Tennessee

Part 2 of our fun little road trip took us into Tennessee. This is where I really wanted to go! There are a few places I think I would enjoy living ...New England, Montana and Tennessee. I love Montana, but I've never spent time in the other places. And while I still think I could live in Tennessee, I really do like it here best!

Picture heavy ... be forewarned!

We drove into town Friday afternoon and headed straight for the Grand Ole' Opry Hotel. Gorgeous!

 We contemplated going to the Grand Ole' Opry, but would have had to sit apart so we decided not to go. Vince Gill was playing...I love Vince Gill ~ maybe next time! Kellie Pickler and Rascal Flats play on June 4 if you happen to be in the area !

Headed downtown after that. Nashville isn't a real big city, so it was pretty easy to get around. Everything is pretty focused on this area. Vanderbilt University is right here too.

Found our way to Broadway where all the music happens. Live music at every place, people trying to make it big!

I loved all the bright lights and quirky signs ! We drove through the area, but didn't stop anywhere. Recording studios abound ...

I like the one in this old house !

I kind of wish now, that we had gotten out and walked around, but we're really not into the smokey bar scene. So after driving around we went and found our hotel...much nicer than the last!!!

And then ...... FRANKLIN !!!! My favorite!!

Next time !

We Took a Little Trip ~

Last month Brian and I had the opportunity to take a little road trip that we've always wanted to take. He had meetings in Cincinnati, Ohio so we planned a nice trip through some of the South.

We booked my ticket through to Cincinnati, but it was going to be a very short layover in Chicago and I wasn't sure if I would make it. Also, we were flying back out of St. Louis, Missouri. Do you know it cost's hundreds of dollars more to rent a car in one place and return it in another? Neither did we! So I cut out the last two legs of my flight and got a car in St. Louis and drove to Cincinnati. Good thing, as due to bad weather that flight was delayed an hour, so I would have missed my connecting! (Plus, when I returned home, I had messages saying my flights were cancelled for two days due to bad weather!)

I thought it was appropriate that the women would be providing the shelter in case of a tornado! It was over 85 degrees and so muggy...lots of storms after I got on the road!

I left St.Louis at about 7:45 pm and made it to Cincinnati at around 2:30 am...and I only got lost once! (I was quite proud of myself!)

We stayed at a beautiful, old hotel right downtown, but of course I have no photos except for this one of the amazing brunch I ordered! I slept in while B finished his meetings and we were back on the road by around 2:00. 

We headed to Kentucky, which didn't take long as Cincinnati is right on the border! It was so beautiful! Lush and green and true horse country. So many gorgeous estates and equestrian farms. Miles and miles and miles of  black fencing, although there was white too, but mostly black. I assume it's easier to maintain, but don't know for sure!

The difference between Brian and I when we drive, is that I stop willy nilly everywhere and take pictures. With Brian at the wheel, most photos were taken while driving, and most didn't turn out that great!  But you get the idea with these. We found it interesting that all these antebellum style homes are right on the main roads. We took highways and back roads and stayed off the freeways, but these big ones were right on the highway.

The pillar business is going strong!!

I can't even remember all the towns we went through, but this was on the way to Frankfort.

Brian admired all the stone walls. We stopped at a Shaker village and you could drive all through the area. We didn't take the tour, but did manage to hit the gift shop! The temperature had dropped by 35 degrees when we got there. Big difference from the day before!

I love that there is a "sister's" shop!

Lovely yellow building ...

                                and a cute little swing ~

Stunning barn !

 I would love to walk this lane every day ... so peaceful, and so beautiful.

We visited a lot of small town America. Beautiful and quaint, but small town America is definitely on the decline. It's sad to see a way of life disappearing. I encourage you to shop local and visit these amazing places.

Churches everywhere, gorgeous churches. And beautiful buildings.

The homes were pretty nice too!

