Down the Road

Nashville is MUCH smaller than I imagined. I was all smiles on the drive there, listening to a CD that Abby burned for me. It made me want to dance in my chair! ;) As usual, I got completely turned around and missed an exit, went to far, went down the wrong street, couldn't figure out which direction to go and finally figured out that Google maps on my phone works BETTER when I'm on back roads because in the city it could never figure out which street I was on.

But finally I made it. I visited the Parthenon while I waited on my host to get off work. He invited me to an after-party for an event hosted by Jack Daniels. I was a little nervous, expecting crazy drunk people, but what I found was FREE BBQ! I am learning to like BBQ sauce but that didn't even matter because I was so hungry and thirsty. I drank two waters and a pop! (Excuse me - SODA - down here.) I also got a free t-shirt for helping clean up but it was for Volunteer Nashville... wish I'd have gotten one of those cool JD VIP bags, they were full of neat goodies!

Later on, after I checked out the place that was to be my home for four days I was trying as discreetly as possible to find other accommodations. Between the not so nice digs to the creepy friends of the host (who, by the way, made me play a strategic game of nerd-dom until I was ready to tell them to shove their settlements right up their you-know-whats), I was nervous that first night. I got up at the butt crack of dawn, which to me is about 7:15 a.m. Central time. (I'm still sleeping on an Eastern time schedule) packed my little bag and hit the door running!

I spent the day exploring by myself and trying to find a new place to stay. I LOVED the Ryman and paid extra to get the backstage tour. I sorta wish I'd have saved those extra dollars and made a "record" of me singing instead. I decided 15 bucks wasn't worth is though and I figure someone can do the same thing for me for cheap as free. I meandered up and down Broadway most of the day then got in touch with the CS ambassador for Nashville. We met up and ventured to her friends house where we were surprised to find a house full of gay boys. It was quite comical and I had a good time.

At this point I'd been in contact with Abby and decided to head back to Clarksville for the night. By the time I said goodbye and hit the road I was driving straight into a HUGE lightning storm. I'd never seen lightning more beautiful and/or scary! It was amazing and even though the rain was pouring, I made good time. As I was pulling onto the road that would take me back to Clarksville, I felt like I was going home. It was a good feeling and I'm so thankful Abby let me occupy her couch for another night! (See, that's why she's so awesome!)

Now Knoxville is on the horizon since Nashville was such a short trip. I found a CS host in the city and she helped me find her house after I (of course) missed the turn. Her husband was nothing but gracious and showed me to my room (with a bed!) and made me breakfast the next morning. Abby's friend Will is going to show me around and let me sleep on his futon... let's hope this turns out better!