Linda: Nashville and Memphis July 4-5, 2015

July 4, 2015

Nashville, TN

Woke up around 6am and went for a ~3 mile run along the Cumberland river just outside the Nashville KOA.   Everyone was up when I returned so we ate breakfast and left.  We parked in downtown Nashville and they were already closing streets off for the Festival for the 4th.  Apparently, Nashville has one of the biggest 4th of July festivals in the country!

We were scheduled to do the trolley tour of Nashville from 9am-4pm so we got to the main trolley stop around 9:30 at the corner of 5th and Demonbreun.  The whole tour lasted just over an hour.  We rode it again to the farmer's market where Lindsay and I had lunch.

We walked around across the street at the Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park for a while.  They had this wall that traced the history of the state of Tennessee that was pretty neat.  We got back on the trolley and rode to Marathon Village where John and Emily had BBQ.  After lunch we walked back across to the shops inside MV.  It poured while we were in there and I was scared that the rest of the day would be a washout.  After about 45 minutes or so were were able to get back on the trolley and go back around it into downtown.



One of my favorite parts of the tour was seeing the places where the songs were actually made.  Sony and RCA Studios were my favorite.



Next was the Country Music Hall of Fame which was amazing!  I learned a lot about so many people that I didn't know before.  It was really interesting.



Finally, my favorite part of the day was The Grand Ole Opry!  I went when I was 8 with my family and have always wanted to go back.  We saw some pretty great singers and didn't miss the fireworks AT ALL!  At 9:30 we got to do the backstage tour and saw all of the dressing rooms and got to stand on the stage at the microphone!  SO COOL!!!   We finally got back to the campground and fell asleep around 1am.  Emily fell asleep in the car on the way!

July 5, 2015

Memphis, TN

Woke up to a downpour!  Training says 6 miles today but didn't do it then; ended up doing it when we got to Memphis.  We tried to get breakfast at the KOA cafe but they were very slow and we ended up getting a refund, going back to camp and making french toast, eggs, and sausage in 20 minutes!   Packed up and drove to Memphis, AR from 1-6.  Set up a little bit then left for a run.  It was wonderful to get out and listen to music and be alone for a little while.  When I got back, I saw that girls had already gone swimming and John was cooking dinner.  The girls took off on their bikes so John and I got to eat dinner in (relative) quiet...lol.  The girls got back and ate then the mosquitoes attacked.  Literally.  I took my shower then stayed inside because the mosquitoes were so bad.   So the plan for tomorrow is Graceland, Sun Studio (where Elvis recorded), then Beale Street.  Good night all!





Link to even more pictures: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B0jdtNTC3RNwfkRxdnhJLWdTS3dNTWM3OXN2Q0dnRWo3TENJYTRrbjAzNUMwTGVCazY0Slk&usp=sharing