I grew up on country music...the originals like Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Anne Murray...old school. I went through a Garth Brooks phase in the mid 90s but haven't listened to country music since then. I can't even tell you the name of one current country artist.
But if I am in Tennessee, I gotta go to Nashville, right?
A young lady from church went to college in Nashville so she rattled off options and I took notes one Sunday before church. Then I asked AI to plot it out. Ai lied about some things so I don't have to do that again 🤣🤣
We started our morning at The Gultch. There were so many young people out on this lovely Saturday morning. I felt a little old!!! We walked up and down the blocks and didn't really see anything we needed to explore further. We did wait in line to take the obligatory photo at the wings. Gary said, "the ones in Opelika are prettier!"
Five Daughters Bakery
We also went to Five Daughters Bakery. I wasn't sure I was going to. Number one, do I really need a donut in my life? Probably not! And I don't love the Parlor Donuts in Columbus and I suspected these would be the same. I like my Dutchway cream filled donuts.
@FiveDaughtersBakery
But I felt like...when in Rome.... So, what not. Besides, I needed a restroom and they had one for customers. So Gary and I got in the line and I ordered one maple bacon donut
Maple Bacon Creme Filled donuts
..and it was creme filled!!!!!!
Maple Bacon donut
I got a knife and cut it in half. We found a table outside and prepared for a diabetic coma. Oh. My. Word. All of the flavors ensconced me at once WOW. That was an amazing donut and I am so glad I tried it!
Opry Mills
We got back in the car and drove across town to Opry Mills. I wanted to see the Grand Ole Opry and Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center was also on the agenda for the day.
We found a bench to enjoy our packed lunch outside the Grand Ole Opry and we took some of the iconic photos. But we did not purchase tour tickets and therefore could not enter .
Gaylord Opryland
We made our way around the building toward the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center I had seen photos of the inside but was not prepared for all that was happening inside this hotel.
There are 2,888 rooms, 21 restaurants, a water park and a spa.
First I was created by a hummingbird carpet, blown glass sculpture and the most beautiful stained glass inlay.
We spoke to Nelson, who was originally from Erie, Pennsylvania. Then off we went to explore the nine acre indoor gardens. ...and waterfalls!!!
Indoor Waterfall at Gaylord Opryland
What these indoor gardeners have done is astounding. I literally touched a plant to see if they were real. Yes, they are real. Over 50,000 real plants live inside this garden oasis. So many peace lilies and other ornamental greenery, it was amazing.
Indoor Gazebo and flowers in Gaylord Opryland
They had also started decorating for Christmas. While I am not a proponent of rushing past Thanksgiving, I do not like halloween at all. So I was delighted they did not decorate for that! Mr. Nelson said that it takes about three months to do all of the decorating, that is why it has already beginning to look a lot like Christmas. They have ice skating, snow tubing, Christmas dinner and so much more.
We adventured on and on, up and down. There is a river inside and a boat on the river! I cannot imagine actually staying at this hotel, I think it is a little above my price range. 🤣
Riverboat at Gaylord Opryland
But it is lovely that they allow us common folk to walk through and enjoy the beauty they have created indoors. ❤️
We headed back toward the car and decided to walk around the mall a little. It was still early and I wanted to get dinner in Nashville before heading back to the campground.
Not since the Mall of America have I seen a mall this huge nor this busy!! And they had some of the classics ..even a Johnny Rockets.
Tired feet eventually forced us to find our way to the car and head for dinner. After all, we only had a light bologna sandwich for lunch and we are on a different time zone. 🤷🏼♀️
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden
Y'all know how much I love a good burger. And I had done my research. So we headed to The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden.
The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden, Nashville, TN
We sat outside, sharing a table with another couple. We both ordered the chipotle burger with the grilled jalapenos on the side I ordered the German potato salad (it was even authentically warm) and Gary got the fries. But he had plenty to share. The food was amazing. The burger was cooked just right. There was so much flavor happening I did not need the grilled jalapenos. And the rolls are home made by a baker down the street, Frothy Monkey. The waitress talked about how wholesome the recipe is with so few ingredients. She also remarked how all of the sauces are made in house the same way. Great Great meal, lovely service, wonderful outdoor seating area. I highly recommend The Pharmacy for dinner if you are in Nashville!
Burgers at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden
Chipotle Burger and German Potato Salad at The Pharmacy Burger Parlor and Beer Garden, Nashville, TN
Continue to follow along as we make our way through 26 days, 9 stops, and 5 states.
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