#alt caption i heard yall like women

[escyn]

some more thoughts about Her (Suki aged 25-30)

+ some bonus zukki

[alivelyfancy]

I took my second solo travel trip in October to Nashville. I know it’s a bit later to write about it now, but better late than never! Like my last trip, I was able to get my travel expenses paid for since I arrived a few days ahead of a business meeting.

While asking Facebook friends recommendations on things to do, I discovered a friend from home, K,  would also be in Nashville at the same time. Of course we arranged to meet up. Below are the highlights from my trip. I hope you enjoy my pictures and commentary.

Saturday

Biscuit Love and 12 South

After landing from my early morning flight, I immediately took my first Uber to Biscuit Love.  Fortunately, it was early so the line was pretty short (15-20 minute-wait) and as a party of one, I was able to get in even sooner for a seat at the bar. I have heard the line can stretch around the block so I was pretty lucky!

Definitely in love: Fluffy biscuit, eggs, grits, bacon & jam.

After, I dropped off my luggage at my Airbnb and then wandered over to 12 South neighborhood. I visited Draper James, Reese Witherspoon’s store, which has some very cute, but terribly overpriced clothing, and also took a picture next to the famous “I believe in Nashville” mural.

I believe in Nashville!

Draper James: So cute, but so expensive, ya’ll

Guitars at Corner Music

Country Music Museum

I then went to the waterfront to meet my friend K for the hop on hop off bus tour of Nashville. We rode around on the bus for a few stops and then got off at the Country Music Museum. I don’t particularly like country music, but I enjoyed the museum. It was pretty interesting and interactive. There was an exhibit on Shania Twain which gave a detailed account of her life (stepfather was abusive, first husband cheated on her, Come on Over Tour was one of the highest grossing tours, she used videos to market her music instead of concerts, from the same hometown as my friend K) and an up-close look at her sparkly outfits.

The museum was also full of instruments, outfits, and memorabilia from other country artists as well as information on Nashville’s background as music city. I recognized some of the names (Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Elvis), but learned about some new musicians (Lynn Anderson, Maybelle Carter) as well.

Shania Twain exhibit

So many records! They were everywhere.

Taylor Swift’s dress from Love Story ❤ ❤

Yes, I did take a picture of this fake Taylor Swift bus that was part of an exhibit. Don’t judget me.

Dress she wore to the ACM Awards.

Nashville really embraces its nickname as Music City. There is live music everywhere and it is amazing! I ate a hot chicken sandwich at the Stillery and was serenaded by live music. What a treat! We also explored Marathon Village which had some interesting shops and a museum of vintage cars (free!).

I couldn’t make it to Hattie B’s, but I enjoyed this hot chicken sandwhich at the Stillery. chicken at the Stillery.

Marathon cars in the museum at Marathon Village

Sunday

Bicentennial Park & Farmer’s Market

After working a few hours in the morning, I went back out to explore. I took the hop on hop off bus to Bicentennial Park, but unfortunately it was raining so I only took a quick look around. I took refuge in the Farmers’ Market, which was thankfully covered and ate some BBQ for lunch. I was considering eating Jeni’s ice cream, but sadly I was too full!

Nashville Farmer’s Market. Lots of tasty food, not enough time to eat it all.

The Ryman

After, I made my way over to the Ryman, which was my favorite tour. Originally built as a revival hall, the building was used for public events and concerts, and was the home of the Grand Ole Opry show for a long time. The building was saved from being demolished and is used for concerts today. It has one of the best acoustics. Built in 1892, the Ryman has a colorful history.

Thomas Ryman was a wealthy business who attended the revival of traveling preacher Sam Jones in an effort to prove him wrong. Well, Jesus intervened and instead Ryman became a Christian! He was so convicted, he decided to build a dedicated meeting space, the Union Gospel Tabernacle, which was renamed the Ryman after his death. That’s awesome!

Inside the Ryman Auditorium

The manager of the Ryman for 50 years was a BOSS LADY who GOT STUFF DONE. Originally a stenographer, Lula Naff was a widow and a mother who took over managing the Ryman when her employer went out of business. She did everything. Booking talent? Promoting events? Challenging censorship? Championing diversity? Check, check, check, check!

