A Visit to Nashville

We just returned from a trip to Nashville to visit some friends. It was so much fun! Not only was it wonderful to see our good pals from med school days, but we discovered that Nashville is a great city - full of character and charm.


Our first morning, they took us to breakfast at a Nashville favorite. The Pancake Pantry. I guess it isn't unusual for the line to be all the way down the street! Lucky for us - we got right in!

We wanted to soak in all Nashville had to offer which meant, of course, a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  We aren't huge country music fans but we definitely developed an appreciation for it on this trip.

It was a beautiful building.

There were a lot of items on display that belonged to many old country musicians - many of whom I didn't recognize.

I can't remember who this car belonged to but it had revolvers for door handles and a saddle for a middle console.

This car belonged to Elvis.  It was called his "Solid Gold" Cadillac because parts of it were covered in 24 karat gold.

Gold and Platinum Records.  I got excited when I saw John Denver!!!  Big fan!

Dresses belonging to Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

The next day we toured The Hermitage - the home of Andrew Jackson.  He was the 7th President of the United States.  It was built between 1819-1821.

This was Uncle Alfred's Cabin.  Alfred was one of Andrew Jackson's many slaves.  He worked as a carriage driver.  After slavery was abolished (Andrew Jackson was dead by then) - Alfred stayed on at The Hermitage as a paid worker.  And at the turn of the century, when the home became a museum, Alfred stayed on as a tour guide!  He requested that he have a decent funeral and he was buried next to the Jacksons in the family cemetery.

This is where Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel are buried.

This is Uncle Alfred's grave.

That evening we went to the Grand Ole Opry.  I really had no idea what to expect - and didn't even really know what it was except that it had to do with country music.  The Grand Ole Opry is actually the longest running live radio show in the United States.  I found this short video on their website that gives a quick history of the show if you are interested.  I think it is pretty cool - and I'm not even a country music fan!

The night we went - I didn't recognize any of the performers but it was delightfully entertaining.

Probably my favorite was Little Jimmy Dickens - 4 foot 11 inches tall and turning 90 this year.  He was hilarious!!  There is a clip of him performing in the video above.

There was also the Rocky Top band and an 80 year old woman that yodeled.  We all had a grand ole time at the Grand Ole Opry!

The next day we drove to a town called Franklin.  There we toured the Carnton plantation.  This home was converted to a hospital for the Confederate army after the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War.  There are still blood stains on the floor.  It was pretty amazing.

The slaves' quarters.  By the time of the battle - the McGavock family had moved their slaves further South for protection.

The McGavocks donated this land for the graves of about 1500 Confederate soldiers.

We also spent some time in downtown Franklin and had lunch at this fabulous deli. It was all very quaint.

Not a great picture - but the only one I had of the whole group (except for little "S" who is hiding under the table because she didn't want her picture taken).

We had a wonderful time seeing the sites and the area (it was beautiful!) but of course the best part was spending time with our dear friends - talking, reminiscing and laughing.  It was the best!