What a Ride!

Note: Our winter/spring 2024 adventures are coming to an end. This will be our last post for a few months. We will return in August when we head to Montana.

After savoring North Carolina and Tennessee, Skip and I switched gears from mountains to music. We were itching to see Nashville. For a rather unique experience, we joined a golf cart tour through the Music City. Our young guide was delightful and shared lots of facts and history, pointing out the relevant areas of Nashville and buildings. Both of us were impressed with the architecture of the town. Though it was still morning, honky-tonks were already rockin’, windows open, music flowing out into the streets, especially on Broadway. What a great vibe!

Skip and I took note of three places to which we wanted to return: Hattie B’s which is famous for chicken and waffles (it was delicious!), Tootsie’s (one of the most famous honky-tonks) and the Boot Barn. Skip bought a pair which he’s been wearing ever since. There literally was only one pair of boots in my size in the entire store, and no, I did not purchase the sparkly pink, fringed pair. We stepped into Tootsie’s just long enough to hear an up-and-comer belting out Dolly Parton’s classic “Nine to Five.” As there were no seats available and the only standing room was next to the bathroom doors, we moved on.

For the afternoon, we ventured to the Grand Ole Opry for a backstage tour. While we’re not big country music fans, we were impressed with the Opry’s history. There’s a palpable energy in the theater. Since we expect we’ll return to Nashville in the next year or two, we will definitely plan ahead so we can attend an evening at this truly American iconic theater.

The next morning, we visited Andrew Jackson’s estate called the Hermitage. What a beautiful, peaceful property. Jackson was recognized as a military hero for his role in the war of 1812 as well as serving as the seventh president of the United States. We finished our time in Nashville with a delightful picnic with Skip’s extended family.

Next stop… and our last adventure… Mammoth Cave National Park near Bowling Green, Kentucky. We opted for the Frozen Niagara tour. How amazing to know that more than 400 miles of caves have been mapped thus far. Experts estimate another 400 miles are yet to be discovered. The rock formations were captivating.

Finally, thank you for coming along for the ride, journeying with us across nearly nine thousand miles, from Minnesota down to Florida and back. What a ride it has been! Of course, the trip home has been filled with adventures, beauty, family and joy. We hope you’ve shared in that joy with us, which is the very reason we write this blog. Come back in August to join us for more adventures as we journey to Glacier National Park. We can’t wait!