Nashville!!!

Just back from my conference in Nashville. It seems awful to say that the best thing I saw was my hotel, but my hotel was the Opryland Gaylord and it is a mindblowing place!!!Honestly, until the queen invites me to stay at Buckingham palace, I not only think the Gaylord was the best place I've ever stayed, but I imagine it will be the best place I ever WILL stay until I hear from the queen. Check out these pictures!!

My first time in Minneapolis; just got to see the airport, but I liked all the bears. Too bad Dave couldn't come with me!

Still at the airport.

THE GAYLORD--HOLY TAMALES!!!!

That is an indoor shot of just one small part of the atrium. I think if we enclosed all of Weber State campus under glass it would be about the same size.

My fellow travelers. On the left is Aimee, then me, Kelly and Jennifer.

The carpet in our area. Each section had a different style thank goodness. I was pretty much lost 100% of the time.

And when I took a wrong turn and found China, I KNEW I was lost.

The rooms themselves (mind these are the cheapo rooms) were pretty standard, but the beds and pillows were super comfy and the soap smelled great.

Still an indoor shot.

The indoor boat ride

Radio station for the Grand Ol Opry

The presidential area. The padding under the carpet must be inches thick--super springy.

Jungle cruise lovers---here's a shot of the BACKSIDE OF WATER!!!

Probably my favorite thing that we did on the trip--besides gaping at the hotel was to visit the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson.

I was unaware of the scandal surrounding poor Rachel Jackson. She was married young to an abusive husband. She actually got a divorce--that alone is scandal enough. But. although she thought she was properly divorced before she married Andrew it wasn't so. THAT was a social catastrophe.

They don't allow you to step on the grass to get a good picture of the front of the house, but still, it's obviously very grand and has an inside to match. I wish I could try out one of the beds. Those old fashioned beds are heaped so high and look so comfy.

The properly prim and prissy outside tour guide. I wish I could have taken a picture of the inside guide--he looked EXACTLY like Andrew Jackson himself.

After touring the Hermitage we went to the big mall next to the hotel--next to meaning about a mile away through parking lots, there was actually a shuttle. We ate at the Aquarium cafe. I should have bought the hat.

After lunch, the others went back to the room to rest, but I simply had to explore in the other direction and visit the famed? Cooters Museum.

The museum was free,which was just the right price. I must say, I had no idea so much merchandise from the Dukes of Hazzard existed. I wish Dave had been with me, he wasn't a particular fan either, but I think he watched every tacky 70's sitcom and he would have appreciated this. There was a nice shrine to Randy Travis too. The next day I went back to the same area for lunch rather than eat at the overpriced hotel. Great decision! I ate at the Opry Backstage Grill which claims to be world famous. I had me some buffalo wings and fried green tomatoes. Food-wise, it was the best meal on the trip. The waitress got up and sang too and she was excellent.

I still had some time after lunch, so I went to the Cracker Barrel and got some souvenirs, which alas, did not include one of these rockers.

That night was the big night we'd all been waiting for--we all had tickets to the Grand Ol' Opry. It was the Opry's 87th birthday.

It's a VERY audience friendly place. Great gift shop downstairs. I bought a country music christmas CD. If I lived in Nashville though, it would only be a matter of time before the brainwashing would take effect and I would think I needed one of these--

One of the musicians, George Hamilton, was signing autographs in the gift shop too.

To add to the fun, there were concessions adn we were allowed to eat in the theater. The show was a mix of young and old singers with plenty of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed the show even though I'm not a country music fan. On the very last day, all of us took the indoor boat ride through the hotel. Then I joined up with some others from Weber State and went to the downtown area to see the famous Wildhorse Saloon and other hot spots. The wildhorss had live music and dancing. I was shocked to see that most of the dancers were as clueless as I was! I thought everyone in town would know all of the line dances. The dancing was so bad that I took courage and went out on the floor for a song too. Afterward we went to the Hard Rock Cafe so I could pick up a bear for Catherine.

Worst Hard Rock I've seen yet. They barely attempted to decorate. From there we went to the very crowded Blue's Cafe and sat around listening to the music. Since the music wasn't live, and most of the others were drinking, I called it an early night and went to catch the bus just down the block. The character of the downtown had completely changed in those few hours. When we arrived, it was fun, wholesome country. When I left, it was drunk sleezy. I was amused on the way home by a lady on the bus who looked exactly like a tipsy version of my friend Debbie.

That whole last day was a little surreal. General Conference was going on while I was at the conference, and they annouced the lowering of the mission age. Catherine immediatley texted me that she intended to go! Here's my lovely daughter planning on serving the Lord while her Mom is bar hopping in Nashville.

I'd love to go back with Dave and Catherine and really see everything some day.