Lula Naff – Boss lady getting stuff done!

After the Ryman, I briefly toured the Tennessee State Museum. It’s a free museum, that has a little bit of everything so I wanted to check it out.

The Parthenon and Centennial Park

My next stop was the Parthenon and  which is a bizarre structure in Centennial Park. It is a full-scale replica of the Parthenon in Athens, Greece just in Nashville, Tennessee, that was built for the state’s centennial exposition in 1897 because that is a completely normal thing to do. There is a HUGE Athena statue covered in gold that was only completed in the 1990s. The enormous brass doors are perfectly balanced and our tour guide said you could move them with your pinky. In the basement, there’s also an exhibit of American painters which is quite nice.  The park itself is very spacious and green. I would have loved to run in it, but it was raining and my running shoes were back at the hotel.

The outside of the Parthenon in Centennial Park

The perfectly balanced bronze doors. This couple refused to move out of the way and hovered by the doors. I finally gave up and just snapped the picture.

Athena is truly larger than life.

Close up of Athena’s shield showing Medusa’s head.

Good job, Tennessee! This sign in Centennial Park celebrates women’s suffrage. You’ll see in the background some women are getting ready to take a photo with the statue of the suffragettes. Go ladies!

After a jam-packed day, I went back to the hotel to get ready for a night on the town! I rode on one of those pedal taverns and went to a honky tonk….just kidding…who do you think I am? I went back to the hotel and ran 11 miles on the treadmill to train for my half marathon!

Monday

I worked on Monday, so there wasn’t too much excitement. I did work in Tin Cup Coffee where I ordered a special sandwich for extra motivation. Once the workday was over, I finally made it over to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, which had an overwhelming amount of gourmet flavors.  Normally a chocolate person, because of the hot day, I instead settled for goat cheese and raspberry. Later, I crossed over the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge to view the Cumberland River and the city. Then, it was time to fly back home!

Yum, yum! Definitely worth it!

Gorgeous view of the Cumberland river and Nashville from the top of the pedestrian bridge.

Travel Lessons

In hindsight, there are always things you learn with each trip! While I wouldn’t have rented a car, because parking was a pain, but Nashville is not exactly walkable so I should have taken this into consideration more. While I did create a Google Map with all the locations I wanted to visit marked on it, I could have done a better job thinking through my transportation. I took Uber for the first time (I know…I am a grandma), but it’s not cheap. I definitely appreciated the public-transportation in NYC. There was one night I wanted to go get ice cream from my Airbnb, which was near Vanderbilt, but I was too sketched out standing at the bus stop after dark because the streets were deserted at 7 PM and didn’t want to pay $20 for an Uber there and back. In contrast at 10 PM I felt completely comfortable walking in Manhattan. This whole problem could have been solved by getting dinner before arriving back at the Airbnb…but my phone was low on battery, which brings me to point # 2.

I always forget to bring a portable charger, but this is a must – especially if you are using your phone for photos, directions, and Uber. I ran out of battery and went to a hotel to ask if I could charge my phone. Fortunately, they were very nice and allowed it, otherwise I would have been stuck.

I also wish I could have worn a backpack the remainder of Monday to haul around my laptop, after work. I did leave the rest of my luggage at the hotel bag check, but I don’t feel comfortable doing that with a laptop. But honestly, if you’re already young, carrying a backpack (even a nice one) to a business meeting just makes you look like you are a student.. Even though others had back packs and were dressed more casually, I am not really able to do that. Maybe in another 10 years it won’t matter, but for now I have to carry a black leather laptop bag that is 100% business.

Questions

Have you been to Nashville? What was your favorite part?

Do you solo travel?

How do you solve the business backpack problem?

How can I ever thank you for reading this entire LONG post?

Welcome to Music City, Y’all – My Nashville Solo Trip I took my second solo travel trip in October to Nashville. I know it’s a bit later to write about it now, but better late than never!