5th October, 2018
We split the drive from Texas to Nashville over two days, stopping overnight in Texarkana which borders Texas and Arkansas.
As we drove, we passed over the Mississippi River, and what a beauty she is!
We stopped at Graceland as I was belting out Paul Simon songs and thinking of my folks who introduced me to these fabulous tunes.
Arriving into Nashville as it was getting dark – we were staying a few nights at the Clarion Hotel which was the perfect location and had a shuttle bus each day to and from the centre of town. We ordered pizza and hit the hay.
Up bright and early the next morning and we set off up Broadway – the main street.
It was hot and steamy. The city was preparing for a street festival, so there were people everywhere. Crew setting up scaffolding for stages and bus loads of people pouring in for the weekend. Such a great buzz in the air!
We wandered the street, listening to the live music belting out from every second doorway. So many incredible up and coming artists sharing their talents.
We tried on cowboy boots and hats, and dodged a huge afternoon rainstorm that rolled in by running into Ole Red (Blake Shelton’s restaurant/live music venue) for lunch. What a great place it was. We would have happily sat there for hours listening to those bands, but once the rain cleared – we headed off to check out the Johnny Cash Museum.
I have been a JC fan from way back and one of my FAVOURITE movies and soundtracks is Walk the Line, so the museum was a pretty cool place to visit. What a legend Johnny was!
It was time to escape the afternoon heat, so we headed back to the hotel for an hour before loading the kids into the car. We had told them we were going for a drive around the suburbs of Nashville to check out some homes, but instead we surprised Lily by taking her to the American Girl store. She had been doing her chores and helping out to earn some pocket money – saving up to buy herself a doll for weeks. Initially the plan was to wait until New York to see if she had enough money, but after learning there was a store in Nashville – we just couldn’t resist.
Needless to say – she would have been saving for years and still wouldn’t have had enough money to buy herself one – but Daddy took care of that.
And the pure joy on her face was worth every single cent!!
Newest family member – Tenney Grant.
We enjoyed an evening at the Wildhorse Saloon. A delicious vegetarian dinner, (which was hard to find in the USA) – and we also tried our hand at Boot Scootin’ – what a HOOT that was!!
David Oakleaf was playing and boy he was good. We bought his album – only to leave it in our rental car when we returned it a week later!
What a fabulous few days in Nashville. A place I had always wanted to visit. I could totally live like a cowgirl – just look at my hat collection!!
Next stop – New Jersey!!
Big love,
Cx
her life and loves 
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