An Organized Riot

Before you jump on a plane to our rescue, Dad, never fear. "An organized riot" was how Archie Campbell lovingly referred to the Grand Ole Opry. We spent the day on the property driving around, shopping, eating, driving around, touring and enjoying music. We didn't really see the Organized Riot side of the Opry, though the grounds did feel that way at times. It's a complex that feels a little like driving around the Disney property in Florida, only without the road signs.



We took a tour of the Opry, and then came back for the show. It was fun to have seen the behind the scenes stuff before the show, to have an inside track. The show itself was fun to see because it is truly a historic program, and it was neat to be a part of it. We saw quite a variety of performers from Ashton Shepherd (has a single on the radio) to Little Jimmie Dickens (who sang a cut off his recent album, released in 1963). I believe Little Jimmie clocked in at 89 years old (and 4'11" if you're curious about the name). The program sort of tipped in the favor of the "oldies but goodies" but it was fun none the less. Highlights were Jean Shepard, Ashton Shepherd, T. Graham Brown, and Scooby-Doo (can't make this stuff up).



Somewhere along the line (I'm thinking it was at California Adventure after I got sick on the roller coaster) mom and I fell in love with Rainforest Cafe. We love the one in Vegas, and went to one last year at Disney. We were very glad to find one today at Opry Mills. They give you a free cup with your drink...we may be coming home with a couple.....

This is the 16th Spring Break trip we've been on (can that be right?), and we have determined that this was in fact, the weirdest. We have seen so many strange things, many of which were cut on the editing floor and didn't make the blog (it's for the best). We've laughed quite a lot, which makes for a great trip, no matter where we are. Though Dad doesn't believe we're capable of this, we're thinking of maybe choosing a destination for next year where we go to one place, stay there, and come home. Think we can do it? Stay tuned!!!

Bluebird Cafe

As we were listening to the music tonight at the Bluebird Cafe, I heard a string of lyrics from one artist that would have made a great title for today's blog, but I can't remember it now. Isn't that the way it always is?

We had a great evening at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. The Bluebird Cafe is a tiny (and I mean tiny) little bar/cafe that features up and coming Nashville artists. We made reservations for the early show which features some of the newest/hottest song writers. Mom and I both agree that the entire trip was worth the two hours we spent there. It was a very intimate setting; we were right next to to the stage, and there were no more than fifty people in attendance. Although four artists were on the bill for the night, we saw nine different people in all because they all brought a singer or guitar player with them. Our favorites were the two artists closest to us, Rick Tiger (http://www.myspace.com/rick_tiger) and Morgan Bracy (http://www.morganbracy.com/). It was a great evening, because it was the Nashville experience -- amazing music in a dirty little bar. It wasn't really a bar, but you get the idea. :)

The rest of the day really wasn't noteworthy. We got our nails done in Knoxville before heading west through a thunderstorm to Nashville. I've about had my fill of Civil War information, and that seemed to be the entirety of the information presented in the AAA guidebook. I'm up to my ears in generals, battles and Confederates -- oh my! I'm sure we'll get just a little more as we make our way back to Atlanta on Saturday.

Tomorrow is the Grand Ole Opry!!

Pork Makes a Great Gift!

That was my favorite sign from the day. I wish you could hear me say it!! Despite my earlier efforts at not exaggerating a southern drawl, it's getting worse. :)

Today took us to the Lost Sea Caves in Sweetwater, TN (about 45 miles outside Knoxville). The Tennessee/Kentucky area has an abundance of caves, which we have always found intriguing. We have seen many caves over the years, and I'm always experiencing them in a state of fear and awe. I'm a little bit claustrophobic... This was more like a cavern, and was spacious, and unterrifying. :)

If course, since it's dark, pictures were hard to get.




We came to this cave because of the underground sea, but it has some other neat history. Saltpeter was mined here for the Civil War, Moonshine was created and stored here, and the larger rooms were used for party rooms back in the day. How fun would that be?

But the neatest thing was the underground lake. After walking down in to the cave and seeing various formations, we wound down to the shores of a lake! It's apparently the largest underground lake in the world. We got to go out on little boats to see the sides of it, and it was so amazing! It felt like exactly what Doon and Lina would have seen in City of Ember when they left Ember on the river. Even if you haven't read that book, you know how special it is to feel like you're living in a book you've read.

Tomorrow we have our sights set on a pedicure (wahoo!), and then driving to Nashville.

Hint: This post is funnier when read with a slight twa-ang.

I Don't Know What to Say...

We've seen some things on this trip, including a 15-foot tall Jesus in lights and a crocheted Obama portrait, but nothing really prepared us for the..._________ (I don't know what to say) of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. We arrived in Gatlinburg last night. It was dark, but the town was alive with families walking around, and we could tell there was a lot going on. In the daylight, there was even more!

This morning we bounded out of bed, and headed to town. Okay, we didn't really bound. Our bed (actually it was more the pillows) left something to be desired, so we more like fell and slithered out of bed. No matter, we had our sights set on the Sky Lift. It's a chairlift in Gatlinburg that takes you up so you have a view of Gatlinburg and one side of the Smoky Mountains. "Catfish" helped us off the chair (I'm not making that up), and we had a look around before enjoying the trip down.




