Nashville Flea Market

The last weekend of every month during the summer is the famous Nashville Flea Market. This year we got there early (Uncle Bill took us to breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and bought each of us a gift) and had a great place to park. James got several toys and the flea market and even some “jerky” snacks (although the $3 soda pop did sting a bit). Mary checked out the antiques with Uncle Bill while James and Dad visited the toy sections of the flea market (and there were many). Thanks to our early arrival we were able to leave the Flea Market just before the afternoon heat (and a few rain drops) came.

Mom got Dad a wallet which was very much needed. Of special note was the gift that James picked out at Cracker Barrel which was a toy dog. The evening before we visited Uncle Bills home and he has 3 dogs which James got to play with, could James be sending us a hint?
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Edited: August 31st, 2010

Cooters

What would a trip to Nashville be without a visit to Cooters Garage. Actually its a Dukes of Hazzard museum which is located right next to the Willie Nelson museum. Inside you will find tons of pictures and collectibles from the Dukes of Hazzard television series, but without a doubt was the opportunity to see 4 of the vehicles used in the series, the General Lee, Cooters tow truck, Daisy’s Jeep and of course a Hazzard county police car.

The museum was free, but there is a charge to take your picture inside the car (which is why Mary is outside of the General Lee). Fret not Hazard fans, we did purchase several souveniers to support this fun tourist site.
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Edited: August 31st, 2010

Willie Nelson Museum

Within walking distance of our hotel were several tourist sites including the Willie Nelson museum. The museum is divided into two halfs, the front part is a huge sourvenier store which claims itself to be the largest souvenier store in Nashville. We visited many other souvenier places and so far this one does appear to be the largest, although we are by no mean experts and have certainly not seen all the souvenier places.

The back part is the museum and there is a $8 fee to go there. Inside were many articles not only from Willie Nelson but also from Johnny Cash, Elvis, and even an Audie Murphy tribute. The museum was built with many of the items that Willie had to sell to pay his IRS bill, the museum purchased many of those items and returned them to Willie which was a cool thing to do.

One of the creepiest things we saw on any trip was the Patsy Cline exhibit which included a mangled watch which stopped when her airplane crashed (fatal). Many other very interesting exhibits were here to visit and well worth the $8 charge.
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Edited: August 31st, 2010

Visiting Grandpa in Nashville

With time running out on summer it was now or never if we were going to make it to Nashville to visit Grandpa and Uncle Bill. Fortunately we made it thanks to the Michigan law which stops school from starting earlier than Labor day. James got a chance to see his Grandpa and also Uncle Bill and his family. Uncle Bill is rebuilding his home after the flood and it is coming along beautifully. As we visited various places in Nashville you could find buildings and businesses still closed from the devastating flood. In fact the hotel we stayed at near Opryland was discounted because the Opryland mall, one of the major attractions in Nashville, was still closed and not due to open till November.

One good thing that came out of the flood was that Uncle Bill found an archive of old family pictures when going through the flood damage. Mom hopes to scan those pictures in and upload to this site in the near future.

Grandma came down on the trip as well and had a chance to visit friends from her previous home for the first time since moving to Michigan back in November 09.
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Edited: August 31st, 2010

Tennessee Visit 2009

Mary, James, and I visited Tennessee to see how everyone was doing. The photos were taken at the West Meade nursing home where James Grandfather Howard, resides. The folks who run this nursing home are great and the deserve all the praise we can give them. I also got to visit my cousin who is in the same nursing home, she is doing very well. What an incredible coincidence that a member from each side of our little family would end up in the same nursing home. It is indeed a small world after all.
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Edited: July 26th, 2009

City of Nashville Tennessee 2006

A very beautiful and fun city, although we never did figure out how to pay the parking there. Lots of attractions, street performers, museums, and restaurants.

On our way home we stopped at a couple of Mary’s old stomping grounds like her first apartment and such. A very enlightening trip and everyone had fun this day.
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Edited: September 26th, 2006

Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame 2006

We took James to the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Many classic items there but flash photography was not allowed so some of the pics may look dim. They say the flashes can actually damage some of the stored items, who would have thought that.

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Edited: September 26th, 2006

Landis Family Reunion 2006

This was the first time James met alot of his Nashville relatives and he really responded well to the wonderful hospitality we were shown while in Tennessee. Mary got to meet up with a new niece as well. We spent alot of time with Mary’s mom who lives in a huge apartment complex that can be seen from downtown Nashville. We also spent alot of time with Mary’s dad who is in a Nursing home but is sharp as a tack. We thought it was wonderful that James got to meet his Grandma and Grandpa along with a Uncles and a bunch of cousins. Thanks to everyone for making this such an enjoyable visit for our family.
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Edited: September 25th, 2006

Nashville Belle Meade Plantation 2006

So many of the great race horses were bred at the Belle Meade Plantation. We had stopped here only for lunch and found ourselves buying tickets and going on the tour. Well, I should say Mary went on the tour, James and I had plenty to explore on the outside of the mansion including the stables and a creepy old mausoleum out in the back.

I remember Mary telling us that one of the people in the Bell Meade history got in trouble with the Tennessee government so they sent him to what they thought was the worse place on earth, that place was Mackinaw Island where we vacation each year.
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Edited: September 25th, 2006

Nashville Aquarium Restaurant 2006

One of the largest aquariums in the world, you should see it at feeding time.

This restaurant is located directly across from the Grand Ole Opry, just on the other side of the parking lot.
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Edited: September 24th, 2006