Gatlinburg, Tennessee to Nashville, Tennessee 3/14/2014

MARCH 14, 2014 (Friday)

Woke up to sunshine and much warmer weather. We got up early because it was moving day. We left around 9:30 AM. Gatlinburg Town Square resort has places near the elevator, and in the parking garage, where you can drop off your keys (after you call down to let them know you’re checking out). Really makes it so easy and nice. Before we left town we stopped at the Ole Smoky Distillery to pick up a bottle of moonshine for our nephew, and his wife, who have been taking care of our dog, Kiki. We also saw a bunch of Santa Claus competitors who were in town for the Claus Convention that starts next week.

After getting the moon shine, Edie spotted this dinosaur.

We didn’t get very far after that as we were hungry and stopped in Pigeon Forge for breakfast. We had been wanting to try a Flapjacks Restaurant. We were told they were good. The place in Pigeon Forge was packed. The food was good and it was plentiful. Michael’s gout is still acting up so we all opted for buttermilk pancakes (and coffee).

Guess we were hungry, looked on the camera and no pictures of the food.

The drive to Nashville from Gatlinburg (approximately 250 miles) took about five hours. We stopped for gas once ($3.26 gallon) but mostly were on the road. We got to our hotel – the Ramada Inn – around 3:00 PM (time change) and were able to check in without a problem. We had just enough time to rest a little, get on the computers, and then get ready to leave for dinner before we went to the Grand Ole Opry tonight. We left our hotel about 4:30 PM and headed to Nashville.

Went through Knoxville, it is a pretty town.

It was a KFC and a Taco Bell and a gas station.

No living room, no kitchen, and more expensive per night.

The traffic was pretty bad. We had been told by the ladies working the front desk here that there were lots of activities going on in the area. We headed straight for the mall near the Grand Ole Opry and saw a Mexican place, Chuy’s, and decided to try it. There was a long line waiting to be seated and we had to wait about ten minutes before we were called. I think we were all surprised at how crowded the whole area was, hard to find parking, long lines, etc. We were finally seated in the patio area, which was fun with lights, heaters, and all sorts of things hanging from the ceiling. Chuy’s was a neat place and the food was good. (I really liked the margarita and chips more than anything.)

Chuy's Mexican Restaurant. — Chuy’s Mexican Food.

Fresh, hot, homemade on a commercial scale, tortillas.

Pretty woman discovered the "fish-eye" button on our little camera. — Pretty woman discovered the “fish-eye” button on our little camera.

Edie and I were done when I thought to take a picture. Lex is the slow earter. She had a bean and cheese burrito.

We got to the Grand Ole Opry around 6:30 PM. There were three or four large groups of people singing near the entrances. Our seats inside the auditorium this time were a little closer and more centered. The show started right on time and was just as fun as the last time (except no Barry Gibb or Ricky Skaggs). Enjoyed seeing Scotty McCreery, Crystal Gayle, Chuck Wicks, Riders in the Sky, and a bunch of others. Lots of fun and good music. The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating it’s 40^th anniversary so there was video of people who performed 40 years ago, and some who performed then were back tonight.

Warm up guy, got us to yelling and clapping.

Irish dancers, St Pat's day is Monday. — Irish dancers, St Pat’s day is Monday.

Fun, traditional, "Riders in the Sky" group. — Fun, traditional, “Riders in the Sky” group.

"Remember the golden years of TV, when there was 3 channels and lots to watch?" — “Remember the golden years of TV, when there was 3 channels and lots to watch?”

Jenn Bostic, sang, "Jealous of the Angels", such a beautiful song about loss. — Jenn Bostic, sang, “Jealous of the Angels”, such a beautiful song about loss.

Chuck Wicks did a good job. Edie really liked him.

Crystal Gale did her signature, "Don't it make my Brown Eyes Blue". — Crystal Gale did her signature, “Don’t it make my Brown Eyes Blue”.

I am becoming a weepy old man! He did a dedication to a Marine, lost in Afghanistan with family photo's. — I am becoming a weepy old man! He did a dedication to a Marine killed in Afghanistan, with family photo’s.

Tillis and Morgan, daughters of legends now touring as "Glamour and Glitz" did great. — Tillis and Morgan, daughters of legends now touring as “Glamour and Glitz” did great.

We got back to our hotel around 10:30 PM, tired and ready for some sleep. That was our day. Hope yours was great!