So, I got through Day 9 and then went to Nashville for a long weekend for my birthday without my foam roller. Because of that break from the 21-day regimen, I surely am still short, definitely am not any slimmer, and am either a whole year - or at least four days - older.
Nashville. Yup.
Cons: litter and kind of dumpy, a lot of construction/new development when you're trying to get around that also is making Nashville unaffordable and contributing to the homeless problem, restaurants that use tons and tons of plastic every single day, no recycling.
Pros: maybe the new development/revitalization can help with the trash problem, the homeless people weren't scary, good food (including vegetarian and vegan options), a lot of locally-owned/non-chain restaurants including in places that looked pretty dumpy but then were cool on the inside, a variety of music options every night.
My favorite part of the trip was the first night. We had a really good dinner (with multiple-use dishes) and then went and saw a bluegrass band at the Station Inn. I think I'm going to subscribe to their streaming service. It's this little, very old hole-in-the wall place in a newly rebuilt, less interesting neighborhood.
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| Top: East End Nash bluegrass band Bottom: Husb getting a beer |
The next day we walked around and in the capitol on the way to the Johnny Cash museum. Later, we got Dan some BBQ and then went to the Ryman Theater and saw the Grand Ole Opry. It was fascinating. They mix up each show so there's a little something for everyone. I liked the corny old timey guys and the Old Crow Medicine Show. Note: The Ryman is worth going to when someone you like is in town.
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| The capitol is way bigger looking on the other side of the hill. |
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| These old guys were cute and festive. |
We went to an old, wood-laden fancy hotel bar afterwards. Apparently the men's restroom is a sight to behold in terms of its art deco stylings. There were older guys making sure the coast was clear and then sending their lady friends in for a look. I didn't go in, but the pictures online are interesting.
This view from our Airbnb kind of sums up how I felt when I woke up on my birthday. I was glad to have a view of the working river and watch the barges/tugs and the swing bridge moving the train tracks aside for the boats, but despite being in a different place and on a different schedule, my first thoughts when I woke up were about missing my dad and my dog and thinking about the upcoming holidays and the year ahead. It didn't help that I made the crappiest french press full of coffee and that my neck was super sore from sleeping weird.
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| This might look a bit better if you click on it; it is a panorama photo. |
We walked all over East Nashville, though, which was a nice change of pace. I tried some sour beers at a taproom. I think I mostly ordered a flight just so I could use the TN-shaped holder to carry my mini-drinks to my table.
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| From dinner on Sat night; we weren't the first northerners to go to that restaurant. |
At the end of the night we went to Nashville's First-Ave-ish music venue. We weren't into the opener or the main act, but went there for - and really enjoyed - seeing the Black Pumas, the second of the three bands. They closed with this song. The live version was super energetic and fun, as was their whole set.
Our last day we walked around by Vanderbilt, ate, visited a distillery, went in some shops, etc. This replica of the Parthenon (originally built in the late 1800s for the centennial exposition and then made into a permanent building in the early 1900s) was not yet open but it was still interesting to see.
I would go back to Nashville, but only to see a favorite musician at the Ryman. I have no regrets, even though I got off track for getting taller, slimmer, and younger.
(Oh. I took advantage of down time on Friday to get some stuff together for my team for next year's BikeMS rides, and to put together my main page for next year. Here it is if you're looking to make any year-end charitable contributions: http://main.nationalmssociety.
