Nashville, Tennessee

 After a late start this morning (we both slept late) we decided not to hang around Decatur but to head straight to Nashville.  Way more things to do and see and we hoped to arrive in time for a quick tour of the area.

Our welcome to Tennessee came in the form of a chicken.


And then there were many more chickens being taken out for a joy ride.


Lots of green hills and mountains.  Then we found the people!  According to Google there is an average of 46,000 visitors a day for a total spending of $30.7 million a day!  After taking a two hour bus tour, I believe it.  According to the guide the population is doubling every two years with 100 people moving here every day.  Every day.
So many bars, restaurants, museums, hotels, theaters and shops.  Some cool facts we learned:
    -the body of the Capitol building architect is buried in the corner of one of the concrete walls,
    -businesses in the area have to design their buildings as if it is a private home,
    -adultery and revenge led to Nashville's hot chicken craze,
    -the official state drink is milk (not whiskey!).




Our tour bus stopped 13 times.  The one we decided to explore was the original factory for Marathon Motor Works.  Developed into multiple units with bars, distilleries and shops, it had original machinery and memorabilia scattered throughout the building.  Pretty cool.  




                                  The Parthenon, an exact replica of the one in Athens, Greece.
                                    (Under construction and closed temporarily.)

Broadway, the main street in downtown, is busy.  Lots of music at almost every venue, cars, trucks, people, tour guide, party buses and the most perfect place for people watching!  We settled in to Margaritaville for a couple beers and a snack before heading to pick up the rental car - the kids are arriving tonight and we need a bigger vehicle.

Now we wait for their arrival and start enjoying exploring the area with the kids in the morning.


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