Country Music and Hot Times in Tennessee

May 19th we pulled out of Atlanta on a warm, humid day, heading just up the road about 90 miles to Chattanooga. Well, actually, our campground was in Trenton, Georgia so we didn’t really get credit for camping in a new state just yet. Given our desire to take short trips, we decided not to make the entire run to Nashville in one drive but to break it up with a two-night stop just outside Chattanooga. We stayed at a really nice little KOA off the beaten track and up a hill, nestled in the trees. We had a great site, allowing us to sit out and enjoy the outdoors even in the warmer temps.

Our next stop was a week in Music City, Nashville! And where else do you stay when in Nashville but at the Grand Ole RV Resort??!! This is a private campground that I really don’t think can claim to be a resort. The campground really had three sections which I have fondly given names to as follows:

• The outer barren land – this area along the outer boundary was all gravel, very tight, with campers set up facing each other and apparently sharing one picnic table. I’m all for getting to know my neighbors but this was just too close for me.
• The inner sanctum – this area was in the middle, had a little bit of grass and some trees that would provide some amount of shade. We were right on the edge of this section with the barren land across from us.
• The 50/50 world – The sites had great shade and also were close to the store/market/restaurant/stage (more on these amenities later) but were also right below a MAJOR freight train line. I mean, these trains ran all the time, were fast moving and loud, and appeared to be right next to the campground (but with the rail line about 20-30 feet higher than the campground level). So, you had great peaceful shady sites when you weren’t being shaken to death by the trains going by.

But, this campground also had a ton of positives. They had live music EVERY night for two hours. Really good musicians, we could just sit out on the lawn or a friends camp site and listen for free. They also had a restaurant that served breakfast and one dinner item each day. Never tried it but the prices were great! And the people were really friendly and helpful which makes all the difference.

So, what did we do while in Nashville? Mostly what other tourists would do but also some off-the-beaten track activities. Here were the highlights:

• Ryman Auditorium – really cool piece of history, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.
• Country Music Hall of Fame – way too much to see and do, realize we aren’t THAT much of fans as we tired of it and felt a bit overwhelmed with all the various songs going on from all directions. As Dan put it – pics of lots of old dead singers with displays of their guitars and boots.
• Tour of Studio B – a tour of where so much magic and history was made. Most of Elvis’ hits were recorded here as well as many, many others. Highlight was sitting at the very piano Elvis and others used during their recordings!
• The Parthenon – Oh, so that’s what it would look like if we could go back in time!
• Lotz House Museum in Franklin – site of a major Civil War battle. Interesting but the tour guide was WAY too verbose. After an hour we still had not finished touring the bottom floor (which was all of four small rooms). He loved his history but was more detailed than we could handle so we bailed without seeing the 2nd floor.
• Belmont Mansion – A beautifully restored home from the early 1800’s that escaped damage during the Civil War and sits right in the city.

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We also had a chance see a few friends and have some fun experiences:

• Had dinner with Diane Stevens and her adorable daughter Brooklyn
• Had lunch with Casey Miller before she jetted off for a long weekend in NYC
• Ran into a former business colleague, Chris Carter, staying at the very same campground as us!
• Sampled some great wines at Arrington Vineyards (owned by Kicks Brooks of Brooks & Dunn fame).
• Sampled some music and beer in a local honky tonk

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The weather was really hot for May (mid-90’s during the day) but we still enjoyed ourselves in Nashville. A great city and great experiences to help kick off the “tour”.

Now, on to Louisville….