Bucket List: Nashville "Check"

What a great time we had

touring Nashville.

The tour we took was absolutely great. It was a

little pricy, but when you consider that

it also covered all the

entrance fees, no hassel with parking, it was

worth every dime.

We seen everything that we had hoped to and more.

We started the day going down town to the

Ryman Auditorium, which was at one time

the Grand Ole Opry House.

We had pictures taken on the stage and

got to tour back stage. Then it was on to the

Music Hall of Fame.

Very enjoyable and interesting.

Also took in the Legions Bar where we

had drinks and a bit of

good ole country music.

Wall of Gold Albums

There were about 3 of these.

Out side the Legends Bar

After lunch we headed off to the other side of

Nashville, you could say the newer side.

This sculpture caused quite a stir as the figures are

completely naked and very graphic.

This is where the Opry Mills mall and the Opryland Hotel

along with the new Grand Ole Opry.

We first toured the Opry House, and it was huge.

There was a group from Australia and they sang

a few songs, they were very entertaining, then the tour guide

not to be out done, did a great song. A real treat.

Then we were off the the Opryland Hotel.

It has acres under glass, very Vegas like, but instead of

going up this hotel spread out. There is a canal

running through the grounds, which we rode through on large

boats, there were waterfalls, beautiful flowers, just

so lovely. But huge, we all had maps to see that we got

back to the bus, and we all did make it.

From there it was off to the Willie Nelson museum, and by then

we were all so tired, we just more or less watched the movies of

his life. We were pooped!

The Blue Brothers

Love the flowers

Hunting Summer or at least Fall

We are out of repair jail. It was a very nice shop and all, but the weather turned so miserable that all we wanted to do was head south. So as soon as we got a clean bill

of health Wednesday we were set to leave come Thursday morning. Good thing

too, as we stumbled across the Rise N Roll bakery, near Shipshoena. That

place could be deadly! We bought pumpkin and chocolate whoopee pies, but did not even take

a bite. Gave them to the mechanics and girls at Duncan RV.

We were told that we had to treat the help, so we did our best. Thursday took

us to Indianapolis, where Chuck has a cousin. we enjoyed a nice visit and dinner.

The next morning we were off and the plans were to drive about 150-200 miles, but before we knew it were very close to Nashville. Called and got a reservation for 3 days at a

park at 34 dollars a night....high, but we are doing the touristy thing here.

Except when we got there it was 44 dollars a night and no sewer. What a difference

2 hours make. Just couldn't help my self, we left, and went down the road. Poor Chuck,

it was rush hour, but we made it fine.

These bushes are so beautiful, the leaves turn a glorious red.

Today we were off to check out the area. Ended up at the Opry Mills, which is a huge mall. So many things going on inside, could spend all day in there without ever going in a store. Our freebie's today amounted to 2 Accu-Chek Aviva monitors, crackers and a back pack. Plus we used our Home Depot 20 dollars gift card. Thought maybe it might not be good but it was along with the 20 dollar Burger King one that we had wonat a flea market near Celina.

We just wondered around till we had enough and then went to the movies.Seen Denzel Washintons new movie, Citizen. Really gory, but all in all a good movie. They sure are making some gruesome movies that are soon to be released.

Tomorrow we are going on a all day bus tour. Have to be there by 8:30. We were not able to get tickets to the Grand Ole Oprey. They only do shows, Friday and Saturday nights and one on Tuesday. If the tour is half as good as the advertising portrays it, we are in for a treat. If not we will still get to see all the sights of Nashville. Either way I'll have pictures.

Parking Lot Blues

That would be us, we are at Duncan's RV repair facility "campground", in Elkhart, which we have called home since last Monday. Thought we were good to go Thursday and the front landing jacks decided they wanted replacing, which if it had to happen it couldn't have happened at a better time and place. The manufacturer is replacing them and think they will be here Monday, so hopefully we will be back on the road come Tuesday. Will say this is a great repair set-up, would highly recommend Duncan RV to anyone needing work done.

The trees are starting to

really color up

Love to watch these horses, they are

so wonderful
We have enjoyed seeing some of the area, lot of Amish in the vicinity, and the shops are wonderful with all the unique craft items. Then there are the flea markets, farmers markets and craft fairs. And the quilts are very tempting, they are so beautiful and well done. Today we stopped at a craft fair and there was a horse on a treadmill walking away, and it was hooked up to a ice cream maker, yup, making ice cream. Needless to say, Chuck had to have some of that.

