Author: Lisa

Today’s explorations: Grand Ole Opry, Centennial Park/Parthenon, Vanderbilt University, and the Gulch District. 🙂
Grand Ole Opry: Intriguing to learn about the Opry and see the building. Although enlightening and fun, the building itself is nowhere near as magnificent as the Ryman!
Centennial Park/Parthenon: The full size model of Athens’ Parthenon grabs one’s attention. The museum with its artwork and stories failed to hold my interest, but the 42 foot tall gold plated statue of Athena mesmerized me. Out of many statues dotting the park’s lawns, I especially appreciated the tribute to Tennessean suffragettes.
Vanderbilt University: Across the street from Centennial Park lives Vanderbilt University with unique buildings and gorgeous grounds.
The Gulch District: A hipster area of Nashville called me for dinner. There’s something wonderful about a salmon salad that I don’t have to cook! Oh, and the Cucumber Collins cocktail – yum yum!
One of many dressing rooms at the Opry.

 

In 2010, torrential rain pounded Middle Tennessee and drowned the Grand Ole Opry in ten feet of water. The Cumberland River spilled over its banks, floodwaters engulfed the stage, the pews were ruined, and the floors were demolished. Rescued under the water: this mural and the circle on the stage.

 

I stand on the circle where many artists and performers have stood.

 

Centennial Park and the Parthenon.

 

Tribute to suffragettes.

 

Athena – the Nike she’s holding is six feet tall!

 

Vanderbilt University.

 

Framed view of the campus.

 

The Gulch’s pub.

 

Wings Mural by Kelsey Montague https://kelseymontagueart.com/nashville-whatliftsyou-wings/

OMG! What an amazing day! First, I went on a terrific hike in Percy Warner Park – green, lush, hills, meadows – perfect!
This evening, I hung out with Kristen and her singer-songwriters group. There is NOTHING like listening to musicians share their original songs – the vulnerability, the creativity, the power of music. Y’all know me. At one point when one person was singing and the others jumped in with their guitars and voices, I couldn’t help it. The connectedness of it all…I cried. So friggin’ fabulous!
Mossy Ridge Trail, Percy Warner Park

 

With Jeffrey and Kristen

 

Bear, their very sweet big doggie!

I know I should cull tonight’s photos more – I try not to post more than ten a day – but, oh well! 
I had so much fun exploring Nashville today! While Kristen worked, Jeffrey dropped me off in the heart of Nashville with a list of “must see” items in my pocket. I made it to four! 
First up, The Ryman Auditorium, where many famous artists have played (including Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, and Paul Thorn!). 
Next, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Although I am not a super-big country music fan, there were MANY artists I recognized. And it was fun to hang out and create my album cover during a torrential thunderstorm! 
Then I went to a couple of honky tonks. My favorite, with great music, a veggie burger, and beer: Robert’s Western World. 
Cherry on the top of the day: happy hour and dinner with Kristen and Jeffrey! 
Cumberland River – started the day with a walk around town before venturing inside.

 

Cool old building

 

Church

 

Named for Rep John Lewis about a year ago

 

Country legends mural. Recognize anyone?

 

The Ryman Auditorium, managed by a woman for 50 years.

 

Ryman

 

Dolly Parton: not only an investor in Moderna but also a music star!

 

I’d say, “Don’t quit your day job,” but I don’t have a day job anymore!

 

Country Music Hall of Fame: a fun and interactive museum!

 

Thunderstorm out the window of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

🙂

 

🙂

 

Now to create the album to go with this album cover…

 

Haha!

 

Tootsies Orchid Lounge

 

Robert’s Western World

 

Nashville, we have a problem.

A day in three fabulous parts!
Part 1: I met my friend and colleague David at his house/farm so his kids could show me their animals. I had so much fun petting the dogs and feeding the goats and cows! Then, I followed David to Indiana State University for a tour of the College of Business building, which previously housed the federal courthouse (I saw the room where Timothy McVeigh was tried). We also toured some of the rest of the campus before having YES a zoom meeting for next year’s National Conference in Sales Management. Then, David took me and Ricky, another Sales professor friend and colleague, to lunch. What a nice visit! 
Part 2: Drove 4.5 hours from Indiana through Kentucky to Nashville. Uneventful – which is a good thing on a long drive. 
Part 2: In Nashville, Addie and I are staying at Kristen and Jeffrey’s house for a few days. I had a fantastic evening with Kristen and Jeffrey! Ate, drank, and talked for hours!
Goat #1

 

Cow #1

 

Cow #2 – this one was skittish but ultimately warmed up to me.

 

Goat #2

 

David and Sarah with their three sweet kids.

 

The Magna Carta room, now a classroom, previously the courtroom where Timothy McVeigh’s trial was held.

 

Indiana State University

 

Hanging with Ricky and David

I’ve been having a bit of trouble with a couple of things in Addie – water pump and kitchen light fixture. Planning on being in the area for a few days, I reached out to my Chevy Roadtrek Owners Facebook Group for a RV shop recommendation. Someone from the group recommended Alexander’s in Bloomington; they’ve serviced her RoadTrek for 15 years. I called, made an appointment for today, and brought Addie in for service. I’ll spare the details…water pump is fine, water systems all look good, water heater may have a small leak (not urgent, will handle back in SLO). Light fixtures are on back order everywhere, so the mechanic switched two light fixtures so I have a working one in my kitchen. Very friendly and comforting to know that Addie continues to be in safe and relatively good shape.
After Alexander’s, I wandered to the village of Nashville, IN. Think Cambria, CA, with cute shops and galleries. Very darling!
Finding produce in this area presented a conundrum. There is a bit of a “food desert” here…

