Nashville, Tennessee!!

Saturday morning (Oct 25th) John and I got the cats out for an early walk then headed into Nashville for the day.

Coming into Nashville - love that skyline
(There's lots of "...villes" around these parts...)

View from the pedestrian bridge near the Stadium

There are "Pedal Taverns" where you can drink and sightsee
at the same time - but you have to pedal the bar around!

We parked near the Sports stadium and walked across the pedestrian bridge into the downtown area.  The skyline is truly gorgeous with unique shaped buildings and lots of brick.

The downtown is very vibrant and reminds me of Calgary during the Stampede: full of people and the sounds of live music wafting out of bars as you walk along the sidewalks.





We went to the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is an expansive building housing many permanent and temporary exhibits.

Me and Alan Jackson

John and Kenny Rogers

There was a really interesting temp exhibit about the Bakersfield Sound, which was a result of the different sounds of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard (the latter of whom was born in Bakersfield), among other performers in that area, and how they influenced and changed country music.

Once we got out of the museum, we walked around downtown - specifically Broadway (the main drag) and Commerce Streets.  The sights and sounds were truly amazing.  We stopped at one bar and listened to one of the performers for a couple of songs.  It's a really cool place with lots to do and see.

Honky Tonk Central

More beautiful flowers

We headed back to Ron & Shayna's place before dark so we could get the kitties out for an evening walk as they were up most of last night not having had an evening walk...

Larry, John and Ron (L to R)

Ron got home from work about 9:00 pm and we headed back into Nashville for an evening experience!  We went to the Soulshine Pizza Factory and watched Ron's keyboard buddy, Larry Van Loon, perform.  Great show!!!  Larry's been to Calgary and remembers the King Eddy...

After the show, we walked around downtown again, and it was an entirely different vibe from earlier in the day.  You would not believe how the city just keeps going and going and going... we were able to check out 2 other clubs after Larry's show!

Ron & John in front of Bourbon St. Blues Club

We got home at 2:30 in the morning, but had a FABULOUS day (and night) in Nashville.  Loved it all... what a blast.