Come next year we hoping to attend the Escapee rally and Nick's, that are both being held in the area. They are scheduled for earlier in the year, which will hopefully be better weather wise. We have had quite a bit of rain and it has been cool, and now they are saying it will be flat out cold come tomorrow. Definitely time to start south.

RALLY AROUND

Here it is a week since my last post, but a very busy week it has been. Most of the pre-rally was spent either getting things ready to eat, or eating, or complaining because we had eaten too much. One night was hobo stew, this is where everyone throws something in the pot and you end up with a delicious stew. Of course you know us RVer's we have to have all the trimming's

too.

Then there was the dutch oven cook out over hot coals. That night was pots of chili, sliced potatoes and chocolate and pineapple up side down cakes.
Donna hard at work

That brought us into Sunday, and of course, BRUNCH! The day was finished off with a wine and cheese "tasting".

Oh happy times!

Looks like they were all "choice wines".

(Not a paper bag to be seen)

Thank goodness the official rally was starting the next day.
New Friends

Rick & Terry

Barb & Bob/Chuck

The seminars were very interesting, I especially enjoyed the one put on by the Geeks on Tour. The picasa and photo story 3 were so helpful. Can't wait to really get to try out some of the tips I learned. Well, I bought the videos so will have a resource to refer back to as it takes me more than one try to get things down to where I can actually say I know how to do it. Chuck and I both attended several others and they were all enlightening. And we did not stop eating, here we are at the pizza party. Each night we gathered for

drawings for door prizes, of which there were many. We also had a young

couple who put on a great show on pizza night. Also donuts and coffee to get you started.

Bob & Molly

There were a few pizzas eaten that night.

Some how they managed to deliver them hot,

and they were good.

Keith getting birthday wishesNick, the one who put the rally

together.

GREAT JOB, NICK,

See you next year!

Metilda,

all ready for Halloween

And that bring me to today. We loaded up in the vehicles and headed for a

flea/farmers market a few miles away. It was a different set-up being as

everything was in huge buildings. The weather here has a lot to do with

that I'm sure. Other than pumpkins there was little produce, but there was

a racing car promo wheel, and being it was free, we all gave it a spin, and

we all won some nice gift cards for 20 dollars. Ours were from Home Depot and Burger King.

Lunch was also free, yes, free! Great bean soup and corn bread. Plus the diesel was 23 cents cheaper there, so topped off the tank.

I would call that a good day in any ones book

of DEALS of the DAY.

Monday we are traveling up to

Elkhart and settling into Duncan's RV for

repairs, & tune-ups. Hopefully it will be a

short stay.

Early to Rise and OH, CRAP!

There have been about 3 times since we have been on the road that I have gotten up before Chuck, and believe me, if this morning is any indicator, it will

be the last. Got the coffee going, turned on the computer, not connecting, turned

the T V on, only channel coming through on the satellite was

the info channel. Okay, coffee ready, what the heck???

The refrigerator door fell off!!

Well, not all the way, but the hinge is broken, which happened once before. We

had been planning on going to Elkhart after the rally, and they will have

the parts waiting, hopefully they will be able to fix it,

so that it won't happen again.

Thankfully it is still usable, but we are

being very careful.

TV's working, computer is connected,

life goes on.

It was great seeing Bob, Molly, Keith, Donna, Howie and Nora, plus meeting all the others

that have arrived for the "Class of 07" pre-rally of Nick's rally. Last night was

hobo stew and it turned out great. We did have a rainy day though, but we managed not

to get wet.

So that is all for now, I'm crawling back in bed and pulling the covers

up over my head, and not coming out

till it's a new day. Glad that I got my

OWFISH shirt.

Fly Away

Today was a day that I was not really looking forward to, sort of like Chuck waiting for me in a shoe store, but unlike him, I found that it was very interesting and enjoyable. AND it was free, something that does not happen in a shoe store, well almost free, there was the I-Max and then lunch, plus we are planning on going back tomorrow, another movie, and Air Force One. Seriously if you are ever in the area it should be on your bucket list. The airplanes are just props, it is all the history that is displayed, plus so very much more.

Now that is a tire!

Quilts made of Holocaust squares.

