The One Thing To Do In Nashville

I had lived in San Antonio, TX my whole life - 18 years to be exact.  I didn't own a pair of cowgirl boots, didn't like country music (AT ALL - it was just a bunch of old, low-voiced guys yodeling... right?), and only had 1 dog - and as I later found out, he is a VERY city "sissy" dog.  My life was full of years of competitive tennis, lots of afternoons rollerblading (even after hours on the tennis court), Piano, Violin and Harp lessons, and I took several years of ballet when I was younger.  I wouldn't change any of it or have it any other way.

I'm still a complete computer geek, Pride and Prejudice reader (but you could tell that by the way I named my dog), old 1940's movie watcher, tea party attender.... and *finally* as of 3 years ago a COMPLETE COUNTRY FREAK.

It took me listening to a country song that had accidentally synced to my *pink* ipod for me to realize how much I loved it - it was on of Keith Urban's.  I don't know if it was because he is an Aussie, or just because it was a 14 hour car ride and I was bored, but I listened to that song allll the way through - and repeated it at least 5 times.

I can't say it was only because of that one song, or the move to TN, but since then, I've turned into a creek wading, stream splashing, chicken, duck, horse, cat and more dogs owning, and "can't get enough of country music" listening country gal.  So it's pretty obvious that other than the CMA Music Fest and the Grand Ol' Opry, the best thing to do in Nashville, TN is go to the Country Music Hall Of Fame Museum.  So I did.  ;-)

 

 

It starts wayyyyyyy back when with some really neat video footage.

 

They had a special Taylor Swift Speak Now exhibit when I went, and the costumes were so beautiful!

 

....they have loads of instruments including Elvis's golden piano...

 

Of course, my favorite Country artist...... Thanks Brett for pointing this out to me - I missed it the first time! :o

 



 

 

Right across the street from the Museum is the Walk Of Fame - I found two of my favorite artists' stars  :)  For those of you who don't know, Steven Curtis Chapman is the founder of Show Hope and an AHHHMAZING singer/songwriter!  He is definitely my favorite Christian singer - EVER.

CMA Fest Here We Come!

Last summer my cousin Brett came up to Tennessee for a visit.  We did everything from cleaning out the chicken coop, daily animal chores, cooling off down by the bridge, weeding the garden and proving to him that we have zero cell phone reception at our house.  It seemed like we spent the first couple of hours trying to locate more than "1 bar".  <--- never going to happen

Two of my favorite things we did while he was here were going to the Country Music Hall of Fame and of course fishing at our pond.  I really loved the Taylor Swift exhibit at the museum - ahhhhhmazing costumes and dresses!  I'll share more photos from the museum later on.

Yes, I know - I am only 5' 6 1/2" and he is very tall :) .... and the 1/2 inch *does* count.

My philosophy is to catch one fish - just one - and then I am done for the day.  Brett didn't see it that way though.  We ended up fishing for over 1.5 hours.  I caught my 1 fish and then went back to the truck and waited for Brett and Lizzy to finish.  I don't take naps, but I seriously almost fell asleep while waiting.  The weather was amazing!  I can't remember how many fish the two of them caught, but I do know that Brett won at catching the most!

If you ever come over to go fishing with me all you have to do is remember one thing - the green worm with the bright yellow tip is MINE.  Please don't touch. :)  The fish LOVE it!

Ever since Brett's trip, he and I have been texting back and forth "hoping" that we could go to the CMA Music Fest this year since it will probably be my last in Tennessee.... and last week we finally ordered the tickets.  We are SOOO excited!  I can't wait to share more!  In about 2 months Brett is coming up and I seriously can't wait!  We had a blast last year and can't wait to "top it" this summer with the CMA Fest.

~~ le