You're The Only Tennessee

First off here is a picture of one of the aforementioned insects we saw in Oklahoma. It was a large flying type creature that was carrying the corpse of a green caterpillar that was roughly twice its size. The fact it was carrying its body led us to believe that it had also killed the caterpillar, meaning it was a predator and could theoretically bite us and infect us with its dirty poison.

Arkansas more or less got rained out. We spent one day in a Hotel and another day at the local KOA. Some good things about this was that it gave us some down time and allowed Christine to get some of our pictures developed, and begin a fabulous photo album of the trip.

Another positive thing on this trip was spending some time in Hot Springs and drinking some of their wonderful water. The majority of the Hot Springs have been covered up to "prevent contamination," or in other words, "so we can charge you 16$ a head to come in and soak in the hot springs". The remaining 3 springs that were left uncovered are hidden in woods somewhere, and were difficult to get to, especially with their bad Arkasonian maps and poor weather conditions.

We were able to stop by a water fountain that featured some of the best natural spring water we have ever had. Phil took the video camera and taped footage of him filling up a water bottle. It is riveting footage and dialogue with the natives, one of which bore a startling resemblance to Locke from Lost.

The drive from Arkansas to Tennessee wasn't bad, only about 6 hours, however at the end of it we did realize that we would soon need our second oil change of the trip. Tennessee is a nice area upon entry and the first thing noticed upon entering is the police presence. There were days on this trip where we could go 2-3 days down an other wise deserted road and never see a cop. Once you enter Tennessee there are cops everywhere. All over the highway, on the side roads, everywhere, state, local, sheriffs, traffic cops, anything. So needless to say, you feel very safe, just don't speed.

The first day we were here, we just came in, set up the tent and crashed. The second day we went to Nashville and the Country Music Hall of Fame, The Wildhorse Saloon and the Gaylord Opry Resort and Hotel. The Country Music Hall of Fame was interesting. They had gold, platimun, silver, records on the walls, the history of country music, how it formed and grew into what it was today. There was a film on the history of country music on television that featured some icons of country like, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and of course the immortal Jeff Foxworthy. If your idea of an educational experience is visiting the country music museum... than you just might be a redneck.

Here I am hanging out with the great Kris Kristofferson.

The two big icons of country music are Hank Williams Sr. and Johnny Cash. Both remembered for their great upbeat harmonies, inovative cross-over beats, "every
man" lyrics, and of course having major alcohol and drug dependencies that killed one and almost ruined the other, and cost both to leave their families (Cash pre June Carter of course).




After the Hall of Fame we walked down Broadway in Nashville. It is covered with small gift shops and Honky- Tonks. We were both looking for something to eat, and found a great place The Wildhorse Saloon. It is actually kind of a big deal down here, as they have filmed TV shows there, have some concerts there with some reletively big name stars and have frequent radio shows there as well. The fact that they also serve award winning BBQ didn't hurt either. Lunch was good, we had pulled pork and chicken chili as was suggested by the waitress.

When we left downtown Nashville we returned to the area, about a mile or two, outside of our camp, where the Grand Ole Opry and the Gaylord Opry Land Hotel and Resort are located. The Grand Ole Opry is literally just a big old house that realy gives no evidence of being one of the most influential and timeless music houses in American history. The Gaylord Opry Hotel, now there is a magnificant structure.

The hotel has an old, classic look from the outside, but the inside is all new looking, and literally websoff into different areas. The webbed areas are connected with huge glass covered atriums, with some spectacular flowers, plants, water falls, indoor rivers, and stores located inside. Rooms from the hotel have balconies that over looks the atriums and whether it be morning or night time, the views of this area from these rooms must be spectacular.

We finally headed back to camp and took it easy for a few hours before heading back into Nashville so we could frequent some of the evening Honky Tonks and hear some mediocre bands play good country and rock music poorly. And let me tell you we were not dissapointed. We stopped at a few different places (a brief description of the band playing appears in parathesize next to the name of the place), The Stage (over top lead singer.. didn't want to be a country coverband, but in Nashville there is little room for anything else), Roberts (blue grass, decent if thats what you like.. we didn't.), Second Fiddle (Fun, interactive country, as we walked in they were playing Interstate Lovesong), Legends (In their 30's nothing spectacular, but enjoyable), Random Honky-Tonk 1 (older band who yelled at us for coming in at the end of the set), Random Honky- Tonk 2 (band had mailed it in an hour before we go there).

Two weird things about this experience. 1) In Legends we met people who live in Queens, one origionally from Suffern, N.Y. and another orgionally from New Haven County C.T. It's a small world after all. 2) In Nashville the bands do not get paid. They rely on the tips of bar patrons. Which is an awkward thing the first time a groupie comes up to you with a barrel asking you to tip the band, and you have no idea why.

We had made some plans for today, but found sleeping in a bit more to our liking. Lunch now, and then who knows maybe a trip to a very special place not too far from where we are now. For dinner tonight it looks like we will be going to the restaurant right next to the camp site, "Cock of the Walk'.