What a Gem!

While in KY, Bonnie and I took a few side trips. One was to Nashville for the night. Nashville is about an hour and fifteen minutes away so whenever Rick and I have gone in the past we have never been able to experience the "honky tonks" because we always have to drive home. Not this time. Bonnie and I set out early one day and made our first stop The Hermitage, which was Andrew Jackson's home. We spent almost five hours there. Very interesting. Excellent guides. I highly recommend it if you're ever in the Nashville area. According to Bonnie's AAA guide, it's a gem. I definitely agree.
A few facts about Andrew Jackson: He was an orphan at age 14; He was the largest single slave owner in American history, estimated to have owned as many as 140+ slaves at one time; He and his wife, Rachel Donelson, did not have any biological children. They had one son who was an adopted nephew.

After leaving the Hermitage it was time to check into the hotel and begin cocktail hour. Very important business. We enjoyed some libations and were off to dinner. Dinner was at one of those Tex-Mex places where you can throw your peanut shells on the floor. I kid you not when I tell you I had one of the best pork chops ever at this joint. Sante Fe is the name of the place. They also had 32 ounce margaritas for $4! You can't beat that with a stick.

One of the main reasons for spending the night in Nashville was to be able to go to the honky tonk bars and drink and have a good time and not have to worry about driving home. All along our intention was to take a cab from the hotel to the strip of honky tonks, party and dance like fools til the wee hours, and cab it back to the hotel. But after talking with a hotel employee who told us of a benefit concert that was taking place that evening at the Troubadour Theatre adjacent to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop, right behind our hotel, we just had to change our mind and go with the concert instead. For $15 we saw 3 hours of live music from the 4th row of a 400 seat theater. It was amazing and we both agreed it was the best $15 either of us has spent in a long time. Acts included Crystal Gayle, Stu Philips, James Intveld, Stonewall Jackson, Jim Ed Brown, David Ball, Jesse McReynolds and George Hamilton IV.

The next morning we took our time rising and then headed to downtown Nashville to check out some of the honky tonks, including the famous Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, another gem.

Our other side trip was to the Museum of the American Quilter's Society in Paducah. The quilts in this museum are nothing short of breathtaking. There were old quilts and new, hand stitched and machine sewn, miniature and large. Absolutely worth the trip. And another gem. Three gems in three days. Top that!

I didn't take many pics but if you're so inclined, take a look.

Cadiz Spring 2009