Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville Tennessee

Its kind of funny.  I spent a lot of time in Nashville growing up- but it wasn't until recently that I finally made my way to the Opryland Hotel!

We thought it would be fun to check the place out recently on our trip to Nashville.  The hotel is unbelievable. 

We got to the place fairly early to check out the Ice sculptures (see my previous post).  After that we found our way inside the actual hotel and our jaws dropped!

The place is simply mammoth.  It is huge.  If you haven't been there before- there is a body of water going through the hotel.  Seriously.  You can take a boat ride through the place!

In fact, that is the first thing we did.  We took the boat ride.  That was pretty cool.  We learned that empty Jack Daniels bottles were sent to other communities around the world, along with a request that river water from various locations be sent back in the bottles.  Those water samples were added to the hotel river.  How cool is that?  We also learned that parts of the hotel were build to resemble New Orleans.  Several Presidents have stayed here.  Oh, and it is the largest non-gaming resort in the U.S.

Much of the interior of the hotel reminded me of a massive greenhouse.  With the shopping, the greenery, and the hotel, I would sum up Opryland Hotel as a hotel/mall/park.

After our boat ride, we explored the hotel a bit more.  We went through the shops and the various sections of Opryland Hotel.  We purchased some postcards at one gift shop, and wrote messages to friends on them as we set and drank coffee in a small coffee shop area.  There was a Christmas Craft show going on, and we shopped some in that area too.

In the evening, you could take a carriage ride around the hotel to see the lights.  We had a great carriage pulled by a sweet horse named Red.  We shared our ride with another couple from Akron!  I worked in Akron Ohio for a couple of years, and enjoyed chatting with the other couple about that city.

Since we were just passing through, we did not get a room at the Opryland Hotel, but that is something that we will have to do someday!

"Ice" at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville Tennessee

 Getting to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel to see some of their Christmas stuff has been on my list for some time.  THIS YEAR, we FINALLY made it!


We bought tickets to see their display, "Ice" which is mostly huge ice sculptures carved to look like characters from "The Nutcracker".

Check out the photos.  This was very cool!  However, at nearly $30 for an adult ticket, this is a "been there done that" kind of thing.  I probably won't do it again next year.  You can cover the entire sculpture area in under an hour pretty easily, in my opinion.

AND...  they were doing the green screen souvenir photos that I absolutely hate.

Still, it is something cool to do at some point in your life.  And we really enjoyed hanging out at the Opryland Hotel!  More on that later!

Strange Brew Coffee- Greenwood Indiana

Strange Brew Coffee is in the Greenwood area of Indiana, I pretty much consider this to be Indianapolis.

Its funny, I don't think these guys have an actual web site, but there is a lot of praise for them online.  Let me add to that!

We stopped by recently and loved everything about Strange Brew.  They have funky art, books, lots of space, GIANT fish tanks (that I forgot to photograph!) and great coffee.

This is a great under the radar kind of place that is worth checking out!

Colts Grille in Indianapolis Indiana

We swung through Indianapolis the other day.  We always try to make it to the area right before Christmas.

We were able to enjoy a lunch at the Colts Grille!  For a place in downtown associated with a pro sports team, we thought their prices were more than reasonable.  We loved all of the football autographs and other items displayed.  AND, I had about one of the best buffalo chicken sandwiches ever!

The Colts Grille is very slick and inviting.  We had a great waitress and just really enjoyed being there.

I hope they do a little more with their merchandising.  Sure you can get Colts stuff at the team shop in the mall next door, but I would love to see more "Colts Grille" branded items.  I did buy a cool shirt from them for $15 (!!!) but I would love to see some pins, toys etc.  I think they are missing an opportunity there.

Still, this is a nice place with quality grub.  Check it out next time you are in Indy!

One of the Beautiful Caves in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

The postcard was sent from Woodstock, VA in 1938.  The sender tells the receiver, "I have missed you every minute."

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine- Beckley West Virginia

Beckley West Virginia has quickly become one of my favorite places.  This is a cool "under the radar" kind of town.

I have really wanted to stop at the Exhibition Coal Mine for some time, and I finally got the chance on our way back from our trip to Gettysburg.

