My Trip to Nashville

I traveled to Nashville to visit my BFF, Tammy, who had moved there a year ago.  I have been wanting to visit and made it part of my 40 Before 40 goal to get it done.  I finally found a long weekend that worked for both of us and I booked my tickets.  I had a super easy flight and after arriving and hanging out at Tammy's office for a bit, we headed to Broadway or the Nashville Strip!  After shopping through a couple stores, we had to check out this fun candy shop.  Every single kind of candy I know of was in there along with concert posters and celebrity cardboard cutouts.  Fun store!

All along the strip are fun photo opps like this huge boot!

While walking along we saw this Pedal Tavern.  Very interesting idea.  I'm not sure I would like it.  No back support to hold you on....you have to pedal, stay on the seat and drink all at the same time?  Not for me!

After trying to get into Nashville's famous hot spot, Tootsies's and finding it way too crowded for us, we found a spot at the bar in Robert's Western World with a band playing great classic country music.  

A few more of those great photo opps along the strip!

I thought this was such a creative name for a Karaoke Bar....Wanna B's!

We ate supper at Demo's Steak and Spaghetti House.  Our family had actually eaten there a few years ago as we were passing through on our way to the Smokey Mountains.  It was delicious...I highly recommend their pasta!

Saturday morning we headed out by starting our morning with DUNKIN DONUTS!  Of course, I was super excited since we don't have one here....yet!  Tammy's husband even went out Sunday morning and got me another DD coffee.  The shocking part of that gesture is that he doesn't like coffee and had NEVER ordered coffee before in his life!  What a guy! Thanks Matt!

After our DD breakfast, we headed to a beautiful place called CHEEKWOOD.  The Cheek family was one of Nashville's first entrepreneurial families and were part of the Maxwell House Coffee company.  The property is full of beautiful gardens and the mansion is now available for gatherings (there was a wedding there that day) and also houses an art museum.  There was a new exhibit going on titled Treehouses, where different artists created Treehouses based on children's books.  If you are visiting or live in the area, definitely put this on your list.

"The Rainbow Fish" Treehouse from THE RAINBOW FISH. It is made out of used CD's.  Very cool.

"Ocean's of Notions" Treehouse from HAROUN AND THE SEA OF STORIES made from colored rope.

More views of "The Rainbow Fish" Treehouse.

"Ocean's of Notion" Treehouse

"Walden Treehouse" from the book WALDEN

What an amazing view from the mansion!

"The Giver" Treehouse based on the book THE GIVER

After walking around Cheekwood, we went to Centennial Park for the Food Truck Festival.  Dozens of Food Truck's lined up to serve food for a charity fundraiser.  It was quite hot on Saturday, but the park was still quite busy, even local musicians stepped out to share their talents.

Tammy and I decided on Just Like Nannie Fixed It food truck and we were NOT disappointed.  

Check out their menu....what to get...what to get?

Tammy chose the Sweet and Spicy BBQ Chicken and I chose the Chicken and Dumplins.  We then shared our sides. It really was all super delicious and so glad we tried it. 

Each food container had a Bible verse stuck to the outside.  What a neat touch!

On Sunday, we traveled a half hour south for some wine at ARRINGTON VINEYARDS.  Kix Brooks of the duo, Brooks and Dunn, is one of the owners.  The location is just beautiful and offers a wonderful view of Tennessee scenery.

ARRINGTON VINEYARDS offer many delicious varieties of artisan wines.  Their Gewurztraminer 2010 was a favorite of both Tammy and I.  I also loved their Blackberry 2011 dessert wine.  Both along with their Syrah 2009 came home with me!   

Arrington Vineyards is a gorgeous winery with class and offers a personal touch with their free wine tasting.  Check them out on your next visit to Nashville!

The night before Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw held a concert in Nashville.  Sunday, we passed this bus....Do you suppose Kenny was on there????  

That is as close as I got to a celebrity...no Keith Urban for me.  

The best part was reconnecting with my BFF, Tammy and her family.  We have been friends for 19 years this fall and I can count on her for love, laughter and friendship for a lifetime!  

Thanks for a great weekend, Tammy!  When can we do it again??????