If I don’t get back to writing blogs soon, I’ll never get around to it. So, let’s turn back the clock a couple of weeks. When we last left off, Elizabeth, Gairgunn, and I were heading north on I-75 into Nashville…
On Nashville
After the blur that was ATL, Nashville felt even more rushed despite the fact that we took a night in to make pear apple butter with our host, Elise (not pictured…yet). Apart from Nashville having a fairly complicated highway system, travel was pretty standard, but the city itself was absolutely wonderful. Obviously, the city is home to the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and many, many more country and bluegrass relics, landmarks, and legends. So the last thing you’d expect is this:
Yes folks, that is a life-size replica of the Parthenon. Why travel to Athens, Greece when you get your fill of hot chicken, country music, and take a stroll at the feet of a replica statue of the goddess Athena? Forget your passports and the economic strife of Greece, get your butt to Nashville.
I digress, that isn’t likely what you’re traveling to Nashville for (if it is, good on you). You’re probably here for this:
It’s The Music City and they don’t let you forget it. Record labels flourish, radio is still a popular, viable medium, and everyone is pretty darn kind. It’s Austin without the tech boom, essentially. Live music can be found around every nook and cranny from Broadway out to the ‘burbs. It’s not even formal bands that you’ll be enjoying live, it’s more a gathering of members of other bands gathering to play a small show. Is a well-known bassist sitting at the bar watching the show? The lead singer will invite him up to jam for a little while. No, I’m not kidding. The sort of live music experience I want Austin to have is happening out east and it’s fantastic. Most shows are free and play host to some incredibly devoted musicians. Sure, you’ll strike out once in a while, but trust your ears and you’ll find something worth your while.
Just a short blurb, but while you’re in Nashville, you have got to do yourself a favor and chow down on some hot chicken. We stopped off at Hattie B’s for a more modern take on the traditional Tennessee treat and, my goodness, I’ve found myself watering at the mouth simply recalling it. Chicken ranges from “Southern” (no heat) to “Damn Hot” (“fire starter”) and, let me tell you, “Hot” had my sinuses clearing up in no time. The pimento mac ‘n’ cheese is stellar and the baked beans were downright delightful. I’ve got to get my hands on a recipe to make some at home.
Apart from music, bars, food, thrifting (what thrifting!), and general comraderie, we found ourselves driving three hours east to Pigeon Forge and the actual happiest place on earth…
Dollywood
Wow. Just wow. I truly did not know what I was getting myself into when we got to Dollywood, but it has easily moved up into the number two slot on my all-time favorite amusement park experiences, right after drinking my way around Epcot.
Going on a weekday was the best decision we ever made; never did we have to wait in line more than two minutes for a ride. During the off-season, you get a few ride nerds in their twenties and then hundreds of senior patrons who hold season passes who delight in the variety of live shows featuring rotating, well-known talent. Many of these visitors are there only for the shows (or “hoopty-doo’s” as Elise’s mother refers to them) and would never be in your way for any of the rides. They might clog up your visit to the Dolly Parton museum or her tour bus (we had to give up on that one), but we got to ride most everything at least twice.
Yes, the park is all about Dolly Parton and, thankfully, I’m a big fan nowadays. From her acting to her music, there’s very little that she can do wrong in my eyes, so, yes, we definitely checked out the museum. The woman’s wardrobe is absolutely stunning.
Okay, let’s talk about that last photo a little bit. At first glance, I thought this sign was a joke. Surely, the staff is working on a ride and this is a nice way of saying “we’ll ‘bee’ back soon.” ‘No,’ the maintenance staff told us without a smile. As the weather drops, wasps and bees take to the only warmth remaining in the area and, wouldn’t you know it, that’s the hilltops of the most popular coasters in the park. Apparently, test riders for the coasters have gotten hit in the face with bees and wasps. This meant that the wooden coaster (Thunderhead), the newest state-of-the-art wing coaster (Wild Eagle, which Dolly wrote a song for), and the ferris wheel were all out of commission until near closing. Thunderhead opened an hour before closing since it’s highest hill boasts and array of misters that ward off most of the flying nuisances. Thirty minutes before closing, a line formed at the entrance of Wild Eagle, full of hopeful riders who had heard the rumor that the day before, the ride opened twenty minutes before closing. The rumor turned out the be the truth and we got to have one of the coolest coaster rides ever.
Every ride in the park is either kiddie-grade or in-your-face intense; there is not middle ground. We stayed until closing and savored every turn, twist, and loop. I highly recommend going during the Harvest Festival or, what looks even more promising, during the Smoky Mountain Christmas time, which boasts a live-action “Christmas Carol” play with a Dolly Parton hologram as The Ghost of Christmas Past. No, I’m not kidding.
In Closing
All good times must come to an end and our three day stay in Nashville was an exciting experience. I definitely wish to return in the future to Tennessee and see Graceland, more country landmarks, and take in more of the amazing sights and sounds that the state has to offer. A big ‘thank you’ goes out to our Nashville guide and host, Elise, for looking out for us and showing us where the locals go.
Next time on the blog, I recall our exploits in Savannah, GA!
Two Month Weekend 