I had a good nights sleep. We had a leisurely morning. Ate a simple breakfast in.
We went to a coffee place not far away: Barista Parlor. Pretty hipster. It was like something on Valencia street, in the Mission district in SF. I found it a little too fussy. Thestaff a "baristas" were way too clean-cut. Slow service. The coffee tasted good.
We next drove toward downtown and stopped at the Union Hotel so Thomas could make a reservation for next week with Kate. Beautiful place. It used to be the train station.
The museum was next to the hotel. We saw a scent that illustrates the difference between San Francisco and Nashville. A homeless guy sat out in front of the museum here. Three police cars converged on him.
Time for lunch. Thomas wanted ribs so we navigated ourselves to the Peg Leg Porker. Long line but it was worth it. We tried everything: pulled pork, chicken, ribs, wings, green beans baked beans, Mac and Cheese, fries. It may not be healthy but it sure was delicious.
I decided we should call this our Noshville tour. Great name for a deli right? Sure enough, I googled it and there is a Jewish deli called Noshville.
Best part of the day - a visit to the Ryman Auditorium. The mother church of country music. The home of the Grand Ole Opry for many years. I had always heard about it and wanted to see it. I learned a lot about it recently from the Ken Burn Country Music documentary. I was a bit awestruck to look around the place. We did a self guided tour, starting with a ten minute documentary. Very well done. The number of famous and popular musicians who performed there is surprising. Not all country stars. Bob Dylan, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, and on and on. It is in an old BIG converted church. Wooden benches for seating. It looks old but also majestic.
We got tickets for Robert Earl Keen on Sunday. Looking forward to it.
Next stop Broadway. Just down the block from the Ryman. DowntownNashville. Their version of Bourbon Street. Block after block of Honky Tonk bars playing loud live music on both sides of the street. Musical tributes and museums. Fun to walk thru and around - once. We looked around the Ernest Tubb Record Shop. Very nostalgic.
We made a bet about whether or not Jenny Schwartz new what the Grand Ole Opry was. Of course she did. We called her up. I won the bet. Thomas had to buy me a whiskey. We had a drink near Vanderbilt University at a Kimpton Hotel. Single barrel bourbon, Belle Meade. Pretty good stuff. We may go tour the distillery.
Dinner time. Off to the Loveless Cafe. My dad liked the place. Fried chicken, biscuits and way too many desserts.
Final stop at Dino's, a dive bar, for a shot and a beer.
I really like Nashville. The cost of living is low. The food is yummy. The town has a good vibe. Not too big. Not too much traffic. Easy to get around. A river runs through it. A very good balance between urban on the edge of rural. All I would need to do, to fit in, is grow a long beard.
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