This attraction was even more cool than I imagined.

You buy your ticket inside of the museum area.  This is a nice place on its own, as there are some interesting displays on coal mining, specific to this area of West Virginia.  I personally enjoyed seeing a display on the baseball teams the miners would form!

After exploring the museum, our tour was called and we got on a very interesting cart to explore the mine.

The carts run on a track, and you go through the mine seated sideways.  This was a confusing way to move at first, but you quickly get used to moving left and right instead of backwards and forwards.

We had a great guide named Roger who would stop at certain points and explain parts of the mining process.  He covered issues including getting paid in scrip, the company store, the (often lack of) help given to miner widows, housing, safety and many other topics.

No walking is involved on the tour, and the carts move at a generally slow pace.  Plus, with an animated and knowledgeable miner guide like Roger, this is a great trip for anyone.

 After the tour through the mine, you can explore the various buildings at the exhibition mine.  Most were authentic structures brought in from other nearby mining towns.  Each building has a staff person available to tell you about the building.  We particularly enjoyed the church and schoolhouse.

Before leaving, we did visit the Exhibition Mine's well stocked merchandise area.  I was VERY pleased to see a HUGE selection of local interest books!

Check Beckley out when you can, this is a great little community with a lot to do!

American Shakespeare Center in Staunton Virginia

The American Shakespeare Center in Staunton Virginia is the home of one of the most unique structures around.  If you are any sort of a fan of live theater, this is a place you must visit at some point.

Their stage and seating area, the Blackfriars Playhouse, is a replica of the original Blackfriars Theatre in London.  William Shakespeare and his pals would have practiced their art there.

The original was demolished in 1655, and there are no real plans to go by, so this is kind of an approximate replica, but they did do all of the researching they could to get it right.

We took a formal tour of the theatre and we were impressed by just how spectacular the place is.  Sure, I wanted to see all of the behind the scenes stuff on a tour, but moments after seeing the place in person for the first time, I longed to see actors on it's stage.  I wanted to see people in the seats, and movement on the stage.  This is a beautiful place when empty, and I can only imagine it with lights, players, and an appreciative audience complimenting it.


As I imagine.... this venue would be the star of any play.

Being that we would not be able to attend any plays here any time soon, we were thrilled to be able to see so much of it on our tour.

Our tour was given by a very energetic student from the nearby Mary Baldwin College, where she studies acting!

AND we got to see the whole place!  Backstage, dressing rooms, the trap door area under the stage...... it was all very exciting!

This is a great venue, and Staunton is a very nice town.  I can't wait to get back here to visit more, and to see a play!

Rockport Lincoln Pioneer Village

You may know, I have visited pretty much every place Abraham Lincoln lived, and most of the main locations associated with him.  Oddly, I have only recently been able to make it to the Rockport Lincoln Pioneer Village.  I say oddly, because this amazing museum/village is only a short drive from where I grew up!  AND, sadly, I don't remember hearing about it back then!

Well, at least I FINALLY made it here!

Sure, this isn't the spot where Lincoln was born or even where he lived.  This is not Hodgenville, Lincoln City, or Springfield, but the town does have strong ties to President number 16.  AND, after seeing this museum, I think all Lincoln Pilgrims MUST add this site to their lists.

The museum on the grounds is nice, but small.  Be prepared to spend some time here though, as there is no fluff.  The cases hold many items important to the area's history, but there are some very impressive Lincoln relics.

I probably spent a large chunk of time gazing at a case in the back displaying some amazing items.  Check out the photos.

Outside, there are many replica or restored cabins and buildings associated with Lincoln, and the people in his life.

This is a great place for any fan of Abe Lincoln to visit!  It is packed with great info and relics from Lincoln, his family, and friends.

This might be one of the most underrated history museums around!

Birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, Staunton, VA

This VERY old postcard shows the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson.  It notes-

Woodrow Wilson, son of Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, Minister, was born at the Presbyterian Manse in Staunton, VA., December 28, 1856.  Mr. Wilson was President of the United States during the World War and served for eight years in that capacity.  He was the eighth Virginian to hold that honored office, and the first Virginian and first Southerner elected since the Civil War.