Nashville

We had the greatest time in and around Nashville. Dan was in heaven with all of the music venues. Great food + great music and just plain fun!

Dan & Jack (Daniels)

On the way to Nashville we went on the Jack & George trail. We visited the George Dickel (If you haven't tried it you should...if you can find it) & Jack Daniel Distilleries. Of course we had to buy souvenirs!

Me & George

That's all Tennessee sippin' whiskey folks!

Bowling Green, KY Toured the Corvette factory (where they make all of the corvettes) & Museum.

State Capitol at Nashville

The BEST southern food served family style at large tables.

Famous cafe for ham & biscuits and homemade preserves......mmmm! Lots of celebrities can be found here. Martha Stewart & Vince Gill were there a week or so ago. Of course we missed them!

Dan had to visit the vintage (& new) guitar store where many stars buy things. Notice the bag!!!

Grand 'Ol Opry. Now.....it doesn't get any closer than this! Guitar jam with Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner & Ricky Skaggs!!! WOW!!! It was awesome.

The best BBQ!!!

Hopefuls on lower Broadway

Honky Tonks on Lower Broadway

We have had a great time at Falls Creek Falls State Park. It has been the first time I have hiked since the whole appendix thing. I am out of shape but it really felt great to get out and about!!!

Sorry the rest is long winded but Dan took over!

Note the suspension bridge above the river....thats all I am going to say about that.

George Hole - Interesting place. It looked as if it had been built for easy access swimming. It also had a sort of dam where the water fell down to the river bed.

While we were hiking along, a huge, gnarly foot apeared and almost smashed me! This was something, it is a rock formation sticking out of the side of a bank that looks like a foot with toes stepping down.

Cane Creek Cascades. Note the suspension bridge above. I actually walked across these. I thought I had to to get to the Fall Creek Falls....I didn't like it, but I did it! Oh yeah, Dan didn't tell me we could drive there until later!

mmmmmm! Lunch on a rock ledge overlooking Piney Falls. These are very beautiful falls. We hiked there the day before it rained, then it rained all night and we hiked there again after the rain. Lots more water the second time!!!!

Fall Creek Falls. 256 foot falls, longest fall in the south east.....I think.

Piney Falls.

We did not find out the name of this water fall...but its nice don't you think!

WDVX Blue Plate Special in Knoxville. Cool place. Monday through Friday they broadcast live on the radio for 1 hour. You can attend and even get a blue plate special lunch! They have different performers, known and not so known, appear. This is Greg Horne. The plates behind him are blue (are you starting to get it?) and they have pictures of all the performers that have appeared here.

Worlds Fair Park in Knoxville.

We are staying just outside of the Great Smokey Mtns Nat'l Park on a beautiful creek. The weather is great although today we had a few thunder showers. The Smokeys are beautiful. We have taken a little relaxation time from vacationing the past couple days and got some maintenance done (like cleaning!) Tomorrow we're off to Tennessee.

Contemplation!

Cataloochee Valley where a community of mostly farmers lived until they made it a Nat'l Park.

Covered Bridge we stumbled upon

The student

Grove Park Inn in Asheville. Built in 1913. Full of history. It is decorated with a lot of the original furnishings and has seen tons of celebs and presidents,etc..

Mingus Grist Mill inside the park. There are over 80 old buildings they take care of within the park.

One foot in North Carolina and the other in Tennessee

We are now in North Carolina. We have taken a break from the beautiful Blue Ridge Pkwy and are enjoying Nascar and the BBQ Capitol of the world, Lexington. We have taken a tour of Charlotte (Lowe's) Motor Speedway and lots of race shops. It is amazing how pristine the shops where they work on the cars are! We toured Mrs Hane's moravian Cookie Factory and bought lots! Had BBQ at the best in Lexington for my birthday. here BBQ is pork shoulder (that's it) and the sauce is a vinegar based liquid. Very different.. But good. Mothers Day was spent listening to good music, drinking good wine, eating good cheese in a vineyard (doesn't get much better than that!)

Mother's Day

View from our yard

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Seats 165K

Penske Race Shop

Great old fashioned candy store that made their own candy

Note the bag!

Winners circle

Mabry Mill on Blue Ridge Pkwy

After Washington DC, Virginia has been a breath of fresh air, enjoying nature again. Shenandoah National Park is beautiful . The drive gets almost boring....just the same beauty at every turn on the Skyline Dr. We took a scenic drive off the Blue ridge Pkwy that was recommended and it was absolutely gorgeous! So much history as well.

Our big hike

Our GPS took us on this bridge going back to the campground. It was a beautiful drive down a narrow, windy gravel road. Thank goodness we weren't in the motorhome this time.

Jefferson Pools-90 degree spring. this spa is still in use today!!

Monticello gardens

Monticello

Michie's Tavern

Dan & his buddy Thomas.....Jefferson