This section was so heart wrenching, but

then so were the areas depicting Viet Nam, World Wars 1 & 2,

and all the other atrocities that man has

inflicted on his fellow man.

Map of concentration camp

Cute little plane,

and a very different one.

Apollo One

There was also a section on the space program, along with the Berlin wall.

The place is huge and they have a wonderful museum.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Grand Time in West Virginia

We left Pennsylvania and traveled to West Virginia to spend a few days with Chucks sister and her husband Jim. We decided to leave the "damnearahouse" in Harrisonburg at their son's house. The 45 miles to their home is either up hill or down hill and both are extreme. Both of which are enough to make me a nervous wreck just driving/riding over it. And the locals who drive it all the time sort of think of it as the grand prix, man, they can fly.

Anna Mae & Jim

Chucks sister, Anna Mae, was in a play that made it's debut while we were there, and it was absolutely wonderful. We laughed till we hurt, and the scene that Anna Mae had where she had accidentally taken heavy duty pain killers by mistake, was so hilarious, I had tears running down my face. And they even managed to bring Elvis into the play and it made sense.

Elvis lives!

In costume
(Mrs. Rich B----)

There also was the Treasure Mountain festival going on, with crafts and a quilt show. And of course lots of food......fried oreos were one of the things spotted, not the least bit tempting. We spent most nights talking and getting caught up on all that has happened over the years. Anna Mae has just retired and is getting used to the life of ease.


We left there, drove back to Harrrisonburg and spent the night in the 5er and were ready to roll by 8 the next morning. Drove about 300 miles and spent the night in the "Lone Dog Campground". Sounds bad, but was actually quite nice. Finished the drive today and we are settled in at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Chuck was getting kind of shakey, what with no golf for over 2 weeks, and they have 2 courses here. Also the Air Force museum and it is suppose to be very nice. They have the Air Force Ones of Kennedy and Reagan on display. We used the time today to wash the 5er and do laundry. Hit quite a bit of rain off and on, so glad that we could wash it.

Not sure when we are leaving here to head for the fairgrounds, where Nick's Rally is being held, probably Thursday or Friday. It is only about a 100 miles, so not a hard drive.

Where oh where does the time go?

Our last few days in Maine was our chance to have one big lobster boil. And we did it up royal.

Chuck with his glasses all steamed up.

The last night was spent having dinner at a well know restaurant, where the locals go, and it was very good. Yes, it does seem like all we do is eat!

cute idea for paper towels over every table

Our friends Dick & Jane

Thank you, for a wonderful time

Looks like Chuck thinks the lobster is after him!

Days are just flying by, it does past in a blur at times. We have been in Pennsylvania for over a week and this is my first post, just getting lazy, I guess.

Having left Maine the day after Labor Day we thought we would have lighter traffic, but think that most of the tourists had the same strategy. It was a safe trip, though longer than we had anticipated, due to the lack of campgrounds along our route. One of the first that came along was only about 80 miles from our final stop, so we decided to push through, 450 miles in one day is not something we even contemplate doing. But not having to move for a short jaunt was worth it. May have to rethink not making reservations.....na, we like the freedom of not having a time schedule.

We have stayed at this campground before, and it is about 12 miles from Chucks home town. Unfortunately for us a bridge is washed out and detours are part of the travels to and fro. We have been lost more these past few days, than in the 3 years we have been on the road. There are so many country roads in the area, and Chuck remembers just enough to get us totally lost. And our tom-tom isn't much help most of the time.

We have helped Chucks brother in law celebrate his 85th birthday with his lovely family.

Yes, he did get GREEN bananas.

Another hi- light was attending church last Sunday, where his niece, Holly, is the pastor. The congregation is truly lucky to have her, she is so inspiring.

Holly & Jonathan

Chucks niece, Debbie and her husband Norman

And Nora, somehow there are no pictures of you, but thank you for the tour of your charming unique home.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have spent with our relatives that are in the area.

This visit was very special for us.

We also managed to meet with Keith & Donna and Randy & Terry, it was a great time, and yes were once again eating! And this was Amish style, meaning they just keep bring food, and then comes the desserts. http://guilertravels.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow we are off again, driving down to Virgina to wisit with Chucks sister for a few days, then we will turn our sights on Ohio. Can't wait to see everyone again, and to experience Nicks rally.