Experiment).  The group playing for us that night was the Cumberland Collective.  The food was fantastic, the music was great, and the company was phenomenal.

Plus Willie joined us for dinner so who could complain?

There were nine people playing up on stage and they were all incredible musicians.  We also got to sit next to a group of old folk traveling together from Pennsylvania.   

The whole gang

 It was a great mix of old friends and new ones.  We relaxed a lot and laughed even more (especially when Fosh barked at the pedestrian walking his dog...late at night...on a curvy, hilly road.  Pretty sure we scared him and the dog silly).  What a great way to end a great weekend!  We'll be back in Nashville one day--hopefully soon!

love, angie