July

Oh, I love summer! First things first, I fell in LOVE with Nashville. If I thought I wanted to move there before, I'm dying to move there now.

Nashville: July 3rd - 8th

We flew in Tuesday night, got our rental car and headed straight for downtown. It was a dream. Amazing live music EVERYWHERE. Some bars even had a band on all three floors-- a bunch of people just waiting for their big break. It's definitely different than Las Vegas, even though I kept hearing them call it NashVegas. There are many things I love about Las Vegas, but I'd prefer to keep the cities separate.

We went walking past one bar and the guy singing walked out and invited us in. We didn't feel like we had any other option but to go in. As I was walking through the door, he said, "Welcome to Nashville". I wondered if it was because of what I was wearing (a casual, shorter dress I had worn to work with flip flops = not boots and jeans).When people could tell I wasn't from Las Vegas when I first moved here, I felt complimented. I've never wanted to be a Vegas girl. I didn't know how to feel about it this time though.

Because of the time difference, we didn't head for the hotel until 2 a.m. our first night. My dad used his Hilton points to hook us up with three nights at the Hampton Inn in Franklin, KY. It's about a half hour drive from Nashville, but being the beautiful drive that it is, it was Win-Win. Who knew that the Hampton Inn has the best beds?

Wednesday morning, I insisted I immerse myself in the South by suggesting we head for the Waffle House across the street for breakfast after Kyle made it known he wasn't feeling the free continental breakfast. It was a slow morning after that, and we ended up not getting to downtown Nashville until the early afternoon.

(This picture was actually taken on the last day in Nashville.)

Kyle always wanted to retire here, until he saw the town in real life. No thanks!

Hillbilly drinking fountains in downtown Nashville for the 4th.

They had blocked off the roads downtown and there was plenty going on. There was a free show starring Sarah Darling, Craig Morgan, Music City Hitmakers and The Mavericks. The firework show was the best I've seen. The only thing missing from the perfect 4th was a good BBQ. We were already downtown, so we headed in to a bar and watched a band play until way too late. I can't imagine ever getting sick of that.

Thursday was my favorite day. We went to Bricktops (meh!) in Franklin, TN for lunch and then met up with Kyle's family's friend, Ron. Ron Rigsby was our tour guide for the day, and man, did he give us the best tour! This was the day that I fell head over heels IN LOVE with Tennessee. First, he took us out to Fairview and showed us-- well, the following:

Vince Gill & Amy Grant's property
Alan Jackon's property
Keith Urban's driveway (ha!)
Wynonna's old house
Faith Hill's property before she married Tim McGraw
Naomi Judd's property
Wynonna Judd's property
Ashley Judd's property
Tim & Faith's property
Sheryl Crow's land
Kix Brooks' land
Leiper's Fork
Original Dukes of Hazzard cars, formerly owned by Waylon Jennings
"Dark Horse" recording studio and other hidden recording studios where major hits have been produced

Dark Horse

Hank Williams, Sr. / Tim McGraw's House

... perfection, minus a little rain.

I have to mention the following because I just thought it was crazy. Ron and his wife are acquaintances with some of the people mentioned above. He went to show us a recording studio at the home of drummer Chad Cromwell. We pulled up and what do you know, Mr. Cromwell was on the front porch with his wife and some friends. He came over, said hi to Ron, and invited us to "sweat and drink beer" with them. We had to politely decline the offer, but I think that was the perfect example of how genuine and hospitable people are there.

Ron introduced us to Armstrong chess pies and Sun Drop before heading for his house. All the houses and land were beautiful on our tour, but the Rigsby's have my dream house. Ron bought an old Methodist church and turned it into his house. I wouldn't even know where to start. Everything about it was perfect.  ... I'm going to write more here later. I might even have Kyle write it. I have to mention the creek behind it, too. And the back porch with a hot tub. And the master bath with an insane shower and a claw bath tub. That 3-4 bedroom house was PERFECT.

(Sidenote: Ron and his wife Meschell are both very talented musician. Meschell let us listen to her album they intend to release one track at a time. "What's Not To Love About Georgia" -- You just wait for it. Check them both out on YouTube. Sheesh! So talented!)

We went with Ron to fix a work truck tire and then headed to dinner at Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant in Franklin. We were ready to call it a day and headed for Franklin, KY.

Friday, before heading for East Tennessee, we went down to the Grand Ole Opry. We talked about doing the tour, but I decided since Kyle had already done it and I'm not really in to tours that next time we go, we'll just watch a performance there. Kyle showed me the Opryland Hotel that he had talked so much about and then we headed for Gatlinburg.

We hadn't really taken in to consideration what it would mean to be in such a tourist town on a holiday weekend. I was NOT a fan. I would love to go back to the Smokies to hike, but I have no desire to go back to Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. All the shops reminded me a little too much of Fremont Street. Friday night we walked around Gatlinburg, rode a lift to a view point that overlooked the area (breathtaking), and watched a hoedown. We stayed out too late and didn't really get to enjoy the fancy room at the Lodge at Buckberry Creek that Kyle got for the night. I would have loved to sit on that back balcony and ...drink cocoa or something.

Long live Walmart!

Of course, we woke up late = bad start. I know this is cheesy, but I just wanted to go to one of the old time photo places once in my life. Well, we went, and I think it put us both in a not so good mood. Oh well! We got our picture! We headed for Cade's Cove, which was top priority. We had been talking about Cade's Cove months before we had even thought about planning a trip. Well, the mild storm we saw on Thursday night in Franklin actually hit East Tennessee hard and Cade's Cove was closed. Very upsetting.

