Fall Western Trip 2015: Nashville

Monday, 10/26 and Tuesday 10/27

274 miles: camped at the Nashville KOA  on Music Valley Drive, Nashville TN

Today it was rain, rain, rain.  In fact, so much that I never got a pic of the campsite.  The remnants of Hurricane Patricia were chasing us all day.

One of many the highlights in Nashville is the Opryland Hotel.  There are 11 acres of indoor gardens, shops and restaurants under glass.  It is beautiful. We wondered around, did a little shopping, and bought lunch.  Normally is a $25 fee to park an visit, but someone from the campground told us where employees park for free and we found several spots open.

The next day we caught a shuttle from the campground and hit downtown Nashville.  Although wet and rainy, we had a wonderful time.  It would be great to hang out here in nicer weather.  But be warned, this is not a inexpensive place to vacation.  Even so, we had a great time.  One of our first stops was the Country Music Hall of Fame.  We really enjoyed this place.

Later, we stopped at some of the bars on Broadway Street.  There are so many!!  We randomly stopped at one, The Broadway Brew House, and had a very nice time.  Good beer and some excellent live music.

Next time, maybe a longer stay in Nashville with nicer weather.  :-))

Wednesday, 10/28: 224 miles

Camped at Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, Kentucky

This is an amazing campground.  It is gorgeous, especially with the Fall colors.  The sites are level and spacious.  We would absolutely stay here again.  The campground is just a small part of a much larger complex of 1,224 acres dedicated to man's relationship with the horse.

On the way to Lexington, we passed the National Corvette Museum. I have always wanted to visit, although I have never owned a Corvette.  You may remember the story about the sinkhole that formed within the museum last year.  If not, here is a video link.  It was a good visit, although I enjoyed it much more than Judy.  Apparently, Corvettes are mostly a "guys" thing.  :-))

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10/29, 30, and 31

309 miles and "camping" in the driveway of son Matt and Jaime Sipher,  Shinnston, West Virginia

My sister Mary Ann and her husband Eric drove down from Michigan to meet us and catch a chance to visit Matt and Jaime and the kids.  Among other things we visited the Heston Farm Winery for a tasting.  It was a really fun weekend.

Sunday, 11/1: 224 miles

266 miles and camped at the KOA in Jonestown, Pennsylvania.

We have been here many times before, and it is a good halfway stop on the trip between Matt in West Virginia and home in Gouverneur.

Monday, 11/2: 336 miles

Home!!!!

So, after 9,606 miles and 56 days we have landed back home.  We were able to see some new sights and connect with friends and family.  To truly appreciate this great country, you should really travel it.  Flying just doesn't give you the real perspective of how large, great, and diverse this nation is.  To quote Mark Twain, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness."

Until next time.......