Then we headed to the car in search of, you guessed it, coffee. That took us to Pig-ee-on (that's for you, Dad, via Manual) Forge. And if Gatlinburg was busy, Pigeon Forge was....awesome. Mom was driving, and I kept reading billboards and signs, and mini golfs (or is it golves when there is more than 12?). The catch phrase that was born was, "I don't know what to say....". We had coffee at Starbucks where I could hear Christmas carols, and could gaze upon the Titanic, an upside down house, Michael Jackson and assorted sea creatures. Mom had 2 coffees. :)

From there we drove around to the small town of Townsend to an alternate entrance to the park, and spent the day enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains. One of the things we learned today, is that the area is an internationally recognized biosphere. I won't bore you with the details, but it was pretty interesting! We drove up to the top, Newfound Gap, to catch the view, and also spent some time playing around the Little River.





We are beat, and in Knoxville (with a good bed!).

Biltmore Estate, and Smoky Mountains, sort of...

It was BEASTLY HOT today. And no, I'm not just complaining. It was really hot, and I have pictures of mom to prove it. Only here's the thing: Sharon, I don't have your camera cord, so I'm up a creek on getting pics of my camera. I'm sure it's just as well. We went to the Biltmore this morning (okay it was more like this afternoon), after doing a Hallelujah dance when we found a Starbucks. Yes, we are a product of a caffeinated city. The year we went to Utah, sans coffee was not pretty... We walked around the Biltmore Village a bit and went into a few artsy stores, and then headed for the estate. It is HUGE!!! We went mainly to see the gardens (everyone remembers I'm traveling with a Master Gardner, right?), but we also schlepped in to the mansion itself. The gardens were beautiful, though not in full bloom yet. They were complaining about what a late spring they are having (hmmm....they should take a trip out west!!). We learned a neat trick about planting tulips that I we're looking forward to using next year.

And then we went to the mansion. Is it called a mansion? That may be too gaudy. I'm sure estate is the proper terminology. It's gynormous. We walked through the main floor, and schlepped up to the second floor where we just petered out. Did I mention it was BEASTLY HOT!?? We looked at the stairs going to the 3rd and 4th floors, and stopped in our tracks. And here's where we (or maybe it was I) started milking the giant knee brace mom had on. They took one look at that, and us, and shepherded us out of the roped off area in to our own little room and escape route. Mom drew the line at taking an elevator down, but I was all for it! I didn't realize the power of the knee brace!





Then we hopped in the car and headed to Gatlinburg, via the Blue Ridge Parkway. I got all hopped up on Bonine for the trip, and after missing the entrance once, we were off!! Until the road was closed and we had to turn around. No worries, our faithful leader found her way to the freeway, and...we were off!!! Until there was a lane closure and we were crawling along the freeway. Then they opened it back up, and...we were off!!! Until the rest of the freeway was closed due to a rock slide. Seriously I don't know where the rocks came from. I'm thinking they had to slide off a rock truck, but that's a whole other tangent. So I put my very limited map skills to work and got us a new route. We went south and up through the Smoky Mountains to Gatlinburg. As I was telling mom at dinner, I saw more than I was able to process verbally. I've had 2 pina coladas recently, so I don't trust my sarcasm to describe it. :)

Tomorrow we see the Great Smoky Mountains in the day light!!!

Atlanta to Asheville

We don't have pictures for the day, nor do we have much to report. Well, that's not entirely accurate -- I had a GREAT hair day! And if you've been following the latest hair drama, that is in fact, news.

We spent the day en route from Atlanta (where we flew in yesterday) to Asheville, NC. We honestly do not have much to report. Well, we have learned that in GA, speeding is a sport, which we were not that equipped for (safety first dad!), and in SC small animals are losing a great battle against said speeding vehicles out of GA (Ewwww). There wasn't much else to see. Tall trees line the freeway, and you can't see over them. Mom drove, and I read aloud from the AAA books everything that was relevant (or even remotely relevant). So, we are buffed up on the history of the area, and are safely ensconced in our hotel room in Asheville. Also, I am practicing not using my fake Southern accent to say funny things (know your audience!). Instead I have turned to Faulty Towers and a British accent for my on-going commentary. :)

Tomorrow we plan to see the Biltmore Estate here in Asheville and then head to Smokey Mountains and Gatlinburg.

Get ready, set...VACATION!!!

My Monday began with a fire engine, an ambulance, and the declaration, "Your classroom might be on fire!" I work with a bunch of comedians, but this was the dead truth. And it was the ultimate Monday morning. :) Cliff notes for those of you who didn't get the blow-by-blow: power went out at school, burned out a motor above my room, room filled with smoke, school cancelled. Which brings us up to...SPRING BREAK!!! We are officially off in 5 days!!! This year, the trek will take us to the wilds of Tennessee. In our future is some driving (we love a road trip), a National Park (shocking!!!), and just some good old fashion girl fun (you know, movies, shopping, giggling, nails...).

See ya back here with some anecdotes and pictures from the road!!