Summer Vacation

Can't wait for my vacation this summer!

Nashville - 09/03/2010: The Parthenon

Got off to a late start in the morning, I didn't get out of the hotel until after noon.  One of the things I really wanted to do while in Nashville this time was to see The Parthenon.  It's a full scale replica of the original building that was built in ancient Greece.

The Parthenon holds a full-scale replica of the statue of Athena on the upper level and houses Nashville's art museum on the first floor:

There were some remarkable paintings on the lower level:

"The Wreck" Frederic Edwin Church

"Town Pond - Easthampton" Thomas Moran

"Autumn in the Catskills" Sanford Robinson Gifford

 In the evening I took a ride down to the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge to capture a few photos of the city.

Nashville - 09/02/2010: The Last Rodeo

Woke up early and saw the sun come up over the city from my hotel room.

Met up with some of the girls and went to breakfast at the Pancake Pantry.  I got a stack of the buttermilk pancakes and they were DELICIOUS!  Ran into some other friends who were also there eating breakfast.  We got a chance to see some of Music Row on the drive back to my hotel.  I would like to get back to Nashville and visit Music Row and Vanderbuilt a little more.  Spent most of the afternoon relaxing at the hotel before the concert.  We had dinner reservations at the Patron Platinum Club at the Bridgestone Arena.

After an excellent buffet dinner (paired with some of the wines from Arrington Vineyards) it was time for the final Brooks & Dunn conert:

Tyler Dickerson opened the show:

Then Brooks and Dunn came onstage for their final performance as a duo:

Reba joined them for "Cowgirls Don't Cry"

And then it was over...  Brooks and Dunn finished their last set and were heading off to work on their solo careers:

Nashville - 09/01/2010: Arrington Vineyards & Magic's Picnic

Drove out to Arrington Vineyards for the first time.  The property there is really beautiful.  We picked a great day to go, it was a quieter day and we really got an opportunity to enjoy how peaceful the property can be.  I also met up with a woman who participates in an online challenge with me.  She was really nice and I'm glad she came out for the day.

We were able to take a tour of the facility and watched some of the Raspberry wine being bottled and packaged for shipping.

After our visit to the vineyard we drove out to Magic's house where he was hosting a picnic for those of us who had come down to Nashville for the week.  We all had a great time!  Magic was a wonderful host and he's such a nice guy.  A few other friends dropped by during the evening as well.

Nashville - 08/31/2010: CMHOF & Downtown

Country Music Hall of Fame

Met up with some friends and took a drive into downtown Nashville.  First stop, the Country Music Hall of Fame.  This was my first visit and I really enjoyed it.

After the hall of fame we walked to The Wildhorse to meet a couple more friends and get something to eat.

Nashville - 08/30/2010: Getting to town

Spent the day on Sunday on the road to TN.  Made it to Roanoke, VA before we pulled off for the night.  Got up early to get back on the road.

We got into Nashville, TN in the early afternoon.  Got a hotel over by The Palace and Opryland.  Opry Mills was still closed from the flooding in May, but they are working hard to fix it up and re-open for business.  The Wax Museum next door to The Palace was also still closed.

Had dinner and drinks at the Nashville Palace in the evening.  Watched "Nashville Writers Nights" hosted by James Breedwell.