 

 

 

 

Although I didn’t go to sleep until after 1am central time (had to finish my book!), I slept well – refreshed and ready for the next stage of my adventure!
First, I walked around Babler State Park, location of last night’s campsite. The park, named after Dr. Edmund Babler, a Missouri physician and surgeon, encompasses many acres of natural wonders.
From Missouri, I traveled through Illinois, mainly on country roads. I saw many corn fields, farmhouses, and grain silos. Getting hungry and still in Illinois, I stopped in Casey for lunch – and viewed the world’s largest…wind chimes, rocking chair, barber pole, mailbox, and pencil! Around 2011, this small town reinvigorated its downtown with the wind chimes – and the kitsch statues snowballed from there.
For the next few days, I’m staying at Shakamak State Park, between Terre Haute and Bloomington and only two miles from a National Conference in Sales Management friend and his family. After hearing about his wonderful wife and kids for over a decade, I enjoyed meeting and dining with them. 🙂
Dr. Edmund Babler

 

Happy to be refreshed and driving with blue skies!

 

Wind chimes, the first of many “World’s Biggest”

 

Rocking chair

 

Barber pole

 

You’ve got mail!

Crazy storm last night! So much heavy thunder, lightening, wind, and rain – nearly 5 inches just over night. Needless to say, I barely slept, although Addie help up well.
I spent today on the road, buying groceries, napping, reading, and relaxing. Exactly what I needed after last night’s chaos.
Relatively clear sky!

 

A trail by my campground. Thought about hiking it – and turned around to go back to Addie and read my book.

Woke up in time for sunrise! Then traveled to the first city in Kansas, Leavenworth where I viewed the Carroll Mansion Museum, the oldest continuously operating museum in Leavenworth County and listed on the National Historic Registrar. Susan B. Anthony’s brother, Daniel Read Anthony, owned the home in the 1800s, so Susan spent much time in the home as she fought for suffrage.
Given today’s heat, I chose not to hike but rather to ramble onto my Harvest Host for the night, Z&M Twisted Vines Wines and Winery. Z&M, founded by retired US Army Major and Apache pilot, Bryan Zesiger, and his wife, retired elementary school teacher and principal, Gina Montalbano. Gina and I spent over two hours during my tasting talking about education, the minimum wage, culture, Italy, etc. It was a very pleasant evening!
As I write this, a thunderstorm with hail is passing over head!
Sunrise

 

Carroll Mansion Museum

 

Carroll Mansion Museum

 

Carroll Mansion Museum

 

Yep🙁

 

Sunset…just before the rain!

 

The sky now through the same window!

A day full of twists and turns! First, I went into Des Moines itself to supposedly see Terrace Hill Historical Site, which is the governor’s mansion. However while driving around I saw this amazing building – the State Capitol building. Had to see it! Phenomenal! Went to Terrace Hill afterward – oops, I needed a reservation… Moved onto Raccoon River Park and walked around the lake – very nice! Even though it was HOT and HUMID, the walk was beautiful.
On my way to my Harvest Host, I saw signs for the Bridges of Madison County. Squirrel! I was off in search of covered bridges! I found three of the remaining six (out of initially 19) covered bridges.
The day ended at my Harvest Host, Revelton Distillery. Founded by Rob, a former state legislator, and Christi, an internist and Chief Medical Officer of a large practice north of Des Moines, Revelton makes fantastic gin, vodka, whiskey, and bourbon. From the outside, the building looks unassuming. Inside, however, it’s relaxing, upscale, and comfortable. After a chat with Rob about the distillery, politics, and teaching (in addition to the distillery and politics, he’s adjunct taught economics and ethics), I tasted products, toured the distillery, and enjoyed not one but two cocktails. (Curious why I didn’t post last night??!!)
State Capitol

 

Inside the Capitol dome

 

Four story law library

 

State assembly room

 

Des Moines sports bike rack art piece!

 

Bike rack!

 

Bike rack!

 

My trail

 

Hot and humid – heat advisory!

 

Imes Bridge, 1870

 

Holliwell Bridge, 1880

 

Cutler-Donahoe Bridge, 1870

 

Inside Revelton Diatillery

 

Does this need a caption?!

My day started with a better night’s sleep! 
After my usual breakfast, Addie and I set out to explore Minneapolis and its surrounding neighborhoods. First up, Fort Snelling State Park. Oops! We should have checked – closed for renovations. Next, Minnehaha Park, home of Minnehaha Falls. Although he never visited the park, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow helped to spread the waterfall’s fame when he wrote his celebrated poem, The Song of Hiawatha. 
While at Minnehaha, I learned about the Falls of St. Anthony, around seven miles away and near downtown Minnesota. So, off into town for Addie and me! With concrete locks, dam, and apron, the Falls of St. Anthony provide power and navigation rather than natural charm. 
Leaving Addie so she could relax a bit, I walked around downtown to the Basilica of Saint Mary…also closed. 
I returned to the now ready-to-roll Addie and found our way out of Minneapolis and into St. Paul. Not only did we see exquisite large homes, we saw the open-for-visitors Cathedral of Saint Paul. Addie expressed disappointment that she could not enter the cathedral but exhibited pleasure at my photos. 
Our final stops before returning home: homemade ice cream and Trader Joe’s! 
Fort Snelling – under renovation

 

Hydrangeas at Fort Snelling

 

Minnehaha Falls

 

Minnehaha Creek

 

Bridge in Minnehaha Park

 

Falls of St. Anthony

 

The First Bridge – Falls of St. Anthony

 

Basilica of Saint Mary

 

Cathedral of Saint Paul

 

Minnesota state capitol.