Boat - 2 months, Car 12 hours

We chuckled to ourselves that it took us 2 months to get to Green Turtle Bay Resort in Kentucky and only took us 12 hours to drive home. We were blessed with wonderful weather for the drive to and from Kentucky with a stop on the way back in Nashville, TN. Fall was definitely in the air back home and the leaves were just starting to change color. We had a good time getting together with some of our family and friends. Of course we also had to stop at our marina to check out the progress they have made with the renovations and then to secure our dock for next year.

We left Buffalo on Tuesday for Nashville and stayed just outside of downtown since we knew we would be tired from the drive. Up early Wednesday morning to move to a hotel right on Broadway, walking distance to many attractions and the honky tonks. We started out with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum which they say to allow 2 hours, but 2 hours doesn't do it justice. We took some time off from the museum to watch Faith Hill and Tim McGraw get their stars on the Music City Walk of Fame. Reba was the presenter, so it was an added bonus to see her! We saw Faith in concert as the opening act for Alan Jackson in about 1995, when she really was unknown. Next up was the Honky Tonk Central for a cold beverage, lunch and some country music. Honky Tonk row is located on lower Broadway and spans about 2 blocks. As the Grand Ole Opry took its place in the historic Ryman Auditorium, the nearby honky-tonks became a creative breeding ground for hopeful performers and musicians. The honky tonks open at 11 am and have live music all day and evening.
Next up was the Ryman Auditorium, "the Mother Church of County Music", which was actually built as the Union Gospel Tabernacle from 1892-1904 and from 1943 to 1974 it was best known as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. The construction was spearheaded by Thomas Ryman, owner of several saloons and riverboats. He went to a tent revival by Samuel Porter Jones with the intent to heckle him and was converted into a devout Christian and soon after pledged to build the tabernacle. Jones wanted to name the church after Ryman but Ryman wouldn't have it. Jones performed the memorial service for Ryman in 1904 and suggested the name be changed and the congregation agreed. From that day forward is was known as the Ryman Auditorium. The seats are church pews and it's hard to imagine that they never changed them out. Then it was time to go check out a few more honky tonks and get some dinner. We really enjoyed the band at Tootsie's on the first floor (there are 3 floors, each one with a different band). The place was mobbed, so it was entertaining watching the people and listening to the music.

Thursday morning we headed back to Green Turtle Bay with a car full of provisions. We were thrilled to find out they were having a complimentary Looper Q, which is a bar-b-que for loopers. I do enjoy it when I don't have to cook and it was great to chat with some of the loopers we have met along the way.

Friday it was time to head over to the Tennessee River and head south. With anchorages and marinas in out of the way places the internet has become very sketchy.

The famous 2" pork chop at Patti's in Grand River, KY

Tow and barge in the Mississippi

Construction of the new boat launch at our home port 

Sunday dinner at home with Hamanns, Andrusz and Danzers

 

 

Reba presenting Faith Hill with her star with Tim McGraw

Honky Tonk Central

The Ryman Auditorium

 

Me and Minnie...Pearl that is

Tootsie's

Honky Tonk Row