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Mar. 4th, 2010
I feel like I could either drag this Nashville recap out over the course of another two or three entries, or I could just knock out a quick list of all the remaining highlights and be done with it. And honestly, my preference is for the latter, because as much as I want to record every tiny detail of this great trip, I don't think I have the time to do so in a way that will satisfy me, and even if I did I would make me feel really super indulgent. I mean seriously, I enjoyed myself for the 36 or so hours that my traveling took place but nothing I experienced was so earth-shattering to warrant this much discussion.
Problem is, I never know how these entries are going to shake out until they're actually written. So with that in mind, I'm just gonna start typing an account of what happened after I finished up at the Tennessee State Museum and see if I find another place to leave off, or if I'm able to finally get to the end of the story.
Was hungry, and went looking for food. Decided to explore The Arcade, which was mentioned in a previous entry. Found a little dive known as the House of Pizza, and contemplated eating there. Decision to do so was solidified when I peered through the door and saw a Hulk Hogan poster on the wall. It had been autographed by Mr. Red and Yellow himself, when he visted there in '99. I felt like I couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat at a place endorsed by one of my all-time favorite wrestlers, who I love in spite of the silliness that is his current stint with TNA. I'm happy to report that my slice of cheesy goodness did not disappoint. It was crisp where it needed to be, and gooey where it needed to be, and was just the ticket to satisfying the hunger that I'd let get out of control by spending more time at the museum than I initially planned.
From there wandered down 4th Street until I came across an area called Printer's Alley. Wasn't much to be seen, since all the business establishments in that area were not open until the evening. But I did unearth a seedy looking strip club, and this amused me to no end. What can I say? I laugh at the fact that some people are willing to pay to see boobies.
From there I ambled over to 2nd Street, to an area known as The District. There were a bunch of cheesy souvenir shops and some restaurants. Also a bunch of bars featuring live music and/or karaoke. I wasn't in the mind of shopping, but I did enter one place because it had a whole section dedicated to Dolly Parton merchandise. And I ALMOST got sucked into the Charlie Daniels Museum/Gift Shop, if only because I was kind of curious to see what kinds of things such a place would offer. Ultimately I walked away though. Nothing against Charlie Daniels, but I associate him with the Tommy Bartlett Show that I saw when my family went to Wisconsin Dells when I was 12 or so. Not a positive association -- that was one of the most horrendous vacations ever.
So anyway, I kept going until I reached Broadway, which for those who don't know, is sort of the main drag in downtown Nashville. It's where you'll find most of the more well-known honky tonks, including Layla's Bluegrass Inn, which is the place where I was set to see Hillbilly Casino later that evening. My plan was to locate Layla's so that I'd have no problem getting back there when it was dark, and on the way visit Hatch Show Prints, a place that I had learned about when I was in Seattle last year, thanks to an exhibit of their posters that was being shown at Seattle's Experience Music Project.
Before I could do all of this, however, my cell went off. It was the Doubletree, informing me that my room was finally ready. By this point it was about 1:30 in the afternoon, and dutiful me almost dropped what I was doing and rushed back to the hotel to get settled, mostly because I didn't want them to have to hold my bags any longer than they needed to (and yes, I realize that this is not logical, because it's no skin off their backs to stash my stuff) and because there's a part of me that always feels like my room accommodations need to be squared away first and foremost when I'm traveling. The best way I can explain it is that I need to have some sense of home away from home, you know? A headquarters that I can be certain is going to be ready and waiting for me when I need it.
I told the woman on the phone that I'd be on my way, and she said, "Oh, don't worry, take your time." And you know what? I'm REALLY glad she said that! It made me stop and slow down for a minute. Made me ask myself why it was so critical to have my room RIGHT THAT MINUTE. I didn't have a good answer, and I reminded myself that I had a reservation, ensuring that my room wasn't going anywhere.
This made it so much easier to simply continue on the path I started, and make my way along Broadway from 2nd all the way to 5th Avenue...
Uh oh! Did I just find a good stopping point? I think I did! And it's late, so I think you'll have to continue to stay tuned for more.
Thanks for bearing with me!
Problem is, I never know how these entries are going to shake out until they're actually written. So with that in mind, I'm just gonna start typing an account of what happened after I finished up at the Tennessee State Museum and see if I find another place to leave off, or if I'm able to finally get to the end of the story.
Was hungry, and went looking for food. Decided to explore The Arcade, which was mentioned in a previous entry. Found a little dive known as the House of Pizza, and contemplated eating there. Decision to do so was solidified when I peered through the door and saw a Hulk Hogan poster on the wall. It had been autographed by Mr. Red and Yellow himself, when he visted there in '99. I felt like I couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat at a place endorsed by one of my all-time favorite wrestlers, who I love in spite of the silliness that is his current stint with TNA. I'm happy to report that my slice of cheesy goodness did not disappoint. It was crisp where it needed to be, and gooey where it needed to be, and was just the ticket to satisfying the hunger that I'd let get out of control by spending more time at the museum than I initially planned.
From there wandered down 4th Street until I came across an area called Printer's Alley. Wasn't much to be seen, since all the business establishments in that area were not open until the evening. But I did unearth a seedy looking strip club, and this amused me to no end. What can I say? I laugh at the fact that some people are willing to pay to see boobies.
From there I ambled over to 2nd Street, to an area known as The District. There were a bunch of cheesy souvenir shops and some restaurants. Also a bunch of bars featuring live music and/or karaoke. I wasn't in the mind of shopping, but I did enter one place because it had a whole section dedicated to Dolly Parton merchandise. And I ALMOST got sucked into the Charlie Daniels Museum/Gift Shop, if only because I was kind of curious to see what kinds of things such a place would offer. Ultimately I walked away though. Nothing against Charlie Daniels, but I associate him with the Tommy Bartlett Show that I saw when my family went to Wisconsin Dells when I was 12 or so. Not a positive association -- that was one of the most horrendous vacations ever.
So anyway, I kept going until I reached Broadway, which for those who don't know, is sort of the main drag in downtown Nashville. It's where you'll find most of the more well-known honky tonks, including Layla's Bluegrass Inn, which is the place where I was set to see Hillbilly Casino later that evening. My plan was to locate Layla's so that I'd have no problem getting back there when it was dark, and on the way visit Hatch Show Prints, a place that I had learned about when I was in Seattle last year, thanks to an exhibit of their posters that was being shown at Seattle's Experience Music Project.
Before I could do all of this, however, my cell went off. It was the Doubletree, informing me that my room was finally ready. By this point it was about 1:30 in the afternoon, and dutiful me almost dropped what I was doing and rushed back to the hotel to get settled, mostly because I didn't want them to have to hold my bags any longer than they needed to (and yes, I realize that this is not logical, because it's no skin off their backs to stash my stuff) and because there's a part of me that always feels like my room accommodations need to be squared away first and foremost when I'm traveling. The best way I can explain it is that I need to have some sense of home away from home, you know? A headquarters that I can be certain is going to be ready and waiting for me when I need it.
I told the woman on the phone that I'd be on my way, and she said, "Oh, don't worry, take your time." And you know what? I'm REALLY glad she said that! It made me stop and slow down for a minute. Made me ask myself why it was so critical to have my room RIGHT THAT MINUTE. I didn't have a good answer, and I reminded myself that I had a reservation, ensuring that my room wasn't going anywhere.
This made it so much easier to simply continue on the path I started, and make my way along Broadway from 2nd all the way to 5th Avenue...
Uh oh! Did I just find a good stopping point? I think I did! And it's late, so I think you'll have to continue to stay tuned for more.
Thanks for bearing with me!