I called my friend in Knoxville and said we were headed his way to meet up for a little bit. He said okay, but when we got to Knoxville, well.... I still haven't heard from him. Fail, fail, fail. We turned our day around though, went to Texas Roadhouse for lunch, and decided to just start taking random roads. We found ourselves at a park, went for a short walk until I was convinced I had stomped through poison ivy (I always forget what it looks like), tried water from an unknown source, went shopping at Target, and then headed for Nashville.

Water from who knows where-- Some lady showed up with crates of empty containers. We're talking at least 15 crates. When we asked her where the water came from, in a broken accent she told us that she didn't know, but that she'd been drinking the water for 25 years, and that she had friends from Georgia that came for the water. We had to try it!

The intention of leaving early for Nashville was so that we'd get there in time to go downtown one last time. By the time we got settled in our hotel room and showered, I was asleep. Kyle kept trying to wake me up, but it wasn't happening. I ruined our last night in Tennessee.

We woke up early though, I got food poisoning, we went to Cracker Barrel for brunch, checked out the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Willie Nelson & Friends store, drove down Music Row, sat in the parking lot of the Bluebird Cafe long enough to take a picture and then headed for the airport. I did NOT want to go back to Las Vegas. Too bad.

On our list for next time:
More downtown
A show at the Grand Ole Opry
Cade's Cove
Experience Bluebird Cafe
Wild Horse Saloon

Did I mention that it smells so good there?

Mom's Visit: 12th - 17th

- Thursday night was taco night

- Friday, Kyle gave the grand tour while I was at work (Hoover Dam, Red Rock, Swarts & Swarts, Bellagio gardens, drove past the Pawn Star shop). After I got off, we headed up to the Red Rock casino for Nashville Unplugged and played the penny slots after.

- I took my mom to yoga with me on Saturday morning, we went and got pedicures, had lunch at Pei Wei, then shopped 'til we dropped. On our way home, Kyle sent me a text saying he was at the hospital to have a CT scan. His stomach pain had gotten worse and one of the doctors he knew down at the ER suggested he come down.

- We had a lazy Sunday. I went with my mom on a walk around the neighborhood. She wanted to visit Fremont Street, so we went down there for a bit and had a little pizza party after.

- Monday, I had to work, but I came home to one of the best meals I've had in a LONG time. My mom has mastered mashed potatoes, gravy, and roast beef. We had peas, Jello, salad... She went crazy. I think I would pay her to cook for me every night. Should have paid more attention to those things when I lived at home! We decided to work off our feast with a bike ride around Kyle's sisters'/parents' neighborhood. After, Kyle hung my hammock that I've been dying to hang since the day I got back from Mexico. Even though he was complaining the whole time we tried it out, major points for Kyle for hanging it in the first place!

Other events in July:

- Garth Brooks, again! The show was very similar to the one we went to in January, but with a few different songs. Trisha Yearwood joined him for "In Another's Eyes", as well as sang her "She's In Love With A Boy". It's disgusting how talented they both are. Definitely a show that every country fan should see at least once!

- It's official! I'm a Henderson girl! I FINALLY made my way to the DMV because I thought it would help me with residency issues for CSN classes this fall. It's looking like that's not going to be enough and I wish I wouldn't have bothered, but it's done. I didn't let them punch my WA driver's license because I still would rather use that when I can. Like I said before, I like people knowing that I'm not from here.

- I registered to vote in Clark County. I was registed before, but since I haven't really lived at home since I've been registered, I don't know that I've voted. Maybe once, but now they know where to send my stuff! Woo!

- Fly fishing lessons. Kyle took me down to the park and taught me how to cast. It's a little tricky, but the first lesson went better than I thought. We need to get a few more in before we go to Montana in August!

- Kyle and I got new boots! Love the Boot Barn!

- Went country dancing with Ryan Murri at Stoney's. People were laughing their butts off watching us. Ryan has moves like you wouldn't believe. He 'd have me with my hands above his head and booty bump me back. When we'd be swinging around, he'd have his free hand behind his head. SO funny. I was anxious at first, but after awhile, I stopped caring so much and just went with it. Such a fun night!

- After the gym one night, Kyle and I went and got sushi at "The Sushi", where we went on our first official date. I wasn't nervous this time, so I actually ate.

- Kaitlan & John, their friends Lynn & Jeff, and Sarah & Greg came over to play games. Phase 10 went well and soda pong was hilarious. Kaitlan & John won, which is good, becaue we'd hate to hear about them losing all night. *wink* Sarah reminded me why we're best friends with her booty shaking and taunting. Such a fun night. Nobody was too excited for the sundaes after all that soda, especially when John made sure to fill Sarah & Greg's cups at least half full.

- I discovered Spin! I'm wishing I would have listened to people before when they told me to try it. After I buy my car, I'm feeling like I need to save up for a bike!

- Finally went to my first Las Vegas buffet! Kaitlan & John invited us to join them at the Rio buffet where it's 50% off for locals. It was fun hanging out with them and Jeff & Lynn, but I still hate buffets, and even though there were a million options, I felt like everything I tried was mediocre. Kaitlan promised that it's better for brunch. ...I don't know that we'll ever find out, but since we got our free Locals Reward Card with $10 off that Kaitlan INSISTED that we get, maybe! (I'm noticing that all my girl friends here are all about the deals, too! Love it!)

Song of the Month:  
"Mama Tried" by Merle Haggard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxQbvSjQy9A