Makin' it Big in Nashville

After our nice quiet visit to the Hermitage, we decided to take the city of Nashville head on. And I know that the first thing that people think of when they hear "Nashville" is ancient Greece, right? Well, for my twins, it was. The first thing that the twins wanted to see was the Parthenon - an art museum that is a full scale exact replica of the original in Greece (only this one is not marble). My Greek mythology buffs were so anxious to see it.

It was massive! The next best thing to being in Greece.

Unfortunately, the museum is not open on Mondays, but the boys still enjoyed running around the giant columns.

I got some good shots. I guess now I don't have to visit Greece after all.

The good ol' RV awaits. (It looks small in comparison to those massive columns)

Finally, we drove into downtown Nashville! The first thing we saw there was the Hard Rock Cafe, and since Nate collects Hard Rock pins, Dennis pulled over and dropped Nate and I off so he could get his pins.

Nate bought his pin and we rushed back to the RV to find this...

Uh oh! Guess who was in a no-stopping zone? No ticket, though, thank goodness. Actually, the cops were very helpful and pulled out a map to show us a few places we might be able to park an RV downtown.

Actually, the hardest thing about traveling in an RV is finding parking in downtown areas. Busy cities are just not too accommodating to RVs. But Dennis is amazing. He has always been able to find a spot, and he did in this case too.

It was a short hike, but not bad. Nashville is a pretty city with old churches and buildings right next to new and modern buildings.

I love the mix of old and new. (The building on the bottom right reminded us of a very tall SD temple.)

But the street to head to is Broadway and 2nd . It is all about the music, kind of like Beale Street in Memphis, only classier, cleaner, and it is a different kind of music altogether - country and bluegrass.

Nashville is hopping with music! There are great musicians on every corner showing their stuff, hoping to make it big in Nashville.

Honky tonk is alive and well in Nashville.

We stopped to talk to this guy who was really jammin' on his mandolin.

He was really good, and fascinating to talk to. He really knew is stuff and loved to tell us all about his art and his passion. He even played a few numbers for the kids.

Fun architecture. I especially like the Acme Farm Supply right downtown with the red checks - that is classic.

It was a fun street to explore.

At the end of Broadway is a beautiful park by the river.

The kids loved running around.

Dylan had a great time too, until he got stung by a wasp. Good thing the old Eagle Scout, Grandpa, knew that a bit of mud really helps make a sting feel batter fast. Dylan was running around again in no time.

Nashville was a colorful, fun town!

Me and my posse, hoping to make it big in Nashville.

The next morning I was itching to get outdoors and get some real exercise, and Nashville was such a beautiful place. I hopped on my bike and went for a ride! First I rode down to the Grand Ole Opry, which happened to be just down the road from our campground, (I had to snap a picture with my phone, above) then I found a beautiful road along the river. The weather was cool and everything was just beautiful and quiet. Then the road turned away from the river and into the prettiest woods with the green trees arching over my head. I felt like I was in a far off wilderness, rather than in a big city. SO pretty. Then the road took me past some beautiful large Southern estates with the most perfectly mowed lawns I have ever seen!

My ride was just so beautiful that after my long ride, I decided to hop back on the bike to accompany Dad and Dylan on a short ride to a pretty part of the ride I discovered along the river.

It was just too pretty not to share!

Later, before heading out of Nashville, I brought the whole family back to see the Grand Ole Opry where my parents, Dennis, and I picked up some fancy new cowboy duds! Howdy, y'all! Now we just need to go line dancing somewhere.

The great U.S. map! Yep, we are really getting somewhere now!

Even though we didn't get to see a show (there were some great acts on the line up!), it was still fun to be there and get a feel for what makes Nashville famous - the music!