Wrapping it up in Nashville!

Except for several more days on the road to end our journey, Nashville may well be our final city destination to experience. Bob and Sally gave us ample information and tours that made our visit both fun and exciting. We want to extend our gratitude to them for their company and willingness to act as our "tour guides." We should explain that if it weren't for a washer/dryer problem they would've headed out a couple of days before we arrived. Fortunately, their problem was corrected and we got to spend three days with them. They will be heading northwest from here. Their plans will take them to the National Parks in South Dakota, Wyoming, down to the "Four Corner" States, Las Vegas and perhaps a chance to see the "Balloon Festival" in NM. Continuing on, they will drop down to Route 10 and they will make their way to Melbourne, FL for the winter. Bob and Sally are also from New Hampshire, just a couple of towns away from us. We look forward to hearing about their trip.

While Bob spent an afternoon at the close by Camping World having their washer/dryer fixed, Sally, Pat and I headed out to take care of some errands. With their coach back and the washer, dryer back in business, we enjoyed the afternoon to reflect on our visit together and each others future travel plans. While sitting on our patio, Sally jumped up when a sickeningly large bug landed on her ankle. The "bug" was actually two big insects. Check out this photo of a really large wasp "carrying" an equally large Cicada! (You may need to "blow up" the photo to make them out.) We think the wasp attacked the Cicada and was taking it "home" for his "family!" The Cicada was too large for the wasp to fly with it. As near as we can figure, the wasp got the Cicada in the tree (above us), fell to the ground and was determined to get that bug back up into the tree. The wasp, with wings flapping "walked" his prey across our patio, up into the tree again. He wasn't about to drop his trophy!

After all that excitement, we settled back down and turned our thoughts to the evening meal ahead.

Bob and Sally wanted to take us to a local restaurant on North 6th Street called "Monell's." Monell's is one of those establishments that is best found by "word of mouth." Bob and Sally were introduced to it by fellow MA WIT Club Members, Russ and Judy Garber. Monell's serves "family style" breakfast and dinner buffets. We walked in, were quickly seated, served and eating by the time we unfolded our napkins! Sometime during the meal, our server placed our (2"x 3") "ticket" in front of us and we paid on the way out. There "quote" below their Logo says it all!

The entrance to Monell's is beautifully adorned with plants and flowers.

Driving up to Monell's you notice all the buildings appear very tiny. Sally used the phrase "Shotgun" buildings to describe the building style. The building fronts make a small "footprint," but as you pass by them, they extend well into the back yard.

We said our goodbyes to Bob and Sally and Pat and I headed to the "Opry Mills" Mall. The large plot of land is the home of the Mall, the Gaylord Hotel and the (present) Grand Ole Opry. As suggested by Bob, Pat and I purchased tickets for tonight's show and will drive over a couple of hours before the show, have a dinner and complete our stop-over with a show of the "real" Nashville.

The "Grand Ole Opry" was a new experience for us. I can remember my father watching and listening to the old programs both on the radio and TV any time "Hee Haw" or the "Grand Ole Opry was on. He grew up with and closely followed the "original" country western singers. In fact, he did a stint on the old WESX radio program when he was a young man. He called himself, "The Whispering Ranger." He had a large local following as attested to the old cards and letters from listeners that my brother and I held onto after his death. As I entered the "new" Grand Ole Opry theater, I couldn't help but think, oh how he so wanted to sit in this theater and actually see the men and women who graced the radio waves of yesteryear.

The two hour show was well produced and an outstanding experience. The "Oldest Radio Show" in the world was an experience to enjoy. The talent, quality and music that emanated off the stage was exponentially better than expected. No, Pat nor I didn't know any of the performers. Most were very old but still very classy. The stage was filled with performers who radiated character, and wholesome American ideals. We can only imagine what it must be like to see any of the "big name" performers on that stage.