Nashville TN

Last time we were in Nashville it was in the fall and we stayed at Nashville Shores right on a lake.  It was really nice but they also have a water park there and we thought that it might be a little crowded and noisy in the summer.  So we stayed at the Nashville East/Lebanon KOA which is only about 10 minutes further from downtown.  It was a nice park and they had a lot of really big grassy areas for the doggies. 

One day we ventured downtown and visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.  It was very interesting even if you're not a Country Music fan and you know that Linda and I ARE big fans!  We had a great time there and then strolled a few blocks over to the Goo Goo store where we scored some yummy Goo Goo Clusters.  We also made a visit to the Christie Cookie Company to get some cookies for Linda's sister, Kathy.  Oh no, we didn't sample any or buy any - of course not!

An example of some of the stuff on display

A fancy cowboy Cadillac (actually a Pontiac)

A small portion of the gold and platinum records.

Goo Goo Clusters are made in Nashville - we got a handmade one called "Rocky Road Kill".

Another adventure took us to the Belle Meade Plantation.  This was the home to the Harding-Jackson family from 1806-1906.  Many famous horses cane from here including Bonnie Scotland whose bloodlines are still very prevalent in modern horse racing.  After the tour, we ate lunch at the restaurant here and had some wonderful southern food.  My shrimp and grits were delicious!

Main house - they did not allow pictures inside.

The dairy - it was actually much larger - this is a small part of what it was originally.

Smokehouse

Carriage house and stables

The original cabin they used before the mansion was built.

Slave cabins

Saturday night we sent to see a baseball game at the brand new First Tennessee Park.  This is the home of the Nashville Sound which is the AAA team for the Oakland A's.  Really nice park which will be even better once they complete the parking structure.  We had to park 5 blocks away at the courthouse and take a shuttle but it wasn't too bad.  It was a fun night and the home team won.

 

Unfortunately our visit to Nashville ended in tragedy.  We lost our sweet little girl, Amelia on Sunday morning.  Pablo woke us up at 4:30AM by sitting on the bed and woofing at us (something he never does).  Linda got up and found Amelia in the kitchen panting heavily and in distress.  She showed no symptoms the night before but that is how these Malamutes are - they show no sign of discomfort at all and then suddenly they're gone.  We took her to a local vet where they ran blood work but by that time it was clear that she was ready to say goodbye and we let her go.  We are devastated and Pablo is confused and lonely.  We knew the time was not far off but we were still totally unprepared.  This really hit us hard and we still can't believe she is really gone.  We are consoled in knowing that we gave her a wonderful life and we are better for having had her in our life.  Run free little girl!  We love you!

GCH Atanik Graeagle's Born to Fly (Amelia) in her prime

The last picture I took of Amelia at 11 1/2 years old - chillin' on the couch in Branson MO