Fun in Nashville

Today was a fun day exploring downtown Nashville.  The Two Rivers RV Park, where we are, told us about a shuttle to the downtown for only $10.00 each round trip.  We hear that parking is $25 for just a couple hours so the shuttle was great and we didn't have to find that parking.  Walking around we sure didn't see much available and they sure don't have the crowds that come in better weather. LOL 

We got downtown early for the show so we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Three stories of memorabilia from every known country star!! Spent a couple hours looking at everything.

We had bought tickets online in June for the Grand Ole Opry Matinee Show this afternoon and just asked for "best available".  Realized last night that our seats are front and center, first row!! Really not the best seats in the house.  Sound is not the best and you really do have to look up see the acts. They do live radio shows on Friday and Saturday nights, including the commercials. Would be fun to see those.

 This is how close we were to the stage.  That is the curtain you see.

 At this matinee we got to see TG Shepard and his wife Kelly Lange, Josh Thompson, 87 year old Jesse McReynolds, Sarah Darling, 22 year old Chase Bryant, John Conlee and The Isaacs.  Every one of them mentioned what an honor it was to perform on this stage.  Apparently, years ago they moved the Grand Ole Opry to The Gaylord Opryland property except in December and January.  So happy that we got to be here. 

After the Opry we went down the hill and around the corner to Tooties Orchid Lounge. Story is that many an artist performing at the Ryman in the old days, didn't make it back after the break.  George Jones is said to have commented that Tooties is 35 steps out the back door of the Ryman but 50 steps back.  We sat at the bar for a minute and then got a front row table.  All the bars in downtown are really narrow across the front and then go waaaaay back. The performers are right in the front windows at all the old bars.  Not many playing on the sidewalks like when I was here in better weather, 15 years ago. 

This gal played a mean fiddle ! !   She was really good..

Then we went to dinner at Jimmy Buffet's Margueritaville!!  Great fish tacos!

The streets with all the night lights were really pretty !!

We realized when we got back that since it was not raining, we could get great pictures of the Christmas light show next door.

Good Night all...  tomorrow is Gaylord Opryland Resort Property ~