All Over Tennessee

It turns out we can't refuse the offer of free lodging, even if we have to drive 5 hours to get there. There's enough to do in the Nashville area that we still had several things to cross off of our 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die list. Can't stop, won't stop.

We gave Franklin, TN another look around. This time we checked out the Factory at Franklin, which is a neat little mall type place set in an old stove factory. We wandered around for a bit of window shopping, ate, then left. We were mostly just trying to get a nice long walk done.

They had several of the models that used to be produced there on display which I appreciated.

We have an unofficial rule where we go to the state capitol building of every state when we are nearby. So to the capitol of Tennessee we went!

The building itself was actually pretty tiny, but it was on a large hill which gave it some stature. We couldn't find a good place to park, so the walk from the car was serious, and there were hundreds of steps up the hill to where the building stood. It was serious.

Well we did not do a whole lot of planning ahead, and the capitol was closed for the day, but wandering around the grounds proved to be worthwhile.

The grave of President James Polk was unexpectedly on the capitol grounds.

From the capitol complex we strolled to the Tennessee State Museum and learned all about Tennessee. I like learning about the Civil War and Prohibition and they had a solid section on each.

Later on we headed to the Marathon Automobile car factory building which has a few little shops with car themed stuff inside.

Antique Archaeology of American Pickers fame had a branch here as well.

It had unfortunately closed for the day so I just smashed my face against the window glass.

The highlight of the day was the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. We had what were likely the worst seats in the entire building, which a big pole dead center in our view, but I still had a really good time there. The Opry is like a live variety radio show, with several different acts popping on stage, doing a couple songs, then hittin' the road. I was especially amused by the host guy who would do live readings of the advertisements during the radio show's little breaks.

I'm paraphrasing a bit, but the song that the Grand Ole Opry Squaredancers were jiggin' to went something like "Dosey Doe, To and Fro, Something Something Country Time."

Eating at Jack's is becoming a Nashville tradition for me. I think it's more about the convenient location than the food, but it gets the job done.