Nashville TN; Music City!

The featured photo above is the stained glass from the Upper Room.

The last few days in Virginia required a move to another campground, the Wytheville KOA, due to the Ft Chiswell location was full up for the additional days we were required to stay for a dental appointment.  Many RVers on the way to Florida on either I-77 or I-81.  The KOA was a decent RV park and included a 6-lane bowling alley.  That was a new one for us!

Then we relocated to Sevierville Tn, a fun town, but we only had one night due to the delays leaving VA.  The traffic in Sevierville is horrendous.  Especially when driving the truck/camper combo.  Then it was on to Music City!

The stop in Sevierville Tn was just a one night stopper over on the way to Nashville.  It was a beautiful park (River Plantation RV Park), and we were able to get out to walk around a bit.  Great weather in the 70’s.  Maybe another time we can spend some time there.

The drive from Virginia to the Nashville resort was about 380 miles that we split over two days.  Interstate all the way starting on I-81 and continuing on I-40 until we exited at Nashville.

Safe Harbor RV Resort

This is one of the nicest RV “resorts” that we have booked (LINK).  Beautiful lakeside campsite, a concrete pad, paved roads, and great facilities.  It was very pricy as well at $475 for a week, although we were staying five days.  One of the days was the arrival, so it was really only four days to explore.  Thanks to Sue and Cal for this park’s name.

Music Scene

Our first full day here we took an Uber downtown to Broadway for lunch and a few hours listening to country music at the many locations.  I love to find live music to listen to during our travels.  In Nashville, there are so many options that you must just select your favorites.

One of my reasons for several vacations to Key West (before I retired), was to check out the local, live music scene.  You may have 5-6 options for music on any given evening in Key West.  In Nashville, you have maybe 40 or more bars with live music starting at 11 am!  Amazing!

We went to four different places including the Redneck Riviera that is owned by John Rich and Ole Red that is Blake Shelton’s.  All of them were quite good.  I liked the patriotic theme at the Riviera with several American flags and the crowd chanting “we stand for the flag!”

The Ryman Auditorium

This 125 year old building has quite the history.  A wealthy guy named Ryman built the hall to serve as a tabernacle for his pastor to preach.  Many plays, conventions and concerts were held here over the years.  In 1943, the hall became the home of its most famous tennants, the Grand Ole Opry and has seen concerts from everyone who is anybody.

The Hermitage

The Andrew Jackson homestead and museum had a reasonable admission of $17 each for us seniors.  We really enjoyed learning the history of this man and his family.  The amazing thing is that his large mansion is still with 90% original furnishings and interior.

From Wikipedia:  The Hermitage is a historical plantation and museum located in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, 10 miles east of downtown Nashville. The plantation was owned by Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, from 1804 until his death at the Hermitage in 1845. Jackson only lived at the property occasionally until he retired from public life in 1837. Enslaved men, women, and children, numbering nine at the plantation’s purchase in 1804 and 110 at Jackson’s death, worked at the Hermitage and were principally involved in growing cotton, its major cash crop. It is a National Historic Landmark.

The Upper Room

The international Upper Room headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee is centered around The Upper Room Chapel, which hosts thousands of visitors each year. Speakers from different denominations and countries take part in the weekly Wednesday morning worship service.

The focal point of The Upper Room Chapel is a nearly life-size woodcarving of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting. The Last Supper, sculpted by Ernest Pellegrini of A. H. Davenport, Irving and Casson of Boston, MA. The woodcarving is an extraordinary work of art, created by fifty people over fourteen months’ time.

Since 1935, their main purpose is to publish a monthly devotional book, The Upper Room, and it is in 35 different languages!  Such a ministry.

Gaylord Hotel

We spent about 30 minutes trying to find free parking and then an hour just walking around inside in amazement.  Parking is a problem everywhere in Nashville.

This hotel and convention center is made up of several buildings that have all been connected with a large, high, clear dome.  It is amazing at the number of plants, ponds, and rivers that all flow through the three atriums.  Many restaurants and bars are tucked into the place.

It was like walking through a very clean, paved path jungle.  Thanks to both brother-in-law Robert and our friend Cherry for the tips to visit.

Tennessee State Capital Tour

While in a state’s capital city, we always try to work in a tour of the capital building.  It is free, always well done, and you learn many things about the state’s history.  What’s not to like?  The only downside was the lack of public parking nearby.  None.  We had to walk about a mile, but got some extra steps in!

Wrap Up

That wraps up our short four day stay.  There were so many other things on our list that we will have to return one of these days.  The only real drawbacks are the lack of decent parking and huge throngs of people in the music area on Broadway.

An interesting note is that Nashville has become the bachelorette city with over 100 of these on any given day.  It really crowds up the place.

We wanted to make it just south to the town of Franklin, but did not have the time.  Lots of history and stately buildings.

Thanks for following along!  We are now in Meridian Mississippi for a couple more days to do laundry and rest up for New Orleans, next up on the Journey.

Take care and God Bless.