We stopped at a cute little cafe. Can't remember where...My memory is terrible !
Loved the quilt painted on the wall. There were barn quilts everywhere. Wish I could have photographed all of them, but this is all I got!

Gift shop on one side,

cafe on the other.

We stayed in Lexington, Kentucky the first night in a lousy Ramada...don't ever stay there! Had a really good dinner at Cheddar's. Brian loved the food and we loved talking with all the friendly people!

Side note...Brian says the Shaker village was south of Lexington, which means the rest of the pictures following were too!!!

Enough for now ! Next up ? Tennessee!!!!!!!!!!

Montana...I Could Live Here!

Montana. Do I need to say anything else? Just the name conjures up natural beauty, a slower pace, rustic decor, wild life, and so much more. We ventured into Montana just a bit last year on our trip, but had a destination in mind this year. Wanted to get to Whitefish, Kalispell, Big Fork and see a bit of Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. We pretty much did it all, except for Kalispell, as we did a loop and didn't quite catch it. Next time!!

Again, tons of pictures, non of which actually do it justice. Let me just say it was Stunning!

The Rockies just jump up out of the ground...so incredible majestic!

We crossed the border into a little town called Eureka. Great little town...cute, quaint, very friendly people. We asked a lady at an antique store what people did there. Her response? Nothing. Cracked us up!

Gorgeous drive to Whitefish. Another adorable town...a little bigger, but very much a small town. We walked around and hit all the shops. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Whitefish is the home of Big Mountain, a ski area and resort. It's only 8 miles to the top of the mountain and the town itself sits on Whitefish Lake.

It was starting to get a little cloudy and windy as we headed up the mountain, and by the time we got to the top it was starting to rain. A blessed sight to this rain-loving gal who hasn't seen rain in 3 months!!

Everyone we met told us to stay at Whitefish Lodge. 4 star hotel and very reasonable (actually the least expensive place we stayed!)

The lodge itself was gorgeous!

Can't go wrong when pumpkins are part of the welcoming committee!!

The weather continued to get stormier, but the fires were blazing and everything was so cozy!

Lots of seating areas all around, a great beach and a cute little marina. You can see the whitecaps on the water, and if you look closely you can see the beautiful colors of the water as well.

Nice pool area, but there was a wedding going on so we didn't expose ourselves on their blessed day. Your welcome, bride and groom!!

We had a gorgeous room! Couldn't wait to take a shower in the spa-like bathroom! Aren't the barn doors great? You could relax in the tub and watch TV or just enjoy the fire!

A really nice common area with bar, games, Big TV and fireplace...no one was using it!

Some wildlife for sale...the only we saw except for deer and wild turkey's! Big disappointment for Brian!

I had been getting a sore throat all day, so we decided to head to the grocery store for Airborne, and ended up getting soup and wine and adding our cheese, salami, crackers, bread and salad to the bunch and having a room picnic. Second best thing next to the hotel!

It was raining hard, and God blessed us with a thunder and lightening storm as well!! Slept with the windows open!!!

In the morning He had done another transformation...SNOW!!!

What a view! People who live there can't help but be happy!!! I'm ready to pack up and move!

We left, reluctantly, and continued on our trip. Next stop was Big Fork and Flathead lake. Big Fork is a cute little (very little) artsy town and full of quaint shops and galleries, and a little theatre. Met some really nice folks here too. We love talking with the locals and picking their brains...such lovely people everywhere we went.

Again, we took the back roads. Skimmed the entrance to Glacier National Park (wish we could have ventured further), and drove a ways along Flathead Lake....it's a really big lake!

Should have gotten out of the car...sorry!

Snow falling!!

We started home, through Idaho and then Spokane. At that point we just wanted a quick drive home so took I-90 the rest of the way. Not so pretty, but home by 10! Only gone a few days, but it was so relaxing, so breath- takingly beautiful, and just a wonderful trip with my favorite travel buddy!!

Can't wait til next year!

Do you do anything special in the fall?